Multiclassing
Multiclassing allows you to gain levels in multiple classes. Doing so lets you mix the abilities of those classes to realize a character concept that might not be reflected in one of the standard class options.
With this rule, you have the option of gaining a level in a new class whenever you advance in level, instead of gaining a level in your current class. Your levels in all your classes are added together to determine your character level. For example, if you have three levels in wizard and two in fighter, you’re a 5th-level character.
As you advance in levels, you might primarily remain a member of your original class with just a few levels in another class, or you might change course entirely, never looking back at the class you left behind. You might even start progressing in a third or fourth class. Compared to a single-class character of the same level, you’ll sacrifice some focus in exchange for versatility.
Prerequisites
To qualify for a new class, you must meet the ability score prerequisites for both your current class and your new one, as shown in the Multiclassing Prerequisites table. For example, a barbarian who decides to multiclass into the druid class must have both Strength and Wisdom scores of 13 or higher. Without the full training that a beginning character receives, you must be a quick study in your new class, having a natural aptitude that is reflected by higher- than-average ability scores.
Table- Multiclassing Prerequisites
Class | Ability Score Minimum |
---|---|
Barbarian | Strength 13 |
Bard | Charisma 13 |
Cleric | Wisdom 13 |
Druid | Wisdom 13 |
Fighter | Strength 13 or Dexterity 13 |
Monk | Dexterity 13 and Wisdom 13 |
Paladin | Strength 13 and Charisma 13 |
Ranger | Dexterity 13 and Wisdom 13 |
Rogue | Dexterity 13 |
Sorcerer | Charisma 13 |
Warlock | Charisma 13 |
Wizard | Intelligence 13 |
Experience Points
The experience point cost to gain a level is always based on your total character level, as shown in the Character Advancement table, not your level in a particular class. So, if you are a cleric 6/fighter 1, you must gain enough XP to reach 8th level before you can take your second level as a fighter or your seventh level as a cleric.
Hit Points and Hit Dice
You gain the hit points from your new class as described for levels after 1st. You gain the 1st-level hit points for a class only when you are a 1st-level character.
You add together the Hit Dice granted by all your classes to form your pool of Hit Dice. If the Hit Dice are the same die type, you can simply pool them together. For example, both the fighter and the paladin have a d10, so if you are a paladin 5/fighter 5, you have ten d10 Hit Dice. If your classes give you Hit Dice of different types, keep track of them separately. If you are a paladin 5/cleric 5, for example, you have five d10 Hit Dice and five d8 Hit Dice.
Proficiency Bonus
Your proficiency bonus is always based on your total character level, as shown in the Character Advancement table in chapter 1, not your level in a particular class. For example, if you are a fighter 3/rogue 2, you have the proficiency bonus of a 5th- level character, which is +3.
Proficiencies
When you gain your first level in a class other than your initial class, you gain only some of new class’s starting proficiencies, as shown in the Multiclassing Proficiencies table.
Table- Multiclassing Proficiencies
Class | Proficiencies Gained |
---|---|
Barbarian | Shields, simple weapons, martial weapons |
Bard | Light armor, one skill of your choice, one musical instrument of your choice |
Cleric | Light armor, medium armor, shields |
Druid | Light armor, medium armor, shields (druids will not wear armor or use shields made of metal) |
Fighter | Light armor, medium armor, shields, simple weapons, martial weapons |
Monk | Simple weapons, shortswords |
Paladin | Light armor, medium armor, shields, simple weapons, martial weapons |
Ranger | Light armor, medium armor, shields, simple weapons, martial weapons, one skill from the class’s skill list |
Rogue | Light armor, one skill from the class’s skill list, thieves’ tools |
Sorcerer | – |
Warlock | Light armor, simple weapons |
Wizard | – |