Post/Author/DateTime	Post
jaerad 04-06-05, 10:59 PM	I like the idea of Gestalt characters for smaller groups, but I was wondering if it needed some limits. I was thinking about making it limited to favored class, racial paragons (as altered by Jaerom Darkwind here: http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=251402), bloodlines, and other classes that work like favored classes [ie, no penalty to multiclassing] + only one other class. If you don't take a favored-type class, then you suffer the normal -20% penalty for multiclassing (but continue to level 2x). Or maybe have it that no matter what, you suffer -20% for Gestalting, or maybe a higher penalty. I don't know. I'm just kinda playing with the concept. I like it for making Cleric/Mages more useful at lower levels, but I'm worried about higher levels and especially Fighter/PrC combinations (too many feats and special abilities). Hmm. Well, I was just thinking about this stuff today and was wondering what ideas you guys have.
Korimyr the Rat 04-07-05, 12:52 AM	Shouldn't level an XP penalty for using Gestalt; if you're running a Gestalt game, every character should be Gestalt. I'd recommend replacing Favored Class with Favored Gestalt. That's how I handle it in my games. Frex: Human: Any Elf: Ranger/Wizard Dwarf: Fighter/Expert Gnome: Bard/Druid
Eliza_Stormwhisper 04-07-05, 03:17 AM	Well, you're supposedly gaining the best features of each class, and in a way, you're not multi-classed. It's confusing.
jaerad 04-07-05, 12:24 PM	Oh no, I get what Gestalt is; I was just thinking about augmenting it some. My main problem with it is that for awhile I'm only going to be raising Fighter levels, but I might as well take Rogue for the SP. I think that's a little tweaked, and was trying to brainstorm about ways of fixing it. I've also been wondering about how PrCs will come into play. I could still be leveling in Fighter, so I'd have all these special abilities that are there to compensate for the loss in Feats - but I'd still be getting the feats too. Just seems to take a lot of the balance out of some things. However, for like a Cleric/Mage - I REALLY like it. Being able to keep the healing coming, without a gimped offense. *shrug* I know it's intentionally overbalanced, maybe I'm just thinking about it too much. I guess there are some combinations that I didn't think were so bad - like the Bloodlines, or Racial Paragons. Anyways, I just started this thread to get some brainstorming going, and to see what others thought about Gestalt.
ravendm 04-21-05, 11:07 PM	My group had been going with the idea that since a gestalt is a blending of two classes as long as you take a level of your favored class every level you are not multiclassing and dont suffer penalties. That having been said we have since simply gotten rid of the favored class rules and there is never an exp penalty for gestalt characters.
Eikcuf 04-21-05, 11:24 PM	If you think its overbalenced Dont use the full 20 levels. Try 5, 10, or 15 levels of gesault. Thats how I play.
jaerad 04-21-05, 11:44 PM	My group had been going with the idea that since a gestalt is a blending of two classes as long as you take a level of your favored class every level you are not multiclassing and dont suffer penalties. That having been said we have since simply gotten rid of the favored class rules and there is never an exp penalty for gestalt characters. That's pretty much what I thought. Although, that does mean that you can't play whatever fits your concept - such as a Halfling Cleric/Mage. I don't think you should *have* to be an iconic Race/Class combo. I'm starting to think that while my idea is nice for flavor's sake, it's basically a waste. Where's the fun in Gestalting if to be an Elf you must be a Wizzy? I think the way we're going to handle it is as long as you can explain/RP your class and it doesn't make one of us others worthless - it's ok. If you can come up with a good reason and background for a Barbarian/Paladin.. well, ok. I doubt it though.