XP penalty for multiclassing: do you use it?

[haiiro]

I've heard quite a few arguments on both sides, and I'm just curious if there's a general consensus on the issue.

For the time being, I use the standard rules for multiclassing and XP penalties. I'm considering not using this penalty in my next game, mainly because multiclassing actually seems to weaken most spellcasting classes, but also because I think it's fun to be able to multiclass freely.

So how about it: do you use this penalty in your games, or have you abandoned it?

Edit: if you voted "Sort of," please explain how you've changed this system.

 

[cptg1481]

Free Multiclasses Yeaaaaaaaay!

I think that the penalty thing is silly, I mean I don't see the reason for it. (Not that I can't read the explanation in the book, I just don't buy it.)

So the stress of bearing arms and learning magic is just too much to bear and therefore you learn 20% less than you normally from practicing both. I guess while hacking a slashing you'are still 20% focussed on magic and vice versa. I say that it is easy to blend the two into a beter and more personalized version of fighting with a magic kick or vice versa a personalized version of using magic with an agressive martial twist.

It is there in the rules, I know this but in my campaign its just not what I want. Which brings me to another thought, which, so I don't commit threadjacking I'll post elsewhere. Why do people nerf rules? My thought as a DM is that I will never take away something that is presented in the rules for the players to use benificially, however, I may disregard restrictions and other imposed limitations for the sake of player enjoyment.

Anyway, that's my thought on this thing.....rules shmules, let the guys have fun with all of the classes on one character if that's what they want.

 

[nameless]

I voted yes, but I've never seen the penalty actually applied. I look it like Arcane Spell Failure. Almost no arcane caster uses armor that will give a spell failure chance, so it's almost as good as banning it. Only a few very special cases will risk that penalty. The same goes with multiclassing. You're supposed to multiclass according to your favored class and otherwise balance non-PrC levels.

It's kind of like the 3.5E motto. Options, not restrictions. You are basically restricted from some multiclassing, but you can do it if you're willing to compromise.

 

[Khaalis]

Modification

We use a very small modification to the standard rule, allowing a 2 level spread rather than the standard 1 level.

Thus you could have (as an example): Fighter2/Rogue4/Sorcerer10

(assume human with Sorcerer as preferred class)

Under the normal rules, this would give the XP penalty.
In our system the above character would not receive the XP penalty unless they advanced to Rogue5, making the difference in the 2 non-preferred classes 3 levels.

As to the arguments for/against multiclassing. Personally from a DM's point of view - I see no real issue with multi-classing. It is a tradeoff that a character chooses, and the DM really shouldnt limit the creativity of the player (as long as it makes sense to a given game). A CR 10 character is still a CR 10 character wether single or multiclassed. What a character gives up in advanced powers they gain in versatility.

Personally from a players point of view, I am an avid multiclasser. I much prefer a versatility in usefulness than more advanced powers.

Just my thoughts.

 

[Destil]

I give anyone with a level in their race's favored multiclass a 5% bonus to XP gained. Aside from that there's no multiclassing restrictions. Classes are abstract, IMHO, and the restriction is there just to help reinforce old D&D style multiclass types.

 

[Chacal]

I give anyone with a level in their race's favored multiclass a 5% bonus to XP gained. Aside from that there's no multiclassing restrictions. Classes are abstract, IMHO, and the restriction is there just to help reinforce old D&D style multiclass types.

Interesting take on it. Do you give the 5% to a dwarf Ftr 1/ Wiz X ?

It seems that it encourages taking at least 1 level in a favored class (which is a good thing IMO),
but there's no avantage to continue progression in the favored class.

If I wasn't afraid by the additional bookkeeping, I would have tried something like this :
For every level you obtain, you get 5% bonus XP that can only be used for levelling in your favored class (you're not obligated to use them).
If you gain a level in your favored class, you get 10% XP bonus

An example :
A Ftr 1 dwarf begins play with 0 xp
when he reaches Ftr2 , he gains 100 xp in his "fighter xp pool".
If he has chosen to be Ftr1/Ran1 , he would only have got 50 xp in his pool.

That's some kind of "positive reinforcement" rule.
If you like racial restrictions on classes, you could say that some classes don't give favored class xp, or even substract XP from it
Chacal

 

[haiiro]

Classes are abstract, IMHO, and the restriction is there just to help reinforce old D&D style multiclass types.

That's an interesting point, and I'd never looked at it that way. Thinking about the 2e multiclass options, that actually makes a lot of sense.

 

[Nifft]

I like the 5% bonus idea -- have it be a 5% bonus IF you have more levels in your Favored Class than any other class. Still allows flexibility, but rewards focus.

-- Nifft

 

[Chacal]

I like the 5% bonus idea -- have it be a 5% bonus IF you have more levels in your Favored Class than any other class. Still allows flexibility, but rewards focus.

-- Nifft

I agree It's simpler. Even if the Ftr/Ftr/Rog/Ftr/rog/ftr...
gets more xp than the ftr/rog/ftr/rog ....../ftr/ftr

How should we take PrC into account ?

Chacal

 

[MarauderX]

One thing I never liked having messed with as a player was XP. I don't charge wizards XP for creating items even though there is 100% success rate. If there was a chance for failure, I would GIVE them XP for doing the research and experimentation. So the last thing I am going to do is penalize characters for multiclassing, as in the long run it creates a weaker character vs. 'pure class' characters, even if just a little.