Post/Author/DateTime	Post
starfire311 07-08-04, 06:24 PM	I am starting a new campaign and I am using gestalt, but since this is going to be an asian based game the limit is that all the characters must be gestalt Monks/X. Can anyone think of any pitfalls that I may encounter or anyhting else that may be unforseen to me as of now. Thanks
Michael Tree 07-08-04, 06:42 PM	Cool idea. The first concern that comes to mind is that everyone will have great saving throws, and everyone will have evasion. So spellcaster enemies are going to be significantly weaker against them. They're also going to be extraordinarily mobile, so they may eventually be able to outrun any opponents. Also, if you use miniatures, you're going to need a lot of space!
jagggar 07-08-04, 06:58 PM	The only possible problem I would see would be the alignment restrictions. No non-lawful characters unless you house it.
olfactatron 07-08-04, 08:09 PM	The first concern that comes to mind is that everyone will have great saving throws, and everyone will have evasion. So spellcaster enemies are going to be significantly weaker against them. Firstly, unless your players are either not method roleplayers or somewhat slow, everyone's going to have all good saves in a gestalt game. It's kind of silly not to. Second, evasion is one of the most easily poached abilities in the game, even more so in gestalt games. Two levels of rogue or monk are easy enough to work into a build such that nearly every character (at least the ones who aren't predisposed to using heavy armor) should have access to it. I don't really think either presents an insurmountable problem. They're also going to be extraordinarily mobile, so they may eventually be able to outrun any opponents. Also, if you use miniatures, you're going to need a lot of space! This is actually more of a game altering change. (Of course, those in heavy armor won't see the benefits of this, but I'm guessing in a gestalt game where one side has to be a monk there aren't going to be any.) Mr. Tree is totally correct in pointing this out, the extra speed everyone has may change the dynamic of combat to an unforeseeable degree. Enemies with only ranged weapons will be a serious disadvantage against this group, seeing as they can close the gap between themselves and nearly anything else in a combat. It's not a problem that should "wreck" the game, but I would pay close attention to it.
starfire311 07-09-04, 08:40 AM	I am not to worried about the alignment restriction that only eliminates barabarian and I am allowing most of the oriental adventures classes so that means that if you wanted to play that type of character you still have sohei. I though of the saves and I thought of evasion but the speed might be huge I never thought about that... but fortunatly it will be a gradual increase, so I will have time to come up with ideas. Another of my big fears is that they all decide to become grappling machines... it would bcome difficult to design multiple enounters for a group of characters that can all grapple like nobodies business. If only one does it that shouldn't be a problem but if all 6 do it I may have some trouble. I am really loking forward to this especially if the players really get into character I think it might be a lot of fun.
mycroft65536 07-09-04, 02:50 PM	You're also eliminating bards, and 6/6 grapplers isn't that bad, the problem is when you have 3-5/6 graplers and the rest rogue.
jagggar 07-09-04, 03:05 PM	If starfire311's using OA, there is on eliminating bards because they already aren't a choice.
starfire311 07-12-04, 08:50 AM	Yes were are using OA.
Old French Admiral 07-16-04, 12:22 AM	Here are two situations that I thought of off the top of my head. I'm not entirely sure if they are game-breaking (I doubt they are), but they could at least be really irritating. 1) If everyone has Monk levels, then there's a possibility that everyone has Stunning Fist. I'll let you envision six people going around stunning the crap out of everybody. 2) There's a feat somewhere called Weakening Touch (or something to that effect). It uses a stunning attack to deliver a -6 penalty to Strength. This isn't huge by itself, but combined with Ray of Enfeeblement (someone will Gestalt to Wiz or Sor or whatever), this could be a problem (if the effects stack). That's all I have for now. -Old French Admiral Come to think of it, Weakening Touch could be a problem if everybody got it (if you keep track of encumbrance, item #2 could do some serious damage) Also, I think Monks get the option for Disarm/Trip feats, so watch out for those
smallville 07-16-04, 11:53 PM	Instead of having them alll gestalt with monk, why not require them to follow the complete progression of one of the core classes in OA? That way you keep the Asian feel, have more diversity and avoid some of the problems mentioned above.
Rend 07-17-04, 02:49 AM	I agree with smallville, let your characters choose a base "oriental" class (ex: samurai, shugenja, monk) and gestalt with any of the other classes in Player's Handbook, Complete Warrior, Complete Divine, or Unearthed Arcana. That way you'll have diversity in character's abilities. Don't let everyone take monk/x...assign certain characters their "base" class. I'm guessing that you are the DM of this campaign correct? Well, use your DM authority...bend the rules.:smirk: