When a single-class epic character gains a level, he or she may choose to increase the level of his or her current class or pick up a new class at 1st level. The standard rules for
multiclass characters still apply, but epic characters must keep in mind the rules for epic advancement. The epic character gains all the 1st-level class skills,
weapon proficiency,
armor proficiency, spells, and other
class features of the new class, as well as a Hit Die of the appropriate type. In addition, the character gets the usual skill points from the new class. Just as with standard multiclassing, adding the second class does not confer some of the benefits for a 1st-level character, including maximum
hit points from the first Hit Die, quadruple the per-level skill points, starting equipment, starting gold, or an animal companion. An epic character does not gain the base
attack bonuses and base save bonuses normally gained when adding a second class. Instead, an epic character uses the
epic attack bonus and
epic save bonus progression shown on
Table: Epic Save and Epic Attack Bonus.