Finally! You can fully embrace multiclassing in D&D

Hey, why be a badass wizard (🧙🏿‍♂) when you can be an OK-ish wizard (🧙🏻)?!
Relish the mediocrity, or…
Embrace fun multiclassing for the masses, using the following ruleset.

RULE 01: The four pillars

|    MAGIC A    |    MAGIC B    |   MARTIAL B   |   MARTIAL A   |
|---------------|---------------|---------------|---------------|
| SOR  WIZ  DRU | WRL  BRD  CLE | RNG  ROG  PAL | MNK  FTR  BAR |

PERMITTED: Magic + Martial (and vice versa) only.

FORBIDDEN: 🚫3+ classes 🚫Martial + Martial 🚫Magic + Magic 🚫B + B
🚫Bonus (thematic): DRU with RNG.

WHY? Simply to prevent excessive specialization and to promote thematic diversity.

Combining two martial classes would create a character overwhelmingly focused on physique, valor, and the material plane. While combining two magic classes would create a character overwhelmingly focused on psyche, wonder-working and the ethereal plane. Similarly, the middle range (the B groups) is all about equilibrium and panache, resulting in combinations that excessively emphasize these very qualities.

The allowed combinations (Magic + Martial and vice versa) offer a wide variety of skill-sets and lead to characters that are both unique and thematically balanced.

RULE 02: The foundations and the ground floor

⬩ Level 0 (during character creation) is the ONLY level/phase at which a character can begin multiclassing. Better catch that train!
⬩ Declare your intent to multiclass during character creation.
⬩ State your primary and secondary classes during character creation (e.g., Monk-Sorcerer).
⬩ This one replaces the ability score requirements for multiclassing in the Player's Handbook. Regardless of your chosen method (e.g., point buy, standard array, rolled stats), allocate points or assign scores so that each essential ability for BOTH your primary and secondary classes have at least 11 points. While 11 is the minimum, it's recommended to have 13 or more in your primary class's essential abilities, and 12 or more in your secondary class's. For example, a Monk-Sorcerer must have at least 11 in DEX, WIS, CHA, and CON, yet it’s better to further elevate DEX & WIS, as these are the Monk's primary abilities.

BAR: STR & CON   BRD: CHA & DEX
CLE: WIS & CON   DRU: WIS & CON
FT1: STR & CON   FT2: DEX & CON
MNK: DEX & WIS   PAL: STR & CHA
RNG: DEX & WIS   ROG: DEX & INT
SOR: CHA & CON   WRL: CHA & CON
WIZ: INT & CON

⬩ Hit Point Die, Saving Throw Proficiencies, Weapon Proficiencies, and Armor Training are all determined by your PRIMARY class.
⬩ As usual (unchanged): ASI, Skill Proficiencies, Origin Feat, Tool Proficiencies, and Starting Equipment are all pre-determined by one of the bundled backgrounds (e.g., Acolyte, Charlatan, Entertainer), unless it's a custom (player-made) background or a homebrew (fan-made) background.

RULE 03: The label

As a result of RULE 02, character labels will use the simple format PRIMARY_CLASS-SECONDARY_CLASS, e.g., Fighter-Wizard.

RULE 04: The rationale

The DM and/or player MUST provide a narrative explanation within the story for why a character begins multiclassing. This explanation should be discussed with the player to ensure it aligns with their character concept.

[EXAMPLE] An experienced Fighter, renowned for their battlefield prowess, witnesses a devastating tragedy during a battle. The loss of innocent lives shakes them to their core, prompting a deep spiritual awakening. Seeking solace and the power to protect others, they begin to study divine texts and dedicate themselves to a deity of healing and protection, thus beginning their path as a Cleric.

RULE 05: The purity

Subclasses for BOTH the primary and secondary classes are chosen at Level 3.

RULE: 06: The ceiling(s)

⬩ Subject to DM discretion, the multiclassing ends at 3rd-level spells (5th character level), 4th-level spells (7th character level), or 5th-level spells (9th character level). The DM may, at their discretion, again, allow access to even higher-level spells under exceptional narrative circumstances.
⬩ Multiclassing reduces the level cap by 1 (LC - 1). The DM may intensify this penalty, based on the character's power and campaign length, by applying one or two more reductions at higher levels, while -3 (LC - 3) is the maximum penalty.

RULE 07: The minority

Multiclassed characters may comprise up to 45% of the party, while a duo/solo (one or two players total) remains "pure".

By party size:
⬩ Extra-small (solo or duo): no multiclassing.
⬩ Small (3 or 4 players): up to 1 multiclassed character(s).
⬩ Medium (5 or 6 players): up to 2 multiclassed characters.
⬩ Large (7 or 8): up to 3 multiclassed characters.
⬩ Extra-large (9 or 10): up to 4 multiclassed characters.

RULE 08: The twist

After at least five levels of play, if a player finds their multiclass build unsatisfactory, they can discuss a potential narrative multiclass shift with the DM. This can occur only once per player. If the DM approves, the player and DM will work together to create a narrative reason for the change, which will involve choosing a different secondary subclass (the primary subclass remains the same). The player will then adjust their character.

[EXAMPLE] A Monk-Sorcerer (Level 6) loses their magic due to a traumatic event (e.g., a curse). Desperate for power, they forge a pact with a powerful entity, becoming a Monk-Warlock. They rebuild their multiclass from their current level, choosing a Warlock subclass and adjusting features accordingly. This reflects their new reliance on external magic, similar to Raiden from Mortal Kombat potentially turning to dark magic like Shang Tsung.

BONUS RULE: Pre-generated multiclass builds by the DM

To alleviate the complexities of multiclassing—such as calculations, synergies, and compliance—it is highly beneficial and strongly recommended for the DM to create pre-generated multiclass builds. Many players will appreciate this.

Let’s build a badass character, heavily inspired by Raiden from MK

[TBD]