Gestalt CR [Archive] - Wizards Community - Pages Merged by Solauren

Gestalt CR [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
eggplantm
03-12-04, 01:15 PM OK, I don't have any interest in running a campaign with gestalt characters but I am intrigued by the idea of throwing some gestalt NPC's at my players. What would be the CR of a figher/wizard or a fighter/barbarian? Any thoughts out there?
FenixZero
03-12-04, 01:26 PM If you ran a Gestalt campaign then the Cr would be the NPC class level just like the PCs. I don't think its a good idea to have regular PCs figth a Gestalt NPC that would be overpowering and depending on the combo it could be a TPK.

But my answer would be Class level x 1.5 = Gestalt CR

FenixZero
Keldorn2198
03-12-04, 02:37 PM This depends on how you are balancing encounters for your PCs. If you are simply throwing higher-CR monsters at the party, I would add +1 or +2 to a gestalt NPC. If you are instead reducing the CR of monsters by 1 or 2, then do not modify the Gestalt NPCs' CRs at all.

Of course, at very high (15+) levels, certain gestalt combos require special consideration. For example a Monk/Hexblade would be immune to the effect of any spell he saves against (evasion+mettle is nasty). In this case, you should add to the NPCs' CR based on how the various special abilities combine.
eggplantm
03-12-04, 03:07 PM I was looking for some quick way to quess the CR for gestalt NPC's versus regular class PC's. CR X 1.5 sounds good at first. I don't think it would be incredibly tough on the PC's though.

A fighter/wizard can still only do so many things in one round. Granted if he has time to prepare he can be fierce, but that's the same with many standard classes. If that fighter/wizard is last in initiative he's still in grave danger of losing his life. If he is a fighter/cleric and can heal himself, all the time he spends healing is less time he's killing us.

I would only use them in one of several ways:

1. Gestalt NPC with some underlings vs PC's. The gestalt character is not much higher than the PC's.

2. Several Gestalt NPC's of level lower than the PC's

3. Gestalt NPC of many levels higher than the PC's. This could be tough or easy depending on a lot of things. If he gets last initiative, he could be toast in one round.

I know that CR can never really be accurate for all gestalt characters but I was wondering what everyone else thought the CR adjustment should be.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
eggplantm 03-12-04, 01:15 PM	OK, I don't have any interest in running a campaign with gestalt characters but I am intrigued by the idea of throwing some gestalt NPC's at my players. What would be the CR of a figher/wizard or a fighter/barbarian? Any thoughts out there?
FenixZero 03-12-04, 01:26 PM	If you ran a Gestalt campaign then the Cr would be the NPC class level just like the PCs. I don't think its a good idea to have regular PCs figth a Gestalt NPC that would be overpowering and depending on the combo it could be a TPK. But my answer would be Class level x 1.5 = Gestalt CR FenixZero
Keldorn2198 03-12-04, 02:37 PM	This depends on how you are balancing encounters for your PCs. If you are simply throwing higher-CR monsters at the party, I would add +1 or +2 to a gestalt NPC. If you are instead reducing the CR of monsters by 1 or 2, then do not modify the Gestalt NPCs' CRs at all. Of course, at very high (15+) levels, certain gestalt combos require special consideration. For example a Monk/Hexblade would be immune to the effect of any spell he saves against (evasion+mettle is nasty). In this case, you should add to the NPCs' CR based on how the various special abilities combine.
eggplantm 03-12-04, 03:07 PM	I was looking for some quick way to quess the CR for gestalt NPC's versus regular class PC's. CR X 1.5 sounds good at first. I don't think it would be incredibly tough on the PC's though. A fighter/wizard can still only do so many things in one round. Granted if he has time to prepare he can be fierce, but that's the same with many standard classes. If that fighter/wizard is last in initiative he's still in grave danger of losing his life. If he is a fighter/cleric and can heal himself, all the time he spends healing is less time he's killing us. I would only use them in one of several ways: 1. Gestalt NPC with some underlings vs PC's. The gestalt character is not much higher than the PC's. 2. Several Gestalt NPC's of level lower than the PC's 3. Gestalt NPC of many levels higher than the PC's. This could be tough or easy depending on a lot of things. If he gets last initiative, he could be toast in one round. I know that CR can never really be accurate for all gestalt characters but I was wondering what everyone else thought the CR adjustment should be.