How do character levels work with multiclassing?












1














I'm new to D&D and I just got my hands on a few of the books, but I need a little help in understanding this one issue.



When multiclassing your character level is the total of the individual class levels they have. I was reading about drawbacks to multiclassing and read that you cannot go beyond a total character level of 20. Is that true? If that's true and you can't go beyond a total level of 20 then would it hurt to set a limit of 2 or three classes you can multiclass into that can be maxed out to level 20 each. I'm trying to avoid becoming over powered.










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  • Are you suggesting picking 3 classes and becoming level 20 in each of them, for a total of 60 levels?
    – SeriousBri
    59 mins ago










  • Are you asking us to evaluate a house rule allowing the ability to go to level 20 in each of your classes when you say "would it hurt to set a limit of 2 or three classes you can multiclass into that can be maxed out to level 20 each"? Or are you just looking for what the rules say is allowed?
    – Rubiksmoose
    35 mins ago


















1














I'm new to D&D and I just got my hands on a few of the books, but I need a little help in understanding this one issue.



When multiclassing your character level is the total of the individual class levels they have. I was reading about drawbacks to multiclassing and read that you cannot go beyond a total character level of 20. Is that true? If that's true and you can't go beyond a total level of 20 then would it hurt to set a limit of 2 or three classes you can multiclass into that can be maxed out to level 20 each. I'm trying to avoid becoming over powered.










share|improve this question









New contributor




Bryan D Evinger is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.




















  • Are you suggesting picking 3 classes and becoming level 20 in each of them, for a total of 60 levels?
    – SeriousBri
    59 mins ago










  • Are you asking us to evaluate a house rule allowing the ability to go to level 20 in each of your classes when you say "would it hurt to set a limit of 2 or three classes you can multiclass into that can be maxed out to level 20 each"? Or are you just looking for what the rules say is allowed?
    – Rubiksmoose
    35 mins ago
















1












1








1







I'm new to D&D and I just got my hands on a few of the books, but I need a little help in understanding this one issue.



When multiclassing your character level is the total of the individual class levels they have. I was reading about drawbacks to multiclassing and read that you cannot go beyond a total character level of 20. Is that true? If that's true and you can't go beyond a total level of 20 then would it hurt to set a limit of 2 or three classes you can multiclass into that can be maxed out to level 20 each. I'm trying to avoid becoming over powered.










share|improve this question









New contributor




Bryan D Evinger is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











I'm new to D&D and I just got my hands on a few of the books, but I need a little help in understanding this one issue.



When multiclassing your character level is the total of the individual class levels they have. I was reading about drawbacks to multiclassing and read that you cannot go beyond a total character level of 20. Is that true? If that's true and you can't go beyond a total level of 20 then would it hurt to set a limit of 2 or three classes you can multiclass into that can be maxed out to level 20 each. I'm trying to avoid becoming over powered.







dnd-5e multi-classing






share|improve this question









New contributor




Bryan D Evinger is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











share|improve this question









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Bryan D Evinger is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 34 mins ago









Rubiksmoose

48k6238363




48k6238363






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Check out our Code of Conduct.









asked 1 hour ago









Bryan D Evinger

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61




New contributor




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Check out our Code of Conduct.





New contributor





Bryan D Evinger is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






Bryan D Evinger is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.












  • Are you suggesting picking 3 classes and becoming level 20 in each of them, for a total of 60 levels?
    – SeriousBri
    59 mins ago










  • Are you asking us to evaluate a house rule allowing the ability to go to level 20 in each of your classes when you say "would it hurt to set a limit of 2 or three classes you can multiclass into that can be maxed out to level 20 each"? Or are you just looking for what the rules say is allowed?
    – Rubiksmoose
    35 mins ago




















  • Are you suggesting picking 3 classes and becoming level 20 in each of them, for a total of 60 levels?
    – SeriousBri
    59 mins ago










  • Are you asking us to evaluate a house rule allowing the ability to go to level 20 in each of your classes when you say "would it hurt to set a limit of 2 or three classes you can multiclass into that can be maxed out to level 20 each"? Or are you just looking for what the rules say is allowed?
    – Rubiksmoose
    35 mins ago


















Are you suggesting picking 3 classes and becoming level 20 in each of them, for a total of 60 levels?
– SeriousBri
59 mins ago




Are you suggesting picking 3 classes and becoming level 20 in each of them, for a total of 60 levels?
– SeriousBri
59 mins ago












