MultiClass or DualClass

[SweetTooth!]

Ok heres the beef (how serprising) when you choose a new class at lvl 2 and then you reach level 3 do both classes level up or just the one you recently chose?

[Aegis]

Each level, you choose a new class to level up. So, while your character class will increase with every level, specific class levels will level up as you take them upon a character level.

[Xandax]

To expand slightly on Aegis post (sorry A. ) - your character can (so far) only gain max level of 20 .... as a character.

Each time you level, as Aegis says, you choose a class to level in (you can max have 3 classes).
The total of your class levels counts towards your character level.
Thus a level 3 fighter is class level 3 and character level 3.
A level 3 fighter/2 cleric is thus a character level 5 but having 2 class levels (of 3 and 2).

The rules is best descriped as dualclassing from BG-series for thoese that are more familiar with thoese rules. But with one major difference. You choose wich of the classes to level in.

So if you are a 3 fighter and level you choose what class you want to level. The figther ... or picking another.
Or if you are a 3 fighter/2 cleric and you level you can choose either to level the fighter levels or the cleric levels or a 3rd class.
The total of your levels (character level) can't exceed 20.

Elements such as attack rolls and save throws are accumulated, thus it is all your class levels together. Class specific abilities, such as spells for casters are counted only from your class level.
(so a 3 figther/2 wizard can only cast spells as a level 2 wizard, but can attack as a 3 figther/2 wizard ... +4 base attack iirc..... unless I've mixed up some things )

It is a bit tricky at first, but the rules are actually rather easy once the first hurdle is passed.

[Aegis]

In addition, each class has a favour multicalss. What this means, is that they can have multiple classes, but if one of those ever progresses more then one level greater then one or both your other classes, and it is not your characters race' favoured multiclass, an XP penalty is put in, which I believe it 25% of whatever XP you get from combat. This can really add up after a while, and it's good to always keep your class levels within 1 level of each other, unless it's your favour one.

[DraySkullan]

This is one of the ways that 3rd edition is much better than 2nd edition AD&D. In 2nd edition, if you were a level 5/5 warrior/wizard, you actually had 5 half-levels of each. Too watered down. In 3rd edition, you actually have 5 full levels of each, and are every bit a level 10 character.