Handbooker Helper: Multiclassing

Dungeon Master Matthew Mercer is in it for the long-haul with all the details on how to multiclass your 5th Edition D&D character!
Featuring doodles by our friend Wendy: / wendydoodles
Subtitles provided by Critical Role Translate: bit.ly/2Ib8aBk
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#CriticalRole #HandbookerHelper #DungeonsAndDragons

[@elrusito5034]

Fighter-monk-barbarian pc's intimidation quote: "I'm fluent in over 6 millon ways of kicking your ass"

[@Caddynars]

Rage plus reckless plus flurry of blows plus action surge makes for a combo platter of whupass.

[@CLBPRKNS]

Hell Yeah Dude!

[@jesuschrist2268]

6 million? Seems a little too much

[@assassain0425]

I actually need a Barbarian Monk multiclass build

[@dragonarchive7443]

@@assassain0425 kzbin.info/www/bejne/onfclWiqj9Ngf6M kzbin.info/www/bejne/eoXUc4h-hZWZepY

[@dumpeeplarfunny]

This sounds like a drug ad. "Talk to your doctor to find out if multiclassing is right for you." lol

[@rapatovich1999]

Io

[@about37noobs5]

l

[@chefbreccia2642]

"If multiclassing lasts for more than four levels..."

[@jackdizzy123]

@@chefbreccia2642 ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[@NafenX]

Almost as if that's the joke 😝

[@iakan6937]

"Where do I BEGIN this seems like A LOT!!" Is basically everyone's initial reaction to multiclassing rules

[@harmony8623]

Me when I first started dnd in general

[@nalaya_shepard]

me STILL lol

[@lagoondiver]

I'm fairly new to D&D andI'm still figuring out a lot as I'm playing. I'm currently playing a Druid in one campaign and a Bard in another one and I'm about to start with a third campaign. I have an idea for a Rogue/Arcane Trickster and I've read that it goes well with a few levels Wizard/Bladesinger which could also work really well with the backstory that I have in my mind so this might be my first forray into multiclassing ^^

[@Lighthammer18]

I can't tell if Matt Mercer is slowly turning into Keanu Reeves or if Keanu Reeves is slowly turning into Matt Mercer.

[@barryallen2240]

Yes

[@lyingcat9022]

Also Yes.

[@jcblebowski]

wait a couple of hours lighthammer, you’re stoned

[@HaydenofEverything]

Neither. They're all slowly turning into Charlie White.

[@vincentbrancato5146]

Plot Twist: They have never been in the same room at the same time 🤔

[@XNaturalPhenomenonX]

Matt Mercer is a national treasure. Hide him from Nick Cage.

[@AllThingsFascinate]

Underrated comment.

[@rosenrot234]

Nick Cage would be fun to see play DnD tbh

[@rosenrot234]

@james kessler How so? Elaborate

[@tyleryoakum]

This is the best comment my eyes have ever been lucky enough to see.

[@solaireofastora186]

Not The Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesssssssssssssssssssssss!

[@dnddude9652]

I have a friend who played a Bearbarian once (Druid/Barb) Whenever he raged, he turned into a Bear

[@Hektols]

He probably had the Bear Warrior prestige class, it doesn't require to be a druid and does exactly that.

[@Dan-qy6zv]

So hulk, but less green and more hairy.

[@johndou423]

so like a berserker in norse folklore

[@CatCheshire]

My Druid/Barbarian (that mean in my party) decided, when he rage, he Wildshape in gigant spider

[@ianthe2131]

Wolfbarian: Direwolf Pack Tactics & Wolf Totem feature. Best Barb/Druid ever. Except maybe Berserker and Spores Druid

[@ProphecyPlayz]

I love playing Sorcerer just to multiclass to warlock. It's like being born with Magic, then looking at yourself in a mirror and saying "aight fuck it, imma sell my soul"

[@aidenaune7008]

you dont actually need to sell your soul, there are many different things a patron will give magic for: to further their goals (like a cleric), for a sacrifice (like the first born), for vengeance (powerful soul trapped in item), and even because you were simply chosen to wield it.

[@TmanTheTdog]

@@aidenaune7008 **Some random Great Old One in the Abyss** “Eh fuck it, if they even mentally survive learning what I am, it’ll be funny to see what they do with my power.”

[@AshtonMonitor]

@@aidenaune7008 yep, I even convinced my DM to let my kobold take his tiefling boyfriend’s grandpa as a patron simply because the lesser fiend has been very attached to his grandson throughout the campaign, and my kobold succeeded on a persuasion check to convince him that lending his power would keep the kobold safe and, by proxy, keep his grandson happy.

[@OGTwist]

This combo is one of the strongest in the game. Easily in the top 3 of best builds in the game

[@TmanTheTdog]

@@OGTwist Honestly Sorcerer with warlock feats (magic initiate for elderitch blast and Eldritch Adept for the potent eldritch blast invocation) is usually more powerful than multiclassing between them.

[@mr.mercury3600]

matt mercers beard: Gain advantage on any charisma check or saving throw

[@xandergillotine1163]

i forget how wiggly he is

[@hmcloud8487]

Ah this is easier than I thought (starts talking about spell slots) Oh god no

[@nickwilliams8302]

Nah, it's easy. There's a table on p. 165 of the PHB.

[@bongosmcdongos4190]

You can also Google spell slots calculator if you don't feel like doing math

[@hmcloud8487]

@@bongosmcdongos4190 THAT´S A THING?? Hold up you just saved me so many brain cells, thank you so much

[@bongosmcdongos4190]

@@hmcloud8487 hey no problem friendo!

[@tythetyrantt4979]

Or just use dnd beyond, it has it neatly seperated for easy use

[@ianmoone2488]

I have an lvl 15 npc. He has 10 levels in Barbarian and 5 in Bard. The Bard levels are just so he can convincingly fool people that he’s not a Barbarian.

