Choosing a class! I need some advice. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Choosing a class! I need some advice. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Cynaed
06-23-05, 02:36 AM :D Hey, I am a new Dungeons and Dragons player, though I have played a few times. Coming up we are going to start a new campagn and I am having trouble choosing two classes. I am trying to choose between a fighter and a sorceror. Is there some way to actually multi-class the two and use the full advantage of both classes. If not, which one shold I play as, a lot of people say being afighter is boring and not useful after the first few lvls, but i dont like the idea of having a limited amount of spells per day. Ok, Please give any advice you have, and thanks for reading this! OH yes, one last thing, is a psionic character a class, like a ranger or druid, or is it a prestige class. How does a psionic character work, are there certain requirements? :D
Ziatyn Phoenixwolf
06-23-05, 02:49 AM Are you asking if there is a way to get both clases at the same level or if there is a way to be evenly powered at both classes. I.E. both at first level 10 + con bonus hp's, + 1 bab, +2 fort. +2 will saves, a bonus fighter feat, fimiliar, and first level spells. No, but I.E. at second level one of the two HD's maxed + the other rolled + 2(con. bonus){the maxed one will be for first level and decide initial skill points}, first level spells, a bonus fighter feat, +2 fort. and +2 will. save, +1 and +0 bab, and fimiliar. Yes. The second is normal multiclass rules.

The first does have a way in Unearthed Arcana there exists the gestalt option, but if you were to do this the DM and other players would have to agree on it , and this would be a lot of extra work for the DM to make all of the monsters and NPC's equal to your abilities as gestalt.
Cynaed
06-23-05, 03:14 AM Yes, I am asking if there is a way to get both classes to be evenly powered, and to keep the best benifets of both classes. Thanks for the input!
HappyDragon
06-23-05, 03:51 AM OH yes, one last thing, is a psionic character a class, like a ranger or druid, or is it a prestige class. How does a psionic character work, are there certain requirements?
Psionic characters are USUALLY more racially based, (eg, Elans, Kalashtars), but is is possible for a normal human or elf, etc to manifest psionic powers.

Rangers and Druids are core classes that can be taken by anyone, (this includes psionic races), and they are not considered psionic based classes. For Psionic classes the best place to look is the Expanded Psionics Handbook, (XPH). Stuff like the Psion, Wilder and Soulknife all constitute psionic classes.
mr.unknown
06-23-05, 04:26 AM if you like both the fighter and the sorceror's abilities, then eldritch knight might be a good class for you. it is located on page 187 of the dungeon master's guide. you'll have the base attack bonus & saving throws of a fighter, but you'll continue to progress your spellcasting abilities as a sorceror at the same time.

there are also other prestige classes to consider for a fighter/mage, such as the spellsword from the book "complete warrior" if you have access to it.
Torack
06-23-05, 04:27 AM Yes, I am asking if there is a way to get both classes to be evenly powered, and to keep the best benifets of both classes. Thanks for the input!

I believe the 3rd Edition Dungeon Masters Guide had something similar called Apprentice Levels in which case you could start at level 1 with two classes instead of the customary 1.

Alternatively, and as has been pointed out, the book Unearthed Arcana has the option for Gestalt Characters.

The third alternative is to simply start as either a Fighter or Sorcerer and switch classes upon reaching 2nd level. This way you get the full bonusses from both classes.

As for Psionics, get the Expanded Psionics Handbook and read through it carefully. It should tell you how stuff works.
20102000
06-23-05, 04:35 AM Fighter , sorcerer or both?
Fighters are good at low and medium level, and there are plently of prestige classes you can switch into. Its only at high level that you hear complaints.
Sorcerer, one of the ways of being a sorcerer and still be useful in melee. Is be an elf sorcerer. Elves are proficient in bow and long sword. So you get spells, and shot stuff as well.
Fighter/Sorcerer. You can take a level in fighter, then on next level take a level in sorcerer. You take the fighter first to get the max hit points. You can't wear armour and cast spells (without penalty) but your hit points , weapon proficieny, and feats are better.

Psionics. There are psionic classes to choose from , in the psionic handbook.
cowdragon
06-23-05, 08:34 AM Or, you could be a sorcerer or battle sorcerer who goes into dragon dicsiple prc and be kind of a fighter mage. ;)

The Cowdragon :mage:
RedWizard
06-23-05, 12:44 PM I think the Eldritch Knight prestige class is what you want ultimately. If you are starting at 1st level though I suggest taking a level of fighter to get the hit points then do a level of sorcerer. If you are a elf and choose to be a wizard instead of a sorcerer you will not suffer multi-classing penalties and while you don't have spur of the moment spell choices you ultimately get more spells faster.

