Multiclassing from barb to fighter

[Teddy]

If I start of as a barb and multi-class to a fighter, will I get all the benefits of being a fighter, the efficiencies with armor and weapons, etc?

[ComradePreacher]

You have proficiency with all martial weapons and armor up to medium as barbarian, fighter will give you proficiency with heavy armor.

Multiclassing a level 2 barbarian to a level 1 fighter means the fighter will grant you:

Heavy armor proficiency

Second wind and the d10 hit dice will be used for that fighter level.

[Ghost]

We don't know exactly how they're managing multi-classing yet, beyond removing the stat requirements. However, they have stated they'd otherwise be sticking as close as possible to the 5E rules.

With those rules, what you get depends on the class you're taking. So as a fighter:

- You gain the hit points from your new class as described for levels after 1st.
- Light armor, medium armor, shields, simple weapons, martial weapons proficiencies.
- When you gain a new level in a class, you get its features for that level.

If you gain the Extra Attack class feature from more than one class, the features don't add together.

[jk2l]

if BG3 stick with DND rule, then no. you only get armor/weapon proficiency of what you start at lvl 1. that's one of the reason if you do any multiclass like paladin/sorcerer, you should start at paladin at lvl1 because you get heavy armor proficiency while the other way won't.

however, there are some exception to certain subclass of a class that provide proficiency such as hexblade warlock (not in BG3) that give medium armor proficiency

[Recjawjind]

Originally posted by ComradePreacher:

You have proficiency with all martial weapons and armor up to medium as barbarian, fighter will give you proficiency with heavy armor.

Multiclassing a level 2 barbarian to a level 1 fighter means the fighter will grant you:

Heavy armor proficiency

Second wind and the d10 hit dice will be used for that fighter level.

Heavy armor prof does nothing for barb though, as wearing some still cuts many bonuses from your rage. Its a lot better if you go wild heart (totem) because that still gives you the resists, but its still worse than going medium.

[Ghost]

Originally posted by Recjawjind:

Heavy armor prof does nothing for barb though, as wearing some still cuts many bonuses from your rage. Its a lot better if you go wild heart (totem) because that still gives you the resists, but its still worse than going medium.

^ You also wouldn't get it if you started as Barbarian. If you want it, you'd have to start as fighter instead, but the extra health from Barb. would probably serve better.

[Teddy]

thanks for the extra info on multi classing. Appreciate it! <3 Makes me wonder if barb / fighter is not the best build, might try it anyway since I'm not so much going for most optimal build (depends on how difficult it is).

[Choosing WHeel]

Action surge will double your attacks for one turn. You'll get another fighting style (take defense if you plan to wear armor).
Champion fighter doubles your chance to land crits, and Battlemaster gives you some mini smite attacks with different effects.
You get to wear heavy armor too.

[Foolswalkin]

You can always respec when you want to multiclass. Like, play as 5 levels of barb, then at level 6, respec to having fighter be your first level and then the next 5 being barb.

Barbarian and armor are a little odd together anyway, since it has a class feature that gives it a (Con mod) boost to AC when not wearing armor, so you're either "wasting" armor proficiency or Unarmored Defense at any given time. Not to say you wouldn't likely prefer heavy armor in any case unless stat boosts are particularly common in the game, but all the people recommending a dip to get champion as a barbarian know this and are recommending it anyway.

[Aria Athena]

My understanding is that helmets, boots and gloves are also categorised as light, medium and heavy in BG3, so armour proficiencies are not necessarily useless for any class.

[Foolswalkin]

Originally posted by Aria Athena:

My understanding is that helmets, boots and gloves are also categorised as light, medium and heavy in BG3, so armour proficiencies are not necessarily useless for any class.

That would depend on how the implementation of Unarmored Defense interacts with that, but probably yes.

Also, FREEZE! FASHION POLICE! ATTENTION: MAN WEARING ARMET, GAUNTLETS, GREAVES, AND A FUR LOINCLOTH! PUT DOWN THE GREATAXE AND STEP AWAY FROM THE TAVERN!

[Ghost]

Originally posted by Foolswalkin:

Also, FREEZE! FASHION POLICE! ATTENTION: MAN WEARING ARMET, GAUNTLETS, GREAVES, AND A FUR LOINCLOTH! PUT DOWN THE GREATAXE GNOME AND STEP AWAY FROM THE GOBLIN!

Fixed it for you.

[identity]

Fighter does give a bonus feat, at least in other games. It's a common dip, but not really for a barb.

[fulf]

only proficiency fighters get over barbarians is heavy armor, which you really don't want on a barbarian. And you may or may not get it if you start as barb and MC into fighter instead of the other way around depending on how Larian implements it

A few points in Fighter can still be a decent dip because action surge is universally good, you can pick up a fighting style and champion subclass' improved critical works well for barbarians

[Blackdragon]

Originally posted by Foolswalkin:

Originally posted by Aria Athena:

My understanding is that helmets, boots and gloves are also categorised as light, medium and heavy in BG3, so armour proficiencies are not necessarily useless for any class.

That would depend on how the implementation of Unarmored Defense interacts with that, but probably yes.

Also, FREEZE! FASHION POLICE! ATTENTION: MAN WEARING ARMET, GAUNTLETS, GREAVES, AND A FUR LOINCLOTH! PUT DOWN THE GREATAXE AND STEP AWAY FROM THE TAVERN!

Your Fashion Criminal Code is out of date. It's not gauche to wear a closed-face helmet with a loincloth at least since Let me solo her has made it chic.

https://eyyojimbo.com/cdn/shop/products/Print_The_Legend.jpg

[Recjawjind]

Originally posted by id:

Fighter does give a bonus feat, at least in other games. It's a common dip, but not really for a barb.

Huh? Fighter is barbs best dip option. Action surge, second wind, a fighting style, maneuvers or increased crit range for brutal criticals, its a good dip.