Multiclass-specific equipment

[Egon the Monkey]

I've noticed a trend in recent suggestions to suggest bigger and better things for "pure" classes, especially for rogues. The thing is though, the weakest builds on EfU aren't one-class PCs. They are the flavourful but gimped multiclasses, specifically ones that have even levels in something like Cleric and Bard (or any other multiclass supposedly popular in the lore) or Rogue and Wizard. They end up with the downsides of both, and the advantages often of neither.

However, a recent bit of loot I saw at a DM event was +Wizard spellslots, only useable by Fighter or Rogue, and it got me thinking. Could we see more equipment that is useable by a certain class but is much more powerful with a specific, rarely used secondary class?

Unlike the Pure Class Only gear it would still be useful to PCs other than its intended users, but only a certain multiclass would get the most out of it. There's a few things about for wilds classes with +spell slots for all of Druid. Sorc and Bard, but it'd be an interesting idea to expand I think.

For example:

Gloves of the Hymnal Singer

Gloves blessed by Milil, covered in tiny embroidered notes. They are without fingertips, to allow easy playing of one's preferred instrument.
//Do not use with UMD
Only Useable by: Cleric
+1 L1 Bard Spellslot
+3 Perform
+2 Persuade

Netherese Spy's Cloak
An unassuming grey-green cape, that upon closer inspection has tiny illusory runes of many dull colours woven into it.
//Do not UMD

Only Useable by: Rogue
 Only Useable by: Ranger
+3 Hide
+1 L2 Wizard Spellslot
+1 L2 Sorcerer Spellslot.

Spellblade's Targe
A light shield that moves easily on your wrist, with little encumbrance to fine movement.

Light Shield
+1 AC (Shield Modifier)
-5% Arcane Spell Failure
+1 L1 Wizard Spellslot
+1 L1 Sorcerer Spellslot
+1 Tumble
+1 Set Trap

[prestonhunt]

I think that typically, those kinds of weird loot are specifically tailored for folks with gimped multiclasses, so that it is inherently obvious who it is meant for when it drops.  I doubt we'd see them appearing in the loot table when most folks just don't play things like that.

[Egon the Monkey]

Please have a second look at the suggestion. I realise that, which is why all the examples I posted showed how it's possible to make loot that has bonuses that are desirable for any PC that can use the item. They just add much better bonuses for a gimped multiclass that should be more interesting than mechanics allow.

• Clerics get Persuade, so +2 there is useful.
• A pure rogue would like that cloak for the +3 Hide, and ignore the extra spellslots.
• A +1 AC smallshield is useful equipment for a lot of PCs.

[el groso]

Custom loot can always be earned.

[Egon the Monkey]

Yes, yes it can. However, the existance of pure-class specific items and "//OOC: Do not use if you have Barb/Ranger/Fighter" level items shows how loot can be used to encourage underused concepts and builds without the DMs needing to take extra time to tailor it specifically. They can just throw the gear out there and see who rolls with it. An example would be the large amount of +H/MS Sorcerer equipment.

Unlike restricted items or DM loot, stuff like this would be useful even to PCs that don't fit the mould, and not require any OOC enforcement. All it would need is to add non-class spellslots or skill boosts to future class-restricted items.

[Drakill Tannan]

Custom loot can always be earned.

In my experience that is very dependent on weather you can play when the DMs are on and can notice you. It's hard to earn something when you aren't seen due to your timezone and playing times. Even when you are, sometimes DMs are busy making an event, or overseeing a PC who is already showing promise and that is doing something important. I think it's always desirable to allow a PC to shine without the need of a DM watching over it, considering it's not posible for DMs to see all players at all times.

But i think what Egon said is a better argument, i agree with him 100%

[Anonymous Bosch]

I like this idea.  The best updates are the ones that decrease reliance on DM intervention.

[BRESTON]

Gimp'ness is all in your head. Your as bad ass as you want to be.

[Egon the Monkey]

L7 Cleric of Azuth vs L7 Cleric of Azuth 4/Wizard 3. Who's going to be useful on a quest? The one with 3rd level spells and better AB, I'd say. Who's arguably the more interesting cleric of Azuth, god of wizards? The multiclass.

2ndary AB/caster multiclasses tend to fall down because they only have short-lasting, weak spells from both classes, and can't compensate with better AB. Stick a couple of levels of a caster class on a Fighter though and the loss of AB's made up for by wand and scroll access, True Strike etc.

[Divine Intervention]

Until you get owned by something pathetic and die.

[Drakill Tannan]

Yeah, blood legion comes to mind. No mechanical strenght = No fun, i don't really care if LiS disagrees.

[TheImpossibleDream]

There are a limit to the number of random spawning items that can be floating around. The more you get one object, the less you get others. More objects that aren't very useful to everybody = less loot, more junk.

As for not wanting to need DM intervention. To properly portray a character who has made the ic choice to take an unusual class combination, one that provides very little in the way of mechanical pro's vs con's would require you to be a very impressive roleplayer. A byproduct of this would be almost garantueed notice.

if you can't play a crazy odd multiclass in a spectacular way then you're wasting your time playing one. The people around you won't find your presence entertaining and more so a hinderance. Good old folk like Calculor and Moloch used to play very strange multiclasses, but thier characters were so quirky that having them around was worth the extra day to day troubles.

[Howlando]

I don't think it's necessary to discuss this one to death, suffice to say that I do agree some loot that does reward zany multiclasses can be fun (and there is some already). But it's pretty low priority stuff.

[Howlando]

Although I will say that I wouldn't want to encourage zany multiclasses with players having the OOC knowledge that a piece of loot perfectly tailored towards it happens to exist somewhere in the module!