Class skills and multiclassing [Archive] - Wizards Community

Class skills and multiclassing [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
skerbgs
08-14-07, 11:32 PM Recently one of my mates has become convinced that when you multiclass, all of your previous class skills remain class skills
e.g. you take a level in rouge and get disable device as a class skill, you then take a level in fighter and disable device can then still be purchased as a class skill.

Here's the gist of my arugment:

Each skill point you spend on a class skill gets you 1 rank in that skill. Class skills are the skills found on your character’s class skill list. Each skill point you spend on a cross-class skill gets your character ½ rank in that skill. Cross-class skills are skills not found on your character’s class skill list.

The maximum rank in a class skill is the character’s level + 3. If it’s a cross-class skill, the maximum rank is half of that number (do not round up or down).

Regardless of whether a skill is purchased as a class skill or a cross-class skill, if it is a class skill for any of your classes, your maximum rank equals your total character level + 3.

Who's correct here?
El_ahrairah
08-14-07, 11:44 PM If I remember correctly, using yor example, Disable Device would only be considered a class skill when taking a level of Rogue. If he's taking a level in Fighter, then he could still buy ranks in Disable Device or any other Rogue skill, but it would be at cross-class rates.
MrCustomer
08-15-07, 12:20 AM While they are right about the maximum Skill ranks is character level +3, most players are wrong about the costs. The PHB gives an example explaining this under Multiclassed characters, page 60. Lidda as a level 4 Rogue adds a level of wizard:

"She could spend some of her 4 skill points on Rogue skills, but, since they would be treated as cross class skills for a wizard, these skill points would each buy only one-half rank"

So if you are say a level 4 Rogue as the example way, and you have 7 ranks in Move Silently, and you add a level of Wizard, then can spend your points on Move Silently to reach maximum ranks in Move Silently (8 ranks) however as a Wizard Move Silently is a Cross Class skill so it would cost 2 Skill Points to increase that rank.

So if you wanted to Multiclass, it would be wise to plan ahead on your skills. You want to max your skills out as much as possible while playing the class with the skill on his list. If you wanted to add 3 levels of Wizard in the above example and then go back to being a rogue then you would be wise to no spend any points on Rogue Skills until you raise your rogue levels when you can max your ranks in rogue skills at normal cost.

If your level 7 Wizard added 1 level of Rogue, he could spend 11 Skill Points to max out Move Silently, but as you go back to being a Wizard at level 9 you would be spending twice the points to increase your ranks in move silently thereafter.

In short you can Max your skills, but you have to be careful of the costs. A level 3 Wizard adding a single level of Rogue to gain rogue skills could Max out any Rogue skill. When he reaches level 15 he could have a maximum of 18 Ranks in Move Silently, but his minimum cost would be 29 Skill points (7 as a rogue maxing out at level 4, 22 as a Wizard to gain the next 11 points)
skerbgs
08-15-07, 12:48 AM I've just been talking to this mate of mine and I think I've finally convinced him of how the rules actually work. Unfortunately he still doesn't like it and insists on doing it his way. Oh well, I'll just let him do what he wants as long as it's not in a group that I'm with.
MrCustomer
08-15-07, 01:25 AM Well a suggestion I made in another thread regarding unrestricting class skills was to make cross-class skills purchasable with a feat much like weapon and armor proficencies are. Your friend's fighter could purchase Disable Device as a class skill by spending a feat on it, the cost of the feat balancing out the extra skill.
Ranger REG
08-17-07, 04:11 AM Recently one of my mates has become convinced that when you multiclass, all of your previous class skills remain class skills
e.g. you take a level in rouge and get disable device as a class skill, you then take a level in fighter and disable device can then still be purchased as a class skill.

Here's the gist of my arugment:

Who's correct here?
The RAW. They remain class skills for the purpose of determining maximum rank by PC's character level. But if the fighter/rogue want to max out the Disable Device skill using the fighter's allotted skill points, he has to pay double.
Artemel
08-17-07, 11:46 AM Or, if he is human and you have access to Races of Destiny...

