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Welcome to Multiclass Mondays!
“But wait, Ryven, the title says #3? What the heck? Can’t you count?”
Multiclass Mondays is a continuation of the “You, Version 2.0″ posts that were put up a few weeks back regarding using the Theme mechanics to more effectively multiclass characters. The concept seemed to be a hit with many players and DMs around the Web, so we’re going to go through and provide Themes for all current D&D classes (even Psionics!) and maybe.. just maybe… throw in a few bonus Themes. For now, though, let’s stick to the basics.
In our first installment, we covered the theory and needs of Theme multiclassing, so I won’t rehash that here. Go back and read it again if you want a refresher. In our previous installment, we covered the Rogue, Wizard, Fighter and Cleric themes. This week, let’s look at the Sorcerer.
Bloodborne Arcanogen
You count as a Sorcerer for all feat, theme and paragon path requirements. When you use a Sorcerer or Sorcerer Paragon Path power, you may add the better of your Strength or Dexterity modifier to the damage. If you choose to apply this extra damage to a power, you may not simultaneously apply any other striker damage feature (Flurry of Blows, Sneak, Hunter’s Quarry, Oath of Enmity, etc.) to that power.
In addition, you may wield Sorcerer implements.
This is a standard formula for striker multiclass feats – no skill training and a full striker damage bonus, but to powers only from the secondary class.
Theme at Level 1
Thaumaturge (Multiclass Sorcerer)
Prerequisite: Sorcerer
Theme Feature: N/A (Dark Sun: Burning Spray (encounter usage))
Lv 1. Theme Power: Burning Spray (encounter usage, non Dark-Sun only)
In the last installment, I said I didn’t have a good name for these multiclass Themes. A little more time fixed that, but I still include the (Multiclass “X”) in the name to clarify what’s going on. As to the Feature power, Burning Spray is a nice blasty power that has a solid Sorcerer feel. Close 3 is a happy medium for both melee types who like to be in the opponent’s face and ranged types who have personal space issues.
Theme at Levels 2+
- Lv 2: Spatial Trip
- Lv 3: Swirling Star
- Lv 5: Slaad’s Gambit
- Lv 6: Sudden Scales
- Lv 7: Chaos Ray
- Lv 9: Contagious Curse
- Lv 10: Fog Form
What I’m looking for here is flashy and somewhat out-of-control powers to carry the flavor of an untrained innate magic-user throwing around raw arcane energy. I tried to choose as many powers as possible that did not carry strongly elemental themes while still providing powers that are inherently solid.
As a short aside, some of you may have noticed the Theme and Multiclassing discussions over at Robert J. Schwalb’s site and Matt James’ site. I’d like to take a moment to provide a perspective on some concerns that were raised about using Themes more extensively – primarily that they would overtake Race and Class in importance if significantly expanded.
Quinn often describes class as a character’s personality or approach and theme as its job. I take a slightly different tack on it, though practically speaking we end up in the same place. Think back for a moment about your own life pursuits. Some things have been important hobbies or interests for most of your life; others have come and gone. For me, gaming, Christianity, chemistry and relationships with women have always been foundations of who I am and what I do. On the other hand, I have at other times also been a martial artist, an actor and a musician, none of which do I do now. These interests have left certain marks and impressions on me but have been relegated to background today. I’m sure you could probably make similar lists.
That is precisely why I like the Theme-Paragon Path-Epic Destiny structure so much. A character that is just a Fighter is perfectly fine and valid, but lacks the fluid nature that we as humans tend to express. A Fighter who took the Templar Theme, then the Pit Fighter Paragon Path and finally the Legendary Sovereign Epic Destiny says significantly more about the character’s history and interests. A whole story of favor, fall and ultimate reclamation of noble rights is described in just those three choices. It’s important that the parts remain separate so we can track how those stages of life affect the character, both mechanically and in the story of the game. Compressing them into a single concept (like a 1-30 Theme) would remove the static/fluid dichotomy that gives the characters that utilize these tools depth and substance. Race/Class and Theme/Paragon Path/Epic Destiny become stronger components by foiling one another than either would be individually.
Anyway, that’s what I’ve got for this week. If you liked it, comment! If you hated it, also comment! I love to hear your opinions. Next week, we tackle the Warlord.
Similar Posts:
- Multiclass Monday #11 – Miscellaneous Power
- Multiclassing 2.0 – Hypothesis Detailed
- Multiclass Mondays #7 – Warlock
Ryven Cedrylle was introduced to 2nd edition D&D by his father at age 8 and has been hooked ever since. When not out somewhere with his nerd-loving wife, he spends an inordinate amount of time staring at small objects - primarily beakers, stars, books about religion and virtual gaming miniatures. Follow him on 
Love these things! Always felt that multiclassing was the weakest part of 4E, so nice to see someone try and fix it up. I will be using this, just like your Series Skills are required reading for my entire group.
This is an interesting approach, and I might steal it in the future as a nice way to get feat/feature-tax-free MCing.
That closing point has wholly changed the way I look at Themes!
That said, my immediate curiosity in seeing this Sorcerer option is whether you find yourself inclined to open up other powers and features of the class as feats available to players who take these multiclass themes. I’m asking this about the Sorcerer specifically because a character who could excel in this role is already stacking Cha (to hit with Sorc powers); gaining the AC boost from Str, as hybrid characters can choose to, reduces the overall MAD a character is responsible for and makes the build choice more broadly available.
Otherwise it seems entirely like that rogue-types or fighters might take this path and end up with their Secondary Class’s Tertiary Attribute (Str or Dex) being higher than the Primary (Cha). Am I the only one who finds that an odd idea?
@EgoPoisoning
Thanks! Glad to provide a fresh persepctive.
AS to your questions, if a player wanted to grab the basic Expert, Novice, Acolyte feats to take a power of their choosing while using the Theme, that would be just fine. The point of using a Theme is that the power swap options can be more tightly controlled, creating a very specific feel and minimizing unintended game-breaking interactions. A player who wants more class features should either go Hybrid or consider playing a sorcerer and then Theme-multiclass back into the other class. A combination of 1st generation multiclassing, Theme multiclassing and Hybridization creates multiple layers of cross-class mixing for players to choose from and should remain as such. It is my intent to fill the mid-range between Hybrid and G1 multiclassing with this mechanic (or see WotC do it, but I’m not holding my breath).
Yeah, I wouldn’t arrest my respiration over that either.
But let me clarify my initial question. With this method of multiclassing you create an option that feels as though it serves up higher value without such a high feat tax, and that’s awesome. But considering this specific theme, and the sorts of stat spreads that would be necessary to take advantage of it, I was wondering if you’d considered -creating- additional feats that let a player grab elements of the class they’re Themed into. I suppose offering Hybrid Talent feats for the Theme class would be another way to approach it.
I ask because (and this may be a corner case unique to this presentation of the Sorcerer build, really) an Str-focused character who takes this theme doesn’t have the ability to apply that stat to their AC (as they would with a Hybrid) so they’re juggling Str, Dex/Int, and Cha to make things pop off.
And maybe that’s not a big deal. Even as I’m typing this clarification I’m considering the kinds of characters I might take this path instead of the Hybrid method…Cha/Str-split Paladin and high Cha Clerics come to mind, since they’re likely to depend on heavy armor for their AC anyway.
Definitely interested in see how this approach handles the Augment psionic classes!
@Ego
Ah, I get what you’re saying. Hmm.. I’m still generally against adding more class features, but I might be amenable to letting these powers hit off of the character’s primary stat (like every other Theme out there) instead of the one delineated in the power. Maybe.