Multi-class & weapons/armore usage question

[SlicerDicer]

The last time i play PnP D&D there was no version (yes folks i am VOG [Veroy Old Gamer] ). Under the OG rules the punishment for mutli-classing were severe. Now not so much. What I am is missing are the details.

Anyway I like the idea of playing Valerie as a druid. What does using armor & weapons that are not wood? Meaning if I leave Valerie in heavy plate does that prevent her from using Druid spells?

Same goes for weapons. Since Valerie can use nearlly all weapons, and druids are limited, is the re an issue if she uses bastard sword or composite longbow?

Any information or link to said information would be appreciated

[Hobocop]

Based on me multiclassing Valerie as a Feyspeaker in this game, druids are allowed to use any weapons they're proficient with, they just start with a limited list. Had my Valerie able to use bastard swords and longswords no problem since she had the proficiency from her fighter level.

Slight oversight, but when I picked up her first Feyspeaker level early game, she was still wearing banded mail, and I could keep it on with no ill effect to her spellcasting. However, as soon as I removed it, I was unable to put it back on. There are also heavier armors made with special non-metal materials that she could wear, but those don't show up until a good while into the game, so she was stuck with Hide Armor for the most part.

[TazzieDevil]

The main thing with multiclass in the later rules for D&D and Pathfinder in my opinion is the fact you get 20 levels and that is it. Class kits are designed to go all the way to 20. So special abilities and spells for say a 4th fighter and 16 Druid - the problem would be not getting the high level druid powers and spells.

In my opinion (i'm an old gamer too) it kind of kills multi classing. You don't progress with both classes at the same time. I always loved a character I played in 2nd edition D&D who was a Fighter/mage/thief - I worked like crazy to keep up with the rest of the party - got lucky with a couple of items and ended up with a fun character at 11th or so when I stopped playing.

The feel of it these days is very different. but you should look at some of the special classes like eldritch knight etc. I turned Octavia into a Arcane Tricster and am having a lot of fun with that build - i'm only about 9th level so far though...

[Bulvox]

If you kept Valerie in full-plate and multi-classed her into a Druid, she would not be able to cast spells or wild shape. Not that she could do any druid spellcasting anyway, since her wisdom is a 10, and druids require a wisdom score of 10 plus 1 for each level of spellcasting. That is you need a wisdom score of 11 just to cast 1st level druid spells, and a wisdom score of at least 19 to get access at the appropriate level to 9th level spells.

[SlicerDicer]

Originally posted by Hobocop:

Based on me multiclassing Valerie as a Feyspeaker in this game, druids are allowed to use any weapons they're proficient with, they just start with a limited list. Had my Valerie able to use bastard swords and longswords no problem since she had the proficiency from her fighter level.

Slight oversight, but when I picked up her first Feyspeaker level early game, she was still wearing banded mail, and I could keep it on with no ill effect to her spellcasting. However, as soon as I removed it, I was unable to put it back on. There are also heavier armors made with special non-metal materials that she could wear, but those don't show up until a good while into the game, so she was stuck with Hide Armor for the most part.

So the armor limitations are there but weapons are only by proficiency.

Bulvox. A Feyspeaker Druid uses Charisma. So Valerie is good with that :).

Oh and a Smilodon rocks!!

[Oh-Dawg]

what buggs me is I tried to make my main character a level 1 druid to get a pet then 19 levels of ranger. I am level 3 now, 1 level druid, 2 levels ranger and STILL have to wear fabric armors, no metal. very frustrating.