Make him take "Able Learner."

Then he can have his cake and eat it, too.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
skerbgs 08-14-07, 11:32 PM	Recently one of my mates has become convinced that when you multiclass, all of your previous class skills remain class skills e.g. you take a level in rouge and get disable device as a class skill, you then take a level in fighter and disable device can then still be purchased as a class skill. Here's the gist of my arugment: Each skill point you spend on a class skill gets you 1 rank in that skill. Class skills are the skills found on your character’s class skill list. Each skill point you spend on a cross-class skill gets your character ½ rank in that skill. Cross-class skills are skills not found on your character’s class skill list. The maximum rank in a class skill is the character’s level + 3. If it’s a cross-class skill, the maximum rank is half of that number (do not round up or down). Regardless of whether a skill is purchased as a class skill or a cross-class skill, if it is a class skill for any of your classes, your maximum rank equals your total character level + 3. Who's correct here?
El_ahrairah 08-14-07, 11:44 PM	If I remember correctly, using yor example, Disable Device would only be considered a class skill when taking a level of Rogue. If he's taking a level in Fighter, then he could still buy ranks in Disable Device or any other Rogue skill, but it would be at cross-class rates.
MrCustomer 08-15-07, 12:20 AM	While they are right about the maximum Skill ranks is character level +3, most players are wrong about the costs. The PHB gives an example explaining this under Multiclassed characters, page 60. Lidda as a level 4 Rogue adds a level of wizard: "She could spend some of her 4 skill points on Rogue skills, but, since they would be treated as cross class skills for a wizard, these skill points would each buy only one-half rank" So if you are say a level 4 Rogue as the example way, and you have 7 ranks in Move Silently, and you add a level of Wizard, then can spend your points on Move Silently to reach maximum ranks in Move Silently (8 ranks) however as a Wizard Move Silently is a Cross Class skill so it would cost 2 Skill Points to increase that rank. So if you wanted to Multiclass, it would be wise to plan ahead on your skills. You want to max your skills out as much as possible while playing the class with the skill on his list. If you wanted to add 3 levels of Wizard in the above example and then go back to being a rogue then you would be wise to no spend any points on Rogue Skills until you raise your rogue levels when you can max your ranks in rogue skills at normal cost. If your level 7 Wizard added 1 level of Rogue, he could spend 11 Skill Points to max out Move Silently, but as you go back to being a Wizard at level 9 you would be spending twice the points to increase your ranks in move silently thereafter. In short you can Max your skills, but you have to be careful of the costs. A level 3 Wizard adding a single level of Rogue to gain rogue skills could Max out any Rogue skill. When he reaches level 15 he could have a maximum of 18 Ranks in Move Silently, but his minimum cost would be 29 Skill points (7 as a rogue maxing out at level 4, 22 as a Wizard to gain the next 11 points)
skerbgs 08-15-07, 12:48 AM	I've just been talking to this mate of mine and I think I've finally convinced him of how the rules actually work. Unfortunately he still doesn't like it and insists on doing it his way. Oh well, I'll just let him do what he wants as long as it's not in a group that I'm with.
MrCustomer 08-15-07, 01:25 AM	Well a suggestion I made in another thread regarding unrestricting class skills was to make cross-class skills purchasable with a feat much like weapon and armor proficencies are. Your friend's fighter could purchase Disable Device as a class skill by spending a feat on it, the cost of the feat balancing out the extra skill.
Ranger REG 08-17-07, 04:11 AM	Recently one of my mates has become convinced that when you multiclass, all of your previous class skills remain class skills e.g. you take a level in rouge and get disable device as a class skill, you then take a level in fighter and disable device can then still be purchased as a class skill. Here's the gist of my arugment: Who's correct here? The RAW. They remain class skills for the purpose of determining maximum rank by PC's character level. But if the fighter/rogue want to max out the Disable Device skill using the fighter's allotted skill points, he has to pay double.
Artemel 08-17-07, 11:46 AM	Or, if he is human and you have access to Races of Destiny... Make him take "Able Learner." Then he can have his cake and eat it, too.