Multiclassing in D&D Next

[Bandit]

Mike Mearls has an article up talking about multiclassing in D&D Next. I like the way they are going with it. I hope they take a real good look at it though. Multiclassing is usually where the game breaks down for my groups. All of the busted builds come from it! here is the link http://www.wizards.com/DnD/Article.a...d/4ll/20120917

[Diffan]

I'm intrigued as far as implementing a 3E style multiclass system without falling into the broken traps they specifically discuss in the article. Everyone knows that there were a number of problems that went along with multiclassing in 3E such as cherry-picking the best abilities of a class, crazy synergy, and even really unplayable/crappy characters (on the other end of the spectrum). I remember someone also mentioneing that they were trying to get multiclassing started from as early as 1st level. Which is something that I'm really interested in seeing.

A few theories on how they're going to achieve this:

• Restrict Multiclassing to 1 other class.

• Have a dual-class/hybrid system in place with advance tables for all classes in separete progression form their base form.

• Changing classes so they're not so front-loaded

• Using feats to gain additional benefits of specific classes after your multiclass is chosen.

[Markustay]

Except for the idea of having only one second class, I think some amalgam of everything else you mention would work well (if they can manage that). I prefer to leave class-selection open-ended because it gives players more options. On the other hand, I am also a fan of a four-class system (5 w/psionics) and everything else is built with feat-trees.

For instance, instead of a Red Wizard Class, their should be a Red Wizard Feat, which would entitle you to the Circle Magic feat, operate within Thay unrestricted, and allow you a 20% discount at Thaymart. Nothing all that great (because you said the classes should be front-loaded), but that would be the prerequisite to several more Feats, and eventually to some really juicy ones. The same could be done with Harpers, Zhents, etc - just about any organization (which is how PrCs were meant to be). Have the big payoff-Feats be later in the build, but give a Feat each level (because you are going to burn quite a few as prerequisites to get other stuff). Also, make some of them synergistic with levels and other feats, which could simulate multi-classing. Ergo, if you have a few levels of Fighter, and take a 'Divine Agent' Feat (giving you access to the priest tree), you can can create a paladin by taking both fighter and priest feats (getting certain synergy bonuses at certain level-combos, like a Paladin's Mount).

In fact, you could even take this a step further and go with a classless system, but then it wouldn't be D&D anymore (and we've already heard that argument a-plenty the past few years). Just some basic classes, intricate feat-trees, and a feat at every level, and you should be able to do whatever you want. And of course, taking certain feats should deny you the ability to take specific other feats (for instance, if you take the Zhent Feat, you should not be allowed to take the Harper Feat... unless you were a double-agent and got DM permission to do so).

Look at my idea for the Paladin again - a Fighter/Priest muticlass. Lets say on the fighter end you specialize in bows, and on the priest side of things you went with nature. You just turned your potential Paladin into a Ranger instead. Just take a forestry skill for the other stuff (like tracking) and your good to go. Also, adding the nature-god option onto the paladin build allows you to substitute an animal companion for your mount (the mount is a companion - you just get more choices by worshiping a nature deity).

Multiclassing works best when it isn't a class at all, IMHO.

[shauno]

I have always had trouble with multiclassing. The 4th edition was the worst for me. Everytime I tried it, it either came out to powerful or underwheming. There was a time that I skipped multiclassing altogher and either used another class that alredy existed like ninja for fighter/rogue or bard for wizard/rogue or made one up to fill the gaps. For this reason I tend to play a character in one class til they get killed or they need to be retired (level 20 or more).

For multiclassing to be really effective, you need to address level limits. It is hard to justify multiclassing if you can only reach level 20 or less. 4e has a cap at 30, but in one of the past Forgotten Realm editions it was 40. There is still a ton of stuff to be addressed for (5e), I hope they continue to make multiclassing like all else in thier core rules-simple.

[Darth Jerod]

I would like to see multiclassing as such.

• When you level you choose another class
• If this is your first level of the new class gain all of the benefits of that new class. Except you do not gain the ability score improvements.
• For abilities that require you to determine your level add all class levels to get your character level. Spell levels are determined by the level of your caster class. Thus a multiclassed character of level 5 (fighter 2 - Wizard 3) would be just a level 3 Wizard.