When multiclassing can you keep gaining skills in one class or abilities in one class while in another class if the skill or ability states "At X level" as opposed to "at X level of rogue". Better example can a second level rogue at third level still gain the 3rd level rogue abilities if at third level they mulitclass into fighter. A player is stating that since the rules say at third level he should still be able to gain arcane trickster and take a level in fighter since it doesn't say at third level rogue. This looks like a big Min/Max way to play which is making especially low level characters very overpowered.
Multiclassing can be found in the PHB Ch. 6 Customization Options. I would emphasize the *Options*. Yes these are options for the player to choose from, but they are also options that the DM can dis/allow as they do/don't fit in the campaign world.
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. [emphasis mine]
Rules are pretty clear how this works. It's an either/or choice for the player. While their *Character* level might be high enough to have gained a new feature or trait, they can ony choose one *Class* to improve. The distinction between character level and class level is important when multiclassing.
And yet, as the DM of the game, you still have the opportunity to allow for this to work the way the player wants it to. I would caution against it, as this progression might leap well beyond the border of power balance. I might suggest that you do what is best for the fun at your table, but IMHO, allowing gestalt PC builds may be more powerful than you might be willing to contend with.
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“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.” - Mark Twain - Innocents Abroad
You can only gain powers in one class or another, not both. About the only things that scale by total character level are proficiency bonus and cantrips (maybe something else I’m forgetting). Everything else is class level. So this player would be a rogue 2/fighter 1. Otherwise, everyone would multiclass all the time to double-dip. In the OP example, wouldn’t the be both a fighter 3 and rogue 3 at level 3, following the player’s logic.
Thats the deal with multiclassing, you delay progression in one class to add things from a different class. It’s a trade off. More powers, but lower value powers, you swap depth for breadth.
I’d also suggest, after you explain this to the player, that you let them opt not to go ahead with it. Since they seem to have misunderstood the rules. Let them think about if they want to keep the decision now that they know the RAW.
You can only gain powers in one class or another, not both. About the only things that scale by total character level are proficiency bonus and cantrips (maybe something else I’m forgetting). Everything else is class level. So this player would be a rogue 2/fighter 1. Otherwise, everyone would multiclass all the time to double-dip. In the OP example, wouldn’t the be both a fighter 3 and rogue 3 at level 3, following the player’s logic.
Thats the deal with multiclassing, you delay progression in one class to add things from a different class. It’s a trade off. More powers, but lower value powers, you swap depth for breadth.
I’d also suggest, after you explain this to the player, that you let them opt not to go ahead with it. Since they seem to have misunderstood the rules. Let them think about if they want to keep the decision now that they know the RAW.
Totally agree with this, i would also point out that the only thing that works like your player is thinking is things like firebolt and eldritch blast that says at level 5 you get an additional d10 to damage or a second beam from eldritch blast but not class features
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When multiclassing can you keep gaining skills in one class or abilities in one class while in another class if the skill or ability states "At X level" as opposed to "at X level of rogue". Better example can a second level rogue at third level still gain the 3rd level rogue abilities if at third level they mulitclass into fighter. A player is stating that since the rules say at third level he should still be able to gain arcane trickster and take a level in fighter since it doesn't say at third level rogue. This looks like a big Min/Max way to play which is making especially low level characters very overpowered.
Multiclassing can be found in the PHB Ch. 6 Customization Options. I would emphasize the *Options*. Yes these are options for the player to choose from, but they are also options that the DM can dis/allow as they do/don't fit in the campaign world.
Rules are pretty clear how this works. It's an either/or choice for the player. While their *Character* level might be high enough to have gained a new feature or trait, they can ony choose one *Class* to improve. The distinction between character level and class level is important when multiclassing.
And yet, as the DM of the game, you still have the opportunity to allow for this to work the way the player wants it to. I would caution against it, as this progression might leap well beyond the border of power balance. I might suggest that you do what is best for the fun at your table, but IMHO, allowing gestalt PC builds may be more powerful than you might be willing to contend with.
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.” - Mark Twain - Innocents Abroad
You can only gain powers in one class or another, not both.
About the only things that scale by total character level are proficiency bonus and cantrips (maybe something else I’m forgetting).
Everything else is class level. So this player would be a rogue 2/fighter 1. Otherwise, everyone would multiclass all the time to double-dip. In the OP example, wouldn’t the be both a fighter 3 and rogue 3 at level 3, following the player’s logic.
Thats the deal with multiclassing, you delay progression in one class to add things from a different class. It’s a trade off. More powers, but lower value powers, you swap depth for breadth.
I’d also suggest, after you explain this to the player, that you let them opt not to go ahead with it. Since they seem to have misunderstood the rules. Let them think about if they want to keep the decision now that they know the RAW.
Totally agree with this, i would also point out that the only thing that works like your player is thinking is things like firebolt and eldritch blast that says at level 5 you get an additional d10 to damage or a second beam from eldritch blast but not class features