I was messing around having played neither class and noticed according to character sheet 4 1st level slots 3 2nd level slots and 2 pact magic. Is it that warlock is pact magic not a spellcaster that the combined 8 levels doesnt give 4 3 3 2 slots?

Yes. Pact Magic is separate from the Spellcasting feature.

You do not count warlock levels when determining your multiclass spell slots because of this.

Quote from Brian_Avery >>

having 12 spell slots total... some of them 3rd level and some 4th level, with spells of those levels too

why exactly do people multi-class? have they been fooled by min/maxers?

 
Because there can be good synergy with features. Warlocks have great features and invocations but limited slots so multiclassing into something like Sorcerer increases the slots and spells available. A Hexblade may be focusing more on the melee and less on spellcasting and can sacrifice the higher level features and Mystic Arcanum for the great array and slots for buffs they can use. A Hexblade Bladesinger is quite potent when combining just a few levels of Bladesinger - their 2nd level feature Bladesong offers quite a lot that a Hexblade can combine with their Hexblade curse for some really decent melee potential.

Paladin goes well with Sorcerer for the spell slots they can burn for Divine Smites.

Monks, Rogues and Rangers are all good together. My Shadow Monk Assassin Rogue was deadly as **** by combining expertise stealth, pass without trace, shadow-teleporting and then surprise Assassinate - and the auto advantage letting you guarantee the Sneak Attack is helpful. Likewise a Gloomstalker Ranger's ability to be invisible in darkness to creatures relying on Darkvision is wonderful for Rogues, and their Dread Ambush's extra attack with extra damage can be a brutal blitzkrieg combined with Assassin, and the Hunter Ranger's extra damage can be nice for any Dex based class - as is the Hunter's Mark spell for even more.

A Fighter's Battle Master Maneouvers with Monks is incredibly thematic and offers even more battle control.

Combining Bard's Expertise and Jack of All Trades with Rogue's Expetise and Reliable Talent makes you the ultimate skill monkey while still offering decent combat, RP aspects and a bit of battlefield control.

Multiclassing allows you to sacrifice the higher end class features for the benefits of some incredible feature-combos. It will often make the character less overall versatility but a lot more effective in a specific area.

While I do personally prefer single-class characters myself, I have on occasion used multiclass and both can be effective and, more importantly, fun to play.

Quote from Cyb3rM1nd >> 

Both Hexblade and Paladin go well with Sorcerer for the spell slots they can burn for Eldritch/Divine Smites.

 

 Just want to point out that Eldritch Smite can't use sorcerer spell slots.

Quote from DxJxC >>

Quote from Cyb3rM1nd >> 

Both Hexblade and Paladin go well with Sorcerer for the spell slots they can burn for Eldritch/Divine Smites.

 

 Just want to point out that Eldritch Smite can't use sorcerer spell slots.

 
*edits*

Shh! You saw nothing!

>.>

<.<

cant we go back aways and bring back the old bard ...? 7th ftr 8th thief and bard yumminess. no fun for orcs. as for multiclass, Gygax had a Ranger/Druid in 1st edition as a major npc with his Gord books, actually add Unearthed arcana as he has a barbarian and a thief acrobat, and a bard ...!

as an aside in those days Blackrazor was a Long Sword and my Ftr/MU/Thief Acrobat loved it (multiclassed so he could steal effectively in Greyhawk)