Dual-classing
is an option that appears in 1st and 2nd edition Advanced
Dungeons & Dragons, but was not so far as I am aware in 0E D&D. It’s a
way for human characters to multiclass, but in a fashion which doesn’t work in
the same way as traditional multi-classing, a feature reserved for demi-humans.
One reason
you could opt to allow dual-classing is to accommodate smaller groups. If you
are playing a game with only one or two players this will let them have more
options for their characters, and help them to fill more than one role. Another
reason could be story-driven; you could include monasteries, warrior’s school,
wizard’s insitutes, temples, thieves’ guilds and other such institutions which
can offer training for the right price (and right skill). This could be another
option for players to explore with their characters.
Dual-classing
is basically a “career change” option in which the character decides to shift
focus from his existing class to a new one. It’s a bit convoluted as presented
in AD&D (both versions), requiring significant base attributes to qualify,
followed by specific rules on how the XP gain works, depending on what
abilities are used. Logisitically it’s a bit of a mess, because you have to
track whether the PC was using his old class abilities or his new class
abilities in a given instance, or limit what abilities can and can’t be used,
and the old class can never advance after a dual-class transition. The system I
propose below is a reductionist view, cleaning up this process for ease of use.
Dual-Class
Requirements: a human (and even any demi-human at the GM’s option) can
choose to dual-class in a secondary class at a later date. When he does so, the
following rules take effect:
Prerequisites: the character must
qualify for the prime requisite XP bonus in both the old class and the new
class in order to dual-class. Example: a magic-user that wishes to dual-class
as an assassin must have an INT, DEX and STR of 13 or better.
Optional Training Cost: the GM may want
the character to spend 1D6 months and 1D6X100 gold pieces training before
gaining level 1 in the new class, to justify the development of the new
abilities at level 1.
Hit Dice: Hit dice are based on the old
class level and do not improve until the new class’s bonuses would exceed the
old class. For example: a wizard (level 5) who cross-classed as an assassin would
not gain new hit dice until he reached assassin level 6. He would use the
better of the two attack chart options for his class.
Saves: use the better of the two
classes saves. In our magic user/assassin example a level 5 magic user has a
Saving throw of 11. He will go to Save 10 when his assassin class reaches level
6.
Attack Rolls: On attack rolls use the
better option of the existing class levels vs. the new class. So, to look at
our magic-user level 5 who dual-classes into assassin, his chart is the same
for both classes, so when he reaches assassin level 6 he’ll advance on the
attack table like normal. A level 5 magic-user who dual-classes into fighter has
a magic-user THAC0 of 18 at level 5, which means his THAC0 goes to 17 when he
reaches fighter level 5. If you use the attack bonus and ascending AC option on
page 44 of S&WC it’s even easier to figure, and according to that chart a
level 5 MU has a +1 attack, while the fighter improves to +2 at level 4, so our
dual-classed MU 5/F 4 has +2 attack.
Armor and Weapon Proficiency: when
dual-classing the character gains the additional armor and weapon skills of the
new class. However, the character still suffers any special restrictions
regarding the use of such weapons and armor in the old class; this means a
magic-user can’t cast spells in non-magical armor, and a thief can’t use
thieving skills while wearing anything heavier than leather (just like multi-classing
restrictions).
Experience Gain: while advancing in the
new class the character divides all XP gained by ½ but applies the remainder to
his new class only. When his new class reaches the same level as the old class
he may start applying 100% of the XP gained to the new class. Thereafter he
gains all class advancements as he improves his new class like normal (so
improves hit dice, saves, attack modifiers and abilities as the new class
only). He retains his old class levels
and abilities but only at that level of experience.
Optional Continued Class Advancement:
The GM can optionally allow the dual-classed character to advance in the old
and new class once both of them are the same level. At that time, continue to
divide the XP into two parts, but both classes gain the XP. This requires
keeping track of two separate XP totals. For example: our magic-user level 5 reaches
assassin level 5. He had 25,000 XP in magic-user when he decided to dual-class
in assassin. Once he reaches level 5 (12,000 XP) in assassin he may now proceed
to advance in both classes, tracking XP separately but dividing all XP earned
equally between the two classes. Once he reaches this point all multi-classing
rules in the main book now apply.
Example Dual-Classed character:
Vastor Redscar
Chaotic Human male of Aeronost
Magic-user level 5/Assassin Level 6 (MU XP
25,000-frozen, Assassin XP 27,000-active)
STR 14, DEX 16, CON 10, INT 13, WIS 12, CHA 8
HP 17, HD 5D4+1D6, Save 10, AC 6 [13] (leather plus Dex bonus), Attack Bonus +2 (or TAC 17)
Languages Known: aeronistic (common),
Emon, elvish, Camrinal (forbidden tongue)
Weapons: long sword (1D8), short sword
(1D6) (fights w-weapon style)
Assassin Skills: climb walls 88%, tasks
and traps 30%, hear noise 4 in 6, hide in shadows 25%, move silently 35%, open
locks 25%
Assassin Abilities: disguise, poison,
backstab (+4 to hit and triple damage),
Spell Slots: 4 level 1 slots, 2 level 2
slots, 1 level 3 slot
Spell Book:
1st
Level: charm person, detect magic, light, magic missile, read magic, sleep
2nd
Level: darkness 15’ radius, ESP, invisibility, knock, phantasmal force,
strength
3rd
Level: darkvision, fireball, haste, hold person, monster summoning I,
protection from normal missiles, slow
Vastor Redscar was a student of the dark arts out of Asvinar under the tutelage of the wizard Taraman Dazaes when his master was assassinated. He was spared by the assassin, a woman named Rapineleth, who was impressed at his resourcefulness. She indoctrinated him in to the Guild of the Riven Flesh, an esoteric order of cultic assassins dedicated to the mad god of darkness, Ghaol, where he has prospered ever since.
