Why are there multi-classing xp penalties?

[Avatar_V]

Why are there xp penalties for multi-classing? I would have thought that not continuing in your original class would typically be enough of a trade-off for the versatility gained. I suppose the rule is in place to discourage dipping into a class for just the first level or two, in the cases where many of the class abilities are frontloaded.

If I houserule this restriction away, what abominable combinations am I likely to see?

 

[billd91]

Why are there xp penalties for multi-classing? I would have thought that not continuing in your original class would typically be enough of a trade-off for the versatility gained. I suppose the rule is in place to discourage dipping into a class for just the first level or two, in the cases where many of the class abilities are frontloaded.

If I houserule this restriction away, what abominable combinations am I likely to see?

You're pretty much right about the reason. It prevents excessive dipping for 1 or two levels and, as such, I'm generally in favor of it. But If you house-rule it away, you probably won't see dire consequences. Prestige classes are already exempt from multiclass XP penalty rules and it's plenty easy to do obnoxious class dipping among them

 

[Nebulous]

We just play Arcana Evolved where it's not an issue. We just had a character pick up his sixth class at 9th level and it's balanced. I would always let the DM take it case by case though, as there are always loopholes to exploit. I'm glad to be rid of the XP penalty though.

 

[Plane Sailing]

Why are there xp penalties for multi-classing? I would have thought that not continuing in your original class would typically be enough of a trade-off for the versatility gained. I suppose the rule is in place to discourage dipping into a class for just the first level or two, in the cases where many of the class abilities are frontloaded.

If I houserule this restriction away, what abominable combinations am I likely to see?

The only thing that you might want to consider is whether to give an additional small benefit to humans and half-elves, since you are removing one of their benefits and giving it to everyone...

It is interesting to note that all the recent d20 and OGL games that I've seen have no penalties for multiclassing at all. As you note, the loss of higher level single-class abilities is a big enough penalty by itself!

Cheers

 

[Glyfair]

Why are there xp penalties for multi-classing? I would have thought that not continuing in your original class would typically be enough of a trade-off for the versatility gained. I suppose the rule is in place to discourage dipping into a class for just the first level or two, in the cases where many of the class abilities are frontloaded.?

The other reason given was roles. Elves are typically portrayed as having some magical ability, for example. The penalty, in combination with the preferred class rule, encouraged elves to dip into wizard (whether this was the right class is another discussion).

Remember, playtesters of 3E encouraged a number of things for flavor reasons. The most obvious were the paladin/monk multi-classing restrictions.

If the flavor isn't an issue with your group, and you aren't worried about min-max "dipping" then eliminate them.

 

[Glyfair]

The only thing that you might want to consider is whether to give an additional small benefit to humans and half-elves, since you are removing one of their benefits and giving it to everyone...

I think humans are fine as is if you drop it. That extra feat is that good. Half-elves, on the other hand, need something to compensate. Maybe give them the human skill bonus.

 

[kenmarable]

I have never, ever used the multiclass xp penalty, and have never suffered any dire consequences for it. So no need to fear it.

The other points are valid, however. If your group is one who would be tempted to go dipping, and dipping is inherently bad to you, then keep it. If you are worried that some races might lose some of their inherent flavor, then keep it. Personally, level dipping has very rarely occurred in my groups, and never seemed unbalanced or inexplicable in game. When I first started 3e, I was a multiclassing nut. Now, I'm tired of never getting high level abilities and so am focusing on single class characters far, far, more. And as for flavor, our group maintains a healthy amount of the traditional flavor of the races without relying on mechanics to enforce it. Elves can be just as magical without a favored class of wizard.

So, I think for most groups, it's really unnecessary.

 

[wedgeski]

It's gone from my game with no noticable effect. I usually offer humans the opportunity to select a skill or two that would normally be cross-class and make them permanent class skills instead.

 

[Jhaelen]

I have never, ever used the multiclass xp penalty, and have never suffered any dire consequences for it. So no need to fear it.

I have always used the multiclass xp penalty, and have never suffered any dire consequences for it. So no need to fear it

It does help to prevent one of my players from going totally nuts when it comes to multiclassing. For some reason he thinks it's a great idea to create character builds that start to get effective at about level 20

 

[Li Shenron]

It does help to prevent one of my players from going totally nuts when it comes to multiclassing.

Same for me. I have no problems dropping the multiclassing restrictions, but I don't like seeing players concentrating all their efforts in combos at the expense of not concentrating on what's going on in the adventure... Heavy multiclassing can have this bad effect on certain players, but for those cases I think it would have been best to ban multiclassing completely or (better) to make the xp penalties way simpler, such as a fixed 10% penalty for each class beyond the first.