Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Boshi 07-28-06, 12:43 PM	While jogging today I brain started thinking about D&D multiclassing rules (my brain is wierd like that). Specifically about the problems that crop up in the 3.5 system when you start multiclassing with full caster classes. In 2nd edition if you had a multiclassed fighter/mage you ended up roughly equal in power with the rest of the party if you had an equal amount of experience, while in 3.5 edition if you multiclass with equal levels of fighter and wizard you're going to end up with a horrifically gimped character since spells get exponentially more powerful as they gain caster levels so losing even a few caster levels can cripple a caster. It's really impossible to play a functional gish of any type in 3.5 eidtion without entering into a prestige class. 3.5 edition rules have tried to get around this problem by creating prestige classes like Eldrich Knight, Arcane Trickster, Mystic Theurge etc. etc. but I really think this is a very clunky approach to the problem, leads to characters who are very weak before they qualify for the prestige class and (in most cases) kills off one of the biggest benefits of the 3.5 edition multiclassing system (flexibility) since you have to beeline to qualify for the prestige class. Flexibility is really the biggest advantage of the 3.5 multiclassing system since you can mix and match your classes in ways that you couldn't in 2nd edition. In 2nd edition you chose to be a fighter/mage (or cleric/theif or whatever) at first level and you stuck with that and for non-caster classes the 3.5 edition multiclassing rules are a massive improvement as they allow for vastly greatest customization. I tried to think of a way that allowed for 3.5 edition customization without forcing people to resort to prestige classes or gimping their characters and came up with this: For every two levels that your character level exceeds your class level in any caster class you gain +1 level of existing arcane/divine/whatever spellcasting (+.5 a level in the case of paladins etc.) to a maximum of 1.5 times your class level in said casting class. All classes such as the Mystic Theurge and the Eldrich Knight would be banned. That means, for example, a 10th level fighter/10th level wizard would cast spells exactly like a 15th level wizard, an 18th level fighter/2nd level wizard would cast spells exactly like a 3rd level wizard, a 10th level cleric/10th level wizard casts spells like a 15th level cleric and a 15th level wizard. The upshot of this means is that people can start multiclassing right away more or less however they want without worrying too much about gimping their character or qualifying for a PrC. I believe that this would be balanced since I think the resultant characters would be, if anything, slightly weaker than standard gish that have taken the right prestige classes (at least at higher levels, this house rule would not result in such horrifically weak low level characters). This houserule would also allow the return of a multiclassing combo near and dear to my heart, the good old traditional fighter/mage/thief. It's almost impossible to pull off in 3.5 edition but under this houserule it would become at least somewhat playable (if probably still a bit on the weak side). Also as things stand it's mostly pointless to dip into a caster class unless you're going for a PRC that requires spellcasting, this house rule would make it slightly more advantagous to have a character who dabbles in magic without being overpowering. As for prestige classes, prestige classes with full spellcasting progression would count as the class whose spellcasting they're advancing. For example, a Wizard 7/Loremaster 2 would count as a 9th level wizard for the purposes of this houserule. Prestige clases with partial spellcasting progression would up the class level of the base caster class for the purposes of this house rule whenever that PrC ups spellcasting. What do you think?
Fargren 07-28-06, 01:39 PM	It's a good idea, but I really do't see what's wrong with just taling prestige classes. It's realy easy to make viable gishes, and trust me, they don't suck. They may bea bit wealer than your average character for a level or two, but they make it up.
Arcade 07-28-06, 02:02 PM	You might want to check out magic ratings from Unearthed Arcana (also in the SRD now). Generally it is like your idea, but slightly different. http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/magic/magicRating.htm#magicRatingsForStandardC haracters
Phoenix Knight 07-28-06, 02:24 PM	There's also a feat in Complete Arcane called Practiced Spellcaster that adds to your caster level up to your character level or +4 (whichever is less). It doesn't grant more spells/day, but it helps with SR and caster level-based effects.
Thelon Fairblade 07-28-06, 03:49 PM	How about this: the spellcaster is already the cream of the crop in D&D classes. It doesn't need to be compensated for losing caster levels when it chooses to also pick up "all armor", "all weapons", 6 more hp, +2 FORT, a BAB, and a free feat. Sarcasm aside, the magic rating system is fine if you want to go that route. But a 3.5e gish can be as simple as "Wizard X / Fighter 1". Personally, I like "Sorc X / Fighter 1" and Still Spell, or Wizard and Sudden Still. Cast spells Stilled spells in armor, and non-somatic spells without Stilling.