Gestalt Characters, Good or Bad? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Gestalt Characters, Good or Bad? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Digitaldude745
08-13-05, 01:27 PM Hey peeps, I've been wondering what other peoples opinions (especially DM's) are on the gestalt variant in Unearthed Arcana. Though from a players perspective, it is pretty sweet, it seems like it could unbalance the game very easily. If any DM's have experimented with this variant in their campaign, I'd like to know what worked and what didn't. Should this variant only be used in the most high-powered campaign? Can you use it anytime as long as you adjust the CR's and XP. Please give me your opinions on this variant.
Kalriem
08-13-05, 04:13 PM I enjoy DM'ing the variant, but that's because I like high-powered, fast paced campaigns.
The players require much more significant challenges, and, as a result, gain XP faster. And there are many, many, many class combos that are extremely potent, and thus require special attention/encounters. But it also allows for more uniqueness and diversity among the group, not to mention some interesting char back-stories.
All in all, it has its ups and downs, and is a bit more difficult than a normal game, but it mostly depends upon the tastes of the DM/party.
Arakano
08-13-05, 04:16 PM Hm, it´s risky. In my experience, some combinations work out ok, but others are terribly powerful (or are too weak compared with others).

One thing to keep in mind is that in Gestalt games, NPCs are ALSO Gestalt (or, to use the correct german form, they are also gestaltet). Therefore, Gestalt rules work quite well if PCs confront NPCs, but then again, they make it hard to find appropriate monsters, in my opinion. Which is sad, because I myself prefer monster-fights.

Gestalt rules, as mentioned in UA, are also a solution for groups with just 2 (or 3) players. A barbarian/thief and a sorcerer/cleric for example might sound like strange combinations, but are able to take nearly every challenge on their own.
Lord Schpungus
08-13-05, 11:53 PM Also, gestalting should be done for everyone, or none. If you want to mix, you can try a LA +2 for gestalt charcters. It floated about pretty reliably when UA came out and there was a flurry about gestalting.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Digitaldude745 08-13-05, 01:27 PM	Hey peeps, I've been wondering what other peoples opinions (especially DM's) are on the gestalt variant in Unearthed Arcana. Though from a players perspective, it is pretty sweet, it seems like it could unbalance the game very easily. If any DM's have experimented with this variant in their campaign, I'd like to know what worked and what didn't. Should this variant only be used in the most high-powered campaign? Can you use it anytime as long as you adjust the CR's and XP. Please give me your opinions on this variant.
Kalriem 08-13-05, 04:13 PM	I enjoy DM'ing the variant, but that's because I like high-powered, fast paced campaigns. The players require much more significant challenges, and, as a result, gain XP faster. And there are many, many, many class combos that are extremely potent, and thus require special attention/encounters. But it also allows for more uniqueness and diversity among the group, not to mention some interesting char back-stories. All in all, it has its ups and downs, and is a bit more difficult than a normal game, but it mostly depends upon the tastes of the DM/party.
Arakano 08-13-05, 04:16 PM	Hm, it´s risky. In my experience, some combinations work out ok, but others are terribly powerful (or are too weak compared with others). One thing to keep in mind is that in Gestalt games, NPCs are ALSO Gestalt (or, to use the correct german form, they are also gestaltet). Therefore, Gestalt rules work quite well if PCs confront NPCs, but then again, they make it hard to find appropriate monsters, in my opinion. Which is sad, because I myself prefer monster-fights. Gestalt rules, as mentioned in UA, are also a solution for groups with just 2 (or 3) players. A barbarian/thief and a sorcerer/cleric for example might sound like strange combinations, but are able to take nearly every challenge on their own.
Lord Schpungus 08-13-05, 11:53 PM	Also, gestalting should be done for everyone, or none. If you want to mix, you can try a LA +2 for gestalt charcters. It floated about pretty reliably when UA came out and there was a flurry about gestalting.