Gestalt in Regular Campaigns [Archive] - Wizards Community

Gestalt in Regular Campaigns [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Ringrose
02-24-04, 09:25 AM I was thinking of allowing Gestalts in my regular gaming group if players wish. What do you guys think of this if I imposes say an LA of +3 or +5 (for two or three classes respectively). Ideas???

PS-I would not allow characters to be able to buy back their LA Gestalt but would allow buyback of racial LA...
LittleDevil
02-24-04, 09:34 AM I haven't actually playtested Gestalt, but I've read posts around here saying that it should be a static LA, but instead increase with levels.

I think it was suggested as +1 at levels 1-5, +2 at 6-10, +3 at 11 - 15 and +4 at 16-20.

I'm fairly certain that I read that at level 10 or so, it was quite nicely balanced, actually.
strenoth
02-24-04, 09:35 AM actually, a straight 33% (ie, 1/3) XP penalty for all XP gained hads been proposed for that. Characters woudl start off at first elvel with every one else, but advance slower. if stating in a higher level game, chop the starting XP by 2/3 and give him that instead, and let him start at that level
Ringrose
02-24-04, 09:41 AM I usually do experience differently in my campaigns (most times not using the CR chart)...I will be starting characters at 6th level when the gestalts come in so a +3 LA should not be too burdensome...and at higher levels it should pan out pretty evenly...

Kurt
Ertai Planeswalker
02-24-04, 10:32 AM Check the Gestalt Campaign thread, it talks about the exact same thing.
Banpai
02-24-04, 11:32 AM Yes you can find many clever suggestions from different people how to use Gestalts with non- gestalts in the Gestalt campagin thread :D
Myztek
02-24-04, 12:35 PM Before doing so, ask yourself if it is needed in your game. Could the same concept be achieved by normal multiclassing? If not, was there an intention to block that concept? If so, why?

LA PCs tend to be too strong for their level, yet have too few HD. PCs with fewer HD that adventure with PCs with more HD tend to get killed very easily. This results in DMs creating battles balanced for the presence of the more powerful PC, yet often times that battle takes place without the LA PC because he has fallen due to low hps. The battle then proves too tough for the rest of the PCs and the DM ends up with a TPK.

I've seen a few games with LAs/ECLs. The ones that worked were the ones where every PC had the same LA/ECL. The ones that failed were the ones where each PC had a different ECL/LA. Some players did enjoy the games with the differing ECL/LA, but those tended to be the overpowered, under hp players - who had fun until their PC died due to low hps, the DM's monsters (balanced for the presence of the powerful PC) killed the rest of the party and the players all began to complain that the DM made the battle too hard ...

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Ringrose 02-24-04, 09:25 AM	I was thinking of allowing Gestalts in my regular gaming group if players wish. What do you guys think of this if I imposes say an LA of +3 or +5 (for two or three classes respectively). Ideas??? PS-I would not allow characters to be able to buy back their LA Gestalt but would allow buyback of racial LA...
LittleDevil 02-24-04, 09:34 AM	I haven't actually playtested Gestalt, but I've read posts around here saying that it should be a static LA, but instead increase with levels. I think it was suggested as +1 at levels 1-5, +2 at 6-10, +3 at 11 - 15 and +4 at 16-20. I'm fairly certain that I read that at level 10 or so, it was quite nicely balanced, actually.
strenoth 02-24-04, 09:35 AM	actually, a straight 33% (ie, 1/3) XP penalty for all XP gained hads been proposed for that. Characters woudl start off at first elvel with every one else, but advance slower. if stating in a higher level game, chop the starting XP by 2/3 and give him that instead, and let him start at that level
Ringrose 02-24-04, 09:41 AM	I usually do experience differently in my campaigns (most times not using the CR chart)...I will be starting characters at 6th level when the gestalts come in so a +3 LA should not be too burdensome...and at higher levels it should pan out pretty evenly... Kurt
Ertai Planeswalker 02-24-04, 10:32 AM	Check the Gestalt Campaign thread, it talks about the exact same thing.
Banpai 02-24-04, 11:32 AM	Yes you can find many clever suggestions from different people how to use Gestalts with non- gestalts in the Gestalt campagin thread :D
Myztek 02-24-04, 12:35 PM	Before doing so, ask yourself if it is needed in your game. Could the same concept be achieved by normal multiclassing? If not, was there an intention to block that concept? If so, why? LA PCs tend to be too strong for their level, yet have too few HD. PCs with fewer HD that adventure with PCs with more HD tend to get killed very easily. This results in DMs creating battles balanced for the presence of the more powerful PC, yet often times that battle takes place without the LA PC because he has fallen due to low hps. The battle then proves too tough for the rest of the PCs and the DM ends up with a TPK. I've seen a few games with LAs/ECLs. The ones that worked were the ones where every PC had the same LA/ECL. The ones that failed were the ones where each PC had a different ECL/LA. Some players did enjoy the games with the differing ECL/LA, but those tended to be the overpowered, under hp players - who had fun until their PC died due to low hps, the DM's monsters (balanced for the presence of the powerful PC) killed the rest of the party and the players all began to complain that the DM made the battle too hard ...