Post/Author/DateTime	Post
thecasualoblivion 04-01-07, 11:21 PM	Another roleplaying game I played a while back used skill packages that were either lifestyle or professional. The difference was that lifestyle packages you could only choose at the start of the game, while professional pacakages you could buy at any time. I've felt that multiclassing into some of the available classes in 3.5E D&D just doesn't make sense. Like Barbarian for instance, its more about where you came from than something you learn. In my game I have a house rule that if you don't start as certain classes, you'll never be able to be one. That being said, I start the games at level 2, and you can choose two classes to start with at this time, even if they are both lifestyles. The following house rules are based on a roleplaying standpoint. Here are the opinions on classes I allow: Core Barbarian--This is a lifestyle, if you aren't a Barbarian now, its not something you learn to be later on. Bard--In my world, Bard is a deep and true calling. You either are one already or you never will be. Cleric--A character can feel the call at any time, and can freely multiclass into this. Druid--I'm on the fence about Druids. Its never come up, so I've never fully ruled on it. Fighter--Fighter is all about training, and you can do that later in life. Multiclassing into it is allowed. Monk--Traditionally master martial artists require really freaking long training starting really young, so Monk is a lifestyle. Paladin--Like Cleric, I'm inclined to rule that the call to faith can happen later in life. Ranger--You can multiclass into Ranger. Rogue--Its never too late to learn to be a sneaky piece of S$#@. Sorcerer--Sorcerers are born, not made. You are either born this way or you don't have the power. Wizard--You can learn to be a wizard later on. PHBII Beguiler--These guys are very specialized, so I'm inclined to not allow people to transfer in later on. Duskblade--Same here, very specialized. Knight--Traditionally you trained to be a Knight since childhood, becoming a squire then winning your spurs. So no multiclassing here. Complete books Warlock--You can become a warlock by certain infernal pacts, so allowed here. Ninja--like the Monk, very long training period. Scout--I don't see why you couldn't multiclass into this. Hexblade--Its never come up, but I don't see why not. Samurai--After watching The Last Samurai, I don't see why not. Swashbuckler--Multiclassing into this is fine. Expanded Psionics Psion--Like the Sorcerer, you either are a Psion or you aren't Psionic Warrior--I run these guys as mutants with psychic powers. As long as you can arrange the "accident" that messes you up, you can become a Psi-Warrior later on. Soulknife--As long as you are psionic or are a wild talent already, you can multiclass into Soulknife Wilder--See Psion Tome of Battle and Tome of Magic ALL-These guys are so specialized I don't really see anyone multiclassing into them. I've left some classes out, but I usually talk people out of using those classes so they don't really apply.
JolanthusTrel 04-02-07, 12:21 AM	Barbarian--This is a lifestyle, if you aren't a Barbarian now, its not something you learn to be later on. A few years in the wild alone could force you to take up levels in barbarian to survive. Bard--In my world, Bard is a deep and true calling. You either are one already or you never will be. Bards tend to be trained musicians and story tellers. Which usually means special schools or mentors. So long as you meet the requirements you can usually fond someone to teach the craft, but if your world runs differently, I'll not argue it. Cleric--A character can feel the call at any time, and can freely multiclass into this. Agreed Druid--I'm on the fence about Druids. Its never come up, so I've never fully ruled on it. I think it is a lifestyle choice, you might suddenly after years of causing bloodshed turn to nature to make amends for your life Fighter--Fighter is all about training, and you can do that later in life. Multiclassing into it is allowed. Agreed Monk--Traditionally master martial artists require really freaking long training starting really young, so Monk is a lifestyle. Again agreed, but if you are willing to play an OLDER monk, you can find a monastry later in life who might be willing to teach if your willing to learn. Paladin--Like Cleric, I'm inclined to rule that the call to faith can happen later in life. Agreed, but I think a paladin is most likely to multiclass from a fighter as a warrior who has found god\gods Ranger--You can multiclass into Ranger. Fair enough Rogue--Its never too late to learn to be a sneaky piece of S$#@. Agreed Sorcerer--Sorcerers are born, not made. You are either born this way or you don't have the power. If they are born there is no reason they haven't suppressed the ability only to let it out later in life once seeing the wide world Wizard--You can learn to be a wizard later on. You can but I think this is also like the monk class, a Wizard is less liekly to take on an apprentice who is older in years. Knight--Traditionally you trained to be a Knight since childhood, becoming a squire then winning your spurs. So no multiclassing here. Valourous combat by a paladin or fighter could earn them a knighthood from the reigning monarch Warlock--You can become a warlock by certain infernal pacts, so allowed here. Fair enough Ninja--like the Monk, very long training period. fair enough Scout--I don't see why you couldn't multiclass into this. I might limit that to multiclassing from say ranger, rogue, druid, maybe barbarian Samurai--After watching The Last Samurai, I don't see why not. Agreed. A friend of mine her uncle was a samurai, he earnt the title by saving the emperor's son from drowning. All he saw awas a kid he didn't realise it was the emperor's son. Swashbuckler--Multiclassing into this is fine. Fair enough The other classes I have no Idea about, and psionics in D&D has always confused me even owning several Pis handbooks
Chincymcchilla 04-02-07, 12:30 AM	Most of these make no sense. A class is simply a description of your fighting style, an archetype of your talents. You could easily be a samaurai, for example, in the service of a fuedal lord, and not have the samaurai class, being a paladin or fighter. In the same vein I see absolutely no reason you cant be a fighter who has learned to use his anger without belonging to a barbarian tribe.
