How does dual class work ?

Amidala · Post by **Amidala** » Tue Jun 25, 2002 5:54 pm

I spent roughly six hours of reading 3E rules and information about NWN but I am still no quite sure how this dual classing works.
Here are my questions:
1. What happened to dual class for humans and multi class for others, how does the new dual classing work ?
2. How are all the features of 2 classes combined ?
3. Can I keep the features, skills and specials of my old class ?
4. If one class is restricted to armor or weapon and the other is not how is it handled ?
5. Lets assume I have a level 10 fighter, dual class him to fighter and level him to level 10 again (just to make the answer simpler) is there a difference to a level 20 fighter ?

THE JAKER · Post by **THE JAKER** » Tue Jun 25, 2002 6:20 pm

Ok, first off: the rules for multiclassing start of page 55 of the 3e players handbook, they are on 146 in the NWN manual, so if you have access to these books look there. I'll try to give a quick answer to your questions:

1. What happened to dual class for humans and multi class for others, how does the new dual classing work ?

Multiclassing as it existed before is gone. The new system is similar to the old dual-classing but more open. Lets say your 4th level fighter, when you go up a level you can choose to take that new level in any other class, making you for instance a fighter 4/ rogue 1.... when you go up another level, you can choose to apply it to either of those classes OR a third class. In NWN you are limited to 3 classes though. There are experience penalties that apply in certain situations where your classes are too disparate in level to penalize people for taking for instance 1 level of ranger, paladin or monk to get the nice 1st level bonuses for those classes, but Human and Half-elf characters suffer less from the penalties.

2. How are all the features of 2 classes combined ?

They are simply added together, you get all the abilities of both classes. If you are a wizard/fighter or rogue/fighter you will suffer penalties for casting spells or thieving in armor however.

3. Can I keep the features, skills and specials of my old class ?

Yes you have full access to all abilities and in fact can continue to advance in any class as you gain levels so there is no "old class" really except for paladins and monks, once they multiclass they retain their special abilities but cannot continue to advance.

4. If one class is restricted to armor or weapon and the other is not how is it handled ?

See above, but armor and weapons restrictions are pretty much gone in 3e, a wizard can use a greatsword IF they have proficiency in it through feats, and can wear armor but will suffer a chance of spell failure if they try to cast. A cleric can use an axe or a sword if they choose to and acquire proficieny in it.

5. Lets assume I have a level 10 fighter, dual class him to fighter and level him to level 10 again (just to make the answer simpler) is there a difference to a level 20 fighter ?

You might want to rephrase that, I cannot understand what your getting at. I believe the answer is "no".

archerknight · Post by **archerknight** » Tue Jun 25, 2002 8:56 pm

Amidala/Jaker

Thanks. Y'all asked and answered all the questions I had about dual classing.

KaaZe · Post by **KaaZe** » Tue Jun 25, 2002 9:09 pm

One thing i'll say tho.. choose carefully... a level 1 rogue is still a level 1 rogue when your other class is level 19. Dont use it as a way of getting easy feat's at level 2 or 3.. if you want to multiclass, then think hard and long about it

Example.. a level 15 fighting will prolly whoop a level 13 fighter/level 2 wizard.

A suggestion tho, if you want a caster/fighter character.. make a cleric. You can buy what ever weapon you wish to fight with through feat's.. My cleric is wielding a Halbred, he got that by choose the martial weapons feat at levle 1.

Amidala · Post by **Amidala** » Tue Jun 25, 2002 9:13 pm

@the jaker

At 5. I was relating to attack bonus and the like.
A Fighter would have a +20 attack bonus at level 20 and I wondered if a Fighter 10/ Paladin 10 would have a +20 attack bonus too.

fable · Post by **fable** » Tue Jun 25, 2002 9:14 pm

As Kaaze said. Rule of thumb in NWN: if you think deriving power from a particular class combo looks too good to be true, it *is* too good to be true.

Amidala · Post by **Amidala** » Tue Jun 25, 2002 9:21 pm

@Kaaze

I really like the idea of a level 1 Rouge as a "bonus class" since he gets 4*(8+Int Modifier) skillspoints at level 1 which could be sunk into trap disarment. With spells to detect traps and force to open locks you have all you need on the thief sector.

Amidala · Post by **Amidala** » Tue Jun 25, 2002 9:25 pm

@fable

I do not really understand what you are referring to ?

fable · Post by **fable** » Tue Jun 25, 2002 9:34 pm

Re: @fable

Originally posted by Amidala
I do not really understand what you are referring to ?

I'm referring to Kaaze's remark: "One thing i'll say tho.. choose carefully... a level 1 rogue is still a level 1 rogue when your other class is level 19."

We've had some posters express the belief that if they run a 5/2 fighter/mage, they'll have all mage spells cast at level 5. They won't. As Kaaze points out, they cast at level 2. It's simply too good, too sweet a deal for a 5/2 fighter/mage to have both fighting skills and mage spells both operating in some way at level 5.

Hope that helps.