Also bear in mind that by taking the spell extension feat you can have a long lasting mage armour and take a first round in combat to cast shield to drastically improve your AC even without any armour.
KoreKore
06-26-05, 03:44 AM On the class compendium you can find the Ultimate adventurer who would allow you to be both, gain all spells and special abilites of both classes and have no multiclass exp penality. the class is balanced if you don't belive me go look at it it is in the core class compendium in D&D fundimentals classes and presitege classes. You would only get the abilites of a level 13 of both classes by level 20 tho
KoreKore
06-26-05, 03:47 AM as far as psionics go all races can take a psionic class if you want to know about that pick up the expanded psionics handbook. although some races are better than otheres for it and gain bonuses like extera poweres and power points like all races found in Dark Sun so go look it up
Kullak-Kobold Sorcerer
06-26-05, 06:48 AM :D Hey, I am a new Dungeons and Dragons player, though I have played a few times. Coming up we are going to start a new campagn and I am having trouble choosing two classes. I am trying to choose between a fighter and a sorceror. Is there some way to actually multi-class the two and use the full advantage of both classes. If not, which one shold I play as, a lot of people say being afighter is boring and not useful after the first few lvls, but i dont like the idea of having a limited amount of spells per day. Ok, Please give any advice you have, and thanks for reading this! OH yes, one last thing, is a psionic character a class, like a ranger or druid, or is it a prestige class. How does a psionic character work, are there certain requirements? :D

The Eldritch Knight is perfect for you. If your Dm allows The Complete Warrior and Arcane, there are some great feats for you.

Arcane Strike: sacrifice an Arcane spell to gain a bonus to hit and 1d4 damage per spell level sacrificed.

Practiced Spellcaster: Add up to +4 to your caster level if losing caster levels due to multiclassing. (You don't get extra spells, but the spells you have are more powerful)

Sudden Maximize: once per day maximize a spell as a free action. requires another meta-magic feat.

Play a human for the extra feat.
MFahriman
06-26-05, 07:52 AM i think the battle sorcerer from unearthed arcana (page 57) would be better than eldritch knight. the battle sorcerer can use light armor without spell failure, has the base attack of a cleric, has normal spell progression for a sorcerer and d8 hit dice. You would only be proficient with one martial weapon of your choice however and you would have less spells per day and spells known than a normal sorcerer.

a warmage 9/fighter1/eldritch knight 10 (the best i can see using a sorcerer like class and eldritch knight) would have the same base attack as a lvl 20 battle sorcerer, but would be 2 spellcasting levels behind and limited to warmage spells (that or no armor if you take sorcerer). Furthermore, it would have 19d6+1d10 HD, where the battle sorcerer would have 20d8 HD. Also the battlesorcerer can immediatly get in melee even at low levels, the eldtritch knight build would have a low base attack and hp to start with.
cowdragon
06-26-05, 08:16 AM Definetly, the battle sorcerer is the best option. Such a great class. Take eschew materials and you won't have to worry about cheapo components during melee either. My personal favorite light weapon is the Light Pick. That's just because of the multiplyer on it though.

How about this build?
Battle Sorcerer 5/Prestige Bard 2/Fighter 2/Barbarian 1/Sublime Chord 10

This gets you bardic music and spells(healing magic...yay!), all martial weapons, bonus feats, cast in light armour, boosted speed, ninth level sorc/wiz spells, 6th level bard spells. Not alot per day, and a couple fewer known, but more overall options.

The Cowdragon :mage:
KingNeo
06-29-05, 10:56 PM Well if you wanted a class with unlimited spell casting ability, meaning they can use spells over and over again without wasting any spells I would suggest the Warlock from Complete Arcane, but I must warn you that the Warlock's magical abilities are much weaker than the sorcerer but remember unlimited magic :D .

Also a Druid would be good to use since many people have found great enjoyment and victory playing this class. The Druid also allows great flexablity with great spellcasting ability, average fighting ability, and pretty cool abilities like Wildshape.

Another good class that offers the spellcasting ability of the sorcerer, if your using only damaging spells is the Warmage. The Warmage offers good damaging spells with average combat ability, but this is all it got for itself.

Personally I like the Scout from Complete Adventurer, with its skrimish ability, hiding capabilities, and tracking abilities it is one of my favorites to play in my book. I find that the scout/fighter, the scout/warlock, the scout/warmage, and fighter/warmage all good combinations.