[@tearstoneactual9773]

Sooooo.... He's a Jarl then?

[@ianmoone2488]

Sam Haynes Technically he’s a pimp and a crime lord.

[@psevdhome]

Oh cool, a bardbarian. I haven't seen one of those in a while.

[@Percival121]

so if im to get this correct whenever you take a level in another class you start at level one, you cant build a paladin to 4th level then take a 5th level in monk (gaining the 5th level feats for monk) you would have up to 4th level paladin abilities and the 1st level abilities of a monk.... (asking you cos you seem at least somewhat versed in the matter and ive been looking at making a fighter wizard based off of the farron knights from DS3)

[@craazyy1]

@@Percival121 Yes, your new class starts at level 1, so you'd go from just level 4 paladin, to a level 4 paladin and level 1 monk, who's a 4+1=5th level character

[@maddus_]

Mercer: So, maybe you've been playing as a Rogue for a while and you're looking to mix them up with a little bit of that destructive magic. Me: Damn bastard read my mind.

[@couragew6260]

It’s D&D Jesus. What did you expect?

[@ohitsrusher842]

**Sneaks up behind someone and uses explosion**

[@shapooopiefour7173]

It’s just Skyrim in a nutshell

[@vsGoliath96]

Ha! These idiots won't even know where the Fireball came from!

[@bearworks13]

I am making an OC Djinni that is a Conjuration Wizard Paladin...... Wish me luck!

[@SkihaseHH]

"You might miss out on Capstone Features!" Looking at the capstone for my Ranger: Yeah... nope. Multiclass it is.

[@stratigangames508]

The only capstone that is worth it is paladin IMO

[@Guille2033]

@@stratigangames508 and Cleric, Fighter, Barbarian, Druid and Rogue. Dem capstone features are nasty

[@kristiandahl1310]

@@Guille2033 druid yep...spores circle means never running out of temp HP

[@LocalMaple]

I want to get into D&D, and funnily enough my first concept character started as a Horizon Walker Ranger. After looking into how spells worked, I realized I couldn’t hold weapons for most of the ones I wanted. So I took Warcaster. Then I realized. Do I really need the ability to make portals out of danger, when my character already has the ability to slip by threats through another plane of existence? And the ability to sense invisible enemies when I can technically disappear too? I can stop by level 16 and be fine! So I looked up other classes, and figured a multi class with Fighter. Read Eldritch Knight, and realized I could forge a bond with two short swords, and leaving them impaled in a person while I use my bow can be nifty. … As it turns out, you get better multiclassing benefits if you *start* as a Fighter and become a Ranger, than if you start as a Ranger and go into Fighter until Level 4 Warcasting.

[@nicrosilmind]

@@stratigangames508 Don’t forget the Artificer. It’s got one of the best capstones in the game.

[@cancerino666]

I have a lvl 7 barbarian with 1 lvl in sorcerer. That level is to convince the whole table I am a wizard, which I have succeeded in for about 3 months now.

[@alixharada6598]

I feel that, my lvl 6 Wildsoul barbarian has been doing similar, has a familiar (ritual caster feat) and is the smartest person in party.

[@InsanoRider777]

Party: "You're... sure you're a wizard?" You: "That's what I rolled, yes." Party: "But your strength is 18..." You: "I work out." Party: "Aren't those barbarian tattoos?" You: "Ancient ancestral wizard runes. Y'know, to make my magic strong." Party: "You have a greataxe." You: "Modified wizard staff, please." Party: "Pretty sure you just bench-pressed that iron golem." You: "Getting my gains, dudes. Can't miss a workout or it screws up my magic." Party: "You were raging and throwing fireballs at the same time." You: "I have, uh, explosive anger management issues." Party: "...you're never going to admit you multiclassed, are you?" You: "Not sure what you're talking about. I've been a wizard and *only* a wizard."

[@Mil3o]

@@dewbong4165 i second this

[@ElektelStar]

@@InsanoRider777 IM IN TEARS

[@steveaustin4382]

Cancerino, can you give us an update on how that is going please? What do they think when you rage? What do they think when you only cast 1st lvl spells? I'm sure the players know, but what is their explanations for the characters?

[@ilikepie219]

“Lengthy episode” please Matt, we watch Critical role every week. This is but a poultry task

[@MrXuiz]

This may be a joke far beyond my mind's feeble capacity, but I believe you meant "paltry." Unless you're calling Matt a chicken.

[@megavore97]

MrXuiz what a fowl insult

[@TheBackwardsSong]

@@MrXuiz Watching this is a chicken's job. It's a weird burn, but okay.

[@Zaroth1234]

@@TheBackwardsSong weird flex but okay

[@DraginMax]

This is an eggselent string of comments.

[@ganondorf5573]

"It's never too late to teach an experienced character new tricks" Yeah, unless they're already level 20!

[@lockematthews6049]

Nah, just talk with them and have a monster that steals years (levels) appear. Or another similar encounter

[@Deltajugg]

*Laughs in Epic Boons*

[@donmiller4260]

What about running a campaign that extends past the lvl 20 cap

[@jamesbiggs8397]

You could train with characters of other classes to gain some features. Like have your Rouge take a years worth of magic lessons from a Wizard so they can learn Mending.

