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. You gain the abilities of all the selected classes, but must spend more time accomplishing deeds to level up.
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 either two classes, or three classes. 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. However, in addition, there are some ground rules for multi-classing for races such as human or half-elf.
In each classes gameplay section, you will find the class’s Archetype. You can never multi-class into classes which contain the same Archetype. Finally, some classes 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 light, medium, and heavy armor, but a Magic-User can only cast spells while wearing no armor Thus, a Fighter\Magic-User can wear light, medium, or heavy armor, but cannot cast magical spells if they are wearing any.
Some races have additional multi-class rules. For example, gnomes cannot multi-class into any class with the priest archetype.
Some classes have additional multi-class rules, which will be listed in the gameplay section for the class.
Every class you wish to multi-class into must have a different archetype. Thus, classes with multiple archetypes have a reduced number of classes they can multi-class into.
If a class feature grants you an archetype based on a selection you make, you cannot select a feature that grants you an archetype that causes your class combination to become invalid.
A multi-class character counts as more than one class, and as such, gains all the class features. For example, a Fighter\Magic-User is able to cast Magical Spells, and wear heavy armor. However, a fighter\magic-user could not cast Magical Spells while wearing armor, due to the fact that Magical Spells are restricted by armor.
Multi-class characters use an average of all classes Class Tables, which may cover weaknesses that a class would otherwise have.