Knights & Knaves Alehouse

Edited.
1) Does allowing multi-classed characters in a group put a drag on XP gained collectively if there is a group goal( say, going into a certain module) planned down the road?
2) Do high level games/modules simply assume the demi-races will not/should not attend?

Who plans a group goal? If people want to play a multiclass character they should expect the consequences that implies to their levelling.

I can't even get past the first senten-.....<<<SNORE>>>

Seriously, make as many characters as you can and don't get attached. Thats the best advice I could give there.

geneweigel wrote:I can't even get past the first senten-.....<<<SNORE>>>

Seriously, make as many characters as you can and don't get attached. Thats the best advice I could give there.

Edited.

Thorkhammer wrote: But to a multi-class hobbit F/T this would amount to 50,416 XP per class if we divide equally BTB. Ignoring STR, this could make the hobbit a F6/T7. Not alot lower than his comrades, but wait, his HP would be a nightmare!

It's a trick question. There are no hobbits in AD&D.

What's wrong with the F/T hit points? I'm confused.

Bargle wrote:What's wrong with the F/T hit points? I'm confused.

Well, without a CON bonus the fellow would average 21 HP. The single class L8 cleric would average 37; the fighter 44; the mu 20; the thf 28. And as averages go, he wouldn't be that bad. But from years of experience, what a player rolls and meeting the average is not as frequent as one might think.

Edited.

Arn't multi-class characters supposed to be roughly equal to the average of their two levels? Plus I was under the impression that multi-classing gave a character a slight advantage compared to single class characters. At least in lower to mid levels. Of coures I have no idea what I'm baseing this assumption on.

crub90706 wrote: Aren't multi-class characters supposed to be roughly equal to the average of their two levels? Plus I was under the impression that multi-classing gave a character a slight advantage compared to single class characters. At least in lower to mid levels. Of course I have no idea what I'm basing this assumption on.

Of course. Indeed, multiclass characters are frequently at a distinct advantage when they start out, and as they progress in level the advantage erodes away. Generally speaking, from second level onwards they are about one level behind everybody else in both their classes until they hit the maximum levels possible (at which point they have successfully risen to the highest level of ability possible, unless one of their classes is "thief", of course).

Thorkhammer wrote:But to a multi-class hobbit F/T this would amount to 50,416 XP per class if we divide equally BTB. Ignoring STR, this could make the hobbit a F6/T7. Not alot lower than his comrades, but wait, his HP would be a nightmare!

IME, to be 6/7 when pure characters are 8th level is actually quite a big deal, particularly when compared to spellcasters, when that one highest spell slot might be the one that makes or break a particularly tough combat/exploration.

Thorkhammer wrote:1) Does allowing multi-classed characters in a group put a drag on XP gained collectively if there is a group goal planned down the road?

I'm not sure I quite understand the question. A multi-classed character divides his XP per 2 (or 3). That's about it. No issue I'm seeing there?

Thorkhammer wrote:2) Do high level games/modules simply assume the demi-races will not/should not attend?

It's more like modules assume that there are at least a few single classed characters that will be able to take on some issues, with modules also in general assuming a rough strength of the characters' party as a whole, in terms of total levels of experience. This would include henchmen, hirelings, etc. So it's a combination of these two factors, with the idea that OS modules are actually much less picky about the overall capacities of the PCs than modern ones, where absolute rules balance is paramount. Since so much in OS games relies on sheer player ingenuity, as opposed to nitpicky applications of the rules (though there ARE specific abilities that DO matter in OS games, like the ability to fly, or teleport, etc, which affect the exploration of a dungeon/wilderness environment greatly - which goes back to my point about levels and spellcasters with that one slot that makes or breaks particular situations above).

Matthew wrote: Of course. Indeed, multiclass characters are frequently at a distinct advantage when they start out, and as they progress in level the advantage erodes away. Generally speaking, from second level onwards they are about one level behind everybody else in both their classes until they hit the maximum levels possible (at which point they have successfully risen to the highest level of ability possible, unless one of their classes is "thief", of course).

I see where you'recoming from, but despite the erodoing advantages with level gain, something has to said about say... the fighter/magic-user (for example) flying around in plate armor and lobbing fireballs at everyone. But then as you pointed out that usually dons't occur until the character has reached, or nearly so, their level cap.

Thorkhammer wrote: 1) Does allowing multi-classed characters in a group put a drag on XP gained collectively if there is a group goal planned down the road?
2) Do high level games/modules simply assume the demi-races will not/should not attend?

1) No, it doesn't. If a group got their characters from 1st to 8th level, than they already know that the multi-class is a versatile all-rounder, but likely not the specialist in the party for any one thing. The caveat would be if the only cleric was multi-classed - than the party is not too bright. Besides, unless half the character classes stayed at home for several thousand experience, many will be of higher levels than the ranger, who is the last of the group to get to 8th level.

2) No, they don't. Otherwise they wouldn't include multis in so many of the pre-gens. I agree with Odhanan's basic sentiment.

Bottom line, if played well, a halfling F/T with 150K experience split between his two classes (might have topped out fighter - don't have my books handy) can survive. Although it sure wouldn't hurt to have a few potions of growth, or enlarge spells handy in a melee so the little guy could get his backstab in against giant foes.