[@jonalynmisalang9447]

In my campaigns whenever one of my players multiclass I work it like this -If your 2 (or more classes) have the same xp level up like 700 and 700 then you can level up on both but if they are like 800 and 1,200 then you must wait until you have 2,000 xp. -This might sound broken but if they multiclass at first level like forge cleric/hexblade warlock then they gained enough xp to level up they can level on both to level 20 unless you multiclassed at like level 13 but still. -If the cr is correct (which is rare) they're multiclass level will be plused like a 5 forge/and a 5 hexblade are both level 5 but combined are 10 so I can put an aboleth as an enemy to balance things out slightly -Lastly if the class that they multiclassed have different hit points like a fighter has d10 while a wizard (just be an eldritch knight!) has d6 so whenever you level up roll a d20 on 1-10 use the lower die on a 11-20 use the higher one. If any of that sounds broken........... I know!

[@bndllama9067]

For role-players, combining Rogue/Artificer/Bard in any combination makes you a skill junky, I'm talking crazy proficiencies and expertise.

[@jennaherman3859]

can do the same with just Rogue (scout)/Bard (lore), and the skilled feat (+3 skills), experimenting i took half elf (2 skills), Urchin (2 skills rogue related), Rogue (4 skills, plus Nature/Survival +free expertise in both at 3rd lvl), Plus Bard (+1 skill, +3 more at level 3 with lore), +skilled (3 more) for a total of 17 skills at level 6! for reference my gms tend to give a free feat at lvl 1 to everybody (2 if you're human).

[@NovaOtari]

"Ask your DM to see if multiclassing is right for you."

[@tatersalad76]

"Can I multiclass?" DM: "No."

[@bitesized4503]

Tater Solus can relate :(

[@jackdizzy123]

@Mekal Covic Best term for DMNPCs

[@lt.gasmask1920]

DM: What class do you want to play? Abserd: Yes

[@lukasbaum1493]

ah i see ur a man of culture aswell

[@neinherman9989]

Hello there, what a splendid comment!

[@GreenLab-vo7vs]

AbsERd IS vERy PowErFuL.

[@nashhenley7432]

Puffin even makes it here, amazing But what’s the secret to being a rogue?

[@matthewford8875]

@@nashhenley7432 Just push it in , really, really hard?

[@skilledwarman]

"you'll miss out on those high level cap abilities" dont worry, odds are you'd be dead before hitting them anyway

[@thesnep4757]

Or if running a pre-made finished before you reach that level

[@TheErusPrime]

there's no reason to have the cap anyway. Avoiding power ramp is a good idea for storytelling but there's a lot of high powered dnd lore you can probably have 2 max classes and it stays pretty challenging. I mean Mystra got murdered. Preventing that would have made a pretty awesome questline for an overpowered party.

[@nullpoint3346]

If your DM is even half as lethal as he should be, you'll be dead before lv3. I can't stand the lower levels in these systems.

[@landoakechi9406]

@@nullpoint3346 Looking like we about to get a TPK in the current game I’m playing. Last we left off, we have barely any spell slots and are about to get swarmed by spiders

[@nullpoint3346]

@@landoakechi9406 Do y'all have a way to get into a position where they can't reach you by climbing? Or if they can, do you have a bottle of oil to pour down it? Ball bearings and flammable liquids are a great combination at lower levels if you can perform basic crowd control. If you want me to give you a specific plan to save your low level characters, you're going to need to tell me everything you know about the players' current kits and the situation. Spell slots aren't a true restriction until you fight something immune to non-magical effects.

[@goldfish6525]

"The max level is 20" I'm not surprised, but also not happy.

[@zacharygadzinski3147]

I don't play D&D but can't class levels still go up? Also, there are epic boons and the option for becoming a god too. So being a demigod and working on a divine quest and unlocking new powers could be a thing.

[@Thiccubus]

@@zacharygadzinski3147 Nah, not by core rules iirc, but both of those can happen (Higher level cap/Class levels) if you homebrew/house-rule it, just so long as you do the hard work of crunching the numbers. Ain't worth doing it just to do it half-assed; end up b0rked and it goes to hell. Epic boons - yes, becoming a god? Subjective, also DM discretion. Honestly, so long as your group & DM is cool with it, and you don't go into it half-baked, near-on anything is possible.

[@duffman2625]

There's a spell called True Polymorph, which a high-level spellcaster can use to turn everyone PERMANENTLY into a different creature, which could be a metallic dragon. If your DM allows it, you may be able to retain your class features when you transform from your dragon form to a humanoid form, and possibly even gain class levels that you use in your dragon form. Otherwise, your DM might have basically a new campaign start with the same characters as dragons starting at level 1 in a new class. You could do this really with any creature, but dragons are the obvious choice if you want to keep that high level feel.

[@derekhandson351]

Homebrew a new level cap. Boom, done

[@TheWorldsStage]

D and D Jesus really has a lot of good information

[@jcplaysmusic6257]

Hes d n d god though

[@l_ndonmusic]

JC PlaysMusic Well I mean the Christian lore basically say they’re the same thing so both of you are correct

[@PKgiannycarlo]

@@l_ndonmusic Idk why, but calling it "Christian lore" made me giggle XD

[@aboveaveragefrog4208]

PKgiannycarlo calling anything lore is funny tbh

[@rimurutempest4945]

Whitney DND-sus

[@biancabrooks280]

Fighter Monk Bard? FUNK BARD!!

[@maks4285]

Funk Bard? *starts playing theme song from Shaft*

[@connortovey9070]

So Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers?

[@derekskelton4187]

It's difficult because I feel like Kensei would work best for that, but Drunken Master let's you dance battle. The funk might just be too strong

[@docnevyn5814]

Ceorge Glinton

[@carlossantiago7374]

Way of the funk

[@SleepyDullahan]

Deciding on multiclass based on what happened during the story is really fun to me, I find it more interesting than deciding beforehand unless there's something very specific I want to do.

[@Battle_Butterfly_]

This actually helped a lot. In my party, our warlock Val just lost her powers and connection to her patron. My Kalashtar cleric kinda snaps and promised themselves they would protect Val without magic and slowly grows more and more angry over it, making her a barbarian/cleric now. Gonna be fun to rage and glow brighter xD

[@SilentOmenx]

Furthermore, cantrip power is determined by character level, not class level.

