Character levels [Archive] - Wizards Community

Character levels [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
MagicMaster777
03-29-05, 03:59 PM I think this post belongs here but i'm not sure:

In my group, instead of dividing the character level among classes, we apply the level to all classes. Is this ok? (I know DM's can have their own house rules)
LordArkan
03-29-05, 04:38 PM *blink*

Did you really say what I think you mean here? Please clarify. :eek:
HailSpork
03-29-05, 04:55 PM So, if I'm level 9, and I take one level of each Barbarian, Bard, Cleric, Druid, Fighter, Ranger, Rogue, Sorcerer, and Wizard, I'd have the abilities of a level 9 barbarian, a level 9 bard, a level 9 cleric...

I really hope I read that wrong.
HailSpork
03-29-05, 05:01 PM At any rate, if you intended anything even remotely close to what I interpreted it, I suggest you try using Gestalt rules first.

As for whether or not it's "ok", it only matters that you and the players have fun. If you want to make a rule that gives weapon specialization +50 damage, it's "ok" (though I wouldn't reccomend it).
MagicMaster777
03-29-05, 05:01 PM no. If I was a level 9 character I would me level 9 in all of my classes. That's what I mean. It is after all, a house rule, and I'm not the one who made that house rule anyway, I'm only "putting it out there" so to speak
NineInchNall
03-29-05, 06:18 PM 1st interpretation: If I were a level 8 Sorcerer who gained his next level in paladin, that would make me a sorcerer 9/paladin 9.

Personally, I would say that that "rule" just makes single classed characters pointless. You essentially increase your effectiveness by an order of magnitude every time you take a new level in a new class.

Let's just compare simple characters, both at the same character level by this method:

Cleric 5 -- generally not a weak character.

vs.

Cleric 5/Monk 5/Paladin 5/Druid 5/Sorcerer 5. Synergies out the wazzoo, 3 sets of spell pools, full bab, d10 hd, all good saves, wild shape, turning, familiar, wisdom to ac, charisma to saves ... All of this with no XP penalties, because the first level in each class is the same as your character level?

Ack!

2nd interpretation: At level X, you pick up class A and get the abilities listed on that class's level 9 entry. So a Fighter 1 who picked up his next level in Barbarian would get Uncanny Dodge.

Ack. This is almost as bad as the first. You take 18 levels as Paladin, then pick up your next as Sorcerer, then Cleric. Woohoo! Now I have wish and miracle! ... And a +42 BAB! :evillaugh Muwahahahaha!

My honest suggestion would be to just use gestalt characters. It's less confusing and doesn't absolutely destroy the game's mechanics and balance. From reading your sig this seems like it would appeal to you. Even better for you would be playing without any house rules, but hey, it's hard to change what a group of munchkins will do.
Delfedd
03-29-05, 08:18 PM *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders* *shudders*
:shocked: :headexplo :banghead:

So... many... things... wrong... with that....
MagicMaster777
03-29-05, 08:53 PM Like I said I DID NOT make it up.
Delfedd
03-29-05, 09:10 PM Ok dood, you have soooo many doors open to you

Take 17 level in palidan, one in monk, one in wizard, and one in cleric
HailSpork
03-29-05, 10:22 PM no. If I was a level 9 character I would me level 9 in all of my classes. That's what I mean. It is after all, a house rule, and I'm not the one who made that house rule anyway, I'm only "putting it out there" so to speak
This sounds exactly like what I said.

I STRONGLY encourage you to try using the Gestalt variant. Run a campaign with that. If that doesn't do enough for you, then perhaps run the rule you suggested. Bear in mind that this rule is extraordinarily balances the game in the party's favor and will actually reduce the variety of the characters.

I would like to know something; what is the goal of this rule? Do you have too few people? Are you trying to play with uber-powerful characters?
NineInchNall
03-30-05, 02:32 AM Well, obviously it was put into place by a bunch of munchkins -- the same group with whom MagicMaster is playing. 'Tis unfortunate.

I feel your pain, MM!
MagicMaster777
06-28-05, 11:35 AM well the number of classes taken is usually limited. I only took 3 classes and 1 PrC. but i'm doing my best to try to shift to gestalt rules.
Jaerom Darkwind
06-28-05, 11:57 AM Naw, screw 17 paladin levels. For your first 11 levels, take every class in the PHB. At 12+, start working your way thruogh the Complete series. That should see you through to 23. Then you probably qualify for every PrC ever written, so just do whatever.
Gold Katana
06-28-05, 12:23 PM No, it is absolutely not OK!

And, as HailSpork asked, what's the point? Where's the challenge? Who are your opponents? Why bother? :rant:
srkingdavy
06-28-05, 01:53 PM I second what everyone else said.

The cardinal rule of d&d is, of course, "if you're having fun, you're doing it right", but I CANNOT see how playing like that would be any fun.
Jaerom Darkwind
06-28-05, 06:52 PM Oh, and I forgot--between the PHB and the Complete books, get all 4 psionic classes.