Are you asking us to evaluate a house rule allowing the ability to go to level 20 in each of your classes when you say "would it hurt to set a limit of 2 or three classes you can multiclass into that can be maxed out to level 20 each"? Or are you just looking for what the rules say is allowed?
– Rubiksmoose
35 mins ago






Are you asking us to evaluate a house rule allowing the ability to go to level 20 in each of your classes when you say "would it hurt to set a limit of 2 or three classes you can multiclass into that can be maxed out to level 20 each"? Or are you just looking for what the rules say is allowed?
– Rubiksmoose
35 mins ago












2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes


















3














Total limit of 20 levels of all your classes combined



If you multiclass, you will have the same level* as your single classed party members, just split between 2 (or more) classes.



For example, when the party is level 5, you can be a Paladin 2 / Sorcerer 3.



Power level



It is rarely necessary to use more than 2 classes in 5e.



Also, it is hard to do multiclassing well, beginners usually end up with combinations that are much weaker than single class characters.



You should fear becoming underpowered.





*) assuming the milestone system for levelling






share|improve this answer





















  • There are times where multi-classing provides highter power spikes than a single classed character but I agree the troughs are more common. JC also explicitly indicated in one of the Dragontalk podcasts that multi-classing was done after balancing the system, implying that the game wasn't balanced with it in mind, at least to some extent.
    – Slagmoth
    26 mins ago










  • @Slagmoth read the linked answer, there I say that you absolutely can create multiclassed characters that are stronger on most or all levels, but you need experience and system knowledge, what the querent seem to lack. Multiclassing is bad for him
    – András
    11 mins ago



















1














You can only reach character level 20. With multiclassing every time you level up you can choose one of your classes and increase it's class level by 1 or add a new class at class level 1.



PHB, p. 163




With this role, you have the option of gaining a level in a new class whenever you advance in levei, instead of gaining a level in your current class. Your levels in
all your classes are added together to determine your character level.




Allowing a character to reach level 20 in multiple classes would greatly unbalance the game, since




  • You gain more HP

  • You gain the most powerful features of multiple classes

    Fighter 20/Wizard 20 would result in a powerful caster that is not fragile and can switch to weapons, if he runs out of spells

    A Bear Totem Barbarian 20/Champion Fighter 20 could for 2 rounds do 8 attacks with advantage and damage bonus at +13 with a damage modifier of +11 using Rage and Action Surges and Reckless Attack, critting on 18, 19 and 20 and adding 3 damage dice on a crit, taking half damage from all attacks that don't deal psychic damage and regenerating 12 HP / turn, if below half HP)

  • You gain more Ability Score Improvements. This fact would make any combination with Fighter supperior to other combinations, since Fighter gains more of these feats than any other class allowing you to may out the abilities useful for the other class and take all the feats that are useful for that class






share|improve this answer























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    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes








    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes









    3














    Total limit of 20 levels of all your classes combined



    If you multiclass, you will have the same level* as your single classed party members, just split between 2 (or more) classes.



    For example, when the party is level 5, you can be a Paladin 2 / Sorcerer 3.



    Power level



    It is rarely necessary to use more than 2 classes in 5e.



    Also, it is hard to do multiclassing well, beginners usually end up with combinations that are much weaker than single class characters.



    You should fear becoming underpowered.





    *) assuming the milestone system for levelling






    share|improve this answer





















    • There are times where multi-classing provides highter power spikes than a single classed character but I agree the troughs are more common. JC also explicitly indicated in one of the Dragontalk podcasts that multi-classing was done after balancing the system, implying that the game wasn't balanced with it in mind, at least to some extent.
      – Slagmoth
      26 mins ago










    • @Slagmoth read the linked answer, there I say that you absolutely can create multiclassed characters that are stronger on most or all levels, but you need experience and system knowledge, what the querent seem to lack. Multiclassing is bad for him
      – András
      11 mins ago
















    3














    Total limit of 20 levels of all your classes combined



    If you multiclass, you will have the same level* as your single classed party members, just split between 2 (or more) classes.



    For example, when the party is level 5, you can be a Paladin 2 / Sorcerer 3.



    Power level



    It is rarely necessary to use more than 2 classes in 5e.



    Also, it is hard to do multiclassing well, beginners usually end up with combinations that are much weaker than single class characters.



    You should fear becoming underpowered.