[@dualwieldroxas358]

So multiclass to Warlock at lvl 15 and get ELDRITCH BLLLAAAAAASSST

[@OmegaZyion]

@@dualwieldroxas358 You don't even need to multiclass to get Eldritch Blast, just pick up the Magic Initiate feat or the Spell Sniper feat if you can already cast a spell. That way you won't have to sacrifice those higher level class features.

[@MaximillianGreil]

@@OmegaZyion yeah but... sorc capstone sucks, feel free to dip two levels to get those juicy invocations.

[@gzer0x]

Multiclass to get ALL the cantrips

[@eveescastle5866]

I took magic Initiate at level 16 specifically for this reason.

[@wonderlandartwork3579]

fighter-monk-bard: "Idunno, I just sung that one song and this guy just exploded."

[@michaelfaber9587]

Idea: a cleric warlock multiclass were the god and demon are fighting inside the player, slowly driving him crazy

[@epsilon497]

I thought about doing that actually. After discussing it with my DM, we came to the conclusion it wasn't a good idea. I took paladin instead

[@sirshrooma]

@@epsilon497 lmao "I had that idea! It wasn't a good idea."

[@VanNessy97]

I had that same idea with my Celestial/Fiend hybrid character who had all the traits of a Tiefling and an Aasimar. I also ended up taking Paladin.

[@andishawjfac]

I made a cleric bard that's pretty much just a drunk preacher, like the guy from Kingdom Come Deliverance.

[@dragonstryk7280]

1:00 Matthew Mercer confirms he is the DM of everyone watching this video. Be sure to send him you new character concepts.

[@mars7782]

Multi classing is “Abserd”

[@thethreefriends3002]

XD

[@ronin7997]

Still want to try the "Abserd" adventuring career one of these days :D

[@jorgenaranjo8029]

"I understood that reference"

[@jltg34]

@@ronin7997 As long as you don't mind not being invited back to that group. Nobody wants to play with a character as spotlight greedy as abserd...

[@Shadevar2010]

lol, i laughed so hard at that episode

[@kylebaryonyx9478]

Synergistic little buggers is one of the greatest things I've ever heard, thank you, Matt

[@spellister]

Learning with Matt is fun. There’s actually a couple things in this video that I learned for the first time today!

[@mooshy2]

Matt wiggles his butt sometimes when he talks and now that I’ve seen it, I CANNOT UNSEE IT

[@damienbonnici9021]

I'VE BEEN SEARCHING FOR A COMMENT LIKE THIS TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE NOTICED!! Its adorable as hell but it keeps distracting me xD

[@mooshy2]

@italkcrab ??? I’m not sure how a posture problem could be related to this? Do you have any more information about it?

[@mooshy2]

@italkcrab Yeah, I don’t really see a plausible connection, but that’s good to know

[@tdzbacon3640]

I don’t know this Matt guy, but he seems nice.

[@ty85207]

This makes the multiclassing section of the PHB less daunting to comprehend, major thanks for this episode.

[@Lucky_Star778]

666 likes

[@zacharygadzinski3147]

Maybe there should be prestige classes that can be created through multiclassing. Any character that has a character level of 20 and has two different classes becomes a prestige class that is based on the two classes causing the character to gain a prestige level. Yet even if a character reaches level 20 their individual classes can still be advanced. However they can also gain epic boons too. Homebrew prestige levels for the prestige class and characters can level up their prestiege abilities. Yet for players who fully commit to one class an option for ascending to godhood should be an option. Not to mention divinity levels for the new demigods in the campaign.

[@noahtackett6264]

@@zacharygadzinski3147 for long, rapid-leveling campaigns, I feel like that can be great. However multiple deities are the patrons of more than one thing, just as some are one thing. Maybe just have it take longer for those who prestige to attain godhood? It gives an advantage either way, but the ultimate goal either being closer or farther away depending on the particular character and their choices

[@asruid]

"Synergistic little buggers." Ya heard of CoffeeLock? (Sorcerer/Warlock) it's scary.

[@humblebumble8192]

*hexadin intensifies*

[@samanthamcclish]

It’s not scary.. It’s Epic!

[@thehiddenninja3428]

Sorcerer: You can transform spell slots into sorcery points into temporary spell slots that last until your next long rest Warlock: You regain spell slots on a short rest Boom! You now have DOZENS of 5th level spell slots!

[@duffman2625]

I've heard it called SorLock, but yeah it's crazy. Better yet is start as a lvl1 Forge Domain Cleric, discover a weapon that makes you into a Hexblade Warlock, then have an interaction where your patron attempts to alter your mind and make you an Aberrant Mind (UA) Sorcerer. You never level up in cleric, take at least 5 levels of warlock (to take the Pact of the Blade and get the Thirsting Blade invocation), and the rest can be sorcerer. You'll be able to do two melee attacks with your Charisma modifier while wearing +1 heavy armor (Blessing of the Forge) and in the same turn unleash a quickened spell at some distant enemies. The ultimate tank

[@LordPyro25]

@@duffman2625 That's both a powerful build, and a neat story as to how the character got those class levels. Very cool

[@deltacommand8053]

Artificer: Exists Matt Mercer: *sweating profusely about multiclassing artificers*

[@alexanderbyrne9684]

Why?

[@wyattfrye8262]

@@alexanderbyrne9684 it allows must classes proficient in firearms so I made a Rogue assassin, Eldridge knight with just one level of artificer so when I can shot my +3 hunting rifle 3 times with sneak attack bonuses, plus the assassinate ability makes these hits all critical and action surge to do it all again in my first turn. That’s why he’d be sweating

[@MyrddinDerwydd]

@@wyattfrye8262 What level character is that?

