Exp reduction and multi-classing with PrCs... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Exp reduction and multi-classing with PrCs... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Bloodsoul
01-07-08, 07:25 PM So I know that taking several different base classes will 'cause a character to gain few experience points than normal; however, how do prestige classes factor into this (maybe I'm blind, but I just couldn't find the answer in the DMG)?

Ex. Human Barbarian 19/Exotic Weapons Master 1/Blackguard 20/Divine Emissary 1 (somehow it worked, though a lot is flavour)

Now, even though he has one more level of Blackguard than Barbarian, I believe that Barbarian is still considered his favoured class since it's the only base class on the list. So let's say he takes one level of Ranger. Now if Barbarian and Ranger were his only classes he, as a Human, wouldn't suffer any penalties towards gaining experience. What happens now with all those other classes tacked on (probably should've asked this when I first planned on giving him Blackguard way back when)?
dman11235
01-07-08, 07:34 PM PrCs aren't involved in the xp penalty system at all. It's only base classes. You can find this in th PHB, not the DMG.

Also, for what it's worth, Every DM I know has gotten rid of that penalty, because it is dumb.
CmdrCorsiken
01-07-08, 07:45 PM PrCs aren't involved in the xp penalty system at all. It's only base classes. You can find this in th PHB, not the DMG.

Also, for what it's worth, Every DM I know has gotten rid of that penalty, because it is dumb.

Indeed, the PHB clearly explains that.

BTW: You now know (sort of) a DM who has not gotten rid of that penalty. I understand why most dislike the concept; I just don't agree. However, with the addition of several base classes, I have added additional 'favored classes' to each race to allow for more freedom.
dman11235
01-07-08, 07:59 PM I know people here who use it, but I don't know you in person now, do I? Right?

Anyway, the reason I think it's dumb is this: think of classes like a job. Now, how many people only have the job that their ethnicity has? Does an ethnicity even have a job that is theirs? If so, what is 'Americans' job? 'Mexicans'? 'British'? 'Lesotho-ins'? Now back to D&D, why should it be harder for my dwarf monk to train as a paladin if he has spent his whole life training to be disciplined and to follow Moradin? Why should it be harder for my elf to be a ranger than a wizard? Especially when elves are so nature-y.
Bloodsoul
01-07-08, 08:10 PM Ah, thank you for the prompt answer. ^_^
Captain_Kobold
01-08-08, 09:02 AM Favoured classes make more sense when you realise that the favoured class rules will generally be used in the case of level dips.
For example: Gnomes have a natural knack, often emphasised by their culture, for stories, music, and picking up odd information; making Bard a favoured class. To a single-class Gnome, be it Bard, Wizard, or Monk, this will make no difference.

Since the Gnome's culture and racial inclinations lean towards the Bardic arts however, he will be more mentally prepared for the class, finding it easier to combine with other pursuits than he would Cleric for example.
Likewise, a High Elf's natural bent for scholarly magic makes it easier for him to combine the wizard class with another. For a single-class Ranger however, this will make no difference.

The Nationality=Race example doesn't really work. We're all Humans, and so in D&D terms, highly adaptable and versatile. The cultures of other races in D&D are generally much more homogenous than the human ones.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Bloodsoul 01-07-08, 07:25 PM	So I know that taking several different base classes will 'cause a character to gain few experience points than normal; however, how do prestige classes factor into this (maybe I'm blind, but I just couldn't find the answer in the DMG)? Ex. Human Barbarian 19/Exotic Weapons Master 1/Blackguard 20/Divine Emissary 1 (somehow it worked, though a lot is flavour) Now, even though he has one more level of Blackguard than Barbarian, I believe that Barbarian is still considered his favoured class since it's the only base class on the list. So let's say he takes one level of Ranger. Now if Barbarian and Ranger were his only classes he, as a Human, wouldn't suffer any penalties towards gaining experience. What happens now with all those other classes tacked on (probably should've asked this when I first planned on giving him Blackguard way back when)?
dman11235 01-07-08, 07:34 PM	PrCs aren't involved in the xp penalty system at all. It's only base classes. You can find this in th PHB, not the DMG. Also, for what it's worth, Every DM I know has gotten rid of that penalty, because it is dumb.
CmdrCorsiken 01-07-08, 07:45 PM	PrCs aren't involved in the xp penalty system at all. It's only base classes. You can find this in th PHB, not the DMG. Also, for what it's worth, Every DM I know has gotten rid of that penalty, because it is dumb. Indeed, the PHB clearly explains that. BTW: You now know (sort of) a DM who has not gotten rid of that penalty. I understand why most dislike the concept; I just don't agree. However, with the addition of several base classes, I have added additional 'favored classes' to each race to allow for more freedom.
dman11235 01-07-08, 07:59 PM	I know people here who use it, but I don't know you in person now, do I? Right? Anyway, the reason I think it's dumb is this: think of classes like a job. Now, how many people only have the job that their ethnicity has? Does an ethnicity even have a job that is theirs? If so, what is 'Americans' job? 'Mexicans'? 'British'? 'Lesotho-ins'? Now back to D&D, why should it be harder for my dwarf monk to train as a paladin if he has spent his whole life training to be disciplined and to follow Moradin? Why should it be harder for my elf to be a ranger than a wizard? Especially when elves are so nature-y.
Bloodsoul 01-07-08, 08:10 PM	Ah, thank you for the prompt answer. ^_^
Captain_Kobold 01-08-08, 09:02 AM	Favoured classes make more sense when you realise that the favoured class rules will generally be used in the case of level dips. For example: Gnomes have a natural knack, often emphasised by their culture, for stories, music, and picking up odd information; making Bard a favoured class. To a single-class Gnome, be it Bard, Wizard, or Monk, this will make no difference. Since the Gnome's culture and racial inclinations lean towards the Bardic arts however, he will be more mentally prepared for the class, finding it easier to combine with other pursuits than he would Cleric for example. Likewise, a High Elf's natural bent for scholarly magic makes it easier for him to combine the wizard class with another. For a single-class Ranger however, this will make no difference. The Nationality=Race example doesn't really work. We're all Humans, and so in D&D terms, highly adaptable and versatile. The cultures of other races in D&D are generally much more homogenous than the human ones.