Also yes the psionic classes are regular classes like the Druid and Ranger, and the Psion is your perfect match if you want overkill psionic powers.
DwarvinJedi
06-29-05, 11:04 PM I would go with a Psychic Warrior, Check out Psionic info in the SRD (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=d20/article/srd35) both a warrior and caster type(mostly self buffs)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Cynaed 06-23-05, 02:36 AM	:D Hey, I am a new Dungeons and Dragons player, though I have played a few times. Coming up we are going to start a new campagn and I am having trouble choosing two classes. I am trying to choose between a fighter and a sorceror. Is there some way to actually multi-class the two and use the full advantage of both classes. If not, which one shold I play as, a lot of people say being afighter is boring and not useful after the first few lvls, but i dont like the idea of having a limited amount of spells per day. Ok, Please give any advice you have, and thanks for reading this! OH yes, one last thing, is a psionic character a class, like a ranger or druid, or is it a prestige class. How does a psionic character work, are there certain requirements? :D
Ziatyn Phoenixwolf 06-23-05, 02:49 AM	Are you asking if there is a way to get both clases at the same level or if there is a way to be evenly powered at both classes. I.E. both at first level 10 + con bonus hp's, + 1 bab, +2 fort. +2 will saves, a bonus fighter feat, fimiliar, and first level spells. No, but I.E. at second level one of the two HD's maxed + the other rolled + 2(con. bonus){the maxed one will be for first level and decide initial skill points}, first level spells, a bonus fighter feat, +2 fort. and +2 will. save, +1 and +0 bab, and fimiliar. Yes. The second is normal multiclass rules. The first does have a way in Unearthed Arcana there exists the gestalt option, but if you were to do this the DM and other players would have to agree on it , and this would be a lot of extra work for the DM to make all of the monsters and NPC's equal to your abilities as gestalt.
Cynaed 06-23-05, 03:14 AM	Yes, I am asking if there is a way to get both classes to be evenly powered, and to keep the best benifets of both classes. Thanks for the input!
HappyDragon 06-23-05, 03:51 AM	OH yes, one last thing, is a psionic character a class, like a ranger or druid, or is it a prestige class. How does a psionic character work, are there certain requirements? Psionic characters are USUALLY more racially based, (eg, Elans, Kalashtars), but is is possible for a normal human or elf, etc to manifest psionic powers. Rangers and Druids are core classes that can be taken by anyone, (this includes psionic races), and they are not considered psionic based classes. For Psionic classes the best place to look is the Expanded Psionics Handbook, (XPH). Stuff like the Psion, Wilder and Soulknife all constitute psionic classes.
mr.unknown 06-23-05, 04:26 AM	if you like both the fighter and the sorceror's abilities, then eldritch knight might be a good class for you. it is located on page 187 of the dungeon master's guide. you'll have the base attack bonus & saving throws of a fighter, but you'll continue to progress your spellcasting abilities as a sorceror at the same time. there are also other prestige classes to consider for a fighter/mage, such as the spellsword from the book "complete warrior" if you have access to it.
Torack 06-23-05, 04:27 AM	Yes, I am asking if there is a way to get both classes to be evenly powered, and to keep the best benifets of both classes. Thanks for the input! I believe the 3rd Edition Dungeon Masters Guide had something similar called Apprentice Levels in which case you could start at level 1 with two classes instead of the customary 1. Alternatively, and as has been pointed out, the book Unearthed Arcana has the option for Gestalt Characters. The third alternative is to simply start as either a Fighter or Sorcerer and switch classes upon reaching 2nd level. This way you get the full bonusses from both classes. As for Psionics, get the Expanded Psionics Handbook and read through it carefully. It should tell you how stuff works.
20102000 06-23-05, 04:35 AM	Fighter , sorcerer or both? Fighters are good at low and medium level, and there are plently of prestige classes you can switch into. Its only at high level that you hear complaints. Sorcerer, one of the ways of being a sorcerer and still be useful in melee. Is be an elf sorcerer. Elves are proficient in bow and long sword. So you get spells, and shot stuff as well. Fighter/Sorcerer. You can take a level in fighter, then on next level take a level in sorcerer. You take the fighter first to get the max hit points. You can't wear armour and cast spells (without penalty) but your hit points , weapon proficieny, and feats are better. Psionics. There are psionic classes to choose from , in the psionic handbook.
cowdragon 06-23-05, 08:34 AM	Or, you could be a sorcerer or battle sorcerer who goes into dragon dicsiple prc and be kind of a fighter mage. ;) The Cowdragon :mage:
RedWizard 06-23-05, 12:44 PM	I think the Eldritch Knight prestige class is what you want ultimately. If you are starting at 1st level though I suggest taking a level of fighter to get the hit points then do a level of sorcerer. If you are a elf and choose to be a wizard instead of a sorcerer you will not suffer multi-classing penalties and while you don't have spur of the moment spell choices you ultimately get more spells faster. Also bear in mind that by taking the spell extension feat you can have a long lasting mage armour and take a first round in combat to cast shield to drastically improve your AC even without any armour.
