D&D 3.x [3.PF] "Restricted Gestalt" Variants

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

That's why I thought why it was a good potential match for d20, that you only pick the better characteristic. I think my only worry would be that it might still be too straightforward (take Strong for full BAB and Smart for full skill points. The Tough hit points just aren't as valuable as the BAB or the skills)? Spellcasting is something for Advanced and Prestige Classes only.

 

[DammitVictor]

However, I also always thought it woud be nice to use this approach to d20 Modern.
Possibly with the requirement that you must pick one physical and one mental class (so Strong/Smart Hero is an option, Strong/Fast isn't). I thought this would make characters a bit less of a one-trick ponies, and particular the forced physical/mental split could make each character have a good combat and a good non-combat role.

I've considered similar approaches, but the idea of linking it to one Physical + one Mental hadn't occurred to me yet. Seems a natural fit with Pathfinder's (PF1) approach to ancestry design.

Still allows multiclassing, so you could become Strong3/Fast3|Smart6 or Strong3/Tough3|Charismatic3/Dedicated3. Not sure how to fit advanced and prestige classes in yet, though, they mght not always map so nicely. Maybe you can just slot them in instead of your physical or your mental class, but not both, or must split it up, one level you gain physical + advanced (or prestige), the next mental+advanced (or prestige).

Every Advanced Class is already tightly mapped to the Base Class that provides the most natural entry point. There might or might not be a limit of one AdvC per character level, and the Advanced Class would slot in as the Ability it corresponds to. Prestige Classes are a different sort of animal... so 1 per character level, takes up either side.

That's why I thought why it was a good potential match for d20, that you only pick the better characteristic. I think my only worry would be that it might still be too straightforward (take Strong for full BAB and Smart for full skill points. The Tough hit points just aren't as valuable as the BAB or the skills)? Spellcasting is something for Advanced and Prestige Classes only.

Chassis isn't nearly as important as class features. Talents and Bonus Feats are much more important than whether you're going Strong for BAB, Fast for Defense, or Tough for HD.