[OoC: Sorry for being so long winded... 
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@Tinarawen the PHB Bard MAY require dual classing. It's possible they don't follow the usual rules for Dual Classing which I will mention later. In order to dual class you must have at least a 15 in the prime attribute in the first class (fighter --strength) and at least a 17 in the prime attribute in the second class (Thief -- dexterity). Oddly the bard class says it has a minimum dexterity requirement of 15 but dual classing requires you to have a 17.
Perhaps this is in case of some kind of ability damage OR maybe if a player plans to be a Bard they aren't bound by these requirements. That will be up to DM Mob. You must leave Fighter sometime between 5th and 7th; then leave Thief between 5th and 9th. So the highest level bard you can be is 3rd while also being a 5th level Fighter and 5th level Theif. Again strangely the Dual Class rules state you must attain one level higher in the second class (Thief 6th) to freely use your Figher class abilities. If true then you would be just shy of 6th level thief and not yet a Bard. Personally I believe choosing to be a PHB Bard is a special case and should not be bound by normal Dual Class rules as the minimum ability and class level requirements seem to provide proof of this.
DM MiB, what's your opinion?
If you're attempting to optimize then it's almost always best to gain as many levels in previous classes as you can before switching to a new class. Using Fighter as an example, if you rise to 7th level then that's 7d10 for hit points, the best THAC0, ect. You dont roll for Hit Points again until you reach 8th level Thief so it really makes a difference.
If you play the Dragon Magazine Bard then you would be a 6th level bard, use Fighter THAC0, Cleric Saves (paralyzation, poison and death magic uses Magic User's saves), and you get Illusion and druid spells. You can also be pretty much any race while PHB Bards can only be Human or Half-Elves.
]@Tinarawen the PHB Bard MAY require dual classing. It's possible they don't follow the usual rules for Dual Classing which I will mention later. In order to dual class you must have at least a 15 in the prime attribute in the first class (fighter --strength) and at least a 17 in the prime attribute in the second class (Thief -- dexterity). Oddly the bard class says it has a minimum dexterity requirement of 15 but dual classing requires you to have a 17.
Perhaps this is in case of some kind of ability damage OR maybe if a player plans to be a Bard they aren't bound by these requirements. That will be up to DM Mob. You must leave Fighter sometime between 5th and 7th; then leave Thief between 5th and 9th. So the highest level bard you can be is 3rd while also being a 5th level Fighter and 5th level Theif. Again strangely the Dual Class rules state you must attain one level higher in the second class (Thief 6th) to freely use your Figher class abilities. If true then you would be just shy of 6th level thief and not yet a Bard. Personally I believe choosing to be a PHB Bard is a special case and should not be bound by normal Dual Class rules as the minimum ability and class level requirements seem to provide proof of this.DM MiB, what's your opinion?
If you're attempting to optimize then it's almost always best to gain as many levels in previous classes as you can before switching to a new class. Using Fighter as an example, if you rise to 7th level then that's 7d10 for hit points, the best THAC0, ect. You dont roll for Hit Points again until you reach 8th level Thief so it really makes a difference.
If you play the Dragon Magazine Bard then you would be a 6th level bard, use Fighter THAC0, Cleric Saves (paralyzation, poison and death magic uses Magic User's saves), and you get Illusion and druid spells. You can also be pretty much any race while PHB Bards can only be Human or Half-Elves.
