Best Multiclass Options in DDO for Fighter, Barbarian, Paladin, and Monk

2010-02-21

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Things to Consider for Multiclass Options in DDO

There are a couple of things to keep in mind before setting up your character with a different class. What defines your ability to perform a class has to do with both your character stats as well as your race. Certain races are better at other feats than others. For an in-depth guide about the pros and cons of different classes, check out The Classes of DDO. To read more about DDO, particularly about which content is free, check out MMO Gamers’ Dungeons and Dragons Preview.

It is best to match the characteristics of one class (for example, a high STR) with the characteristics of another. This will help in fully taking advantage of both classes, as some rely on certain stats more than others. What this guide will do will be to match the base statistic of certain classes that will make a good match for another particular class. This will not include positive or negative modifiers based on race, or individual path chosen within each category (in DDO, you can choose from three different paths within a class. The main, most important stat will always remain the same, but certain other ones will be different depending on the path you take within your class).

Note that the Monk and Favored Soul classes are not available for gamers playing for free. A Favored Soul may be unlocked through achieving 1750 Total Favor with a different character, but a Monk is only available either via purchase, or if you become a VIP Member (monthly subscription).

Page 1 will deal with the melee classes (Fighter, Barbarian, Paladin, Monk);
Page 2 will deal with the spell classes (Sorcerer, Cleric, Wizard, Favored Soul);
Page 3 will deal with the specialty classes (Ranger, Rogue, Bard).

Fighter

STR 18
DEX 12
CON 14
INT 8
WIS 10
CHA 8

Perhaps the only other class worth multiclassing with a Fighter would have to be a Barbarian, but only to learn its Rage feat. Otherwise, you will not reach the full potential of other classes who rely on dexterity, or even Wisdom. However, depending on the path you take with your fighter as well as its class, you may end up with a higher dexterity rating. This would be good if you were to consider multiclassing with a Ranger, as they can achieve higher damage with a bow. Or, if you want to be able to disarm traps, you can multiclass with a Rogue. But keep in mind that a Rogue also needs a reasonable intelligence score in order to maximize its feats (at least 12 INT).

Barbarian

STR 18
DEX 14
CON 14
INT 8
WIS 8
CHA 8

Much like the Fighter listed above, it would only be beneficial to multiclass with a Fighter in order to learn other feats that only a Fighter will learn. Notice, though, that Barbarians have a higher dexterity score, which is good for multiclassing with a Ranger, since a Ranger with high DEX can deal greater damage with a bow. Multiclassing with a Rogue would also be beneficial, but with a low INT score, it would be difficult to maximize its feats.

Paladin

STR 16
DEX 10
CON 12
INT 8
WIS 14
CHA 14

One great feat that comes with a Paladin is its high wisdom and charisma score: both at 14! Of course, having a high strength score also helps, and if you want to learn certain feats and abilities from multiclassing with a Fighter or Barbarian, that will work, too. But having a higher wisdom and charisma score opens greater possibilities.

Wisdom is what Monks need for defense as well as powering special abilities. However, if you choose to multiclass with a Monk, make sure that you have a CON of at least 12 (which is what the Paladin’s base score provides), but double check to see that the race you are does not provide any penalties to that feat. A CON score of less than 12 will prevent you from using Mountain Stance. Keep in mind that a Monk fights best unarmed.

Wisdom is also an important stat for Clerics, who rely on it for more spell points per level, and by fighting through an enemy’s defences with an attack spell. This may not be so useful, considering Paladins learn some of the spells that Clerics do learn. Favored Souls also need a high WIS score for effective, offensive spells and higher CHA score will lead to more spell points per level increased.

Read more about Paladin Skills in this article.

Monk

STR 14
DEX 16
CON 14
INT 8
WIS 14
CHA 8

The Monk is so well-balanced in regards to its strength, dexterity, constitution, and wisdom. If you want to be able to use certain types of weapons, multiclassing with a Fighter or Ranger would be a good fit. Alternatively, for some trap-disabling abilities, you can also choose the Rogue. Because of its reasonable wisdom score (needed for Ki and special abilities), a Cleric would do well. Perhaps a Favored Soul as well, but you will have minimal spell points per level due to a low charisma score.

Best DDO Multiclass Options for Spellcasters

This page will discuss multiclass options for the spellcasting classes (Sorcerer, Cleric, Wizard, Favored Soul). To see options for melee characters (Fighter, Barbarian, Paladin, Monk), go to Page 1. To see multiclass options for specialty classes (Ranger, Rogue, Bard), go to Page 3.

Note that this guide does not include race bonuses and penalties; the score also varies depending on the path you choose within your class. To learn about the stat changes you can get with different races, read The Races of DDO. To read more about Dungeons and Dragons Online, particularly about which content is free, check out the MMO Gamers’ DDO Preview.

