Multiclassing Rule
The official rule states that if two of a multiclassed character's classes are two or more levels apart then a -20% xp penalty is imposed for each class that is more than one level lower than the highest class.
With this house rule a character can have two classes that are separated by more than one level without penalty. However, if a level is gained that is not spent bringing the lower class within one level of the higher class, the -20% xp penalty is is invoked. The penalty will go away after two levels are spent to correcting the gap for every one that didn't, or after the gap is within the acceptable limit of one level, whichever comes first. As before, Favored Classes don't count.Why: While the 3E multiclass rule is better than it was before, the Favored Class exception just enfoces racial stereotyping by making players much less likely to choose to multiclass without the Favored Class. This rule, while not eliminating that, increases the likelyhood that a character higher than second level will choose to expand their capabilities by taking on a new class, where neither is of the Racially Favored Class.Pro:
- PCs with more variety and level-advancing options.
- Prestige classes easier to obtain through multiclassing basic classes.
- Might be confusing, but probably no more than the official rule.
- Prestige classes easier to obtain through multiclassing basic classes.
- 417 reads
The rule mechanics do not seem terrible to me, however I feel that the stereotyping is valid, to a point at least. After all, Halfling culture, by default, is more tolerant of Rogues and being small they have an edge as Rogues anyway, to take one example. I don't see a problem with this, but if it does not fit your campaign because the cultures are different, reflect that with the favoured classes being altered, rather than this ruling, in my opinion. There is no reason why you cannot have the Human / Half-Elf situation in play for every culture; i.e. first class taken is favoured every other class treated normally for penalties. This totally eliminates the factor you feel is possibly limiting multiclassing, as it stands.