[@professionalsleeper6281]

Haha headband of intellect go *BRRRRRRR-*

[@cultoftyler9045]

@@wyattfrye8262 well you only get sneak once

[@lockwoan01]

Important thing to note - if you're going to be a fighter/spellcaster multiclass, start off as a fighter as Level 1 before multiclassing into a spellcaster - starts you off with Heavy armor that way, which you won't get otherwise (unless you had started as a Paladin, who can also use Heavy armor)

[@kathrynalbers1309]

People who tell you not to multiclass Druid/Ranger are FOOLS because I was UNSTOPPABLE

[@nickwilliams8302]

Who tells people that? Not only do they synergise well mechanically, they require pretty much no effort to justify from an RP perspective.

[@Briansgate]

the Shadoweirs of long ago

[@ChevaliersEmeraude]

Honestly, people should just play whatever they want! It's a role-playing game, first and foremost who your character is, it's much more important than trying to get some sort of "ideal damage output" or stuff like that! The game is more fun if you enjoy your character than if they are just strong.

[@elderfenris.7537]

Just be a Goliath Druid barbarian. That thing is freaking unstoppable

[@GoombaPlayer]

@@elderfenris.7537 or a Bard Paladin ... its working and my group is so happy for having me... suport never was so suporty ...

[@lucasm.3864]

18 Wizard/2 Fighter: get Action Surge for ultimate destruction.

[@andywoods941]

Have you read the Sorcerer?!?! Thats is what they do

[@nirobu]

You can still only cast one spell of level 1 and above. The other one needs to be a cantrip

[@Aureolelegends]

That's only for casting a spell as a bonus action and an action on the same turn; two actions to cast two spells of 1st level or higher is allowed, as per Sage Advice.

[@KappaKiller108]

I have a feeling you are saying this because you think it would let you cast 2 spells on the same turn. It doesn't because even with extra actions there are separate rules for spells per turn

[@FATEWEAV3R]

@@nirobu that only applies if you cast a spell as a bonus action. You can cast a spell as an action and then action surge and cast another spell as an action

[@DolkkarToyznstuff]

Such great information, thanks for taking the time to share it. I realize this was some time ago now, but it's always helpful as there are always new players looking to learn these concepts!

[@bobbluered8984]

I don't know why I watch these. I've been playing D&D since before fifth edition came out, I'm perfectly clear on the rules. Maybe just to listen to Matt Mercer's smooth as butter voice.

[@tenacityxl]

“Where do I begin it seems like A LOT!!” I don’t know why that kills me

[@aslakjacobsen1517]

the editing is so HIM

[@Frosty_tortuga]

Bard druid so I can have a pet ninja chicken and sing the yodel chicken attack song to give it inspiration on atks.

[@Koopabot]

I see you are a man with the power of nature as well

[@keeganmbg6999]

The best comment. “Chicken Attack”

[@tearstoneactual9773]

ranger bard can do dis too

[@therobin4299]

CHICKEN ATTAAAAACK

[@alastrined4187]

I see I have met another Barid/Drard, truely the greatest multi class

[@TimeturnerJ]

Matthew Mercer could read the dictionary to me and I'd listen gladly. 🥰

[@greatgold1]

"Wonderful high level abilities" *cries in bard*

[@shawn6745]

"you can only be so unarmored" Tell that to Ramsay Bolton.

[@Null--]

Ouch, I bet that hit right where it hurts.

[@thelasttimeitried]

@@Null-- But ... at least a character can't be targeted by that attack more than once?

[@barkingmad7090]

*20 GOOD MEN*

[@thewanderer5506]

Two things, never really understood what Multiclassing is, so this is super helpful. 2nd thing, Didn't realize Matt had a glorious beard

[@AtomicG]

He's been working on it since about June/July of last year, I think.

[@Hyena_Heckler]

I've been playing my artificer like a tank and after having to roll death saving throws three games in a row, I've decided to multi class into barbarian

[@sdbegotist]

Going with a Kenku Bard, already took the mage feat to take some Warlock spells, but soon multiclassing into a Warlock, going the route of the great old one, to try to fix the "Kenku curse"

[@StarshipVGer]

the rogue becomes a spellcaster = Liam plays a rogue, then a fireball wizard The barbarian becomes a warlock = Travis plays grog then fjord.

[@LadyLier17]

Thaaank you , I was looking to someone acknowledging that!!

[@Jerokhna]

Actually, there is an actual advanced class for Arcane Rogue. Barbarian's rage... affects spells. :P

[@tannermeche7968]

Jerokhna what does this have to do with anything

[@NolanMc88_]

Thanks for this vid, my dm is having us do a one shot where he breaks that level cap and makes us level 80, literally on a quest to kill all gods and instate ourselves as the one and only pantheon of gods. Which means at minimum you have to have 4 classes, and this vid made things less complicated for me. I actually ended up taking all 20 paladin levels and all 20 wizard levels and put 10 levels into bard and a homebrew version of artificer and 5 levels into fighter, rogue, cleric, and druid. I can't wait to play this character Edit: apparantly this comment blew up and people want to know how it went and im sad to say... it didn't. Dm had some abrupt medical issues and by the time he got better that rest of us were too busy to do d&d

[@hunterskidmore1672]

Good god how did that go

[@Darkangel3791]

I just came to see if you guys did it because this seems fucking wild

[@donmiller4260]

For sure interested in the outcome of that

[@preacherjohn]

People: "this 5e PC multi-class is OP" ^This Guy: "Hold all of my beers" XD

[@tee-py3zx]

jesus how did that go????

[@lilium3894]

"where do I begin this seems like A LOT"

[@TheSplash17]

So helpful! I always come back to this for a refresher and refer others.

