Noob Help - How to Multiclass

[VirginiaCreeper]

Hello DDOers,

I've tried playing DDO a few times and this time I'm finally getting into it a bit, but the multiclass situation is confusing me. I know this is not Dungeons and Dragons the role-playing game, but based on it, and in the real-world game, when you multiclass, you start with, say, a ranger, and then shift into a paladin etc. But you can't go back to being a Ranger at that point.

I've searched the forums and it is quite possible I simply suck at searching, but can't find an answer to this simple question:

If I start off as a ranger, and realize I need x3 or so thief levels because I solo a lot and it would come in very useful, once I have the thief levels, can I go back to training as a ranger? Or is that path forever ended?

Right now I'm a 3rd level ranger. I'd like to do some thief levels to get the benefits of disabling traps and picking locks - backstab bonus would be cool too. But then want to continue as a ranger. So in the real-world game I couldn't do that. Can I do that in DDO? Or would I need to start as a thief, get the few levels there, then switch to training as a ranger and stay on that path for the rest of the game?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Enoach]

The rule is only that you cannot have more than 3 different classes in your build. You can take a level of any of up to 3 classes at any time.

for example: Ranger -> 3 Rogue -> 16 Ranger

I would recommend grabbing a character builder to plan out a Multi-class build. It can help you understand overlaps and potentially avoid taking feats that you will have. It will help you understand what level will maximize your skill distribution and plan for any requirements needed for a feat you plan on taking.
The rules you outline remind me of the Basic/Advanced DnD rules

 

[VirginiaCreeper]

The rule is only that you cannot have more than 3 different classes in your build. You can take a level of any of up to 3 classes at any time.

for example: Ranger -> 3 Rogue -> 16 Ranger

I would recommend grabbing a character builder to plan out a Multi-class build. It can help you understand overlaps and potentially avoid taking feats that you will have. It will help you understand what level will maximize your skill distribution and plan for any requirements needed for a feat you plan on taking.
The rules you outline remind me of the Basic/Advanced DnD rules

Thanks! Yeah, I spent most of my years up to my 30's playing 2nd Ed. AD&D What's a "character builder" Is that something I need to purchase at the DDO store?

 

[rabidfox]

Any time you level up, you can visit any trainer to take a level in whatever class you want (restrictions like alignment requirements can prevent this). You can mix/match up to 3 classes total. But it's very easy to accidently make a "bad" build that's super weak or doesn't work right; DDO doesn't hold your hand and will let you make poor choices. It's also very rewarding and fun to make different combinations. Just try to plan carefully or be prepared to turn quest difficulty down if your choices didn't work out well.

 

[PURPLETIMB]

The "optimal" way to do what I think you're looking for is to start with one level of rogue at level one, then add ranger levels. This lets you maximize your skills and allows you to always have your trapping skills (spot, search, disable device and open lock) at the maximum. But there is no reason why you can't take a level or two of rogue now to your current character. Just be warned that for your next couple of levels you might not be a very good trapper.

If you chose to add rogue skills you should first focus on getting your search and disable skills as high as you can. Spot will be important to you too, but you can't disable a trap unless your search is high enough to find the control box for the trap so that's the highest priority. I would only put a single point into open lock to start and don't bother leveling that up until your other skills are higher.

When you go back to adding ranger levels later you'll still be able to add points to your trapping skills, but the skills that are not ranger skills will cost double to level. Luckily search and spot are also class skills for a ranger, but disable device and open lock will be costlier to level up.

Welcome back to DDO, and good luck with your journey.

 

[VirginiaCreeper]

A big thank you to everyone responding. This is super helpful and appreciated!

 

[PURPLETIMB]

What's a "character builder" Is that something I need to purchase at the DDO store?

A character builder is a free software tool that lets you plan all of your character's stats, feats, enhancements, etc. It enforces things like feat prerequisites so you don't accidentally wind up with a character needing to take a feat you don't qualify for. Two weapon fighting is a common example, as you need increasingly high dexterity to be able to take the improved and greater versions.

There are a few different character builders available. This is the one I like to use:

DDO Lite Tools. (download the zip file of the builder here)

Here is the forum thread for discussion of the builder in case you need more help with using it.