Variant Multiclassing and Prestige Classes

[Nardoz Zardoz]

Can the abilities from variant multiclassing be improved by prestige classes?

I'm specifically thinking of things like the Secondary Cleric gaining Channel Energy and using a class like Holy Vindicator to improve the channel. An Ranger10/HolyVindicator10, could channel energy as a 28th lvl cleric? For 14d6 chennel energy?

Plenty of other PRCs and Archetypes have these potential stacking issues, some being redundant unproductive and other being much too powerful.

[Mark Seifter]

Nardoz Zardoz wrote:

Can the abilities from variant multiclassing be improved by prestige classes?

I'm specifically thinking of things like the Secondary Cleric gaining Channel Energy and using a class like Holy Vindicator to improve the channel. An Ranger10/HolyVindicator10, could channel energy as a 28th lvl cleric? For 14d6 chennel energy?

Plenty of other PRCs and Archetypes have these potential stacking issues, some being redundant unproductive and other being much too powerful.

That's why the default assumption of VMC is that you don't use other multiclassing (which includes PrCs). I think the two forms of multiclassing can work together, personally, but they'll require the GM to make some judgment calls.

[Nardoz Zardoz]

Mark Seifter wrote:

That's why the default assumption of VMC is that you don't use other multiclassing (which includes PrCs). I think the two forms of multiclassing can work together, personally, but they'll require the GM to make some judgment calls.

The scenario I've laid out could occur without any multiclassing though. A Wizard(Arcane Bomber) with his secondary multiclass as Alchemist could add those abilities together. "This ability stacks with the alchemist bomb ability to determine the level of bomb damage" So a Wizard 20 with that archetype and secondary class would have bombs that deal 20d6 damage.

With an example like that, I'd be tempted to say something like "The benefits of secondary multiclasses can not be advanced by other sources".

But the ArcnaneBomber/Aclhemist combo is a pretty outrageous example. What about something like a character with Sorcerer as a secondary class using a Robe of Arcane Heritage? That doesn't seem so terrible.

[LoneKnave]

I think the Holy vindicator thing actually doesn't work because you are not granted channel by a class.

Also, if it did work, you'd want to be a life oracle for even more channel, while you are at it.

[David knott 242]

I would suggest prohibiting a VMC character from taking levels in any class/archetype/other option combination that grants any class feature of his VMC. Thus, a wizard who wants to VMC as a witch would have to take an object and not a familiar as his arcane bond, while a paladin who wants to VMC as a cleric would have to select an archetype that replaces Channel Positive Energy. Would such a rule leave any problematic cases in play?