Multiclass characters

[ProsSteve]

Hi all,Now I know this is probably covered on WOTC board and I've burrowed through it but not really found good definitive advice about it( prerequisites etc).
I want to make a couple of cross class skills but am confused as to what you require to take certain multiclass feats.

I want a Cleric with a Ranger bit involved( some ranger powers etc), a fighter\cleric( again some cleric powers.

The main issue I see is the basic options for At-Will powers are only 4 and the human character gets 3 At-Wills so the characters do end up pretty same if they of the same class.

Can anybody help?

[WotC's Nightmare]

The mulitclass feats usually require a 13 or better in the prime stat of the class, i.e. dex for rogue or wis for cleric. It says it right in the description of the feat. It usually gives you a trained skill and a watered down version of one of the class abilities of the class.

[crosswiredmind]

WotC's Nightmare wrote:

The mulitclass feats usually require a 13 or better in the prime stat of the class, i.e. dex for rogue or wis for cleric. It says it right in the description of the feat. It usually gives you a trained skill and a watered down version of one of the class abilities of the class.

Trained skill for free - that is a big deal. If I multiclass Warlock and Rogue I come out with one more skill than I would have had as a straight Warlock plus the ability to sneak attack once per encounter.

The ability you get is not watered down at all. It can be used with less frequency but it is not less effective.

The big gain is access to paragon paths from either class, access to feats from either class, etc.

Multiclassing is better than it may look on the surface.

[Tatterdemalion]

I think the biggest benefits to your first first multiclassing feat are 1) training in a skill, and 2) granting access to power-swap feats.

In my case, for instance, I have a wizard but there's a lot a like in Warlock. At first chance I'm going to trade my level 3 encounter power (I'm not fond of any of them) for a corresponding power from the warlock list.

My 2¢

[Matthew Koelbl]

WotC's Nightmare covered things pretty well. One thing to look out for is that the stat requirements for the multiclass feats are somewhat erratic - for the ranger MC feat, you can have either Str 13 or Dex 13 to qualify (as the two most relevant ranger stats). For paladin MC, on the other hand, you need both Str 13 and Cha 13, which can be somewhat harsh.

A cleric with a bit of ranger, however, should work reasonably well, and a fighter/cleric works even better.

At-wills aren't completely character defining, as they are only one choice among many - between them, feats, skills and encounter/daily/utility powers, characters can feel pretty distinct on the field.

One final thing to keep in mind - you can gain training in cross-class skills without Multiclassing, via the feat Skill Training. This makes it very easy to, say, have a Cleric that is trained in Stealth and Thievery without them having to actually be a rogue.

In any case, I've been very impressed with using Multiclassing feats, along with the ability to enter into a Paragon Path of your new class for further distinction. I would recommend avoiding, however, the rules for 'paragon multiclassing', in which you replace your paragon path with some expanded multiclassing options - while not completely terrible as an option, it generally pales compared to what you would gain from a Paragon Path itself.

[crosswiredmind]

The stat requirements are not really that harsh considering the standard stats are 16, 14, 13, 12, 11, and 10. Then at 4th level you get +1 to two stats. If a character has the 16 in the primary stat for his/her class and the 14 in the secondary, then the 13 can go into the multiclass slot if needed.