Wait, after you pass level 10, do you start getting epic PrC benefits, too?
GreyLord
06-28-05, 07:34 PM It sounds to me as if he's using the Gestalt rules, or some variation of them.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
MagicMaster777 03-29-05, 03:59 PM	I think this post belongs here but i'm not sure: In my group, instead of dividing the character level among classes, we apply the level to all classes. Is this ok? (I know DM's can have their own house rules)
LordArkan 03-29-05, 04:38 PM	blink Did you really say what I think you mean here? Please clarify. :eek:
HailSpork 03-29-05, 04:55 PM	So, if I'm level 9, and I take one level of each Barbarian, Bard, Cleric, Druid, Fighter, Ranger, Rogue, Sorcerer, and Wizard, I'd have the abilities of a level 9 barbarian, a level 9 bard, a level 9 cleric... I really hope I read that wrong.
HailSpork 03-29-05, 05:01 PM	At any rate, if you intended anything even remotely close to what I interpreted it, I suggest you try using Gestalt rules first. As for whether or not it's "ok", it only matters that you and the players have fun. If you want to make a rule that gives weapon specialization +50 damage, it's "ok" (though I wouldn't reccomend it).
MagicMaster777 03-29-05, 05:01 PM	no. If I was a level 9 character I would me level 9 in all of my classes. That's what I mean. It is after all, a house rule, and I'm not the one who made that house rule anyway, I'm only "putting it out there" so to speak
NineInchNall 03-29-05, 06:18 PM	1st interpretation: If I were a level 8 Sorcerer who gained his next level in paladin, that would make me a sorcerer 9/paladin 9. Personally, I would say that that "rule" just makes single classed characters pointless. You essentially increase your effectiveness by an order of magnitude every time you take a new level in a new class. Let's just compare simple characters, both at the same character level by this method: Cleric 5 -- generally not a weak character. vs. Cleric 5/Monk 5/Paladin 5/Druid 5/Sorcerer 5. Synergies out the wazzoo, 3 sets of spell pools, full bab, d10 hd, all good saves, wild shape, turning, familiar, wisdom to ac, charisma to saves ... All of this with no XP penalties, because the first level in each class is the same as your character level? Ack! 2nd interpretation: At level X, you pick up class A and get the abilities listed on that class's level 9 entry. So a Fighter 1 who picked up his next level in Barbarian would get Uncanny Dodge. Ack. This is almost as bad as the first. You take 18 levels as Paladin, then pick up your next as Sorcerer, then Cleric. Woohoo! Now I have wish and miracle! ... And a +42 BAB! :evillaugh Muwahahahaha! My honest suggestion would be to just use gestalt characters. It's less confusing and doesn't absolutely destroy the game's mechanics and balance. From reading your sig this seems like it would appeal to you. Even better for you would be playing without any house rules, but hey, it's hard to change what a group of munchkins will do.
Delfedd 03-29-05, 08:18 PM	shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders shudders :shocked: :headexplo :banghead: So... many... things... wrong... with that....
MagicMaster777 03-29-05, 08:53 PM	Like I said I DID NOT make it up.
Delfedd 03-29-05, 09:10 PM	Ok dood, you have soooo many doors open to you Take 17 level in palidan, one in monk, one in wizard, and one in cleric
HailSpork 03-29-05, 10:22 PM	no. If I was a level 9 character I would me level 9 in all of my classes. That's what I mean. It is after all, a house rule, and I'm not the one who made that house rule anyway, I'm only "putting it out there" so to speak This sounds exactly like what I said. I STRONGLY encourage you to try using the Gestalt variant. Run a campaign with that. If that doesn't do enough for you, then perhaps run the rule you suggested. Bear in mind that this rule is extraordinarily balances the game in the party's favor and will actually reduce the variety of the characters. I would like to know something; what is the goal of this rule? Do you have too few people? Are you trying to play with uber-powerful characters?
NineInchNall 03-30-05, 02:32 AM	Well, obviously it was put into place by a bunch of munchkins -- the same group with whom MagicMaster is playing. 'Tis unfortunate. I feel your pain, MM!
MagicMaster777 06-28-05, 11:35 AM	well the number of classes taken is usually limited. I only took 3 classes and 1 PrC. but i'm doing my best to try to shift to gestalt rules.
Jaerom Darkwind 06-28-05, 11:57 AM	Naw, screw 17 paladin levels. For your first 11 levels, take every class in the PHB. At 12+, start working your way thruogh the Complete series. That should see you through to 23. Then you probably qualify for every PrC ever written, so just do whatever.
Gold Katana 06-28-05, 12:23 PM	No, it is absolutely not OK! And, as HailSpork asked, what's the point? Where's the challenge? Who are your opponents? Why bother? :rant:
srkingdavy 06-28-05, 01:53 PM	I second what everyone else said. The cardinal rule of d&d is, of course, "if you're having fun, you're doing it right", but I CANNOT see how playing like that would be any fun.
Jaerom Darkwind 06-28-05, 06:52 PM	Oh, and I forgot--between the PHB and the Complete books, get all 4 psionic classes. Wait, after you pass level 10, do you start getting epic PrC benefits, too?
GreyLord 06-28-05, 07:34 PM	It sounds to me as if he's using the Gestalt rules, or some variation of them.