Multiclass System is Deeply Broken, Why Wizard Multiclassing is Broken in Baldur's Gate 3?
by Ushapriyanga
Updated Aug 25, 2023
Baldur's Gate 3
Baldur's Gate III is a role-playing video game developed and published by Larian Studios. It is the third main installment in the Baldur's Gate series, which is based on the popular Dungeons & Dragons tabletop role-playing system. Initially, a partial version of the game was released in early access format for macOS, Windows, and the Stadia streaming service on October 6, 2020.
The early access phase allowed players to experience the game's development and provide feedback. The full release on PC is scheduled for August 3, 2023, with the PlayStation 5 version following shortly after on September 6, 2023. An Xbox Series X/S port is also in development. Unfortunately, the Stadia version was canceled due to Stadia's closure
Multiclass System is Deeply Broken
In the context of multiclassing, according to the Player's Handbook (PhB), if you possess a character with a combination of 4 levels in the ranger class and 3 levels in the wizard class, you would have access to a total of 4 level 1 spell slots, 3 level 2 spell slots, and 2 level 3 spell slots. However, it's important to note that at this point, you wouldn't naturally know spells of those higher levels in either class due to not having reached the requisite levels for those spells.
This situation brings attention to pages 164-165 of the handbook, where the rules don't explicitly detail the acquisition of spells from scrolls through multiclassing. Therefore, the approach reverts to the class-specific rules for spell acquisition. In the case of wizards, this interpretation implies that you can indeed learn spells from scrolls of the same level as your maximum spell slot.
This approach capitalizes on the combined caster levels, permitting a wizard to learn spells from scrolls of a level equivalent to the highest spell slot they possess. However, it's essential to recognize that such spells wouldn't be part of your natural progression upon leveling up, highlighting the nuanced interaction between multiclassing and scroll-based spell learning.
Why Wizard Multiclassing is Broken in Baldur's Gate 3?
The YouTube video titled "Why Wizard Multiclassing is Broken in Baldur's Gate 3 - #baldursgate3 #bg3" highlights a prevailing issue within the game. In the context of Baldur's Gate 3 (bg3), the act of multiclassing as a wizard is currently deemed overpowered, surpassing the mechanics of Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (D&D 5e).
Specifically, players are able to acquire and learn any wizard spell for which they possess the appropriate spell slots, even if their wizard character is at level 1. This situation creates a disparity where characters can wield spells that would typically require higher wizard levels, thereby deviating from the intended power progression in D&D 5e multiclassing rules.
Baldur's Gate Gameplay
Baldur's Gate III is a role-playing video game that offers both single-player and cooperative multiplayer modes. Players have the option to create one or more characters and assemble a party with computer-generated companions to embark on the game's story. Additionally, players can team up online with others, using one of their characters to form a cooperative party.
In contrast to previous entries in the Baldur's Gate series, Baldur's Gate III features turn-based combat, similar to Larian Studios' earlier games Divinity: Original Sin and Divinity: Original Sin II. However, this time, the combat system is based on the Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition rules, adding depth and strategy to the gameplay.
Multiclass System is Deeply Broken-FAQs
Baldur's Gate III is a role-playing video game developed and published by Larian Studios. It is the third main installment in the Baldur's Gate series, adapting the Dungeons & Dragons tabletop role-playing system.
The early access version of Baldur's Gate III was released on October 6, 2020, for macOS, Windows, and the Stadia streaming service.
The full release of Baldur's Gate III on PC is scheduled for August 3, 2023. The PlayStation 5 version is set to follow on September 6, 2023, and an Xbox Series X/S port is also in development.
The Stadia version of Baldur's Gate III was canceled due to the closure of Google Stadia, the streaming service on which the game was initially intended to be available.
In D&D 5e, multiclassing typically requires meeting specific level requirements in each class to learn higher-level spells. However, in Baldur's Gate III, players can learn spells beyond their class level, leading to an imbalance.