If you are playing a level 20 game with the 2024 rules, is the Epic Boon and Capstone of your class enough to keep you from multi-classing your character for obvious benefits?
Your link is to the UA and it has been revealed that the final boons are quite different. It appears there will be one boon designed for each class though you can take any of the boons. These ar ethe ones revealed so far:
Boon of Spell Recall: Increase your Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma ability score by 1 up to a maximum of 30, and when you cast a spell using a level 1-4 spell slot, roll 1d4. If you roll the spell's level, the slot isn’t expended. (Wizard)
Boon of Dimensional Travel: Increase one ability score by 1 (up to a maximum of 30), and immediately after you take the Attack or Magic action, you can teleport up to 30 feet. (Ranger)
Boon of the Combat Prowess: Increase one ability score by 1 to a maximum of 30. Also, whenever you miss an attack roll, you can hit instead. Once you use the ability, you can’t use it again until the start of your next turn. (fighter)
Boon of Truesight: Increase one of your ability scores by 1 up to a maximum of 30 and you gain Truesight out to a radius of 60 feet.(Paladin)
Boon of Irresistible Offense: This boon of epic proportions starts by allowing you to increase your Strength or Dexterity by 1 up to a maximum of 30. You also get the ability to overcome resistance to Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing damage with your attacks. Finally, when you roll a 20 on the die for an attack roll, you get to deal damage equal to the ability score that you used to make the attack. Which will likely be at least 25 when you gain access to Primal Champion at level 20. Now that's a Critical Hit! (Barbarian)
Boon of Fate: Increase one ability score of 1 to a maximum of 30. When you or another creature within 60 feet of you succeeds or fails on a D20 Test, you can roll 2d4 and add or subtract the result from the d20 roll. Once you use this feat, you can’t use it again until you complete a Short Rest, a Long Rest, or roll for Initiative. (Warlock)
Boon of the Night Spirit: Increase one ability score by 1, up to a maximum of 30. While in Dim Light or Darkness, you have Resistance to all damage except Psychic and Radiant and, as a Bonus Action, you can gain the Invisible condition.(Rogue)
More importantly at certain levels of XP after level 20 you will be able to get more Epic Boons so Epic Boons are still possible with MC (>=2 level dip), you will just always have one epic boon less than a single class character. If you only take a single level dip you will still get the level 19 Boon when you reach Character level 20.
If you are playing a level 20 one-shot I think it does move things towards Single class or 19/1 splits. For campaigns that you expect to reach level 20 it has a lot less impact as most of the campaign will e played with noone having epic boons.
I think the OP’s question is kind of impossible to answer until we actually know what the capstone abilities are. In print so we can see how they work, not just going off of JC’s descriptions in the videos. And even then, there are bound to be some capstones that are better than others, so it will be hard to make a blanket statement.
Unless I have missed something I don't think any of the videos reveal what characters get at level 20. We also don't know what is happening in detail at the lower levels of the classes we are considering dipping into for example.
Will the new PHB give guidance on using existing subclasses with 2024 core rules for example can you take a 1 level dip in Hexblade warlock?
How many levels of cleric will you need to get heavy armor proficiency? Will a 1 level dip in Paladin be a better option (at least for charisma based casters).
From the UA a lot of multiclassing's most powerful features are being addressed for example I would be very surprised if a spellcaster will be able to cast two spells on their turn by taking levels in fighter to get action surge.
Multi-classing has almost never had to do with capstones because hardly any tables play at level 20. I've been playing DnD for 3 years with 2 different tables and on a west marches server and the highest level I've played is 18. Multiclassing was prolific because many classes have lackluster abilities in levels 5-10, and you can get better stuff by MCing, or to enable specific builds - e.g. Sorlock where you quicken eldritch blast (still possible), the Hexadin where you go SAD on CHA (still possible), the Bard-lock where you pick up eldritch blast + agonizing blast for reliable damage as a bard (still possible), or the Bard-lock if you want to be a weapon-using bard to be SAD on CHA (still possible), or the Ranger-Rogue to boost your DPR after 5th level (still needed), or the Fighter-Barb to get a Fighting Style + Action Surge (still very potent).
