Gestalt Character + ECL race?

[Eolin]

Hiya everybody.

I've got an NPC I want to make for a game. The character is very likely to be a gestalt character, and he also has a template (namely, vampire).

Question is: Does the vampire template take both classes for all those levels, or only one?

 

[Malin Genie]

On the basis of a previous discussion of this issue on the boards (there isn't any published answer that I am aware of) I would suggest that the LA not be considered as a 'level' with which a level in another class is complexed, but as a reduction in the number of levels available to the character. Thus, in effect, an LA 'takes up' both classes.

In compensation, the LA should generally be reduced (figures of 1/2 to 2/3 were tossed around in the previous discussion.)

 

[Eolin]

Makes sense, I suppose.

If it only takes up one, then you can still have a full-leveled spellcaster, which might be to powerful. And if it takes up as much as it is supposed to, then its very underpowered.

I think i might say it only takes up one class. That's a lot easier for me than to reduce the overall level of it. But I'm open to suggestion. Also I never saw the other thread -- could someone do a search and point it out to me?

 

[Eolin]

little help?

 

[Nifft]

IMHO, a Gestalt PC is about 1.5x a normal PC. So, reduce the LA to 2/3 of its original value, and you're about even.

-- N

 

[I'm A Banana]

Another thought in this vien:

How about making LA's on critters gestalt by default? At least for a few of 'em? There is a consensus that LA's in significant quantities make paper tigers who can't stand up to a little punishment....what if some of those LA's were gestalt with one class or another?

It's something I'm thinking about implementing....

 

[Eolin]

So if you were, say, a hobgoblin (+1 ECL), you'd for first level be say, a hobgoblin/fighter, and then go onwards from there as normal, with normal is gestalt or conventional?

Certainly reduces the penalties. All of them, I think.

 

[Nifft]

Personally, I'd balance the LA with extra "racial" HD, and force them to take racial HD as half their Gestalt until they run out.

For Hobgoblins, I'd force them to take 3 levels of Monstrous Humanoid (full BAB, d8 HD, 2 sp/level), and I'd spread out the ability increases over 3 levels (+1 Wis/+1 Dex each at 2nd and 3rd level).

However, that's just me, and I hate Level Adjustment.

-- N