Caught flat footed - no Dex for me
- So enjoy this copy/paste from something I was reading!
Gestalt Characters
In this high-powered campaign variant, characters essentially take two classes at every level, choosing the best aspects of each. The process is similar to multiclassing, except that characters gain the full benefits of each class at each level. if the two classes you choose have aspects that overlap (such as Hit Dice, attack progression, saves, and class features common to more than one class), you choose the better aspect. The gestalt character retains all aspects that don’t overlap.
The gestalt character variant is particularly effective if you have three or fewer players in your group, or if your players enjoy multiclassing and want characters with truly prodigious powers. This variant works only if every PC in the campaign uses it, and it results in complicated characters who may overwhelm newer players with an abundance of options.
Building A Gestalt Character
To make a 1st-level gestalt character, choose two standard classes. (You can also choose any of the variant classes, though you can’t combine two versions of the same class.) Build your character according to the following guidelines.
Hit Dice
Choose the larger Hit Die. A monk/sorcerer would use d8 as her Hit Die and have 8 hit points (plus Constitution modifier) at 1st level, for example.
Base Attack Bonus
Choose the better progression from the two classes.
Base Saving Throw Bonuses
For each save bonus, choose the better progression from the two classes. For example, a 1st-level gestalt fighter/wizard would have base saving throw bonuses of Fortitude +2, Reflex +0, Will +2—taking the good Fortitude save from the fighter class and the good Will save from the wizard class.
Class Skills
Take the number of skill points gained per level from whichever class grants more skill points, and consider any skill on either class list as a class skill for the gestalt character. For example, a gestalt barbarian/bard would gain skill points per level equal to 6 + Int modifier (and have four times this amount at 1st level), arid can purchase skills from both the barbarian and bard lists as class skills.
Class Features
A gestalt character gains the class features of both classes. A 1st-level gestalt rogue/cleric, for example, gets sneak attack +1d6, trapfinding, 1st-level cleric spells, and the ability to turn or rebuke undead. Class- and ability-based restrictions (such as arcane spell failure chance and a druid’s prohibition on wearing metal armor) apply normally to a gestalt character, no matter what the other class is.
A gestalt character follows a similar procedure when he attains 2nd and subsequent levels. Each time he gains a new level, he chooses two classes, takes the best aspects of each, and applies them to his characteristics. A few caveats apply, however.
-Class features that two classes share (such as uncanny dodge) accrue at the rate of the faster class.
-Gestalt characters with more than one spellcasting class keep track of their spells per day separately.
-A gestalt character can’t combine two prestige classes at any level, although it’s okay to combine a prestige class and a regular class. Prestige classes that are essentially class combinations-such as the arcane trickster, mystic theurge, and eldritch knight-should be prohibited if you’re using gestalt classes, because they unduly complicate the game balance of what’s already a high-powered variant. Because it’s possible for gestalt characters to qualify for prestige classes earlier than normal, the game master is entirely justified in toughening the prerequisites of a prestige class so it’s available only after 5th level, even for gestalt characters.
Gestalt Combinations
Because the player of a gestalt character chooses two classes at every level, the possibilities for gestalt characters are almost limitless. The following combinations are particularly potent.
Barbarian/Bard
The “bardarian” has two choices in a battle: use a mix of party-aiding spells and attacks, or rage and use inspirational music to urge the rest of the party on as he attacks. Only the bardic music abilities that actually require a Perform check (such as countersong and fascinate) are off limits during a rage. Neither barbarians nor bards wear heavy armor, so gear selection is straightforward.
Barbarian/Wizard
The barbarian brings that d12 Hit Die to the table, and that’s almost all that matters to the fragile wizard. A good Fortitude save is sure to save the gestalt character’s hide a few times, and a high-Intelligence character benefits greatly from the union of two disparate class skill lists. And as a bonus, you’re literate at 1st level. The only downside? You can’t cast spells in a rage. This combination deliberately tweaks the stereotypes of both classes, so you’ll want to spend some time thinking about your character’s backstory.
Cleric/Sorcerer
This gestalt combination is effectively the mystic theurge prestige class on steroids. You can load up on combat spells as a sorcerer, then prepare utility and protective spells as a cleric-which you can always spontaneously cast as healing spells if you like. As a side benefit, your high Charisma helps both your arcane spellcasting and your ability to turn undead.
Druid/Ranger
With the ranger’s base attack bonus, you’ll be a more effective combatant when you wild shape into a predator. The extra skills of a ranger are welcome, and if you choose the archery combat style, you’ll be ready for both ranged combat and an up-close fight in wild shape form.
Fighter/Ranger
If you like feats, this is the class for you. Most fighters must choose whether to split their feats between melee and ranged combat or emphasize one kind of attack at the expense of the other. The fighter/ranger can have it both ways, relying on the fighter bonus feats to improve melee attacks and the ranger’s combat style, improved combat style, and combat style mastery to pick up three good archery feats.
Fighter/Rogue
Every rogue likes to get behind the enemy and dish out sneak attack damage. With this gestalt combination, that trick gets even better because you have the hit points and Armor Class to survive toe-to-toe with the enemy, you’ll hit more often, and you get more attacks, which just means more chances to pick up a fistful of d6s. You can wear heavy armor, but you’ll degrade some of your better skills and you’ll lose access to evasion.
Monk/Cleric
You’ll probably give up your armor, but you can run around the battlefield in a blur, healing your comrades and putting the hurt on the bad guys with such combinations as stunning fist with an inflict serious wounds spell attached. Once you draw up your new character, note how many great cleric spells have a range of touch. The same Wisdom score that drives your spellcasting also improves your Armor Class.