[@sylaxklo3547]

Shoutout to Warlock/Cleric multiclasses. When you can't pick a being to prey to, so you just pick two and hope one helps you out.

[@Marijn_92]

Pray, not sure if it is handy to prey on pelor or chutulu :)

[@lucasm.3864]

One is an employer and the other is a sugar daddy.

[@TheBalthier12]

Actually had a story idea for this. It goes like this: A girl lives a normal human, farm life, until her home village is struck by a disease. She suffers from the symptoms for several days until one day she has a vision of a great plague demon. When she awakes, she's not in her bed anymore but outside her home, kneeling at a pile of remnants of her families animals, hands red of their blood. She flees into the nearest forest, luckily healed of her sickness (though one of her arms keeps some ulster-like bulges and she permanently loses all hair; even eyebrows and eyelashes). She never returns to her home village, to avoid questionings about what happened (and also to find her parents, since she didn't find their corpses). Instead she wanders through the land of whateveritscalledidunno and becomes a traveling doctor (the demon is a sadist who likes to see her suffer and struggle against the inevitable, so he doesn't interfere). When fighting for her life, she is forced to use the power her demon patron gives her. One day though she meets a traveling priest. They start to talk about religion and she turns to his god/godess for helping her overcome her curse and heal those in need.

[@texteel]

eldritch disciple was a thing in 3.5

[@neog8029]

The gods thought they were the ones in control... Little did they know, the Clerlock was pulling the strings on both sides.

[@sw1806]

America: "We're gonna raid Area 51!" America once they get to Area 51: 1:04

[@DevilWearsAdidas]

He really needs to try doing metal vocals.

[@acarnivorouslizardfolk1033]

That is hilarious!

[@NLaBruiser]

Classic video, well made and good info. What I tell my new players is that 5E does a fantastic job with most classes all the way through the end of their career. Unlike games like Pathfinder 1.0, you aren't leaving power on the table, ever, by going 1-20 in a main class. You will be powerful, capable, and best of all you have the fastest "path" to power because you're not taking any detours. Multiclassing will add more tools to your toolbox at the absolute price of slower progression in each class (you'll feel this if your party is throwing around fireballs at level 5 and you have slowed access to extra attacks or 3rd level spells). There are some very well known synergies (a dip into fighter for weapon and armor proficiencies, a dip into warlock for CHA casters like Bards and Sorc, etc). Lots of good multiclassing guides out there on the internet, but consider the pros *and* the cons, as for all the flak 5e can take it does a very good job making Multiclassing an intriguing option, but by no means a requirement, for a powerful character.

[@moosereeves5620]

This is an excellent byte of D&D info. We happy to see more of this.

[@connierule3902]

Matt Mercer: A lengthy video. *8 minutes* Matt Colvill: this is gonna be a short video *20 minutes*

[@fishcandy2949]

Did anyone else think that a fighter monk bard multiclass would just be every anime character

[@joshshin6819]

It's DnD 5e. Monk is an anime class.

[@TheJerbol]

Very few anyone characters would be bards

[@5-Volt]

It's also a horrible combination.

[@ninjabluefyre3815]

An anime musical! No...

[@ArthurTheKFPpriest]

I've been so scared of multiclassing for years now so hopefully this is gonna give me a push to do it

[@thejazzrat977]

The use of practical examples to show the rules in effect is a HUGE help, especially when considering how multiple rules interact with eachother

[@vanhende]

my friend is making a paladin/warlock... looking forward to see that in play.. "a tiefling's path to redemption"

[@kaitiek4841]

Palocks are awesome. I have an aasimar paladin who made a pact with his guide and it's fun as heck

[@vanhende]

@@kaitiek4841 he he, "a Palock"... glad to hear it.. o oh, ok ok ok... sun soul monk, divine soul sorcerer.. class name "a Dawnbreaker"

[@jorgenaranjo8029]

Lemme guess. Hexblade, pact of the blade and oath of vengeance?

[@ToAqui210]

Vengeance paladin and hexblade... Double... SMITE

[@vanhende]

@@jorgenaranjo8029 oath of vengeance, great old one, dont know he's pact.. the character is still in the making..

[@darienb1127]

By the way, the damage of your cantrips is determined by your overall character level. so you could be a barbarian with firebolt and still cast it for 4d10 damage.

[@gaminreasons8941]

Can't cast while raging though.

[@WolfHreda]

@@gaminreasons8941 You use Fire Bolt to select your first target, then rage.

[@KoolGeek]

This is my favorite video Matt has ever made haha! Love it.

[@kptmrty]

Very descriptive and to the point with some added flare for humor. I love it. This also helped me decide between a couple of multiclass option. Fighter/Rogue for a monster slayer build > Ranger/Rogue for a bounty hunter build. Thanks so much.

[@josephg3462]

Summon your Bardbarrians! Release your Sorcfighters! Battle hard with your Wizonks! DO IT!

[@2MeterLP]

Bardbarians actually dont make much sense, as rage cancels all spellcasting. Too angry to concentrate.

[@scottjones3297]

@@2MeterLP There's plenty of ways where that's not an issue though. Raging doesn't cancel out spells or magic that's already in effect so cast all your fun buffs and booming blades and then rage and take off into the red-mist covered sunset

[@derekskelton4187]

A proper Skald casts their spells before rushing into melee

[@2MeterLP]

@@derekskelton4187 "If you are able to cast spells, you can’t cast them or concentrate on them while raging." Cant concentrate on precast buffs and theres no a lot of bard buffs that dont need concentration. Maybe longstrider for a bit of extra speed?

[@Ayselx]

There's a Clerbarrian in my group 😁

[@Invalid571]

Legends speak of a character that has EVERY class. They also say that he has a very funny way of speech. ( Abserd from puffin forest )

[@Isaac-jz9el]

Hmmm yes there is GREEEEEEAT DAAAAAANGER

[@spaceman6215]

Invalid571 yes, yes there is such a legend.

