Confused about multi-classing

[astrogeek]

Sorry for being a total noob but I really need to clear something up because I am reaaaaally confused about multiclassing. Could somebody maybe give me a short description; pros and cons, something like that? Would be really appreciated. Thanks .

BTW I am a lvl 3 fighter and I want to lvl up as a lvl 1 bard. Is this a good idea?

[branmakmuffin]

Sorry for being a total noob but I really need to clear something up because I am reaaaaally confused about multiclassing. Could somebody maybe give me a short description; pros and cons, something like that? Would be really appreciated. Thanks .

You have to decide what you want out of the character. For example, if the level 20 capstone things mean the world to you, then multi-classing is out of the question. If you want to min-max, you really have to have your character planned out in advance, and you have to find out exactly what Feats and Enhancements you need to get your character to where you want it.

If you just want to "play it by ear," so to speak, then just do what seems fun at each level.

BTW I am a lvl 3 fighter and I want to lvl up as a lvl 1 bard. Is this a good idea?

That all depends on what you want to do with the character. Many would say, if you want to be a bard/fighter, start out at first level as a bard so you maximize your skill points.

[Lifeblood]

Multi-classing is used usually when you can gain something that will help your character by doing so, and/or if stats overlap

example: barbarian/rogue..14/2 .the barbarian has tons of dps potential and hp the rogue lvls give you evasion

2/14 monk/ranger.. most rangers have wisdom for casting spells and monks use their wisdom bonus as part of their ac

fighter/bard = re-roll ....now bard/fighter is a different matter

if you like the battle bard or warchanter you should check out the bard forums


generally speaking the less you milti-class the better 1 or 2 lvls of a "splash" class can make your build fun, stronger
or both. taking too many different classes (3 is the max) can hurt your character. taking classes that don't mix well
like wiz/sorc...one uses cha and the other intel for their mana pool and spell dc is a bad idea

what it comes down to is it is your character do what you want BUT if your build is too strange or weak you may not enjoy the game as much as you could and you might find it hard to find groups

[Jendrak]

The pros and cons of mulit classing really depends on what kind of build you are going for. A multi-cla build takes planning to be effective. With out knowing what kind of build you are going for (fighter with good umd, minor buffing ability, access to healing, etc...) it really hard to say if adding that lvl of bard is a good idea or not.

As far as the general pros and cons of multi-classing here is the basics.

PROS:
Anything granted by a multi-classed lvl stacks with current lvls. I.E. saves and BAB
Can add skills to non-skilled classes. I.E. Disable Device to Wizards, UMD to Fighters
Bonus feats I.E. Fighter, Monk bonus feats at 1st lvl
Add access to casting (wands,scrolls) to non-casting classes I.E. fighters useing healing wands.

Cons:
Multi-classed toons will not be eligable for capstone enhancments unitl game reaches epic (above 20th) lvls.
Could lose any class feats granted by class lvl I.E. More d6 on rogue sneak attack, access to higher lvl spells for casters.
Lower HP/SP than pure toon. (unless class you "splashed" has the same or better hit dice)

These are just the generall things but again your build depend on what you lose/gain. The big thing to remember is that when you multi-class you wil be giving up something to get something else.

...taking too many different classes (3 is the max) can hurt your character....

While this is true in most cases it not entirely true. I have seen experienced played multi-class as much as 6/6 fighter/sorc and be very effective but builds like this take alot of work.

[unionyes]

I tend to go pure builds myself, although I am currently playing with a bard/rogue build and plan on making a wf pally sorc sometime soon.

Pros for multiclassing are things like spending a couple level ups for a feat like evasion, getting a wisdom bonus to ac, being able to use wands and scrolls earlier than going the UMD route, that kind of thing. Some multis can make stats do double duty, like charisma for a pally sorc, or intel for a wizzie rogue. Many of the best toons I have run with have been multiclassed.

Cons are things like 'inside the box' players who won't give your multi a chance in a PUG, the sometimes higher costs of equipping a multi from the AH (since you may need good stuff to augment your lower level class), and the huge possibility of borking your build beyond redemption. You can change your enhancements, and your feats, but not your class level choices or skill points.

Also, you may find out after somewhat of a time investment that it just isn't working out the way you wanted it to. I remember a 1 cleric/6 sorc that I used to run with from time to time. He was a super healer at lower levels, he had tons of manna and wand whipped things like lesser restore, remove curse, bulls, etc. He could also throw out some decent sorc spells, but he wanted to be a healer type, so he would buff us up with his sorc spells, and heal us up with his cleric spells. At higher levels, he realized that he was unable to rez people (although that would have come later with his sorc levels and UMD) at the appropriate level, and his supercharged cure light wasn't doing the trick anymore. For sure, at that stage he was great, could heal meat and robots both very well and quickly, but he fell behind and people started to get frustrated with him. After a while I didn't see him anymore.

As well, you will need to be better than a pure build in many people's eyes. Your Ranger 6 Rogue 2 had better not blow that trap box, or you will either hear some wisecrack about batman builds, or get passed over for a pure rogue for the next group, even if you simply rolled a 1, which happens to everyone 5% of the time. You may get into a group and have people ask you all sorts of questions about your build, and then feel free to critique it for you, which can be a pain.

To avoid some of that, my multi I am working on now is somewhat designed to be a solo toon for the most part. First level rogue, second level bard, third level bard, and next level will be rogue, probably the rest bard. I also did something I never do with my rogues, and gave him some strength since he will be solo a lot. I figure to be able to buff myself up, heal myself, fight fairly well with effective crowd control, and get traps and locks.

[Dexxaan]

It's not rocket science, but if you don't know what you are doing (or even worse...what you want) then don't Multi-Class as you'll de a lot better as a Pure.


Show me a Pure build and I'll show you room for improvement.....usually lots of it.

Show me a poorly designed/planed Multi-Classed Build and I'll choose Pure 9 out of 10 times.


(Just to clarify Clerics, Sorcerers and Bards are my preffered Pure's to have in a group, and funny thing is I play none of those classes)

[branmakmuffin]

As well, you will need to be better than a pure build in many people's eyes. Your Ranger 6 Rogue 2 had better not blow that trap box, or you will either hear some wisecrack about batman builds, or get passed over for a pure rogue for the next group, even if you simply rolled a 1, which happens to everyone 5% of the time.

Rolling a 1 on disable or pick lock does not even mean auto-fail (like it does with attacks and saves, and like we always used to do it in PnP with skill checks), let alone critical fail.

[dopey69]

i can see splashing barb on a fighter type but bard being charisma based...well if you have your ch that high you would have surely gimped your figher ne ways so won't really matter. as stated by dex better to stay pure for a while till you get more info on multi classing