GameBanshee Forums

I`ve only just started playing this game and I would like to ask a question about dual classing. I`ve used the search engines for info on the subject but haven`t found what I was looking for.
I`m at the beginning of chapter 2 and my single class characters are at level 8. If any of them had been dualed, would they only be at level 4, but in 2 classes?
When is the correct time to pick another class for the same character and which class of 2 should he start at?
Hope this isn`t a dumb question, but, as I said, I am new to this.
Cheers,
davfra

You character level will be constant...whether you have 10 levels as a fighter, or 5 levels each as a fighter/druid, you will still be considered 10th level for level up purposes.

As far as when to take what, it really depends on you. Baring one or two classes, you can at each level pick a level of any class you want. The difference is, if you have a 10 level rougue, and choose to level up by taking a level of ranger, you can still advance in the rouge class. In other words, once you take a level in a second class, you can just go back to taking levels as a rogue after that.

BUT, you have to be careful...for the most part, if you don't keep the classes within one level of each other, you get penalized on your experience.

ex....you have a multiclass Shield Dwarf at level 3 Druid and level 4 Cleric.....when you level up, you can take a level of Druid, moving it to level 4, and everything is fine. If you take a level of Cleric instead You get hit with a penalty on your XP because your levels will be more than one level apart. The only exception to this is you characters favored class....it can be anything you want, and you won't get the penalty.

Ex...you could have a Sheild dwarf at 15th level fighter, and 1 level ranger, and you wouldn't be penalized because a Shield Drawf's favored class is the fighter. basically, in any multi-classing, you favored class doesn't count into the penalty system.

Check out Kayless's multi-class guide, it should be a lot clearer than I am. It's a sticky at the top of the page

Further

Cheers, I did read the sticky you refer to but, although it covered a lot, it didn`t cover the points you answered.
I am using humans because I understand the favoured class thing doesn`t apply to them.
I take it this would resolve the problems you mention?
Cheers,
davfra

Indeed the humans are most versatile. However they do not have any ability bonuses. Besides all human party ain't very...IWD. ^_^

Originally posted by davfra
When is the correct time to pick another class for the same character and which class of 2 should he start at?

The beauty of IwDII's multi-class system is that it doesn't matter when you take the other class' levels. Although you may be penalized for a while while the classes come to even levels, it is temporary.

Another thing to watch out for is ability scores for other classes. Depending on the class, you may need Cha., Wis., Int., etc. for spellcasting and such, so make sure you check into that before you have a multi-class sorcerer who can't cast spells.

Originally posted by davfra
I am using humans because I understand the favoured class thing doesn`t apply to them.

The only time you need to worry about the favored class thing is with uneven class levels. Like if you took a level of ranger for the dual-wielding, a level of paladin for saves, 4 levels of fighter, etc. If you keep the levels even, you don't need to worry about it.

You didn't mention what classes you have and what you wish to multi-class to.

Re: Further

Originally posted by davfra
Cheers, I did read the sticky you refer to but, although it covered a lot, it didn`t cover the points you answered.
I am using humans because I understand the favoured class thing doesn`t apply to them.
I take it this would resolve the problems you mention?
Cheers,
davfra

The same penalty rules apply when you multiclass with a human, but the difference is, a human has no set favored class. The favored class for a human is whatever class he is higher level in. So, if you have a multiclass human, and only 2 classes, you're right, it doesn't matter.

But if you have a third class, it still applies.

Ex.

A human Fighter8/Mage1 has no panalty, because the fighter is the humans when you have two classes, the highest one is always favored.

If you have a human fighter8/mage1/ranger4...you will get a penalty because even though the fighter class wont count, your other twon classes are more than one level apart. It's not that different with a human or say a dwarf, as the exact same rules will apply in all cases. The only difference is, humans don't have a fixed favored class like most races do. If you substitue a Shield dwarf for the human in the above example, it wouls till be the same, as the shield dwarfs favored class is the fighter.

The best thing to do IMO, is make sure you choose a race that has the main class you want for each character as the favored race....Dwarf fighter, Moon elf wizard, etc. Then you can take a level r three in another class and not have the penalty. Just remember, if yu have three classes for a character, you only have to keep the classes within one level of each other that are not the races favored class. Favored never counts, it gets tossed out the window for calculation purposes.

Just remember, for a pladin, some extra restrictions apply on multiclassing. make sure you read the kits description before you choose it. If you start as a paladin, and change to a class that isn't listed in the kit description, you won't be able to progress any further in the paladin class