[@HaloMachinimaFilms]

@@Isaac-jz9el I warned you.

[@evanstefancin968]

I HASS PLAAAAN. WE WILL SAY YOU ARE DOIND THE EVIL. STHAAAAAAAAP.

[@kciref6016]

One thing to note is the decision to MultiClass has to be severely thought through… some of my players were caught up on the idea for the flavor, but now their base classes are essentially weakened and they often find themselves frustrated because, if they’d sticked to the base classes, they would be able to do what they wanted now and not later. DnD builds are hard and complex, and not always what sounds good is good. But there are some really nice multiclassing possibilities regardless!

[@micah2455]

Imagine meeting this guy in DND 30 in ALL stats Proficient in every skill, ability, saving throw, and items Lvl 20 in ALL classes Has every feat in the game Then put him against every other God that exists in DND

[@thegoldensuit4771]

NoobMaster69 Let’s say his first level is in Barbarian, that’s 12+ 10 hp 22 + (17x19) = 345 (5+10) x 20 = 300 | 300 x 6 = 1800 16 x 20 = 320 | 320 x 3 = 960 14 x 20 = 280 | 280 x 2 = 560 This character HP pool would be 3665 HP That’s more HP than 5 tarrasques

[@formdoggie5]

@@thegoldensuit4771 plus rage, so effectively doubled vs standard melee, and then saving bonuses, so doubled again, before ac. Basically 12k hp

[@nullpoint3346]

You guys are forgetting something very important. This can actually happen in previous editions. 5e is the only one without truly epic options, even the inversely designed 3rd edition had properly incorporated epics. I don't know about the one best forgotten.

[@Jesterofyugi]

@@nullpoint3346 it seems most people who just started playing dnd never make it out of 5e unfortunately. They have no idea of the epic handbook of 3.5 nor the gods having stats in the book on deities. I started with 3.5 and been fortunate to have a DM who ran multiple tabletops for us. Which has piqued my interest in other games and so I've looked for more things to run/play

[@dylanmaguire3595]

If anyone in the mighty nein should multiclass it's Caduceus. Circle of spores druid is MADE for cad. Fungus theme? Check. Mortality/gateway between life and death theme? Check. Nature themed? Check. Would differentiate more from jester, preventing too much crossover of spell lists? Check. Can still heal, and can even get extra healing spells? Yep. Shares wisdom as a spellcasting ability? Yep yep yep!

[@ivanorcan]

I was hoping for some king of Abserd reference for multiclassing... =P

[@Recardoguy007]

Hellloooooooooo!

[@valasafantastic1055]

yes I was thinking about Abserd!

[@curtisholsinger6023]

Yes, I, too, was thinking about Abserd. I could not write that without hearing his voice in my head. Impressive.

[@dragontruth3701]

Gasp! Helloooo I am AbsEEEEERD

[@CathrineMacNiel]

Atleast the bardbarian made it in.

[@barrydalive1]

After a dozen more watches... and plenty of time studying dnd. I FINALLY understand everything stated in this video. And I'm happy. Thanks Matt.

[@cam-inf-4w5]

Matt you were amazing in that. I could see the effort not to mention perfectly timed comedy, escalation, and de escalation. Do you ever let your guard down?

[@lucasM005]

they did a multiclass episode of handbooker helper after the m9 leveled up the past episode.. that means fjord is gonna multiclass!.. takes off the conspiracy theory hat and runs out of the room screaming

[@texteel]

he really should consider multiclassing. Dont expect ukatoa to be there for you forever, especially if he's angry at you for not turning the key. I am worried, that if ukatoa leaves him, fjord will lose all his powers, and wont be able to do anything.

[@handesenaun3542]

@@texteel I'm not sure but as far as I remember, warlocks don't lose their granted powers when they stopped serving their patron, that is of course if they can stay alive 😰🤠

[@heykak]

into what though? he doesnt have the str to go in that direction, and he lacks either wis or int (cant remember which one) so he doesnt have many choices

[@texteel]

@@handesenaun3542 its say its up to dm

[@ender4101]

@@texteel I don't think that's how it works. With clerics and paladins maybe, where their power comes from their connection with their deity. With warlocks, however, their power comes from a bargain. They aren't associated with their patron in any other way. So, technically, they don't need their patron to upkeep their spellcasting abilities, just to get them in the first place. It's not certain that, if Uk'otoa actually ends up abandoning Fjord, he would actually loose his warlock capabilities.

[@Runkshot]

4:16 Lv. 5 Fighter/Lv. 21 Wizard... looks like someone is casting the typo spell again.

[@DevilWearsAdidas]

lmfao fuck it level 21 it is. Are you saying Matt is wrong?

[@tjv2446]

Currently trying Druid/Rogue Firbolg. He learnt to disarm traps because he likes to wander through the forests freeing captured animals.

[@loganfrandrup6590]

Took me to look over the book and listen to this vid 3 times to finally understand all that info but thank dnd gods I did, especially the spell casting part. *sigh of relief.*

[@kristygirl98]

oh my god, my dnd group is doing a bard party character build this friday, and we're going to be switching between 2 dms/campaigns every other friday following. this came with perfect timing.

[@iantuck123]

Honestly multiclassing divine sorcerer and Paladin was one of the best choices I’ve ever made

[@Bartoc1988]

Sorcadin is a thing yeah. It can get pretty nuts when you start smiting like a mad man, though :3

[@MrKenilles]

Any great stories to tell?

[@noahtackett6264]

I've heard highest damage in the game is paladin/rogue, sneak attack smites be trippin

[@formdoggie5]

@@noahtackett6264 sneak attack, assassination, smites--thats how you properly do it.

