ericgrau
2010-08-28, 05:07 PM
We all know how much multi-classing, LA, etc. sucks for 3e casters, unless you get a prestige class. But prestige classes only cover certain combos. For example someone recently wanted to play a rogue / cleric. This is my attempt to make a more general rule.
Prerequisites: If you meet the prerequisites for any class then your multiclass "prestige class" gains advancement for that class. Triple/quadruple/etc. advancement is allowed. Double dipping the same class for two prerequisites is not allowed.
{table]Prerequisites | Advancement benefit
Sneak attack +2d6 | Sneak attack progression at even levels, 4 skill points per level
Casts 2nd level arcane/divine/psionic spells/powers* | Full casting progression in the given type, wildshape progression if applicable
2 levels in a class proficient with all martial weapons, another prerequisite class has poor BAB | Full BAB
[/table]
* The 2nd+ time you take a class of the same type, reduce this requirement to 1st level spells / powers
BAB: Poor BAB unless otherwise noticed. Exception: If all prerequisites are divine, use mid BAB.
Skill Points: 2 + int per level, except where otherwise noted
Saves: 1 good save from any of your prerequisites classes. If you have any non-caster prerequisites, you may select 2 good saves instead.
Half Casters: Half-caster prerequisites also grant advancement in other major (but not minor) class features from that class including skill points (but not BAB nor saves), bardic music, smite evil, favored enemy, combat style and animal companion. "Major class features" are typically those with a progression pattern, rather than appearing only once or twice.
LA, racial HD: LA and racial HD from a "martial" race may be applied towards the martial class prerequisites. Your DM has the final word on what is martial, but most monstrous races should fit.
Fluff Abilities: You and your DM may agree on additional minor fluff abilities.
Retraining: You may retrain 1 level into a Multiclassed Caster prestige class level each time you level up as long as the resulting build still would have been possible without this rule. For example a wizard 5 could now decide "I want to switch to mystic theurge now" without totally gimping himself (e.g., wizard 5 / cleric 1, wizard 5 / cleric 2, wizard 4 / cleric 3 / mystic theurge 1, wizard 3 / cleric 3 / mystic theurge 2).
Example: A fighter 2 / wizard 3 / psychic warrior 4 gains full BAB, full wizard casting, full psychic warrior power progression and psychic warrior bonus feat progression. The fighter levels are necessary because of the restriction on double dipping prerequisites. Now he has decent BAB and both wizard and psychic warrior buffs. The drawback is that he is of course 5-6 levels behind on his spells / powers and 3 BAB behind a full BAB class.
"Full" applies only to prestige class levels; you still lose caster levels and BAB to non-prestige class levels. As with any existing prestige class, any resulting combo will be lower in power but higher in versatility. If you have a problem with that, then there are other home brews / house rules out there and addressing this concern is beyond the scope of this home brew.
Prerequisites: If you meet the prerequisites for any class then your multiclass "prestige class" gains advancement for that class. Triple/quadruple/etc. advancement is allowed. Double dipping the same class for two prerequisites is not allowed.
{table]Prerequisites | Advancement benefit
Sneak attack +2d6 | Sneak attack progression at even levels, 4 skill points per level
Casts 2nd level arcane/divine/psionic spells/powers* | Full casting progression in the given type, wildshape progression if applicable
2 levels in a class proficient with all martial weapons, another prerequisite class has poor BAB | Full BAB
[/table]
* The 2nd+ time you take a class of the same type, reduce this requirement to 1st level spells / powers
BAB: Poor BAB unless otherwise noticed. Exception: If all prerequisites are divine, use mid BAB.
Skill Points: 2 + int per level, except where otherwise noted
Saves: 1 good save from any of your prerequisites classes. If you have any non-caster prerequisites, you may select 2 good saves instead.
Half Casters: Half-caster prerequisites also grant advancement in other major (but not minor) class features from that class including skill points (but not BAB nor saves), bardic music, smite evil, favored enemy, combat style and animal companion. "Major class features" are typically those with a progression pattern, rather than appearing only once or twice.
LA, racial HD: LA and racial HD from a "martial" race may be applied towards the martial class prerequisites. Your DM has the final word on what is martial, but most monstrous races should fit.
Fluff Abilities: You and your DM may agree on additional minor fluff abilities.
Retraining: You may retrain 1 level into a Multiclassed Caster prestige class level each time you level up as long as the resulting build still would have been possible without this rule. For example a wizard 5 could now decide "I want to switch to mystic theurge now" without totally gimping himself (e.g., wizard 5 / cleric 1, wizard 5 / cleric 2, wizard 4 / cleric 3 / mystic theurge 1, wizard 3 / cleric 3 / mystic theurge 2).
Example: A fighter 2 / wizard 3 / psychic warrior 4 gains full BAB, full wizard casting, full psychic warrior power progression and psychic warrior bonus feat progression. The fighter levels are necessary because of the restriction on double dipping prerequisites. Now he has decent BAB and both wizard and psychic warrior buffs. The drawback is that he is of course 5-6 levels behind on his spells / powers and 3 BAB behind a full BAB class.
"Full" applies only to prestige class levels; you still lose caster levels and BAB to non-prestige class levels. As with any existing prestige class, any resulting combo will be lower in power but higher in versatility. If you have a problem with that, then there are other home brews / house rules out there and addressing this concern is beyond the scope of this home brew.