Do you feel better about your build if you require a multitude of classes?

[Endarire]

Greetings, all!

As a player, do you typically feel better if you need to take a variety of classes (or otherwise pull from a variety of sources) to achieve your desired build?

I ask because, to me, there's something about taking a multitude of classes (like Wizard/Shadowcraft Mage/Master Specialist/Incantatrix/Archmage/Jello Eater) that signifies progress to me.  "Hey look, everybody!  I'm no longer just a Wizard!  I'm a Shadowcraft Mage now!"

The concept is similar for non-casters.  It's "I'm no longer just a Rogue!  (Or whatever you cleverly call yourself.)  I'm a Swordsage, and a Warblade, and a Crusader, too!"

[Solo]

KISS

[Garryl]

I do tend to prefer builds with more than one class. That might just be because few if any of the printed base classes really grab me for their full 20 levels (Warblade, maybe). I'm a lot happier with certain better made homebrew classes in that regard (for example, I'm playing a Ritualist in one game that I plan to take to 20).

[linklord231]

Optimizing primarily for high and low tier classes has conditioned me to think that more prestige classes = good, even when that's not necessarily the case.  I find myself "shopping around" for other classes, even when 2 more levels of Factotum is probably the best I'm going to get.  But with the abundance of PrCs printed, there might be something better!
Though there is something deliciously satisfying about scrawling "Artificer 20" on the top of the page and calling it a day.

[Zionpopsickle]

I think the important thing is that the classes used match up with the concept.  A very versatile character might have a large number of classes to achieve this, where as it might be better conceptually for a straightforward character to have a small number of classes that all work towards your goal.

For the most part you should use the number of classes to properly fulfill what you want to do.  Right class, right place, right time, this is the poetry of CharOp.

[Jackinthegreen]

I tend to feel good about the build if it performs well enough to contribute meaningfully to the adventure and not get killed without at least some awesome moments.  Whether the build has 7 classes or 1 doesn't matter all that much so long as I like the concept and can work with it.

[Bozwevial]

KISS

Why Solo, this is so sudden!

And yes, generally I feel good about being able to wrangle multiple classes into one cohesive whole that works smoothly. DMs tend to feel that way much less than I do, however, so I try and keep the number down most of the time.

[McPoyo]

I feel better when my character can mechanically match the feel I want him to have. If that means I need to make several dips, then I do. If it means in order to get one ability, I have to take 5 or 6 others that don't match from a class first, I tend to find another way to do it, since that drastically reflavors the character.

That said, if the base class I'm building on doesn't have any class abilities (or any class abilities that are useful/fun), then I tend to spend as much time in PrCs as possible.

I've had many characters that are just straight classed or only have one prc, though.

[veekie]

Theres a bit of a curve here for me. I very much prefer it aesthetically speaking when the character has a small number of classes, but not necessarily single classed. More than three classes however, just looks ugly.

[dman11235]

Hmm, I think it's because the more classes you take, the more your character feels unique.  Anyone can be Fighter 20.  But only you can be Fighter 2/Monk 2/blahblahblah4/3/7/2.  There's more of an "I am this" feeling with more classes, although I think it's more appropriate to say more options taken (which includes things like skills and feats, as well as ACFs and such).

[phaedrusxy]

Theres a bit of a curve here for me. I very much prefer it aesthetically speaking when the character has a small number of classes, but not necessarily single classed. More than three classes however, just looks ugly.

+1

[Risada]

Theres a bit of a curve here for me. I very much prefer it aesthetically speaking when the character has a small number of classes, but not necessarily single classed. More than three classes however, just looks ugly.

+1

+2.

However, once I rolled a Wizard with a lot of classes.. something like Wizard/Master Specialist/Nar Demonbinder/Ultimate Magus/Archmage...

[phaedrusxy]

Theres a bit of a curve here for me. I very much prefer it aesthetically speaking when the character has a small number of classes, but not necessarily single classed. More than three classes however, just looks ugly.

+1

+2.

However, once I rolled a Wizard with a lot of classes.. something like Wizard/Master Specialist/Nar Demonbinder/Ultimate Magus/Archmage...

Oh yeah, I've definitely made (and played) builds with more classes than that. I just don't like them, because they're ugly.

[InnaBinder]

I feel better when my character can mechanically match the feel I want him to have. If that means I need to make several dips, then I do. If it means in order to get one ability, I have to take 5 or 6 others that don't match from a class first, I tend to find another way to do it, since that drastically reflavors the character.

That said, if the base class I'm building on doesn't have any class abilities (or any class abilities that are useful/fun), then I tend to spend as much time in PrCs as possible.

I've had many characters that are just straight classed or only have one prc, though.

I came here to say something, and found McPoyo already said it.

[Mithril Leaf]

Optimizing primarily for high and low tier classes has conditioned me to think that more prestige classes = good, even when that's not necessarily the case.  I find myself "shopping around" for other classes, even when 2 more levels of Factotum is probably the best I'm going to get.  But with the abundance of PrCs printed, there might be something better!
Though there is something deliciously satisfying about scrawling "Artificer 20" on the top of the page and calling it a day.

Definitely this. Even when clearly a solid choice, I shudder at the thought of something like a Binder 15, KotSS 5.

[oslecamo]

I've got little problems with it. If I can stay in one class, great, but if dips open me new viable options I'll mix and combine as much as needed until I get the final result I want.

Mind you that I don't need necessarily to represent multiclassing fluff-wise, in particular when I'm the DM. I make a monster/fighter 2/warblade 1/swordsage 1/, then describe it to the PCs  as simply a monster that has some funky moves.

[Nunkuruji]

The only thing that bothers me about such builds is if they have levels that they are dead weight before the build comes together, so to speak. This could be caused by crappy feat prerequisites, dropped caster levels, etc. I prefer builds that are campaign playable & effective through levels 1-20.

[blind sight]

Multiclassing is the only way to really achieve certain concepts being mechanically what the player actually envisions. Such as the monk not actually being an effective martial arts based character as an Unarmed Strike Swordsage x/FotF1/Yadayada, or a Sniper. When I think of a Sniper, I don't just see "dex to damage" once, I see it at least 3 or 4 times.

[SneeR]

I prefer not to multiclass unless there is something specific I want from a dip. If I am playing a roguish character, I will stay rogue until I switch to Swordsage for higher-level maneuvers/stances. If I am playing a warrior, I might take 1 level of barbarian, then go straight Warblade. In general, I prefer to single-class as much as possible.

However, there are some classes that I HATE to stay in, like sorcerer or cleric. I want new abilities every so often, and higher spell levels don't cut it after a while. Classes with bland charts like those tend to have as many easily-acheived PrCs as possible, like sorcerer/fatespinner/fiend-blooded/abjurant champion.

Honestly, no caster has a reason not to go into abjurant champion eventually.

[Tr011]

In my "meta", or better: in my party, a Rogue 3/Frenzy Wolf Totem Barbarian 2/Swordsage 2/Thief-Acrobat 3/Water Ninja 2 is gonna sound MORE optimized, than a Sorcerer 6/Alienist 7. Even though the latter is way more powerful. I once got said, that I shouldn't take an ACF that made the class WORSE, because it sounded too optimized for my DM "because I wouldn't take it if it wouldn't be better than the regular class" - regardless that I argued it would just fit the build more.

But I kind of don't really care for how much sources I use, but mostly I use a lot of sources/classes.