How to Multi-class in DnD 5e

An earthquake rumbles throughout the Sword Coast. Atop a lone tower standing amidst a field of graves, a Tiefling stares out across the plains. Large fissures split the land as the tremors grow more severe, and from these cracks pour the one enemy that he had been trying to prevent… Undead!

Rapiers lie upon the table, but close quarters would be certain death. A bow hangs upon the wall, but one archer won’t be enough to win this battle. He darts back to the window and takes a deep breath, nervous to use the powers he had suppressed for so many years. The Tiefling murmurs a strange language under his breath and fire erupts over the field, consuming the undead as they wander through the flames. Lightning cracks wildly at the foot of the tower, turning groups of zombies to ash.

Whether you’re in a one-on-one session or playing as a group, your character might be ready to become even more. A fighter or ranger in the situation described above would be torn apart by the ravenous hordes in seconds. A sorcerer, however, can wield their wild, destructive magic to reign fire on enemies. If this feels like a great next step for your character, here’s everything you need to know about how to multiclass in DnD 5e.

Prerequisites

A big, brainless Orc probably isn’t going to become the next high mage. Likewise, I doubt a nimble Halfling rogue could become a mighty barbarian overnight. Choosing a second class isn’t as simple as what you think would be cool (although that plays a huge part in the decision!). There are some ability score prerequisites you must meet to ensure that the new class is a logical choice for your character. Here are the scores required for each class:

Barbarian: Strength 13

Bard: Charisma 13

Cleric: Wisdom 13

Druid: Wisdom 13

Fighter: Strength 13 or Dexterity 13

Monk: Dexterity 13 and Wisdom 13

Paladin: Strength 13 and Charisma 13

Ranger: Dexterity 13 and Wisdom 13

Rogue: Dexterity 13

Sorcerer: Charisma 13

Warlock: Charisma 13

Wizard: Intelligence 13

Proficiencies

A large Orc learning the ways of the rogue to steal his Chieftain’s Battleaxe, or a Bard learning to make heads roll just as much as she makes hearts swoon – Multiclassing presents countless opportunities. However, there are a few things that you don’t get through multiclassing. You won’t get every starting proficiency, nor will you receive a class’ starting equipment. For example, if you multiclass into Sorcerer or Wizard, you don’t gain any extra proficiencies, whilst for most other classes you gain an assortment of weapon and armour proficiencies. Bards, Rangers and Rogues get proficiency in one new skill, as shown in the Player’s Handbook.

Class Features

Imagine a group of travelling bards wandering through the woods as they journey to the next town. When darkness creeps in, along with the sinister howling of wolves, their Bardic Inspiration might not be a useful weapon. As the wolves edge closer, snarling to reveal their monstrous fangs, a broad Half-Orc steps forward, brandishing a blood-soaked maul in her hands. She lets out a ferocious roar, and unleashes her rage upon the wild beasts, protecting her fellow bards with all her might. Taking just one level in the Barbarian class has allowed this Half-Orc to utilise the Rage class feature, making her an admirable foe in combat.

However, players must remember that when taking a new class through multiclassing, you do not gain the effects of Channel Divinity, Extra Attack or Unarmoured Defense a second time. If you already have these features, they do not stack (unless otherwise stated).

Spellcasting

Magic is exceptionally powerful in DnD 5e, whether you are cursing opponents with necromancy or tricking them into doing your bidding with illusion spells. When you have multiple classes with the spellcasting class feature, the rules slightly change

The spells you know are based on each individual class. If you are Sorcerer 2/Wizard 4, you would calculate how many spells each class can know and then add those together. Each spell you know is based on one of your classes. If a Bard/Sorcerer Elf was to cast Fire Storm, they would have to channel their raw, untamed magical power rather than perform a worthy tune, for example.

Spell slots are a little more complex. If you have more than one spellcasting class, you must calculate the number of spell slots you have following the guide below:

Add together your levels in the bard, cleric, druid, sorcerer and wizard classes, half your levels in the paladin and ranger classes, and a third of your fighter and rogue levels (if these have unlocked the ability to cast spells).

You take the resulting number and use it as your level when determining spell slots, as shown in the Player’s Handbook Multiclass Spell Slots chart.

Once you’ve got that sorted, you’ll be able to weave between a huge array of spells, allowing you to bring the mightiest kingdoms to their knees!

You now have everything you need to know about how to multiclass in DnD 5e! If you ever find yourself alone amongst a sea of the undead, you’ll be ready to gather every weapon in your arsenal and become a legend across Faerun!