Power level difference between single and multi class characters

[Arranvin]

Hello. I don't have access to the beta but I've recently begun reading the forums here and I'm quite excited about Deadfire.

I was wondering, in the beta is there a different effective power level cap for single class characters as opposed to multi-classed? If so, is there an indication of how much difference this makes to class abilities? For example, does a single class ranger's Wounding Shot do more damage than a multi-classed ranger's Wounding Shot, and if so how big is the difference? I'll be grateful if someone who has access to the beta can have a look and advise

[Lamppost in Winter]

Right now, it mainly affects casters because they don't have enough Penetration to go through armour, but the patch might alleviate this.

Edited November 29, 2017 by Lamppost in Winter

[Arranvin]

I see. So at present in the example of the ranger is the difference in power level enough to make up for the potential of having say 40% extra damage from a cipher multiclass, or 50% sneak attack from rogue, or 25% and constant recovery from a fighter with weapon specialisation and mastery? I'm aware that these values may have changed from POE 1 and what's present in the beta will likely change again, I'm just curious about where the balance between single and multi-classing stands at present.

 

As it happens my main is a ranger and I'm not sure whether I'll multiclass him or not, conceptually druid, fighter or rogue would fit the character, and in terms of being the most fun to play cipher appeals most. I'm hoping that rangers will have more active abilities to use because as it stands in one there's a reasonable amount between wounding shot, marked prey, binding roots and pet talents but it pales in comparison to the options available to a caster. I'm not saying that rangers need to have a number of abilities equal to a priest's casting list or anything but more active abilities means more tactical options and I find that a lot more fun and engaging than simply having a massively strong autoattack.

[dunehunter]

I see. So at present in the example of the ranger is the difference in power level enough to make up for the potential of having say 40% extra damage from a cipher multiclass, or 50% sneak attack from rogue, or 25% and constant recovery from a fighter with weapon specialisation and mastery? I'm aware that these values may have changed from POE 1 and what's present in the beta will likely change again, I'm just curious about where the balance between single and multi-classing stands at present.

 

As it happens my main is a ranger and I'm not sure whether I'll multiclass him or not, conceptually druid, fighter or rogue would fit the character, and in terms of being the most fun to play cipher appeals most. I'm hoping that rangers will have more active abilities to use because as it stands in one there's a reasonable amount between wounding shot, marked prey, binding roots and pet talents but it pales in comparison to the options available to a caster. I'm not saying that rangers need to have a number of abilities equal to a priest's casting list or anything but more active abilities means more tactical options and I find that a lot more fun and engaging than simply having a massively strong autoattack.

 

You might not want to multiclass if you want to build your ranger around pet because pet stats is scaled with power level, but if you want to focus more on ranger himself, then multiclass is a good choice.

[Arranvin]

Is the effect on the animal companions stats on the hidden stars like armour and damage? I ask because I have in and bought a beta key last night and the stats for the animal companion listed on the character sheet and the animal companions health are the same whether it's a single ranger or a multi class.

[KDubya]

I just rolled up a single class Ranger and a Multiclass Ranger and consoled them up to level nine. The pets are the same, only abilities chosen like vicious make a difference. Their stats on the character sheet are the same and in combat there are no hidden modifiers like penetration.

 

A single class pet is the same as the multiclass pet.

[Arranvin]

So even less reason to go a single class ranger then. This probably ought to be changed as it's skewing things too heavily in favour of the multi-class.

[cheesevillain]

So even less reason to go a single class ranger then. This probably ought to be changed as it's skewing things too heavily in favour of the multi-class.

 

Playing single class characters means that you gain abilities several levels later than single class characters. It's hard to appreciate until you play, but this is a really annoying downside. If you enjoy the Ranger ability tree, you'll feel bad multi-classing.

 

Although I really like the ability tree, some people currently find the current ranger ability tree a little lackluster. If you do as well, play mutliclass.

 

I see. So at present in the example of the ranger is the difference in power level enough to make up for the potential of having say 40% extra damage from a cipher multiclass, or 50% sneak attack from rogue, or 25% and constant recovery from a fighter with weapon specialisation and mastery? 

 

The Ranger abilities tree has a lot of stuff like evasive roll, concussive shot & takedown, which are more oriented towards battlefield control than pure damage dealing.  If you don't care for that, and want to rain as much damage as you can from afar, definitely play multi-class.