Sorcerer

STR 8
DEX 14
CON 14
INT 8
WIS 8
CHA 18

Sorcerers, along with an impressive charisma score, also have reasonable dexterity and constitution. However, they have low scores in strength, intelligence and wisdom. The only class that may be worth mixing with would be the Ranger, who relies on dexterity to deal damage with bows. The only drawback is the low wisdom score, which will prevent the Sorcerer from taking advantage of the few spells that Rangers can learn. A Rogue is also a possibility because of the dexterity score, but with low intelligence will be difficult in mastering any of the skills. Charisma is also a key score for a Bard, and would not be a bad selection if you want to add some support skills as well as some healing spells.

For a list of Arcane spells available for the Sorcerer, check out this Arcane Spell List.

Cleric

STR 12
DEX 10
CON 12
INT 8
WIS 18
CHA 10

A Cleric is particularly difficult to multiclass. Other than its high Wisdom, it doesn’t have very impressive stats in any remaining category. That said, it may be possible to pull off a multiclass with a Monk, as they also rely on a high wisdom score. But a Monk also relies on its dexterity to take less damage (and must also fight unarmed), so this could be a difficult choice. Multiclassing with a Favored Soul will not work so well, because they learn the same spells as a Cleric does, and also require a high charisma score to earn spell points per level gained.

Wizard

STR 10
DEX 12
CON 14
INT 18
WIS 8
CHA 8

The Wizard has a reasonable constitution score to go along with its high intelligence score. The high INT score would be perfect for multiclassing with a Rogue, as they also need a high intelligence score in order to master skills. It would be beneficial to boost the dexterity by a couple of points before doing so (either through items, feats, or enhancements). Also check to make sure that you don’t suffer any dexterity penalties from certain races, or conversely, if you have dexterity boosts with your current race.

For further reading, check out an article on a full list of Arcane spells that the Wizard can cast.

Favored Soul

STR 10
DEX 10
CON 12
INT 8
WIS 16
CHA 16

A Favored Soul is essentially a Cleric on steroids. It learns the same spells as a Cleric can, but relies on charisma for spell points as opposed to wisdom and as such can gain several spell points per level gained. However, if you want to have a balance of healing and offensive spells, a Sorcerer wouldn’t be a bad choice, as they also rely on charisma for spell points and spell potency. Bards also rely on charisma for songs, but with the support magic that a Favored Soul can learn, it’s almost not worth it.

Best DDO Multiclass Option for Specialty Classes

This page will deal with multiclass options for the specialty classes (Ranger, Rogue, Bard). To see options for melee classes (Fighter, Barbarian, Paladin, Monk), go to Page 1. To see options for spellcasters (Sorcerer, Cleric, Wizard, Favored Soul), go to Page 2.

Ranger

STR 14
DEX 16
CON 14
INT 8
WIS 14
CHA 8

With such a high dexterity, the Ranger can take advantage of the reflexes needed to disarm traps as a Rogue, but you may have difficulty mastering certain feats with such a low intelligence score. To allow for a wider variety of weapons and feats to master, multiclassing as a Fighter will also work well, because of the reasonable score in strength. Multiclassing as a Cleric may work to obtain a wider variety of healing spells.

Rogue

STR 10
DEX 16
CON 10
INT 16
WIS 12
CHA 8

A Rogue has a couple of possibilities for multiclassing. Because of a high dexterity score, it can be effective with a bow should you choose to train as a Ranger. However, you won’t be able to take full advantage of healing spells with a moderate wisdom score. Multiclassing as a Wizard can also work very well because of the high intelligence score. This will allow for a good amount of spell points to be gained per level.

Bard

STR 10
DEX 10
CON 14
INT 10
WIS 8
CHA 18

Because of the high charisma score, the Bard can also benefit from multiclassing with a Sorcerer, but only if you want the greater spell choice from level to level. The Bard can manage to learn reasonable offensive and defensive spells, so multiclassing with a Sorcerer may not be in your best interest. Like the Cleric, it is probably best to stay pat.

For a full list of Arcane spells that the Bard can learn, be sure to read the Arcane Spell List.

Overview

As you may have seen by looking through the different classes, some offer better multiclassing opportunities than others. Multiclassing is not absolutely essential in order to be successful at DDO, and be very careful. Once you’ve made a selection to multiclass, you will not be able to undo it. So sit back and think if your character can benefit from a multiclass before going forth.

Note that you can multiclass with more than just one other class. However, that will not be so beneficial, because you will not be able to gain any real benefits from any of the classes. Otherwise, you may have difficulty getting other members to join parties, or getting into parties.

If you have any suggestions to add to this list, be sure to leave your comments below. Happy hunting!