How do you think Multiclassing will work in 4E, given that a recent podcast (can't remember which one) said that it wouldn't be as ... flexible (I think that's close to the word that was used) ... as it is now?
I've been thinking about it, and about how Powers are used. One of the problems the designers ran into, if I recall correctly, was that they wanted to front-load a lot of a Class's iconic abilities right off the bat. They didn't want to spread out iconic abilities over too many levels; basically the Class should do what it should do right out the gate, but those abilities will increase in power and utility over time. Because they did this they couldn't go with the 3E style of multiclassing, which is a shame since that was 10 types of awesome.
So I think it will be handled like this:
1. Multiclassing Feats will serve as the method, I think. Since characters get many more Feats, this shouldn't be hard.
2. Each Feat will allow a certain portion of the other Class's abilities to be learned. For instance, a Fighter multiclassing into Rogue could spend a Feat and get the Rogue Skills as Trained Skills. A 2nd Feat could give him the ability to choose one of the Rogue Paths (Brawny or Trickster?). A 3rd Feat could grant the Rogue's Save bonus and/or Sneak Attack.
3. After you multiclass, by picking up a Feat, you then are allowed to choose Powers from that Class's Abilities List. So, when you level up, if you are allowed to choose 1 new Encounter ability, you can choose it from your Fighter lists or from the Rogue lists. It would be a difficult choice, but would allow you to choose those abilities that mesh well for you and your character concept.
So, would this work? What other ideas are out there?
I'm pretty much convinced that the training feats will be the route to "multi-classing" in 4e. It keeps you effective in your base class while allowing you to dip into other classes powers (and really, other than hit points, armor & weapon proficiencies, and what skills you are trained in, these are the true ways that classes are differentiated). I'm assuming that the training feats will exist in some sort of chain.
Also notice with the standardized advancement with level, its possible that even some low level powers from another class will remain viable even at high levels.
Cheers! :)
Also notice with the standardized advancement with level, its possible that even some low level powers from another class will remain viable even at high levels.
Cheers! :)
That's very true. My only concern would be if they made you "trade out" Powers whether you like it or not. Maybe it all works together, but I just don't like the idea of losing an ability to gain a new one, unless the new one is obviously an upgraded version of the original.
I plan on tinkering with the Power system anyway, just to see what can be done by throwing open all the doors and giving PCs access to all Abilities of a particular Power Type (Martial, for instance) and letting them choose what they wish based on their concept. It would give them a lot of freedom, but would it be broken? I don't think so, but I'll find out.
I plan on tinkering with the Power system anyway, just to see what can be done by throwing open all the doors and giving PCs access to all Abilities of a particular Power Type (Martial, for instance) and letting them choose what they wish based on their concept. It would give them a lot of freedom, but would it be broken? I don't think so, but I'll find out.
I don't think it will be broken. Actually, I think it will be the opposite; it will be much easier to build really sub-optimal characaters given the level of focus built into the classes.
I don't think it will be broken. Actually, I think it will be the opposite; it will be much easier to build really sub-optimal characaters given the level of focus built into the classes.I plan on tinkering with the Power system anyway, just to see what can be done by throwing open all the doors and giving PCs access to all Abilities of a particular Power Type (Martial, for instance) and letting them choose what they wish based on their concept. It would give them a lot of freedom, but would it be broken? I don't think so, but I'll find out.
That's what I'm hoping. With the way Classes SEEM to lock down on a few iconic archetypes, opening up the abilities (but keeping them of the same Power type) should allow for quite a bit of customization and let characters easily step outside the "role" box.
Well, I'm hoping.
I plan on tinkering with the Power system anyway, just to see what can be done by throwing open all the doors and giving PCs access to all Abilities of a particular Power Type (Martial, for instance)
I actually think some powers make sense by role, while others make sense by source, and a blanket change won't necessarily cover things.
For instance, it's probably reasonable for a paladin to get Tide of Iron (Fighter - Martial) and Priest's Shield (Cleric - Divine)
Of course, I'm still confused that Priest's Shield isn't a paladin power, so maybe that's just me.
I'm not so big on the idea of fighters with Piercing Strike, but I guess that light blade restriction would cover that.
Heck, maybe things like that are why the restriction is there... hmmhmm.
Hmm, as a random multiclassing thought. A paladin will very likely have a higher charisma than wisdom, especially at higher levels.
I'm guessing that warlords might have an ability like
Rallying Cry
Minor Action
Ally spends a healing surge with 1d6+Cha extra hp healed.
to mirror the Cleric's Healing Word, which is based off of Wisdom.
So, a paladin wanting to pick up one of those with multiclassing would be better off taking the warlord one instead of the cleric one, even though the cleric one is thematically better.
Lame, if so, but it's all conjecture.
Hmm, as a random multiclassing thought. A paladin will very likely have a higher charisma than wisdom, especially at higher levels.
I'm guessing that warlords might have an ability like
Rallying Cry
Minor Action
Ally spends a healing surge with 1d6+Cha extra hp healed.to mirror the Cleric's Healing Word, which is based off of Wisdom.
So, a paladin wanting to pick up one of those with multiclassing would be better off taking the warlord one instead of the cleric one, even though the cleric one is thematically better.
Lame, if so, but it's all conjecture.
I actually think both are thematically appropriate (depending on what part of "holy warrior" you are emphasizing), but I have to say if you want to multi-class and be effective as possible, you need to set yourself up for it.