What to do with a Player who doesn't like his class

[Mallus]

...I almost feel like PCs need to be warned about the long-term consequences of multi-classing. And that it's not fair to the PCs who stuck with their single classes from the start.

Long-term consequences like 'being broken for most caster/manifester combinations'? Yes, that warning should come with the rule set.

The alternative, of course, is to make the multiclassed character more viable by bending the rules for them at higher levels, when the power level disparities become more problematic. Give them a boon, some special perks/spells/powers, an inherent stat increase or two.

You know, cheat in their favor. So long as the characters in the party are balanced relative to each other, and the other players are cool with it, there isn't any problem.

And if some of the other players do have a problem with it, ask them why they're opposed to helping one of their friends enjoy the game?

 

[delericho]

Of course, it's all about having fun, so far be it from me to stop any player from rebuilding. But it still bugs me a bit, as I almost feel like PCs need to be warned about the long-term consequences of multi-classing. And that it's not fair to the PCs who stuck with their single classes from the start.

I say let them retire the character and bring in a replacement, subject to exactly the same rules and restrictions as you would normally apply in this case. So, if new characters enter a level lower than the lowest member of the group then... that's what they do.

I see no benefit in making a player continue with a character he doesn't like, regardless of the reasons he has for not liking the character. I also see no reason to encourage switching out though, so I usually do require new characters come in slightly behind the curve. (I also don't use the Retraining rules from PHB2 - minor changes can be made without fuss, and major changes require a change of character.)

 

[Emirikol]

Mitch:

What does your houserulebook say about replacement characters?

Our rule is 5% x.p. loss and 50% g.p. wealth (per DMG)..or 25% wealth if not a common race (if you have subraces).

jh

 

[Darklone]

No way. As a DM, I'd salvage that character for future re-use.

That's not a problem with killing. Let him get killed by the vampire cohort of the BBEG, great way to turn a PC paladin into a blackguard.

 

[sniffles]

Find out what he WANTED to roleplay, and ask him if he wants to switch up.

That said, keep in mind some people just aren't into taking center-stage, so make sure "not fun" isn't a cover for "not enough combat for his tastes" or "I'm really a more casual gamer, and enjoy jsut being part of the group, and don't like you to focus on me too much."

This is a good point, but I was thinking just the reverse. Some people like to be the center of attention and the game stops being fun for them when they're not.

Unfortunately that's a lot harder to deal with than the player who doesn't want to attract attention. Hopefully that's not the problem for the OP's player.

 

[jdrakeh]

Find out what he WANTED to roleplay, and ask him if he wants to switch up.

I was gonna' say "let him play a class that he likes" It seems to simple, really.

 

[Gentlegamer]

For this general situation, can't the character multiclass out of his present class? That is, refect his new interests by branching into another class and never adding more levels to the old class?

 

[Templetroll]

Let him take a new class and suggest it be a core single class with a background and personality. I wouldn't make any minuses for the changeover.

 

[irdeggman]

IMO the real core is to develop a "type of character" that you want to play and a "role" that you want him to fill along with some "personality traits" to round him out.

Then you look for a race and class that matches.

There is the of course obligatory "talking with the DM" to find out out this type of character would fit in and if he had any suggestions based on how the game setting/world was set up.