Multi- & Dual-Classing

A multiclass character improves in two or more classes simultaneously, up to three classes. His experience is divided equally between each class. The available class combinations vary according to race. The character can use the abilities of both classes at any time, with only a few restrictions. Only demihumans and non-humans can be multiclass characters.

A dual-class character is one who starts with a single class, advances to moderate level, and then changes to a second character class and starts over again. The character retains the benefits, abilities, and hit points of the original class but doesn't earn experience for using them until the character achieves the same level in the new class as has been achieved in the original class. If a character uses their original class abilities before this requirement has been fulfilled, the character is penalized experience points (see Multiclass Benefits and Restrictions).

There are some limitations on combining the abilities of the two classes but, as long as minimum ability score and alignment requirements are met, there are no restrictions on the possible character class combinations. Only humans can be dual-class characters.

Specialist wizards and specialty priests cannot multi-class (gnome illusionists are the sole exception to this rule). The required devotion to their single field prevents specialist wizards and priests from applying themselves to other classes.

Multiclass Combinations

Dwarf

Fighter/Thief
Fighter/Cleric
Cleric/Thief (Duergar only)

Elf

Fighter/Mage
Fighter/Thief
Mage/Thief
Fighter/Mage/Thief

Gnome

Fighter/Cleric
Fighter/Illusionist
Fighter/Thief
Cleric/Illusionist
Cleric/Thief
Illusionist/Thief

Halfling

Fighter/Thief

Half-elf

Fighter/Cleric
Fighter/Thief
Fighter/Druid
Fighter/Mage
Cleric/Ranger
Cleric/Mage
Thief/Mage
Fighter/Mage/Cleric
Fighter/Mage/Thief

Multiclass Benefits and Restrictions

A multi- or dual-classed character always uses the most favorable combat value and the best saving throw from his different classes.

The character's hit points are the average of all his hit dice rolls. When the character is first created, the player rolls hit points for each class separately, totals them up, then divides by the number of dice rolled (round fractions down). Any Constitution bonus is then added to the character's hit points. If one of the character's classes is fighter and he has a Constitution of 17 or 18, then he gains the +3 or +4 Constitution bonus available only to warriors (instead of the +2 maximum available to the other character classes).

Later, the character is likely to gain levels in different classes at different times. When this happens, roll the appropriate hit die and divide the result by the number of classes the character has (round fractions down, but a hit die never yields less than 1 hit point). To prevent confusion, the player's hit point Constitution bonus is applied whenever a specific class goes up in level. The player decides which class. For example, a fighter/thief would apply any Constitution bonuses when the character levels up as a fighter.

The character starts with the largest number of proficiency slots available to the different classes. Thereafter, he gains new proficiency slots at the fastest of the given rates. To determine the characters initial money, roll according to the most generous of the character's different classes.

An elf character decides to multiclass as a mage/thief. He would receive 2 initial weapon proficiencey slots from the thief class, and gain another every 4 levels, and 4 initial nonweapon proficiency slots from the mage class, and gains a new slot every 3 levels from this class.

Multi-class characters can combine abilities from their different classes with the following restrictions:

Warrior: A multi-classed warrior can use all of his abilities without restriction. The warrior abilities form the base for other character classes.

Priest: Regardless of his other classes. a multi-classed priest must abide by the weapon restrictions of his mythos. Thus. a fighter/cleric can use only bludgeoning weapons (but he uses the warrior combat value). He retains all his normal priest abilities. A specialty priest may use edged weapons if allowed by their religion.

Wizard: A multi-classed wizard can freely combine the powers of the wizard with any other class allowed, although the wearing of armor is restricted. Elves wearing elven chain can cast spells in armor, as magic is part of the nature of elves. However, elven chain is extremely rare and can never be purchased. It must be given, found, or won.

Thief: A multi-classed thief cannot use any thieving abilities other than open locks or detect noise if he is wearing armor that is normally not allowed to thieves. He must remove his gauntlets to open locks and his helmet to detect noise.

Dual-Class Benefits and Restrictions

Only humans can be dual-classed characters. To be dual-classed, the character must have scores of 15 or more in the prime requisites of his first class and scores of 17 or more in the prime requisites of any classes he switches to. The character selects one class to begin his adventuring life. He can advance in this class as many levels as he desires before switching to another class; there is no cut-off point beyond which a character cannot switch.

However, he must attain at least 2nd level in his current class before changing to another class. There is no limit to the number of classes a character can acquire, as long as he has the ability scores and wants to make the change. Certain character classes have alignment restrictions that the character must meet. however.

Any time after reaching 2nd level, a human character can enter a new character class, provided he has scores of 17 or better in the prime requisites of the new class. After switching to a new class, the character no longer earns experience points in his previous character class and he can no longer advance in level in that class. Nor can he switch back to his first class at a later date, hoping to resume his advancement where he left off. Once he leaves a class he has finished his studies in it. Instead, he starts over in a new class at 1st level with 0 experience points, but he does retain his previous hit dice and hit points. He gains the abilities, and must abide by all of the restrictions, of the new class. He does not gain or lose any points on his ability scores (e.g., an 18 Strength mage who changes to fighter does not gain the percentile Strength bonus, but likewise a fighter changing to a mage would not lose it). The character uses the combat and saving throw tables appropriate to his new class and level.

This is not to imply that a dual-class human forgets everything he knew before; he still has, at his fingertips, all the knowledge, abilities, and proficiencies of his old class. But if he uses any of his previous class's abilities during an encounter, he earns no experience for that encounter and only half experience for the adventure. The only values that can be carried over from the previous class without restriction are the character's Hit Dice and hit points. The character is penalized for using his old attack or saving throw numbers, weapons or armor that are now prohibited, and any special abilities of the old class that are not also abilities of the new class. (The character is trying to learn new ways to do things; by slipping back to his old methods, he has set back his learning in his new character class.)

In addition, the character earns no additional hit dice or hit points while advancing in his new class. The restrictions in the previous two paragraphs last until the character reaches a higher level in his new class than his maximum level in any of his previous classes. At that point, both restrictions are dropped; the character gains the abilities of his previous classes without jeopardizing his experience points for the adventure, and he earns additional Hit Dice (those of his new class) and hit points for gaining experience levels in his new class.

Once these restrictions are lifted, the character must still abide by the restrictions of whichever class he is using at the moment. A dual-class fighter/mage, for example, cannot cast spells while wearing armor.

When a dual-class or multiclass character is struck by a level-draining creature, he first loses levels in the class in which he has advanced the highest. When his different classes are equal in level, the class level requiring the most experience points is lost first.

The player character is allowed to regain levels lost by level draining, but until he regains all of his former levels, he must select which class he will use prior to any particular adventure. Using abilities of the other class then subjects him to the experience penalties given earlier. When he regains all of his former levels, he is then free to use all the abilities of all his classes once again. Of course, he cannot raise his earlier class(es) above the level(s) he was at when he switched class.