variant Multiclass

[Plane Sailing]

I don't like the existing multiclass feats. On the one hand they are extra attractive since they grant a trained skill AND an extra benefit. You also have an ability restriction which the classes themselves don't have. On the other hand, it doesn't allow you entrance to certain paragon paths and other stuff because it is missing an important element of the class feature.

I think I would prefer to have multiclass skills where the entry to the class depends upon being trained in a relevant skill, and where you get something more characteristic of the class.

It seems to me that the most characteristic things of classes are actually the at-wills, so I'm thinking about the following arrangement. As before, only 1 multiclass feat can be taken.

Initiate of the faith (Cleric)
Prereq: Trained in Religion
Benefit: Healing Word once per day. Can use a holy symbol as an implement. Swap one of your 1st level at-will attack powers for a cleric 1st level at-will attack power.

Student of the Sword (Fighter)
Prereq: Trained in Athletics
Benefit: Either +1 with one handed weapons or +1 with two handed weapons. Swap one of your 1st level at-will attack powers for a fighter 1st level at-will attack power.

Soldier of the faith (Paladin)
Prereq: Trained in Religion
Benefit: Channel Divinity once per day. Can use a holy symbol as an implement. Swap one of your 1st level at-will attack powers for a Paladin 1st level at-will attack power.

Warrior of the Wild (Ranger)
Prereq: Trained in Nature or Dungeoneering
Benefit: You can use Hunters Quarry once per encounter, lasting until the end of your next turn. Swap one of your 1st level at-will attack powers for a ranger 1st level at-will attack power.

Sneak of Shadows (Rogue)
Prereq: Trained in Stealth
Benefit: Once per encounter you can use the rogues sneak attack feature. Swap one of your 1st level at-will attack powers for a rogue 1st level at-will attack power.

Pact Initiate (Warlock)
Prereq: Trained in Arcane
Benefit: Choose a pact. You can curse once per encounter and get the pact boon. Can use a wand or pact blade as an implement for warlock powers. Swap one of your 1st level at-will attack powers for the warlock 1st level at-will attack power associated with your pact.

Student of Leadership (Warlord)
Prereq: Trained in History
Benefit: Inspiring Word once per day. Swap one of your 1st level at-will attack powers for a warlord 1st level at-will attack power.

Arcane Initiate (Wizard)
Prereq: Trained in Arcane
Benefit: Gain one cantrip of your choice. Can use an orb, wand or staff as an implement for wizard powers. Swap one of your 1st level at-will attack powers for a wizard 1st level at-will attack power.

 

[Plane Sailing]

Humans would have most to gain from this arrangement, with their ability to have 3 at-will powers.

Are there any particular abusive combinations which might appear if people can cherry-pick at-will combinations?

(of course, in the standard game these could be chosen at 11th level by dedicated multiclassers).

 

[Larry Hunsaker]

I think that the idea has merit but giving at-wills for a feat is breaking the intentional wall 4E has put between classes. They want you to be 1 class and have a flavor for another. So opening up the ranger's twin strike power for a mere feat is pretty powerful. I cannot think of a combat class that would not want this. Or the Cleric's Righteous Strike or whatever. I think it is probably best to keep at-wills away from multi-classing unless you totally devote yourself like the paragon multi-class option.

 

[garyh]

A couple technical points -

1) I'd specify Hunter's Mark lasts until the end of your next turn, as per the errata.

2) I'd specify that the warlock gets the at-will that matches his pact. Also, this might best be limited to "till the end of your next turn" like HQ.

I agree with Larry, though, that swapping at-wills might be too much. What I think might be better is the "choose an at-will as an encounter" like the Wizard is RAW. I think it's great you can multi and get a wizard power, but why can't you multi and use Tide of Iron once a fight (per RAW)? Your total swap goes a bit too far, I think, but as an encounter I think it works very well.

I like the addition of more class features and requiring a skill be trained as a pre-req.

 

[Plane Sailing]

I think that the idea has merit but giving at-wills for a feat is breaking the intentional wall 4E has put between classes. They want you to be 1 class and have a flavor for another. So opening up the ranger's twin strike power for a mere feat is pretty powerful. I cannot think of a combat class that would not want this. Or the Cleric's Righteous Strike or whatever. I think it is probably best to keep at-wills away from multi-classing unless you totally devote yourself like the paragon multi-class option.

That's why I'm posting this in the house rules section!

I don't like the intentional wall which they have put between two classes - I think it is too solid a wall, and the multiclassing they have put in place is half-baked.

Twin Strike would clearly be powerful, but... non-rangers are limited to using an 'OffHand' weapon for their second strike, and they lose strength damage on both attacks, so I think it will be self-balancing. Could be a problem for missile-using other classes perhaps... but mostly an issue for rogues, probably.

Even clerics 'righteous strike' might not look as good compared to one of the powers you have to give up.

 

[Plane Sailing]

A couple technical points -

1) I'd specify Hunter's Mark lasts until the end of your next turn, as per the errata.

2) I'd specify that the warlock gets the at-will that matches his pact. Also, this might best be limited to "till the end of your next turn" like HQ.

Good points, I'll edit those in.

 

[WhatGravitas]

Twin Strike would clearly be powerful, but... non-rangers are limited to using an 'OffHand' weapon for their second strike, and they lose strength damage on both attacks, so I think it will be self-balancing.

The figher also doubles his at-will marking capabilities.

Cheers, LT.

 

[Ulorian - Agent of Chaos]

Looks good! I'd also add an ability score pre-req to the skill pre-req.

 

[Exen Trik]

I'd make the wording of the at-will swapping left optional, in case you want for example the warlords healing and other power swap feats but not the at-will powers. And I'd be hesitant to give away the fighters weapon training benefit all the time, the mark 1/encounter of the original version should be useful enough.

Also, the warlord multiclass feat requires... history? Granted there isn't much to work with there, but I'd at least give them the option of that with diplomacy or intimidate, to represent the charisma side of it.

 

[Stalker0]

This is one someone pointed out to me in my own multiclass variant.

Take the fighter and give him the rogue's riposte strike. Now I hit you and your marked. Attack someone else, and I get a free attack. Attack me, and I get a free attack.

Also, I agree with others that the fighter's permanent +1 is too strong. That's a gimme for any fighter type.