Multi-classing has almost never had to do with capstones because hardly any tables play at level 20. I've been playing DnD for 3 years with 2 different tables and on a west marches server and the highest level I've played is 18. Multiclassing was prolific because many classes have lackluster abilities in levels 5-10, and you can get better stuff by MCing, or to enable specific builds - e.g. Sorlock where you quicken eldritch blast (still possible), the Hexadin where you go SAD on CHA (still possible), the Bard-lock where you pick up eldritch blast + agonizing blast for reliable damage as a bard (still possible), or the Bard-lock if you want to be a weapon-using bard to be SAD on CHA (still possible), or the Ranger-Rogue to boost your DPR after 5th level (still needed), or the Fighter-Barb to get a Fighting Style + Action Surge (still very potent).
Do we know that Hexblade one level dips will still be possible with 5e2024?
In the new PHB all subclasses are decided at level 3, I have not heard whether it contains guidance on how to play a non PHB subclass with 2024 rules there are a number of options:
You keep the 2020 base class, (not popular if you don't get things like weapon mastery, like to cause increase issues with changes between PHB2114 and PHB2024, does a hexblade use 2014 spells if they ar ebased on 2014 base class?
You get you subclass at the 2014 level, but level one hexblade getting all the 2024 level 1 features AND the Hexblade level 1 features would be insanely OP.
You get the first set of subclass features at level 3, I think this makes most sense, this would mean you need a 3 level dip to use Cha as an attack stat as a bard or Paladin which makes it a lot less enticing.
Multi-classing has almost never had to do with capstones because hardly any tables play at level 20. I've been playing DnD for 3 years with 2 different tables and on a west marches server and the highest level I've played is 18. Multiclassing was prolific because many classes have lackluster abilities in levels 5-10, and you can get better stuff by MCing, or to enable specific builds - e.g. Sorlock where you quicken eldritch blast (still possible), the Hexadin where you go SAD on CHA (still possible), the Bard-lock where you pick up eldritch blast + agonizing blast for reliable damage as a bard (still possible), or the Bard-lock if you want to be a weapon-using bard to be SAD on CHA (still possible), or the Ranger-Rogue to boost your DPR after 5th level (still needed), or the Fighter-Barb to get a Fighting Style + Action Surge (still very potent).
Do we know that Hexblade one level dips will still be possible with 5e2024?
In the new PHB all subclasses are decided at level 3, I have not heard whether it contains guidance on how to play a non PHB subclass with 2024 rules there are a number of options:
You keep the 2020 base class, (not popular if you don't get things like weapon mastery, like to cause increase issues with changes between PHB2114 and PHB2024, does a hexblade use 2014 spells if they ar ebased on 2014 base class?
You get you subclass at the 2014 level, but level one hexblade getting all the 2024 level 1 features AND the Hexblade level 1 features would be insanely OP.
You get the first set of subclass features at level 3, I think this makes most sense, this would mean you need a 3 level dip to use Cha as an attack stat as a bard or Paladin which makes it a lot less enticing.
Leave it to the DM
Sorry but yes they have said there will be guidance on using past subclasses with the new main classes, but that doesn't matter because Pact of the Blade is now an Invocation and probably includes using CHA as your attack stat (that was in all of the UAs) and they have said the new warlock gets an invocation at 1st level. So no you can't dip 1 level in warlock for Hexblade, but you can dip one level of warlock for CHA as your attack stat with one-handed melee weapons. Or dip 1 level in warlock for Eldritch Blast + Agonizing Blast.
Also obviously the guidance on using past subclasses with the new main classes will include pushing their first subclass feature to 3rd level.
Even once we know all the things I would be surprised if there was a "right" answer here. The MC system has been implemented really well in 5e to provide viable choices rather than an "optimal" path. There will always be some outliers like the hexblade dip, but in general it's a very robust system and I don't expect 2024 to be worse.
The thing to remember is most campaigns normally don’t reach level 20 or do it for long anyway, so either there will be more “endgame” content or the epic booms won’t matter all that much. It really just depends on what you want out of the milticlass and how long it takes for it to come online to see if its’ even worth it.
Personally I’m getting everything out of my Celestial Warlock that I want without multi-classing into Sorcerer, so as long as i can get the tough feat to start at level 1 with my background (hopefully with the Celebrity Adventurer Scion or if i have to a Custom Origin) to max out the possible HP I can have (along with my Charisma first, of course) to perfect the Searing Vengeance ability, I’m good.