Arcane Guyver 04-02-07, 01:39 AM	Before I get into this, I just want to let you know that this may add some flavor to your world, but it also might make the players a little frustrated. Just be careful when you start restricting things (like multiclassing) in the PHB. I got around the strangeness of multiclassing by ignoring the 'starting age' silliness, as well as requiring players to RP how they're going out of their way to either train or learn under a mentor in-game long before multiclassing.
magmer2 04-02-07, 01:39 AM	You might consider allowing multiclassing if certain feats are took at first level. Like magical training PGtF 41, wild talent, or Martial study. The feat would then be retrained when the class was actually took.
SilvercatMoonpaw 04-02-07, 10:04 AM	In many of the cases you mentioned I think the lifestyle/profession divide comes more from class flavor than class abilities. Let's take a look at each of the ones you said have to start 1st level: Barbarian: This is just an accident of name. These are really Berserkers, warriors who get themselves worked up to fight better. There's no reason some tough guy off the streets or some retired fighter with a sad past and a drinking problem couldn't reach this level of ferocity. Bard: So this is a deep and true calling, but cleric isn't? You've made it clear this is a decision for your world's flavor, so I can't see how to debate it. Monk: I'm actually inclined to agree this time, seeing as how the D&D monk gets super abilities. Sorcerer: This applies if you stick with the core idea that sorcerer power comes from bloodline, but still, stories are full of people who don't realize their special powers until some dramatic moment later in life. Beguiler: I think an already tricky person who discovered spellcasting abilities could train into this later. Duskblade: I'd say if the character is already a mage or melee type then one could suppose that the training time is cut down, enough to multiclass into this. Knight: Take away the name. Now there's no reason this has to be a class that one learns from birth. Ninja: As I said for monk. Samurai: I'm bringing this up because you said one cannot become a Knight later on, but they can become a Samurai? :confused: Samurai and knights are essentially the same thing. Psion: As monk. Wilder: See sorcerer. Tome of Battle: A melee class could multiclass into this as an extension of their already extensive training in combat. Tome of Magic: Binder: Sounds easy enough to learn to do this, why can't it be done alter in life? Shadowcaster: A mage with emphasis on trickery/shadows could be said to be part-way to this class. Truenamer: I agree, too much training needed.
Khoran 04-02-07, 10:49 AM	Well, it all depends on the spin you put on it. I don't believe there is any class that it dosn't make some sence if you multiclass with it, I'll use some of your examples of ones that you shouldn't be able to multi-class into: Barbarian: A disconnect from society at some point in your life that leaves you to survive in the wild could turn you more savage, as could giving into one's own inner Bloodlust and savegry. Bard: Part of the whole bard thing is insperation, who's to say that after seeing/hearing a bard before, you may not be entranced and seek to emulate what you had seen/heard and want to follow the ways of the bard. Druid: Through some means, divine or natural, you have adapted a sudden respect for nature, and seek a closer connection with it. Monk: You have heard the teachings of the monks and have become enlightened by them, and wish to know more. Because of this, you go and seek more training as monks before you have. Sorcerer: While it's true you need to be born a Sorcerer, it is possible that you didn't realize your potential until later in your life, meaning that you were not always a Sorcerer, before you could have been anything else. Beguiler: Don't really know much about this class, so I can't tell ya, never appealed to me so I never read up on it. Duskblade: While becoming a Duskblade requires immence amounts of study and practicec, it dosn't seem that unlikly that someone more melee oriented might see what a Arcane Spellcaster can do and be inspired to learn this art themselves. In some case, that will come through serrious study and memorization of a limited number of spells. Knight: This one I agree with, actually, though I feel a bit off saying "No, you can't multiclass as a knight" for mechanics reasons. Ninja: Perhaps you showed a natural skill for what a ninja could do and were approached and offered training to further hone your skills. I suspect that groups of Ninjas may be on the look out for more people that might show the potential to be a great ninja. Psion: I don't know much about Psionic classes, so I really can't answer this one fully, but I'd imagine it could be treated as Sorcerer. You always were a Psion, but you wern't aware of it until a certain point.