KoreKore 06-26-05, 03:44 AM	On the class compendium you can find the Ultimate adventurer who would allow you to be both, gain all spells and special abilites of both classes and have no multiclass exp penality. the class is balanced if you don't belive me go look at it it is in the core class compendium in D&D fundimentals classes and presitege classes. You would only get the abilites of a level 13 of both classes by level 20 tho
KoreKore 06-26-05, 03:47 AM	as far as psionics go all races can take a psionic class if you want to know about that pick up the expanded psionics handbook. although some races are better than otheres for it and gain bonuses like extera poweres and power points like all races found in Dark Sun so go look it up
Kullak-Kobold Sorcerer 06-26-05, 06:48 AM	:D Hey, I am a new Dungeons and Dragons player, though I have played a few times. Coming up we are going to start a new campagn and I am having trouble choosing two classes. I am trying to choose between a fighter and a sorceror. Is there some way to actually multi-class the two and use the full advantage of both classes. If not, which one shold I play as, a lot of people say being afighter is boring and not useful after the first few lvls, but i dont like the idea of having a limited amount of spells per day. Ok, Please give any advice you have, and thanks for reading this! OH yes, one last thing, is a psionic character a class, like a ranger or druid, or is it a prestige class. How does a psionic character work, are there certain requirements? :D The Eldritch Knight is perfect for you. If your Dm allows The Complete Warrior and Arcane, there are some great feats for you. Arcane Strike: sacrifice an Arcane spell to gain a bonus to hit and 1d4 damage per spell level sacrificed. Practiced Spellcaster: Add up to +4 to your caster level if losing caster levels due to multiclassing. (You don't get extra spells, but the spells you have are more powerful) Sudden Maximize: once per day maximize a spell as a free action. requires another meta-magic feat. Play a human for the extra feat.
MFahriman 06-26-05, 07:52 AM	i think the battle sorcerer from unearthed arcana (page 57) would be better than eldritch knight. the battle sorcerer can use light armor without spell failure, has the base attack of a cleric, has normal spell progression for a sorcerer and d8 hit dice. You would only be proficient with one martial weapon of your choice however and you would have less spells per day and spells known than a normal sorcerer. a warmage 9/fighter1/eldritch knight 10 (the best i can see using a sorcerer like class and eldritch knight) would have the same base attack as a lvl 20 battle sorcerer, but would be 2 spellcasting levels behind and limited to warmage spells (that or no armor if you take sorcerer). Furthermore, it would have 19d6+1d10 HD, where the battle sorcerer would have 20d8 HD. Also the battlesorcerer can immediatly get in melee even at low levels, the eldtritch knight build would have a low base attack and hp to start with.
cowdragon 06-26-05, 08:16 AM	Definetly, the battle sorcerer is the best option. Such a great class. Take eschew materials and you won't have to worry about cheapo components during melee either. My personal favorite light weapon is the Light Pick. That's just because of the multiplyer on it though. How about this build? Battle Sorcerer 5/Prestige Bard 2/Fighter 2/Barbarian 1/Sublime Chord 10 This gets you bardic music and spells(healing magic...yay!), all martial weapons, bonus feats, cast in light armour, boosted speed, ninth level sorc/wiz spells, 6th level bard spells. Not alot per day, and a couple fewer known, but more overall options. The Cowdragon :mage:
KingNeo 06-29-05, 10:56 PM	Well if you wanted a class with unlimited spell casting ability, meaning they can use spells over and over again without wasting any spells I would suggest the Warlock from Complete Arcane, but I must warn you that the Warlock's magical abilities are much weaker than the sorcerer but remember unlimited magic :D . Also a Druid would be good to use since many people have found great enjoyment and victory playing this class. The Druid also allows great flexablity with great spellcasting ability, average fighting ability, and pretty cool abilities like Wildshape. Another good class that offers the spellcasting ability of the sorcerer, if your using only damaging spells is the Warmage. The Warmage offers good damaging spells with average combat ability, but this is all it got for itself. Personally I like the Scout from Complete Adventurer, with its skrimish ability, hiding capabilities, and tracking abilities it is one of my favorites to play in my book. I find that the scout/fighter, the scout/warlock, the scout/warmage, and fighter/warmage all good combinations. Also yes the psionic classes are regular classes like the Druid and Ranger, and the Psion is your perfect match if you want overkill psionic powers.
DwarvinJedi 06-29-05, 11:04 PM	I would go with a Psychic Warrior, Check out Psionic info in the SRD (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=d20/article/srd35) both a warrior and caster type(mostly self buffs)