Larian Studios Forums Baldur's Gate III Baldur's Gate III - Help Tips & Tricks "Multiclassing" 101 (5th D&D)

Preface

I thought it would be interesting to introduce how "Multiclassing" works in 5th Edition D&D before Baldur's Gate 3 comes out since not everyone might be aware of how it works in that setting. I will also include some useful links.

To note :

• The information presented here is based on the PHB (see here and here).
• While "Multiclassing" was confirmed as a feature to be expected in Baldur's Gate 3 (see here), we admittedly don't fully know how it will be implemented.
• While Larian has not confirmed non-PHB content, I will also add information about Artificier.

What's "Multiclassing"

It simply means being able to gain levels in multiple classes. Meaning, you will have the option to gain a level in a new class upon leveling up your character, granting new features and abilities missing from your current class.


Prerequisites

In order to do so, you must meet the ability score requirements for your current class AND the new one (most people forget or are unaware about that pesky little "and" 😄), as shown in the Multiclassing Prerequisites table.


Artificier's prerequisite : Intelligence 13.


Experience Points and Proficiency Bonus

Those are based on your actual level (your total character level, for all your classes), as shown in the Character Advancement table.

For example : a "cleric 6/fighter 3" character is a level 9 character. They have +4 Proficiency Bonus and at least 48,000 xp (but less then 64,000).


Hit Points and Hit Dice

Honestly, I just use this D&D 5e HP Calculator with the multiclass option.
But feel free to check how it's calculated in the PHB.


Proficiencies

When gaining your first level in a new class, you only gain some of the new class's starting proficiencies, as shown in the Multiclassing Proficiencies table.


Artificier's proficiencies : ligth armor, medium armor, shields, thieves' tool, tinkers' tool.


Class features : "Extra Attack" and "Unarmored Defense"

They don't stack. You can't learn those features multiple times.


Class features : "Channel Divinity"

Basically, you will only gain the additional options but not additional uses. You will only gain additional uses when you reach a class level that explicitly grants them as a feature (ie. Clerics upon reaching level 6 and 18).


Class features : "Spellcasting"

Spells Known and Prepared
Calculated individually, each classes following its own rules.

Spell Slots
To make it simple, go check this D&D 5e Multiclassing Spell Slot Calculator.

But basically, you can calculate what I'd call the "casting level" of your character, then check the Multiclass Spellcaster table (below).

To calculate this "casting level", you will need to add together :

- all your levels in the Bard, Cleric, Druid, Sorcerer, and Wizard classes,
- half your levels (rounded down) in the Paladin and Ranger classes (same for Artificiers),
- and a third of your Fighter (Eldritch Knight) or Rogue (Arcane Trickster) levels (rounded down).



Pact Magic

Normal spell slots : replenished when you complete a long rest.
Pact Magic spell slots (Warlock) : replenished when you complete a short rest or a long rest.

Warlock spell slots are calculated individually and according to the Pact Magic feature (see Warlock).

You can use all your spell slots interchangeably but the Warlock slots replenish after a short rests, not just a long rest.

Thanks for this. I only hope we are going to need this info for the full release!

I am new to multiclassing in 5e, though have been doing a bit of reading. I am not sure I’m correctly understanding the point about needing to meet the ability score requirements for my current class quoted above though. Does that mean that if, for example, I built a dexterity-based paladin who didn’t have 13 STR but had 14 CHA that I’d not then be able to multiclass into, say a Warlock? Or that I wouldn’t then be able to take further paladin levels after multiclassing?

^^ Same!


With a paladin that don't have 13 STR (even with 13 CHA), you would indeed not be able to multiclass (unfortunately 😭) in any other classes, even if you meet the requirements for those others classes (so, in this case, 13+ CHA for Warlock). You will only be able to gain levels in the paladin class until maybe you increase your Abilities Scores with ASI feature to meet the prerequisites (minimum 13 STR and 13 CHA).

Haha! Abserd!

The king of multiclassing!

Huh! That’s definitely something that I’d not picked up from the reading I’d done, so good to know! Thank you.

I guess it’s mainly academic as you’d tend to have the required stats in your starting class anyway, though I can see the rule could potentially catch out strength-based rangers as well as dexterity-based paladins. As well as some more out-there builds for other classes.

The idea behind the prerequisites is that you need a certain level of natural aptitude for the class in order to be able to branch out effectively, on the fly as an adventurer - so if you aren't meeting the prerequisites for your main class, it's an indication that you really need to work hard to be good at your class, to counteract your low aptitude for it, and so don't have the time and space to pick up something new as well. The wizard that only has 12 Int really needs to *focus* on being a wizard to even maintain their current wizard level, and can't really dedicate any focus to learning how to be a fighter, even. That's the concept at least. (mechanically, it's a caveat that exists to close a balance loophole, without forcing them to put stat requisites on your first class at character creation)

Just as an addendum: I know you mentioned this, Melivy, but it often still causes confusions. When you multiclass spellcasters, and derive your number of spell slots by adding the levels of your full casters, half your half casters, and a third of your tertiary caster levels, this can give you higher level spell slots than spells that you can cast; this is normal and correct. If you are a level 9 Cleric and level 9 Wizard, you will have spell slots all the way up to 9th level... but your individual casting classes will each only have access to 5th level spells; even though you have 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th level spell slots, you cannot learn or prepare any spells above 5th level at all. You can still use those higher level slots to upcast your other spells though - a 9th level hold monster will let you paralyse five targets at once, for example.

Thanks for the additional insight, Niara.

As a newbie to 5e multiclassing, I’d be interested in any multi-class options folk here think are particularly worth trying (within the PHB classes/subclasses that we can be reasonably confident will appear in the game). Or anything that should definitely be avoided?

The impression I’ve got from my initial research is that, with the sort of level we’re expecting to get to in BG3 (I’m guessing 12, though I suppose it might be a bit higher), the best way to multi-class might be a 1-3 level dip into a different class. Or possibly 4 levels if an ASI or feat is better than whatever the highest otherwise available level of the character’s “main” class gives. Is that fair? I bet it’s actually nowhere near that simple.

IMO there is no need for multi-classing. Between backgrounds, sub-classes and ASI hybrids are freely available.
Mind you, my background here is BG1/2, or early DnD editions in general.
E.g. why Warrior-Mage if there is Eldrtich Knight? Why Cleric-Rogue if Trickster Domain and Criminal/Street Urchin background?
Etc. etc. ...

Thats why Multiclassing is for! You can dip into cleric for your deity choice.

True, but ... make a Cleric, with Soldier Background, at 4th level pick Weapon Master ...
If happy with a Simple Weapon (Kargul pokey holes wiff speer!! For Gruumsh! WAAAGH! or Galadrielette splatter brain matter for Corellon Larethian!*), then some other combat related feat.

You could even pick Life Domain for the HA, explaining the higher efficiency of Healing Spells not by being dedicated to Life, but by having special training in their application, as such spells doubtlessly will be useful for a Cleric often in harm's way ...
Well, such a character can be perceived as dedicated to life - their own and possibly their minions/meatshields/combat buddies :P

The above is without changing anything in BG3.

*Corellon's Grace is a thing

It doesn't make any sense to me that the Barbarian has STR alone as a requirement instead of CON. It should be either STR AND CON or alternatively STR OR CON.