Multiclass & Dual-class Characters

Multi-Class Characters

A multi-class character improves in two or more classes simultaneously. His experience is divided equally between each class. The available class combinations vary according to race. The character can use the abilities of both classes at any time, with only a few restrictions. Only demihumans can be multi-class characters.

Allowed Class Combinations by Race

Dwarf
  • Fighter/Thief
  • Fighter/Cleric
Elf
  • Fighter/Mage
  • Fighter/Thief
  • Mage/Thief
  • Cleric/Mage
Gnome
  • Fighter/Cleric
  • Fighter/Illusionist
  • Fighter/Thief
  • Cleric/Illusionist
  • Cleric/Thief
  • Illusionist/Thief
Halfling
  • Fighter/Thief
Half-Elf
  • Fighter/Cleric
  • Fighter/Thief
  • Fighter/Mage
  • Cleric/Ranger
  • Thief/Mage
  • Fighter/Mage/Cleric
  • Fighter/Mage/Thief

Important Notes

  • Specialist wizards cannot be multi-class (gnome illusionists are the single exception to this rule)
  • The 'Cleric' option in some combinations can be replaced with 'Druid' where noted
  • Priests of a specific mythos might be allowed as a multi-class option, depending on the nature of the mythos as determined by the DM

Benefits

  • A multi-class character always uses the most favorable combat value and the best saving throw from his different classes
  • Hit points are the average of all Hit Dice rolls (divide by the number of classes, round fractions down)
  • Constitution bonuses are applied after averaging hit points
  • If one class is fighter and Constitution is 17 or 18, the character gains the higher warrior Constitution bonus
  • When gaining levels at different times, Constitution bonuses are split between classes
  • If using proficiencies, the character starts with the largest number of slots from the different classes
  • New proficiency slots are gained at the fastest of the given rates
  • Initial money is rolled according to the most generous of the character's different classes

Class-Specific Restrictions

Warrior
A multi-classed warrior can use all abilities without restriction
Priest
A multi-classed priest must abide by the weapon restrictions of his mythos
Wizard
A multi-classed wizard can freely combine powers with other classes, though armor use is restricted (elves wearing elven chain are an exception)
Thief
A multi-classed thief cannot use most thieving abilities if wearing non-thief armor (except open locks without gauntlets and detect noise without helmet)

Dual-Class Characters

A dual-class character is one who starts with a single class, advances to moderate level, and then changes to a second character class and starts over again. The character retains the benefits and abilities of the first class but never again earns experience for using them. There are some limitations on combining the abilities of the two classes but, as long as minimum ability and alignment requirements are met, there are no restrictions on the possible character class combinations. Only humans can be dual-class characters.

Requirements

  • Only humans can be dual-classed characters
  • Must have scores of 15 or more in the prime requisites of the first class
  • Must have scores of 17 or more in the prime requisites of any classes switched to
  • Must attain at least 2nd level in the current class before changing to another class
  • Must meet any alignment restrictions of the new class

Process

  • The character no longer earns experience points in previous classes
  • The character cannot advance in level in previous classes
  • The character cannot switch back to previous classes later
  • The character starts at 1st level with 0 experience points in the new class
  • The character retains previous Hit Dice and hit points
  • The character does not gain or lose ability score points when switching classes
  • The character uses the combat and saving throw tables of the new class and level

Restrictions

  • If using abilities from the previous class during an encounter, the character earns no experience for that encounter and only half experience for the adventure
  • The character cannot earn additional Hit Dice or hit points while advancing in the new class
  • These restrictions last until the character reaches a higher level in the new class than the maximum level in any previous classes
  • After restrictions are lifted, the character must still abide by the restrictions of whichever class is being used at the moment

Level Draining

  • When struck by a level-draining creature, the character first loses levels in the class in which they have advanced the highest
  • When different classes are equal in level, the class level requiring the most experience points is lost first
  • A character is allowed to regain levels lost by level draining
  • Until all former levels are regained, the character must select which class to use prior to each adventure
  • After regaining all former levels, the character can use all abilities of all classes again
  • A character cannot raise earlier classes above the level they were at when switching class