redboxrazor
First Post
I've heard the term "gestalt" thrown around a lot here (gestalt characters, gestalt campaign, etc.), but I honestly don't know what that refers to and I was wondering I'd someone could help me out. My thanks in advance.
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Gestalt? Huh?
- Thread starter redboxrazor
- Start date
jasonbostwick
Explorer
Gestalt characters have the traits of two classes at once - think of it as multi-classing on steroids.
For example, a 5th level Gestalt Fighter/Wizard (I'll use 3.5 rules because I haven't seen anyone do gestalt in 4E) would have all of the class features of both classes (The Wizard's spellcasting and familiar, and the Fighter's Feats and Base Attack Bonus) but only 5 hit dice.
I've never run or played in a Gestalt game, but the idea is that it gives the players more variety and stronger characters without increasing the power level too much. (A 5th level Gestalt Fighter/Wizard is probably not as powerful as a non Gestalt character that took 5 levels in Fighter and then 5 in Wizard, due to fewer Hit Dice, feats, etc.)
For example, a 5th level Gestalt Fighter/Wizard (I'll use 3.5 rules because I haven't seen anyone do gestalt in 4E) would have all of the class features of both classes (The Wizard's spellcasting and familiar, and the Fighter's Feats and Base Attack Bonus) but only 5 hit dice.
I've never run or played in a Gestalt game, but the idea is that it gives the players more variety and stronger characters without increasing the power level too much. (A 5th level Gestalt Fighter/Wizard is probably not as powerful as a non Gestalt character that took 5 levels in Fighter and then 5 in Wizard, due to fewer Hit Dice, feats, etc.)
FireLance
Legend
I wonder why this thread is tagged "Humor". 
But anyway... in 3e D&D, one of the variant rules allowed for "gestalt" characters which were essentially characters with two classes. The character would have the class abilities (including class skills and proficiencies) of the two classes, and the better BAB, saving throw progression, skill points, and hit points of the two classes. It was essentially a way to get back characters similar to those you could obtain with 1e and 2e style demihuman multiclassing, or a way to run campaigns for small numbers of players who would find the added breadth of character abilities to be useful, or a way to run "themed" campaigns, e.g. a "wandering minstrels" campaign where every PC gestalts as a bard.
Gestalt characters are obviously more powerful than normal characters with only one class, so if you are concerned about balance between the PCs, gestalt PCs should only adventure with other gestalt PCs in gestalt campaigns.
But anyway... in 3e D&D, one of the variant rules allowed for "gestalt" characters which were essentially characters with two classes. The character would have the class abilities (including class skills and proficiencies) of the two classes, and the better BAB, saving throw progression, skill points, and hit points of the two classes. It was essentially a way to get back characters similar to those you could obtain with 1e and 2e style demihuman multiclassing, or a way to run campaigns for small numbers of players who would find the added breadth of character abilities to be useful, or a way to run "themed" campaigns, e.g. a "wandering minstrels" campaign where every PC gestalts as a bard.
Gestalt characters are obviously more powerful than normal characters with only one class, so if you are concerned about balance between the PCs, gestalt PCs should only adventure with other gestalt PCs in gestalt campaigns.
fanboy2000
Adventurer
Here, check it out for yourself. Gestalt rules first appeared in Unearthed Arcana, a book of variant rules for 3.5. Great book. Many of my friends have played in gestalt games and enjoyed them.
redboxrazor
First Post
Ah, cool. I never had access to Unearthed Arcana in my 3.5 days, but I'm glad to have a reference. Thanks, everyone. : )
Also, I'm not sure why this thread was tagged as "humor", either. Did I ask a ridiculous question? : P
Also, I'm not sure why this thread was tagged as "humor", either. Did I ask a ridiculous question? : P