[@noahtackett6264]

@@formdoggie5 and the deity such a paladin would serve- idk some sort of sneaky assassin god I guess

[@milesbergeson789]

Thank you so much, this really cleared things up for me!

[@HaydenofEverything]

This video has a sense of humor that is directly up my alley with Matt's acting and the cameras reacting accordingly. Perhaps most impressive to me, however, is the fact that it has a theme song. I had never thought that Critical Role would use a theme song anywhere, but this is a pleasant surprise.

[@thenewsilverskull190]

Thank you, Matt My dwarf sorcerer is gonna be a monk as soon as I hit 5th level Not a very good one, mind you, but he'll try his damnedest

[@nickwilliams8302]

Seeing as the _entire point_ of a Dwarf Sorcerer is a Sorcerer who can wear armor and use a battleaxe, why would you want to multi into a class whose features would be nerfed by wearing armor and using a battleaxe?

[@kaitlynwickham6237]

@@nickwilliams8302 Maybe it's not about mechanics, but just the fun of playing a dwarf sorceror.

[@nickwilliams8302]

@@kaitlynwickham6237 Obviously OP is free to do as they please, but I'd just caution them to look at that particular combo very carefully before committing. I find a good way to do this - that takes into account _both_ the RP and the G - is to get the player to think about what they actually want the character to _do_ rather than getting too hung up on Class labels. If the result of the multiclass combo is that the PC is worse at the things that made the PC fun to play in the first place, I'd say that's a bad thing.

[@TheSchnieder6]

I'd have to look up the features for sorcerer and monk. But the idea of a character whose body is a killing machine; physically, spiritually, and magically/mentally, sounds cool. Training the body could be a way to calm one's self and focus their spell-casting. Finding inner peace and using spells to augment their physical actions. That's a character full of RP potential. *_EDIT_* I'm stealing this

[@kaitlynwickham6237]

@@nickwilliams8302 Oh for sure, you're absolutely right. I was pointing out, though, that maybe the sorceror doesn't use armor or axes. My brother played a dwarf wizard without armor or martial weapons, because it made more sense for that character. There's different ways to play race/class combos than the obviously optimized way.

[@MJ1978]

Over 8 min of Matt's awesomeness. And that beard. Oh, and all that multi-classing stuff. But mostly Matt's beard awesomeness.

[@nicholasmattiello8959]

Thank you! Lots of good info in a quick not so complex well explained video :3

[@lime_forrest1451]

Most people: “this is my fighter/ rouge” Me: “hi...uhm... I’m gonna be playing my wildmage/bard.... she’s also a moth...”

[@theviewerofart]

My octopus psychic warrior/rogue wants to high-five your moth, because you know where it's at. Unusual characters are great!

[@lime_forrest1451]

theviewerofart bro, cheers to that

[@AdeptusOrkstodes]

2 Fighter/18 Forge Cleric, I am an impenetrable fortress

[@SgtSplatter782]

Had a 10 fighter (arcane archer)/10 bard (lore) and dear god the amount of damage and support she could throw out was insane.

[@gimpPAC]

I currently have a 2 Fighter/3 Forge cleric hill dwarf. Started with CON as my biggest stat so he's a tank, but reallllly want those ASI's soon so I can actually hit things... XD The problem with building up to 20 is figuring out how to level/mc so it's fun and playable at lower levels too, not just the end game.

[@patheronaetherson2860]

Remember, you should take Heavy Armor Master, Warcaster, and Resilient (Con or Wis, whichever saving throw proficiency you don't have)

[@patheronaetherson2860]

Also you probably should have started as a Forge domain Cleric and then gone on to hone your skill in battle as a Fighter and get Action Surge after getting your Divine Strike

[@JosephSmith-lm4ri]

Played a Hexblade Warlock/Forge Cleric, and dear god the armor + smites....

[@Alhelir]

Multiclassing all the classes!? That would be Abserd...

[@CathrineMacNiel]

How does it play tho?

[@Alhelir]

Kirrim Kerman actually if you follow certain order you get a lot ahead of the proverbial curve around level 6 but you fall back hard around the last levels. Interesting stuff, a nightmare on the narrative side though. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJm8gauJobmGoqs

[@moogs5992]

I got that reference

[@julyol119]

All right, actually pretty straight forward! Thanks for that :)

[@anastatescu6692]

I like the honesty at the end: watch this video 1000 more times. Nailed it

[@sastre8727]

Well done, Matt, presenting what is by far the most complex section of the PHB.

[@tomisabum]

Matt helps 'gish' out all the facts in this one!

[@katiet9803]

Okay after about 10 rewatches i finally understand thank you mr. mercer

[@Belmond01]

This is so awesome! CR is very new to me, but the RP and the in depth knowledge of Mr Mercer is a shining beacon of nerdom and I LUV IT :D p

[@cteamupdates8403]

the best tip i can give is consult dnd beyond.. makes it SO MUCH EASIER.

[@connorbingham-davis2091]

Sam Reigel! Is that you!?

[@laurameadows5378]

Oooo so long!! Thanks for this one

[@shanemason5572]

Right now im running a bloodhunter,artificer, fighter and holy hell these videos are great little reminders on what i need to do

[@mennoantheunisse3933]

Love to have a following up video about multiclassing, with some more dept and some tips, do's and don't

[@alicesantiago9475]

Thank god, because I actually don't know how multi-classing works. Thanks, Handbooker Helper!

[@joshshin6819]

Remember. Check with your DM.

[@whatisthisisland5286]

Alt. Title: Mccree teaches you to be a Jack of all trades

[@bradm5118]

These short videos are great for new or returning players.

[@elizabethkblanco4620]

Thank you, Professor Mercer.