Page 164 - Player's Handbook

CHAPTER 6: CUSTOMIZATION OPTIONS

HE COMBINATION Of ABILITY SCORES, RACE, PREREQ_U_IS_I_T_E_S _
class, and background defines your
character's capabilities in the game, and To qualify for a new c1ass, you must meet the ability score
the personal details you create set your prerequisites for both your current c1ass and your new
character apart from every other character. one, as shown in the Multiclassing Prerequisites tabJe.
Even within your class and race, you have For example, a barbarian who decides to multiclass into
options to fine-tune what your character the druid c1ass must have both Strength and Wisdom
can do. But this chapter is for players who-with the scores of 13 or higher. Without the full training that
DM's permission-want to go a step further. a beginning character receives, you must be a quick
This chapter defines two optional sets of rules for study in your new c1ass, having a natural aptitude that
customizing your character: multiclassing and feats. is reAected by higher-than-average ability scores.
Multiclassing lets you combine classes together,
and feats are special options you can choose instead MULTlCLASSING PREREQUISITES
of increasing your ability scores as you gain leveis. Class Ability Score Minimum
Your DM decides whether these options are available Barbarian Strength 13
in a campaign. Bard (harisma 13
Cleric Wisdom 13
MULTICLASSING Druid Wisdom 13
Multiclassing allows you to gain leveis in multi pie Fighter Strength 13 ar Dexterity 13
classes. Doing so lets you mix the abilities of those Monk Dexterity 13 and Wisdom 13
classes to realize a character concept that might not be Paladin Strength 13 and (harisma 13
reAected in one of the standard class options. Ranger Dexterity 13 and Wisdom 13
With this role, you have the option of gaining a levei Rogue Dexterity 13
in a new class whenever you advance in levei, instead Sorcerer (harisma 13
of gaining a leveI in your current class. Your leveis in Warlock
ali your classes are added together to determine your (harisma 13
character leveI. For example, if you have three leveIs in Wizard Intelligence 13
wizard and two in fighter, you're a 5th-levei character.
As you advance in leveis, you might primarily remain EXPERIENCE POINTS
a member of your original class with just a few leveis
in another class, or you might change course entire!y, The experience point cost to gain a levei is always
never looking back at the c1ass you left behind. Vou based on your total character leve!. as shown in the
might even start progressing in a third or fourth c1ass. Character Advancement table in chapter 1, not your levei
Compared to a single-c1ass character of the same levei, in a particular c1ass. So, if you are a c1eric 6jfighter 1,
you'lI sacrifice some focus in exchange for versatility. you must gain enough XP to reach 8th levei before you
can take your second levei as a fighter or your seventh
4 • levei as a c1eric.
MULTICLASStNG EXAMPLE
Gary is playing a 4th-levei fighter. When his character earns HIT POINTS AND HIT DICE
enough experience points to reach Sth levei, Gary decides Vou gain the hit points from your new c1ass as described
that his character will multielass instead of continuing to for leveis after 1st. You gain the 1st-leveI hit points for a
progress as a fighter. Gary's fighter has been spending a lot
of time with Dave's rogue, and has even been doing some c1ass only when you are a 1st-levei character.
jobs on the side for the local thieves' guild as a bruiser. Gary Vou add together the Hit Dice granted by ali your
decides that his character will multielass into the rogue e1ass, classes to form your pool of Hit Dice. If the Hit Dice are
and thus his character becomes a 4th.level fighter and lst- the same die type, you can simply pool them together.
levei rogue (written as fighter 4/rogue 1). For example, both the fighter and the paladin have a
When Gary's character earns enough experience to dlO. so ifyou are a palndin 5/fighter 5, you have ten dlO
reach 6th levei, he can decide whether to add another Hit Dice. Ifyour classes give you Hit Dice of different
fighter levei (becoming a fighter S/rogue 1), another rogue types, keep track of them separate!y. If you are a paladin
levei (becoming a fighter 4/rogue 2), ar a levei in a third 5jcleric 5, for example, you have five dlO Hit Dice and
e1ass, perhaps dabbling in wizardry thanks to the tome of five d8 Hit Dice.
mysterious lore he acquired (becoming a fighter 4/rogue 1/
wizard 1).
•• •• PROFICIENCY BONUS
Vour proficiency bonus is always based on your total
character levei, as shown in the Character Advancement
table in chapter 1, not your levei in a particular class.
For example, ifyou are a fighter 3/rogue 2, YOllhave the
proficiency bonlls of a 5th-levei character, which is +3.

PART 1 I CUSTo~nZATION OPTIONS