Adapting Unearthed Arcana's Gestalt Rules to d20 Modern

[Viktyr Gehrig]

As people are probably already quite familiar (to the point of annoyance), I'm fascinated with the Gestalt rules presented in Unearthed Arcana. For those unfamiliar, they are a modified version of the d20 class system allowing characters to progress in two classes at once, similar (but superior to) AD&D Second Edition's multiclassing.

Since I'm bringing back my Planescape/Star*Drive campaign, I'm trying to bring both the published rules and my own House Rules up to speed in making the two systems as parallel as possible. Unfortunately, when considering the Gestalt rules for d20 Modern, I ran into a problem-- the d20 Modern Base Classes, offering a bonus feat at each even-numbered level, would quickly overload a character with feats, breaking the system. (I have banned the combination of Fighter and Psychic Warrior in the Planescape section for similar reasons.)

In order to fix this, and to use the Gestalt rules as a way of fine-tuning character development, I've developed a system to use the Gestalt rules in d20 Modern.

• Advanced Classes have their entrance requirements lowered to allow entry at first level. Skill requirements are lowered to four ranks (and the PC may use the AdvC's class skill list to pick skills), BAB requirements are removed, and feat requirements are limited to one feat. (So non-humans may also enter at first level.) Class Talent requirements, such as the Favor talent from the Modern Player Companion's Fixer class, are instead given as a bonus at first level, functioning as if the character had one level of the appropriate class.
• Valid Gestalts are a combination of either one Base and one Advanced class, or one Prestige Class with either a Base or an Advanced Class. Prestige Class entrance requirements remain unchanged.
• The multiclassing XP penalty from D&D applies, as modified in my Incorporating the Gestalt Rules thread. Humans are allowed to pick any Base/Advanced Gestalt as their Favored Gestalt.
• Because d20 Modern classes only run to 10 levels, reaching 10th level in any Gestalt allows the character to progress in an additional exempt Gestalt.

This way, like the difference between a Fighter Rogue and a Fighter Aristocrat, there are marked differences between the abilities of a Smart Soldier and a Fast Soldier, or a Dedicated Infiltrator and a Tough Infiltrator. These differences help differentiate between two characters with similar careers.

 

[Turanil]

I am not fascinated by the Gestalt characters. Moreover, where it is easy to understand the system in D&D (simple to implement with a Monk/Sorcerer or Fighter/Wizard for example), I think it is not made for, and doesn't work with d20 modern. What's the point of adding feats over talents over special abilities? It's really not the same thing as playing a Fighter who can also cast spells like a sorcerer (even if I loath the idea).

 

[Viktyr Gehrig]

What's the point of adding feats over talents over special abilities?

The point is, it allows for finer distinctions between characters than simple multiclassing does, and allows the characters to develop more than one aspect of their lives at a time.

Plus, I don't think d20 Modern characters really end up with more powers than their D&D characters-- and their powers end up a little more grounded.