Beginning the game with +1 HD of Expert

[Felix]

Let's see, for an expert/wizard with no con bonus vs. a straight wizard with same:
1st level: 6 vs. 4 (+50%)
5th level: 16 vs. 14 (+14%)
10th: 28.5 vs. 26.5 (+8%)
15th: 41 vs. 39 (+5%)
20th: 53.5 vs. 51.5 (+4%)

Actually:

Expert-Wizard with +6 HP / Expert-Wizard with +1d6 HP / Wizard

1st level: 10 HP / 7.5 HP / 4 HP --- (+150% / +87% / --)
3rd level: 15 HP / 12.5 HP / 9 HP --- (+66% / +38% / --)
5th level: 20 HP / 17.5 HP / 14 HP --- (+42% / +25% / --)
7th level: 25 HP / 22.5 HP / 19 HP --- (+31% / +18% / --)

Looking at this, and keeping in mind that these are averages and that this mage has no Con score (which will reduce the benefit of the extra HP), I think an extra +1d6 HP is the way to go, instead of a full +6 HP. Sure, you get a significant boost, but +150% it ain't. You'll survive another hit from the kobold's crossbows.

In essence, it's huge and then it drains away.

That's what I'm looking for, since it's at those levels, 1-3, that characters are so bloody fragile.

 

[Wolf72]

Very dependant on the character class in question, but fortunately all the relevant details are in the SRD http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/gestaltCharacters.htm

oooooh, ok ... i think gestalting with the expert would fine then. at most you'd get some hp, a better save, and a few more skill points ... at worst you'd get some skill points or 1st lvl save boost

would a Ranger/expert do anything better? ... just checked, they'd all good saves to start

 

[Felix]

oooooh, ok ... i think gestalting with the expert would fine then. at most you'd get some hp, a better save, and a few more skill points ... at worst you'd get some skill points or 1st lvl save boost

would a Ranger/expert do anything better? ... just checked, they'd all good saves to start

Yeah, gestaling isn't a bad idea at 1st: shores up weak spots... except for the Bard. Poor bard.