    *) assuming the milestone system for levelling






    share|improve this answer





















    • There are times where multi-classing provides highter power spikes than a single classed character but I agree the troughs are more common. JC also explicitly indicated in one of the Dragontalk podcasts that multi-classing was done after balancing the system, implying that the game wasn't balanced with it in mind, at least to some extent.
      – Slagmoth
      26 mins ago










    • @Slagmoth read the linked answer, there I say that you absolutely can create multiclassed characters that are stronger on most or all levels, but you need experience and system knowledge, what the querent seem to lack. Multiclassing is bad for him
      – András
      11 mins ago














    3












    3








    3






    Total limit of 20 levels of all your classes combined



    If you multiclass, you will have the same level* as your single classed party members, just split between 2 (or more) classes.



    For example, when the party is level 5, you can be a Paladin 2 / Sorcerer 3.



    Power level



    It is rarely necessary to use more than 2 classes in 5e.



    Also, it is hard to do multiclassing well, beginners usually end up with combinations that are much weaker than single class characters.



    You should fear becoming underpowered.





    *) assuming the milestone system for levelling






    share|improve this answer












    Total limit of 20 levels of all your classes combined



    If you multiclass, you will have the same level* as your single classed party members, just split between 2 (or more) classes.



    For example, when the party is level 5, you can be a Paladin 2 / Sorcerer 3.



    Power level



    It is rarely necessary to use more than 2 classes in 5e.



    Also, it is hard to do multiclassing well, beginners usually end up with combinations that are much weaker than single class characters.



    You should fear becoming underpowered.





    *) assuming the milestone system for levelling







    share|improve this answer












    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer










    answered 48 mins ago









    András

    26.2k1093185




    26.2k1093185












    • There are times where multi-classing provides highter power spikes than a single classed character but I agree the troughs are more common. JC also explicitly indicated in one of the Dragontalk podcasts that multi-classing was done after balancing the system, implying that the game wasn't balanced with it in mind, at least to some extent.
      – Slagmoth
      26 mins ago










    • @Slagmoth read the linked answer, there I say that you absolutely can create multiclassed characters that are stronger on most or all levels, but you need experience and system knowledge, what the querent seem to lack. Multiclassing is bad for him
      – András
      11 mins ago


















    • There are times where multi-classing provides highter power spikes than a single classed character but I agree the troughs are more common. JC also explicitly indicated in one of the Dragontalk podcasts that multi-classing was done after balancing the system, implying that the game wasn't balanced with it in mind, at least to some extent.
      – Slagmoth
      26 mins ago










    • @Slagmoth read the linked answer, there I say that you absolutely can create multiclassed characters that are stronger on most or all levels, but you need experience and system knowledge, what the querent seem to lack. Multiclassing is bad for him
      – András
      11 mins ago
















    There are times where multi-classing provides highter power spikes than a single classed character but I agree the troughs are more common. JC also explicitly indicated in one of the Dragontalk podcasts that multi-classing was done after balancing the system, implying that the game wasn't balanced with it in mind, at least to some extent.
    – Slagmoth
    26 mins ago




    There are times where multi-classing provides highter power spikes than a single classed character but I agree the troughs are more common. JC also explicitly indicated in one of the Dragontalk podcasts that multi-classing was done after balancing the system, implying that the game wasn't balanced with it in mind, at least to some extent.
    – Slagmoth
    26 mins ago












    @Slagmoth read the linked answer, there I say that you absolutely can create multiclassed characters that are stronger on most or all levels, but you need experience and system knowledge, what the querent seem to lack. Multiclassing is bad for him
    – András
    11 mins ago




    @Slagmoth read the linked answer, there I say that you absolutely can create multiclassed characters that are stronger on most or all levels, but you need experience and system knowledge, what the querent seem to lack. Multiclassing is bad for him
    – András
    11 mins ago













    1














    You can only reach character level 20. With multiclassing every time you level up you can choose one of your classes and increase it's class level by 1 or add a new class at class level 1.



    PHB, p. 163




    With this role, you have the option of gaining a level in a new class whenever you advance in levei, instead of gaining a level in your current class. Your levels in
    all your classes are added together to determine your character level.




