MultiClassing in e4

[Cam_Neely]

Looking for advice on how this works, as I've read up some, but do not fully understand it. e4 simplified the game itself, and it seems like they went a bit overboard when it comes to multiclassing.

Currently I am planning on bringing a level 6 shifter (the one with +2 dex) Bow Ranger into a party (taking turns DMing with another guy, his character is leaving and mine is coming in as I stop DMing and he starts). I was planning on playing him where he is quite human like, but when he gets bloodied, his animal side seems to come out a bit more, noticeably in his actions, movements, as well as slightly physical.

As I read more, it seems that the druid would be an interesting RP multiclass, where I could actually shift into beast form (in game it would be calling on the spirits of his more animal based ancestors). I know this throws off the Bow part, and would probably remake the guy to be a TWF.

But as I read the multiclassing of e4, it seems that I'm going to loose a lot, for little gain. From what I can tell I have to spend 1 feat on the multi class (giving me shifting), then have the option to spend up to three more feats to exchange some of my powers for the druid powers. I would not want to do this too much, as I want to be a ranger, and play him mostly in his 'bipedal' form, but like the RP aspect of shifting into a bear when cornered.

Then when I reach level 11, I have the option of taking Druid levels? I cant tell what the prerequs for this are, and it seems that this would be a huge loss to the character, making him slightly useless to the party as all my powers would be on a much lower level.

I dont want to be Min-Max, but am I miss reading the huge drawbacks of multiclassing in e4? Right now I'm leaning on just spending one feat on the multi class, and leaving it at that.

Please dont turn this into a discussion of e4 itself, thanks

[Drakos]

But as I read the multiclassing of e4, it seems that I'm going to loose a lot, for little gain. From what I can tell I have to spend 1 feat on the multi class (giving me shifting), then have the option to spend up to three more feats to exchange some of my powers for the druid powers. I would not want to do this too much, as I want to be a ranger, and play him mostly in his 'bipedal' form, but like the RP aspect of shifting into a bear when cornered.

Then when I reach level 11, I have the option of taking Druid levels? I cant tell what the prerequs for this are, and it seems that this would be a huge loss to the character, making him slightly useless to the party as all my powers would be on a much lower level.
For the most part this is correct with one difference. When you hit 11th level you don't take Druid levels, you continue to advance as the base class. What the multi-class allows you to do is choose from either Bass Class paragon paths or Druid paragon paths. So basically it gives you more advancement paths to choose from as you advance into your paragon levels.

For a different look at multi-classing check out the Gestalt rules.

[Cam_Neely]

Thanks for the correction.

That does make more sense, I was thinking that at level 19 I would be taking Lv9 Druid encounters, passing up my level 19 Ranger nukes :), but just the paragon path might work better, I'll have a deeper look tonight when I'm on my home computer with the D&D Character builder. Gestalt would be interesting, but it would not be to much fun, as I'm coming into a party of normal characters, and it seems to much of a Max-Max.

[Drakos]

Thanks for the correction.

That does make more sense, I was thinking that at level 19 I would be taking Lv9 Druid encounters, passing up my level 19 Ranger nukes :), but just the paragon path might work better, I'll have a deeper look tonight when I'm on my home computer with the D&D Character builder. Gestalt would be interesting, but it would not be to much fun, as I'm coming into a party of normal characters, and it seems to much of a Max-Max.Admited, the gestalt rules do make for a more powerful character. You still only set the same number of powers as everyone else, but you gett a larger selection and it saves a butt-load of feats.