If you are playing a level 20 game with the 2024 rules, is the Epic Boon and Capstone of your class enough to keep you from multi-classing your character for obvious benefits?
Epic Boons can be found on page 18.
https://media.dndbeyond.com/compendium-images/one-dnd/expert-classes/kpx0MvyfBGHe0XKk/UA2022-Expert-Classes.pdf?icid_source=house-ads&icid_medium=crosspromo&icid_campaign=playtest2
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Your link is to the UA and it has been revealed that the final boons are quite different. It appears there will be one boon designed for each class though you can take any of the boons. These ar ethe ones revealed so far:
More importantly at certain levels of XP after level 20 you will be able to get more Epic Boons so Epic Boons are still possible with MC (>=2 level dip), you will just always have one epic boon less than a single class character. If you only take a single level dip you will still get the level 19 Boon when you reach Character level 20.
If you are playing a level 20 one-shot I think it does move things towards Single class or 19/1 splits. For campaigns that you expect to reach level 20 it has a lot less impact as most of the campaign will e played with noone having epic boons.
I think the OP’s question is kind of impossible to answer until we actually know what the capstone abilities are. In print so we can see how they work, not just going off of JC’s descriptions in the videos.
And even then, there are bound to be some capstones that are better than others, so it will be hard to make a blanket statement.
Agreed,
Unless I have missed something I don't think any of the videos reveal what characters get at level 20. We also don't know what is happening in detail at the lower levels of the classes we are considering dipping into for example.
Multi-classing has almost never had to do with capstones because hardly any tables play at level 20. I've been playing DnD for 3 years with 2 different tables and on a west marches server and the highest level I've played is 18. Multiclassing was prolific because many classes have lackluster abilities in levels 5-10, and you can get better stuff by MCing, or to enable specific builds - e.g. Sorlock where you quicken eldritch blast (still possible), the Hexadin where you go SAD on CHA (still possible), the Bard-lock where you pick up eldritch blast + agonizing blast for reliable damage as a bard (still possible), or the Bard-lock if you want to be a weapon-using bard to be SAD on CHA (still possible), or the Ranger-Rogue to boost your DPR after 5th level (still needed), or the Fighter-Barb to get a Fighting Style + Action Surge (still very potent).
Do we know that Hexblade one level dips will still be possible with 5e2024?
In the new PHB all subclasses are decided at level 3, I have not heard whether it contains guidance on how to play a non PHB subclass with 2024 rules there are a number of options:
Sorry but yes they have said there will be guidance on using past subclasses with the new main classes, but that doesn't matter because Pact of the Blade is now an Invocation and probably includes using CHA as your attack stat (that was in all of the UAs) and they have said the new warlock gets an invocation at 1st level. So no you can't dip 1 level in warlock for Hexblade, but you can dip one level of warlock for CHA as your attack stat with one-handed melee weapons. Or dip 1 level in warlock for Eldritch Blast + Agonizing Blast.
Also obviously the guidance on using past subclasses with the new main classes will include pushing their first subclass feature to 3rd level.
Even once we know all the things I would be surprised if there was a "right" answer here. The MC system has been implemented really well in 5e to provide viable choices rather than an "optimal" path. There will always be some outliers like the hexblade dip, but in general it's a very robust system and I don't expect 2024 to be worse.
My homebrew subclasses (full list here)
(Artificer) Swordmage | Glasswright | (Barbarian) Path of the Savage Embrace
(Bard) College of Dance | (Fighter) Warlord | Cannoneer
(Monk) Way of the Elements | (Ranger) Blade Dancer
(Rogue) DaggerMaster | Inquisitor | (Sorcerer) Riftwalker | Spellfist
(Warlock) The Swarm
The thing to remember is most campaigns normally don’t reach level 20 or do it for long anyway, so either there will be more “endgame” content or the epic booms won’t matter all that much. It really just depends on what you want out of the milticlass and how long it takes for it to come online to see if its’ even worth it.
Personally I’m getting everything out of my Celestial Warlock that I want without multi-classing into Sorcerer, so as long as i can get the tough feat to start at level 1 with my background (hopefully with the Celebrity Adventurer Scion or if i have to a Custom Origin) to max out the possible HP I can have (along with my Charisma first, of course) to perfect the Searing Vengeance ability, I’m good.
The build (if anyone was curious):
www.dndbeyond.com/sheet-pdfs/Actionsparda_127094857.pdf