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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Elder-Basilisk" data-source="post: 223952" data-attributes="member: 3146">Multiclassing can be advantageous for fighter type characters.After a certain point, many fighters have enough feats to be effective. The abilities of barbarians, rangers, and paladins are then attractive options. Similarly, a feat starved barbarian doesn't sacrifice too much (2 hit points, 4 skill points, uncanny dodge progression, rage, and DR progression) by picking up two levels of fighter. Any lightly armored fighter or barbarian can pick up a level of ranger to dual wield, track, use wands of cure light wounds and get ranks in spot and listen--in effect, they're giving up one feat for two virtual feats, one real feat, expanded magic options, and a good selection of class skills.Fighting classes who pick up rogue levels also gain a lot (as long as they planned on being lightly armored anyway).The key to effective multiclassing is finding a character concept or goal and building a character toward it. A multi-classed character is no longer a substitute for a single-classed character in each class, but rather a character class of their own. In 2e, a fighter/rogue was an effective backup sneak and trapfinder/disarmer, etc. In 3e, the fighter/rogue can be a swashbuckling, acrobatic fighter (ranks in tumble, bluff, jump, etc) who relies on dexterity and precision more than power, a sneaky fighter, a sneak/trapfinder/lock opener who can fight if it comes to that (rogue with 1 or 2 levels of fighter), or a fighter who knows a few dirty tricks (fighter with one or two rogue levels for sneak attack). None of these characters can substitute for both a front-line combatant and the party's trapfinder--they're either different types of fighters or different types of rogues. Similarly, a Paladin 3/Fighter 2/Templar 3 is a very effective holy warrior--but one more centered on foot combat and smiting bad guys than healing, mounted combat, and casting spells (Pal 8).Multiclassing is more difficult when it comes to magic. In general, classes which don't offer the same spellcasting progression are ineffective ways to multi-class. Cleric 3/Wizard 3 is a far weaker character than cleric 6 or wizard 6. (Unless, of course, the character is headed for the geomancer prestige class which can make up for some of the inherent weakness of this combo). OTOH, prestige classes which offer spellcasting progression can make very effective multiclass combos. A Sorceror 5/Mage of the Arcane Order 4/Elemental Savant 6 can be significantly more effective than a simple 15th level sorceror.Multiclassing spellcasting and non-spellcasting classes can be effective but is generally a lower powered option than staying single classed as a spellcaster (or avoiding spellcasting entirely). A fighter/cleric, rogue/wizard, or fighter/wizard can be made effective if the player is willing to focus on the character's strengths and make them good at what they do. Even so, they will often be inferior to single-classed characters of their level. (I play a melee focussed Fighter 2/Wizard 4 in the RPGA's Living Greyhawk campaign--he's not as good at dealing damage as the really highly optimized characters but he seems to be about as effective as the average fighter of his level).</blockquote>

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