Some characters are exceptional characters, to the point where they can pursue more than one class at a time. The act of doing this is called multi-classing.
They progress through the selected classes, but much more slowly than a character who has dedicated themselves to just one class.
Multi-classing is far more complex than single classed characters. If you are a beginner to RPGs, (or heck, even bad at math) you may not wish to play multi-class characters. However, they also can be fun, allowing characters you might not otherwise be able to play. If you wish to try to multi-class, read on.
You can Multi-Class into 2 or 3 classes, but never more than three.
A 2-Class Multi-Class is read as: Class(Level)\Class(Level)
A 3-Class Multi-Class is read as: Class(Level)\Class(Level)\Class(Level)
Your race will tell you which Multi-Class combinations are valid for a character.
For many characters, your Race will tell you what Multi-classes you can be, but when class kits are introduced, this muddles the selection process a little, as class kits count as the class they are listed, but may have additional multi-class requirements.
In each classes gameplay section, you will find the class’s Archetype. A class archetype for a class kit may be different than the base class. You can never multi-class into classes which contain the same Archetype. Finally, some classes or class kits have multiple archetypes, so keep an eye on them.
Multi-class characters have to abide by all rules of any class they multi-class into. For example, a Fighter can use all armor, but a Mage can only cast spells in Light or no armor. Thus, a Fighter\Mage can wear any armor, but cannot cast spells if they are wearing medium or heavier armor.
In order to enter into classes, you must meet all normal ability score prerequisites for all classes. However, due to experience point penalties that multi-classing grants you, it is only recommended (but not required) that you multi-class if you are able to off-set the experience point penalties with experience point bonuses offered by having higher ability scores.
Your race will tell you which classes you can enter, and which classes are valid multi-classes for you. However, as new "class kits" are introduced, you must pay attention to the Archetype offered by a class or class kit.
Every class you wish to multi-class into must have a different archetype. Note that some class kits have different archetypes than the base class.
For example, a dwarf is allowed to multi-class into a Fighter\Thief. In later releases, Fighters and Thieves will gain Kits that alter their class gameplay to fit additional class fantasies. Assuming that a class kit allows dwarves to multi-class into them, you then check the Archetypes. Most fighter kits will have the Soldier archetype, and most thief kits will have the Adept archetype, but some class kits may switch this up. Thus, be careful and make sure when you are using class kits you follow this rule.
In the initial release of this playtest, this will not be a problem, as class kits are coming with a future playtest.