Gestalt as a level adjustment

[starwed]

Back in previous editions, multi-classing worked like gestalt (two classes at the same time), but you leveled up more slowly.

In 3.5 that would probably translate to a LA. So what LA would be appropriate for a gestalt PC? (To simplify the discussion, assume that the PC can only take levels in the core PHB base classes.)

My gut instinct, based on how it worked before, would be around LA +2.

 

[Fieari]

+2 is the general feeling about it. Make CERTAIN you enforce the "only one PrC at a time" and "no multiclass PrC*" rules, esspecially if you plan to mix gestalt with non-gestalt.

*Multiclass PrCs being things like Mystic Theurge, Arcane Trickster, and the like.

 

[Will]

I read somewhere, basically, +1 LA per 5 levels of gestalt. So a level 9 paladin-sorcerer is ECL 11.

I wouldn't swear by it, but it seems plausible.

 

[Li Shenron]

I think it's very dependent of which is the combination used, but I don't think +2 is enough.

 

[Fieari]

Do remember that while gestating gives you more versatility, it doesn't usually give you more power, as you're still only one character with all the action restrictions.

 

[Rhun]

I think +2 sounds completely reasonable as an LA for gestalt.

 

[Pyrex]

Not all combinations are equal at all levels.

Some combinations are easily only worth +1 LA (say, Rogue/Expert).

Some combinations (and the ease with which they enable some PrC's) are easily worth +3 to +4 at high levels (say, Druid/Monk)

 

[Fieari]

I would imagine that unless it's mandated by the DM, no one would take an NPC class for either side of the gestalt.

 

[Li Shenron]

Do remember that while gestating gives you more versatility, it doesn't usually give you more power, as you're still only one character with all the action restrictions.

No. That is very correct if you consider spells or special abilities, but already having more spells or more uses per day it makes the character more powerful in the sense that he can face more encounters per day (maybe you don't call this "power", you could call it "stamina" but definitely it isn't versatility).

And the there are things like saving throws bonuses, hit dice, BAB, which don't take an action. A barbarian/wizard could be seen as a wizards with LOTS of hit points and much better with spells that require attack rolls, for example. Or it could be seen as a barbarian who can have Shield or True Strike on himself, it takes an action but they are personal spells not supposed to be cast on others. Just example of actual power increases...

 

[Thanee]

It definitely depends on the level. Lower level Gestalt characters are only a little better than normal characters, while higher level Gestalt characters gain a lot more. The same observation can be applied to the Mystic Theurge PrC, which is pretty bad at low levels (Gestalts skip this part and immediately start out a little stronger, of course), then grows faster than existing classes, and finally becomes really potent... so potent, that the Epic progression has been nerfed back to a standard alternate progression.

So, I would go with +1 per 5 class levels. That sounds about right.
In play that would mean, that you sometimes have to gain 2 levels before getting an actual level-up, because you have to compensate for the new LA first.

Bye
Thanee