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AD&D two weapon fighting
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<blockquote data-quote="Voadam" data-source="post: 8264543" data-attributes="member: 2209"><p>I'd say the 1e PH bard description of needing to be a fighter then changing a thief is more naturally read to be a reference to the dual classing rules in the same book where you can switch from a fighter to a thief. The HD progression when they go to thief conforms to the 1e PH dual classing rules of only adding on when the new class exceeds the old one and then notes and calls out the bard HD progression as specifically different in adding on from level 2 on and not from only after it has exceeded the prior highest level.</p><p></p><p>It is not the only possible reading, but it seems the most natural.</p><p></p><p>An interesting question if you go with the bard from fighter level 1 unified theory interpretation is whether they are limited by the bard armor, shield, and weapon restrictions (page 118 Bade Table 3) when they start as fighters, and can they use the non thief allowed bard weapons (scimitar, spear, bastard sword) and bard allowed magical chain armor when they are thieves.</p><p></p><p>For those without <a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/28306/ODD-Dungeons--Dragons-Original-Edition-0e?affiliate_id=17596" target="_blank">OD&D</a> here is the relevant passages of switching classes that predates the 1e PH.</p><p></p><p>Page 8 "Elves can begin as either Fighting-Men or Magic-Users and freely switch class whenever they choose, from adventure to adventure, but not during the course of a single game. Thus, they gain the benefits of both classes and may use both weaponry and spells. They may use magic armor and still act as Magic-Users. However, they may not progress beyond 4th level Fighting-Man (Hero) nor 8th level Magic-User (Warlock)."</p><p></p><p>And Page 10: "While changing class (for other than elves) is not recommended, the following rule should be applied: In order for men to change class they must have a score of 16 or better in the prime requisite (see below) of the class they wish to change to, and this score must be unmodified. A Cleric with a “strength” of 15, for example, could not become a Fighting-Man. In any event Magic-Users cannot become Clerics and vice-versa."</p><p></p><p>I find the OD&D elven switching rules hard to parse. Switching from one to another on a day seems to make sense on its own, choose to be a fighter on one day and be a fighter and not a magic-user that day, or choose to be a magic-user that day and not a fighter, but then that seems contradicted by the next line of gaining both benefits including specifically wearing armor and casting spells which seems to be at the same time. The best I can come up with is that you can do both classes' stuff at any time but only gain experience and levels in one class on any one adventuring day. Would HD stack? Would they start out single class, day two switch and gain a new HD and class features for being 1/1?</p><p></p><p>I am not aware of any other switch or change class mechanics in D&D prior to the 1e PH.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Voadam, post: 8264543, member: 2209"] I'd say the 1e PH bard description of needing to be a fighter then changing a thief is more naturally read to be a reference to the dual classing rules in the same book where you can switch from a fighter to a thief. The HD progression when they go to thief conforms to the 1e PH dual classing rules of only adding on when the new class exceeds the old one and then notes and calls out the bard HD progression as specifically different in adding on from level 2 on and not from only after it has exceeded the prior highest level. It is not the only possible reading, but it seems the most natural. An interesting question if you go with the bard from fighter level 1 unified theory interpretation is whether they are limited by the bard armor, shield, and weapon restrictions (page 118 Bade Table 3) when they start as fighters, and can they use the non thief allowed bard weapons (scimitar, spear, bastard sword) and bard allowed magical chain armor when they are thieves. For those without [URL='https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/28306/ODD-Dungeons--Dragons-Original-Edition-0e?affiliate_id=17596']OD&D[/URL] here is the relevant passages of switching classes that predates the 1e PH. Page 8 "Elves can begin as either Fighting-Men or Magic-Users and freely switch class whenever they choose, from adventure to adventure, but not during the course of a single game. Thus, they gain the benefits of both classes and may use both weaponry and spells. They may use magic armor and still act as Magic-Users. However, they may not progress beyond 4th level Fighting-Man (Hero) nor 8th level Magic-User (Warlock)." And Page 10: "While changing class (for other than elves) is not recommended, the following rule should be applied: In order for men to change class they must have a score of 16 or better in the prime requisite (see below) of the class they wish to change to, and this score must be unmodified. A Cleric with a “strength” of 15, for example, could not become a Fighting-Man. In any event Magic-Users cannot become Clerics and vice-versa." I find the OD&D elven switching rules hard to parse. Switching from one to another on a day seems to make sense on its own, choose to be a fighter on one day and be a fighter and not a magic-user that day, or choose to be a magic-user that day and not a fighter, but then that seems contradicted by the next line of gaining both benefits including specifically wearing armor and casting spells which seems to be at the same time. The best I can come up with is that you can do both classes' stuff at any time but only gain experience and levels in one class on any one adventuring day. Would HD stack? Would they start out single class, day two switch and gain a new HD and class features for being 1/1? I am not aware of any other switch or change class mechanics in D&D prior to the 1e PH. [/QUOTE]
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