IWD and Multiclass

[Barctus]

Hello.

I recently played through IWD, completely, for the first time and since you have no story within the characters like in Baldur's Gate so I went with a single char. A Fighter / mage. So now that I'm about to start IWD II, I would like to continue with my char from IWD. I know I can't import since you start at level 1 again. But the problem is at character creation there is no option for Multi-class. I read somewhere that you do it whilst leveling up. But I was hoping that someone could further explain how this works which would be very much appreciated.

To shorten it down:
How does Multi-class work in IWD II?

[anarchistica]

IWD2 follows 3rd edition rules. You pick one class when starting and can pick additional classes whenever you level up. Unless the 2nd class is the favoured class for your race, you suffer a XP penalty. The 3rd and further classes always give a XP penalty.

[PhantomSoul]

As anarchistica said, you ALWAYS get exp penalties (and they're pretty harsh!) if you multiclass unless:
1. The class is your favoured class
or
2. The classes are maximum one level from each other.
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EXAMPLES:

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EXAMPLE 1: A Half-Orc
1-1. You have a half-orc Barbarian(8)
-It's only one class, so there are no penalties.
1-2. You have a half-orc Barbarian(8)/Fighter(1)
-Barbarian is the half-orc's favoured class, so it doesn't count. Thus, it's like you had just a half-orc fighter(1)
1-3. You have a half-orc Barbarian(8)/Fighter(1)/rogue(1)
-Barbarian is the half-orc's favoured class, so it doesn't count. Thus, it's like you had just a half-orc fighter(1)/rogue(1).
-The fighter and rogue levels are within 1 level of each other, so it doesn't give an exp penalty.
1-4. You have a half-orc Barbarian(8)/Fighter(4)/rogue(1)
-Barbarian is the half-orc's favoured class, so it doesn't count. Thus, it's like you had just a half-orc fighter(1)/rogue(1).
-The fighter and rogue levels aren't within 1 level of each other, so it gives an exp penalty.
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EXAMPLE 2: A Human
[This one is done as if you're leveling it up]
1-1. You have a human cleric(1)
-It's only one class, so there are no penalties.
1-2. You have a human cleric(1)/druid(1)
-The cleric and druid levels are within 1 level of each other, so it doesn't give an exp penalty.
1-3. You have a human cleric(2)/druid(1)
-The cleric and druid levels are within 1 level of each other, so it doesn't give an exp penalty.
1-4. You have a human cleric(3)/druid(1)
-Cleric level is highest, thus making it the human's favoured class. So, it doesn't count! Thus, it's like you had just a human druid(1)
1-5. You have a human cleric(3)/druid(1)/monk(1)
-Cleric level is highest, thus making it the human's favoured class. So, it doesn't count! Thus, it's like you had just a human druid(1)/monk(1)
-The druid and monk levels are within 1 level of each other, so it doesn't give an exp penalty.
1-6. You have a human cleric(4)/druid(1)/monk(1)
-Cleric level is highest, thus making it the human's favoured class. So, it doesn't count! Thus, it's like you had just a human druid(1)/monk(1)
-The druid and monk levels are within 1 level of each other, so it doesn't give an exp penalty.
1-7. You have a human cleric(4)/druid(2)/monk(1)
-Cleric level is highest, thus making it the human's favoured class. So, it doesn't count! Thus, it's like you had just a human druid(2)/monk(1)
-The druid and monk levels are within 1 level of each other, so it doesn't give an exp penalty.
1-8. You have a human cleric(4)/druid(3)/monk(1)
-Cleric level is highest, thus making it the human's favoured class. So, it doesn't count! Thus, it's like you had just a human druid(3)/monk(1)
-The druid and monk levels aren't within 1 level of each other, so it does give an exp penalty.
1-9. You have a human cleric(4)/druid(3)/monk(2)
-Cleric level is highest, thus making it the human's favoured class. So, it doesn't count! Thus, it's like you had just a human druid(3)/monk(2)
-The druid and monk levels are within 1 level of each other, so it doesn't give an exp penalty.
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...You probably get the idea by now! It doesn't need to fit both requirements, only one