    Allowing a character to reach level 20 in multiple classes would greatly unbalance the game, since




    • You gain more HP

    • You gain the most powerful features of multiple classes

      Fighter 20/Wizard 20 would result in a powerful caster that is not fragile and can switch to weapons, if he runs out of spells

      A Bear Totem Barbarian 20/Champion Fighter 20 could for 2 rounds do 8 attacks with advantage and damage bonus at +13 with a damage modifier of +11 using Rage and Action Surges and Reckless Attack, critting on 18, 19 and 20 and adding 3 damage dice on a crit, taking half damage from all attacks that don't deal psychic damage and regenerating 12 HP / turn, if below half HP)

    • You gain more Ability Score Improvements. This fact would make any combination with Fighter supperior to other combinations, since Fighter gains more of these feats than any other class allowing you to may out the abilities useful for the other class and take all the feats that are useful for that class






    share|improve this answer




























      1














      You can only reach character level 20. With multiclassing every time you level up you can choose one of your classes and increase it's class level by 1 or add a new class at class level 1.



      PHB, p. 163




      With this role, you have the option of gaining a level in a new class whenever you advance in levei, instead of gaining a level in your current class. Your levels in
      all your classes are added together to determine your character level.




      Allowing a character to reach level 20 in multiple classes would greatly unbalance the game, since




      • You gain more HP

      • You gain the most powerful features of multiple classes

        Fighter 20/Wizard 20 would result in a powerful caster that is not fragile and can switch to weapons, if he runs out of spells

        A Bear Totem Barbarian 20/Champion Fighter 20 could for 2 rounds do 8 attacks with advantage and damage bonus at +13 with a damage modifier of +11 using Rage and Action Surges and Reckless Attack, critting on 18, 19 and 20 and adding 3 damage dice on a crit, taking half damage from all attacks that don't deal psychic damage and regenerating 12 HP / turn, if below half HP)

      • You gain more Ability Score Improvements. This fact would make any combination with Fighter supperior to other combinations, since Fighter gains more of these feats than any other class allowing you to may out the abilities useful for the other class and take all the feats that are useful for that class






      share|improve this answer


























        1












        1








        1






        You can only reach character level 20. With multiclassing every time you level up you can choose one of your classes and increase it's class level by 1 or add a new class at class level 1.



        PHB, p. 163




        With this role, you have the option of gaining a level in a new class whenever you advance in levei, instead of gaining a level in your current class. Your levels in
        all your classes are added together to determine your character level.




        Allowing a character to reach level 20 in multiple classes would greatly unbalance the game, since




        • You gain more HP

        • You gain the most powerful features of multiple classes

          Fighter 20/Wizard 20 would result in a powerful caster that is not fragile and can switch to weapons, if he runs out of spells

          A Bear Totem Barbarian 20/Champion Fighter 20 could for 2 rounds do 8 attacks with advantage and damage bonus at +13 with a damage modifier of +11 using Rage and Action Surges and Reckless Attack, critting on 18, 19 and 20 and adding 3 damage dice on a crit, taking half damage from all attacks that don't deal psychic damage and regenerating 12 HP / turn, if below half HP)

        • You gain more Ability Score Improvements. This fact would make any combination with Fighter supperior to other combinations, since Fighter gains more of these feats than any other class allowing you to may out the abilities useful for the other class and take all the feats that are useful for that class






        share|improve this answer














        You can only reach character level 20. With multiclassing every time you level up you can choose one of your classes and increase it's class level by 1 or add a new class at class level 1.



        PHB, p. 163




        With this role, you have the option of gaining a level in a new class whenever you advance in levei, instead of gaining a level in your current class. Your levels in
        all your classes are added together to determine your character level.




        Allowing a character to reach level 20 in multiple classes would greatly unbalance the game, since




        • You gain more HP

        • You gain the most powerful features of multiple classes

          Fighter 20/Wizard 20 would result in a powerful caster that is not fragile and can switch to weapons, if he runs out of spells

          A Bear Totem Barbarian 20/Champion Fighter 20 could for 2 rounds do 8 attacks with advantage and damage bonus at +13 with a damage modifier of +11 using Rage and Action Surges and Reckless Attack, critting on 18, 19 and 20 and adding 3 damage dice on a crit, taking half damage from all attacks that don't deal psychic damage and regenerating 12 HP / turn, if below half HP)

        • You gain more Ability Score Improvements. This fact would make any combination with Fighter supperior to other combinations, since Fighter gains more of these feats than any other class allowing you to may out the abilities useful for the other class and take all the feats that are useful for that class







        share|improve this answer














        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer








        edited 22 mins ago

























        answered 28 mins ago









        fabian

        2,3281522




        2,3281522






















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