 

I'm hoping that rangers will have more active abilities to use because as it stands in one there's a reasonable amount between wounding shot, marked prey, binding roots and pet talents but it pales in comparison to the options available to a caster. I'm not saying that rangers need to have a number of abilities equal to a priest's casting list or anything but more active abilities means more tactical options and I find that a lot more fun and engaging than simply having a massively strong autoattack.

 

 

The ranger does have more abilities to use in PoE2, and I find it's a very flexible class which rewards clever micromanagement. However, if you value flexibility, definitely play multi-class.

[SaruNi]

 

So even less reason to go a single class ranger then. This probably ought to be changed as it's skewing things too heavily in favour of the multi-class.

 

Playing single class characters means that you gain abilities several levels later than single class characters. It's hard to appreciate until you play, but this is a really annoying downside. If you enjoy the Ranger ability tree, you'll feel bad multi-classing.

 

Although I really like the ability tree, some people currently find the current ranger ability tree a little lackluster. If you do as well, play mutliclass.

 

I see. So at present in the example of the ranger is the difference in power level enough to make up for the potential of having say 40% extra damage from a cipher multiclass, or 50% sneak attack from rogue, or 25% and constant recovery from a fighter with weapon specialisation and mastery? 

 

The Ranger abilities tree has a lot of stuff like evasive roll, concussive shot & takedown, which are more oriented towards battlefield control than pure damage dealing.  If you don't care for that, and want to rain as much damage as you can from afar, definitely play multi-class.

 

I'm hoping that rangers will have more active abilities to use because as it stands in one there's a reasonable amount between wounding shot, marked prey, binding roots and pet talents but it pales in comparison to the options available to a caster. I'm not saying that rangers need to have a number of abilities equal to a priest's casting list or anything but more active abilities means more tactical options and I find that a lot more fun and engaging than simply having a massively strong autoattack.

 

 

The ranger does have more abilities to use in PoE2, and I find it's a very flexible class which rewards clever micromanagement. However, if you value flexibility, definitely play multi-class.

 

 

Haven't tried a single-class Ranger yet but the 5th tier abilities (single-class only in the beta unless you add them with the console) look pretty good, especially:

Binding Roots - 0.5 casting time Immobilize + Dexterity affliction... all the caster disables have long casting times

Upgraded Evasive Roll - AoE ranged attack

Driving Flight - ranged attacks can also hit second enemy behind initial target

 

Master's Call and upgraded Heal Companion also seem pretty good (one gives the pet +5 dex and 100% stride as well as teleporting them to the ranger, the other gives the pet +5 con and more importantly +4 AR in addition to DoT healing). 

[KDubya]

The multi vs single class Ranger is going to come down to how important/useful the highest level Ranger abilities are compared to the flexibility that Multi-classing gets.

 

If the pet was substantially weaker with a Multiclass that'd pretty much ruin any reason to ever multi class a Ranger.

 

A Ranger/Cipher gets some huge damage buffs from Biting Whip, +50% damage is no joke. The pet takes a few abilities to make it good which is not a real problem as multiclassing gets a few bonus abilities as they level up. Plus a lot of the Ranger abilities can be skipped. The Marked Prey and its upgrade are good, Wounding Shot is good but the upgrades are easily skipped. Pet Knockdown pales when compared to any sort of Cipher CC. This means it quite easy to focus on a few key Ranger skills while making the Pet powerful and still have room for some cool Cipher stuff.

 

Or go Ghost Heart for the summoned pet and not take any of the pet abilities, instead spending those points on your other classes abilities.

[SaruNi]

The multi vs single class Ranger is going to come down to how important/useful the highest level Ranger abilities are compared to the flexibility that Multi-classing gets.

 

If the pet was substantially weaker with a Multiclass that'd pretty much ruin any reason to ever multi class a Ranger.

 

A Ranger/Cipher gets some huge damage buffs from Biting Whip, +50% damage is no joke. The pet takes a few abilities to make it good which is not a real problem as multiclassing gets a few bonus abilities as they level up. Plus a lot of the Ranger abilities can be skipped. The Marked Prey and its upgrade are good, Wounding Shot is good but the upgrades are easily skipped. Pet Knockdown pales when compared to any sort of Cipher CC. This means it quite easy to focus on a few key Ranger skills while making the Pet powerful and still have room for some cool Cipher stuff.

 

Or go Ghost Heart for the summoned pet and not take any of the pet abilities, instead spending those points on your other classes abilities.

 

One issue with the highest-level Ranger abilities in the current beta is that you only get to pick one 5th tier ability. And they look like some of the best and most interesting.