Maximizing Your Proficiency Bonus in Multiclassing: Tips and Tricks

If you’re a Dungeons & Dragons player, you’re probably familiar with the concept of multiclassing. Multiclassing allows you to combine two or more classes, giving you access to a wider range of abilities and skills. However, one of the biggest challenges of multiclassing is maximizing your proficiency bonus. In this article, we’ll explore some tips and tricks for getting the most out of your proficiency bonus when multiclassing.

Understanding Proficiency Bonus

Before we dive into specific strategies for maximizing your proficiency bonus, it’s important to understand what the proficiency bonus is and how it works. In D&D, your proficiency bonus represents your level of training and skill in certain areas. It’s added to your ability check rolls, as well as your saving throw DCs and attack rolls when using weapons to which you’re proficient.

The proficiency bonus is determined by your character level, with higher levels giving you a higher proficiency bonus. At 1st level, your proficiency bonus is +2. It increases to +3 at 5th level, +4 at 9th level, +5 at 13th level, and +6 at 17th level.

Choose Complementary Classes

When multiclassing, it’s important to choose classes that complement each other. This not only ensures that you have a well-rounded character, but it also increases your proficiency bonus. For example, if you’re a rogue who wants to multiclass into a ranger, the two classes have complementary abilities that can improve your proficiency bonus. Rangers have proficiency with medium armor and shields, which can boost your Armor Class and give you more protection in combat. They also have proficiency with bows, which can increase your ranged attack ability.

Maximize Your Abilities

Another way to maximize your proficiency bonus is to focus on your character’s abilities. For example, if you’re a paladin who has the Divine Smite ability, which allows you to deal extra damage when you hit with a melee attack, you’ll want to make sure you’re proficient in the weapon you’re using. This will increase your chances of hitting your target and dealing more damage, which in turn increases your proficiency bonus.

Take Advantage of Feats

Feats are abilities that give your character special bonuses. Some feats can increase your proficiency bonus, so it’s worth considering them when multiclassing. The Observant feat, for example, gives you a +5 bonus to your passive Wisdom (Perception) and passive Intelligence (Investigation) scores. This can be especially useful if you’re playing a rogue who needs to be stealthy and aware of their surroundings.

Conclusion

Multiclassing can be an effective way to create a versatile and powerful character in D&D. However, maximizing your proficiency bonus can be a challenge. By choosing complementary classes, focusing on your abilities, and taking advantage of feats, you can get the most out of your multiclassed character. Remember, your proficiency bonus represents your level of training and skill, so make sure you’re doing everything you can to maximize it.