Monk/Sorcerer and Monk/Wizard
With three good saves, more hit points, and the best unarmored Armor Class, the monk covers up many of the weak points of the sorcerer or wizard. The only downside is that the important ability scores for sorcerers and wizards—Charisma and Intelligence—are the two ability scores that the monk cares least about. This can be a tough combination to pull off, especially if you’re using point-based ability score generation.
Paladin/Sorcerer
Charisma does the heavy lifting for this gestalt combination. Why? Two words: divine grace. Like all sorcerers, you’ll send your Charisma score into the stratosphere with the every-four-levels improvement and the best cloak of Charisma you can afford. Every time you get more spells, your saving throws improve as well. The downside? You can’t wear armor like most paladins.
Sorcerer/Wizard
Unlike most gestalt characters, your hit points, Armor Class, base attack bonus, and saving throws aren’t any better than a standard sorcerer or wizard. But oh, the spells you can cast! Unlike a standard arcane spellcaster, you can afford to use your highest-level spells in most of your serious fights. It’s a good idea to use your sorcerer slots on combat spells (such as the ubiquitous fireball) and the occasional defense or utility spell (perhaps mage armor or haste). Then you can use your wizard slots for spells that are great against specific foes (such as dismissal) or life-savers in specific situations (gaseous form). You can gamble a little more with your wizard spell selection because you know you have all those useful sorcerer spells backing you up.
Now I know some of y'all are not a fan of 3.5 or Pathfinder, but this variant is pretty cool if you like building interesting characters, and probably can be tweaked to fit other versions of D&D too! Also, image of Bardbarian singing a jaunty tune to boost his allies while cleaving skulls with a greataxe now stuck in your head.
Roll dem bones!
//
In the spirit of Gestalt, this OP is also dedicated to the FF6 music Dancing Mad.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbXVNKtmWnchttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YNfX1oU2XAhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMFCM0SKbnY
Posts
Which [chat] thread do you want to keep?
RMS Oceanic's [chat] thread
Warning: this chat thread is lame and by keeping this chat thread, your forum will become incrementally lamer.
It will be difficult to undo this lameness.
Feral's [chat] thread
Warning: this chat thread is so awesome it will make the rest of your forum seem lamer by comparison.
It will be difficult to go back to your normal life once your mind is so expanded.
Keep both [chat] threads.
Fuck the man and his stupid rules.
Abolish the wage system.
Embrace the power of 'and.'
the "no true scotch man" fallacy.
e: well played, mods.
Ahem.
Hold on a second. This installation has a substantial dollar value attached to it.
I bet right now is the time to get a really good deal on going to see the pyramids.
Okay. This is an emotional moment for all of us. I know that. But let's not make snap judgments, please. This is clearly an important hygiene procedure we're dealing with, and I don't think you or I or anybody has the right to arbitrarily exterminate it.
Bad Horse: which is Earth 2, JLA, Green Lantern shit, Stormwatch and Threshold
Bad Horse: Catwoman and Red Hood are sexist claptrap edgy Image 90's bullshit garbage poop
Bad Horse: Dial H is who the fuck let China Mieville write superhero comics jesus fuck
jacobkosh: hahaha
Bad Horse: ...oh
Bad Horse: oh wow
Bad Horse: it's
Bad Horse: it's actually written by China Mieville
Bad Horse: I was
Bad Horse: wow
Bad Horse: I gotta think about my life
Bad Horse: I was doing a thing!
Bad Horse: like if someone wrote an ultra-violent version of Teen Titans and I was all "Who let Garth Ennis near Teen Titans?"
Bad Horse: BUT DIAL H IS ACTUALLY CHINA MIEVILLE I JUST CHECKED WHAT THE DICK
jacobkosh: ahahahahahahaha
jacobkosh: I thought you knew!
Bad Horse: NO
Bad Horse: I read it in the store one day!
Bad Horse: I didn't pay attention to who did it!
jacobkosh: oh my fucking god
jacobkosh: I am saving this for posterity
Well if bothered levels are dropping, I have the right to call that person a dickhead eject the bothered core.[/Not totally paraphrasing the argument leading to my current at-home drama]
Budget?
http://www.distinctivechesterfields.com/usa/shop/paxton_wing_chair/index.html
Is a fucking monster reading chair that I cannot afford, but would look like to have one day ... one day.
$300, max. Current favorite.
But I'm also gonna hit up the swap meet and see if I can find something awesome.
Look, I'm not blind to what's going on; but I cannot authorize that kind of action. I'm sorry.
andy murray sure is happy about the downfall of the egyptian president
Honestly, Value per dollar; I like that chair for reading when combined with the footstool.
As a one-man army, he has every right to be.
I think I'm sad. What happened there?
fonny comik
My rebuttal @ 0:40 of
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=ZqazVa9RoZs#t=40s
So many words
It’s not a very important country most of the time
http://steamcommunity.com/id/mortious
Today I am off to London Village for an interview and then to spend some time with my brother and nephew. I think I am going to the theatre with them tomorrow to see something appropriately kiddie.
Choose Your Own Chat 1 Choose Your Own Chat 2 Choose Your Own Chat 3
Ho- *slumps over in a half awake state*
He installed a quantum computing module, and it accidentally set his awake variable to both 1 and 0.
Is
Is that man ejaculating on a tennis court?
That trend is going to shift or buckle soon enough. I just have no idea which way it'll break.
NSA SpyBot74656.ReportPriority(Red) Good for you!
I was reading A Thing the other day about major economic downturns having lasting economic consequences because of all the people who don't go to college, don't pursue other education (technical schools, etc.), and the generational effects of say reduced government social spending.
So I assume thirty years from now, the U.S. will be a nation of Finance MBAs working at Starbucks.