D&D 5E (2014) Variant Multiclassing (AD&D/Gygax Style), help with play balance
- Thread starter dmhelp
- Start date
Seems strong at lower levels, but the extra XP cost will cause them to fall behind pretty quickly. Given the HP is based on the half level equivalent, this might have survivability issues once the rest of the party is sitting at level 5-6. While I approve of a true gestalt multi-class concept, I think this needs a bit of work. Maybe give 3/4 XP, so they still fall behind, but not quite as badly.
Ancalagon
Dusty Dragon
I've been thinking about this a lot lately, and I think that the way forward to get the "feel" of the old 2nd ed multiclassing is careful multiclassing 5e by doubling down on the subclasses. As you say, a level 5 fighter/five wizard is... underwhelming.
What you might want to try is to multiclass unevenly but compensate. For example, you could make a level 7 fighter/3 wizard but have the 7 levels of fighter be eldritch knight, and the 3 levels of wizards be something very useful to you - like a diviner or perhaps an abjurer? (an interesting alternative would be 3 levels of hexblade with the Tome pact). This would be a very strong "gish" build.
Alternatively, you would have a level 7 wizard level 3 fighter. In this case to compensate for the only 3 levels of fighter, makes the 7 levels of wizard a bladesigner, and the 3 levels of fighter be battlemaster. This would also be a vey interesting and strong build.
Fighter mage thief could be achieved by combining arcane trickster with bladesigner. I've seen it done once in a PBP game and the character was super effective.
What you might want to try is to multiclass unevenly but compensate. For example, you could make a level 7 fighter/3 wizard but have the 7 levels of fighter be eldritch knight, and the 3 levels of wizards be something very useful to you - like a diviner or perhaps an abjurer? (an interesting alternative would be 3 levels of hexblade with the Tome pact). This would be a very strong "gish" build.
Alternatively, you would have a level 7 wizard level 3 fighter. In this case to compensate for the only 3 levels of fighter, makes the 7 levels of wizard a bladesigner, and the 3 levels of fighter be battlemaster. This would also be a vey interesting and strong build.
Fighter mage thief could be achieved by combining arcane trickster with bladesigner. I've seen it done once in a PBP game and the character was super effective.
TheSword
Warhammer Fantasy Imperial Plenipotentiary
Sorcerer is a far far more effective combination with fighter than wizard.
The combination of quickened spells and higher caster slots that can be traded in for more sorcerer points is excellent. Quickened mirror image, fly, haste, or a nice fireball is very helpful. Shield, Absorb elements etc come in handy.
Not too mention throwing in two green flame blade attacks as a bonus action at a cost of 3 sorcery points that can easily be recovered.
This is all on top of a fighters normal attack routine, sentinel etc.
Of course ranger / sorcerer is even better. Potentially 3 attacks plus 2 green green flame blades at 8th level in a single round.
The combination of quickened spells and higher caster slots that can be traded in for more sorcerer points is excellent. Quickened mirror image, fly, haste, or a nice fireball is very helpful. Shield, Absorb elements etc come in handy.
Not too mention throwing in two green flame blade attacks as a bonus action at a cost of 3 sorcery points that can easily be recovered.
This is all on top of a fighters normal attack routine, sentinel etc.
Of course ranger / sorcerer is even better. Potentially 3 attacks plus 2 green green flame blades at 8th level in a single round.
Swarmkeeper
Hero
While there is a bit of overlap with what you a proposing, this person handles some of the mechanics in a slightly different way which you might find helpful:
The HomeBrewery - Gestalt Characters
The HomeBrewery - Gestalt Characters
TwoSix
The Year of the TwoSix
It definitely strikes me as benefiting gish multiclasses over caster multiclasses. Fighter just combines so well with pretty much any caster for a minor level penalty.
For my taste, the penalty is too back loaded; only losing 1 level by level 9 is too little of a cost.
For my taste, the penalty is too back loaded; only losing 1 level by level 9 is too little of a cost.
aco175
Legend
My campaigns never reach level 20, or 16 for that matter so most of the penalties being held off to later would never affect my players. I also would not give casters that are 4/4 the extra damage with cantrips since a straight class is 5th. This will lead to someone asking for a 2nd attack since everyone else is 5th level and I'm only a 4/4.
Ideally, I would just make new classes that combine powers I'm looking for in a multi-classed PC. This is not a discussion for here though.
Ideally, I would just make new classes that combine powers I'm looking for in a multi-classed PC. This is not a discussion for here though.
Quartz
Hero
I would keep cantrip damage at the base level. Likewise Proficiency Bonus.
BTW in 1e you used the average HP, not the higher HD.
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