My Take on Multiclassing

[Adarro]

1. Know what you're gaining
2. Know what you're giving up
3. Maximize #1, and minimize #2.

This

[Adarro]

If you took two levels of Cleric, I'd probably laugh at you.

Does a 18/2 Barb/Cleric Scream at himself for heals?

[Zippo]

If you go back and read my post, I'm actually a big fan of good multiclass builds. I just wanted to put in a footnote to explain that I'm not a fan of multiclassing for its own sake, but rather a fan of multiclassing effectively.

I apologize, I misunderstood then. I got the impression that you got caught running with some real funky multi-class builds and invariably had a bad experience with them and with that thought that all multi-classes were equally screwed.

[Phidius]

I usually love to play with pure characters. Yes, I know the benefits of ranger/rogue/monk as well as many other great multi-class builds, but those simply aren't my cuppa tea.

The only multi-classed character is my thief-acrobat build with 17 rogue and 3 monk. However, with the release of theif-acrobat III coming out in the near future, I have to make the decision of whether or not to drop a level of monk to get tier III.

Removing the third level of monk is giving up quite a bit though, fists of light and all light finishers (walk of the sun and aligning the heavens being the favored). Like Phidius said, I'll need to try out Tier III first and see if it's worthy and capable of subbing in the level of monk.

Just hope nobody posts a thread that says "Increase Monk levels needed for Path of Harmonious Balance"... 'cause, you know, it's not fair that someone with 3 monk levels can be just as good as a pure monk

I'm only kidding... thinking that the only thing a monk is good for is Fists of Light would be rather shortsighted, don't you agree?

[Narmolanya]

1. Know what you're gaining
2. Know what you're giving up
3. Maximize #1, and minimize #2.

I have to agree with Zippo, this sums it all up. Not going by this gudeline is why you see some awsome multiclass characters (sometime with classes that make no sense together) and some horrible ones. It's all about knowing these three things and a little planning ahead.