Gestalt Mechanics Question (LONG)

[RisnDevil]

I think I am/have been working Gestalt incorrectly, and would appreciate some input on my method. This example is a bit long, I am just trying to make sure and cover all the bases.

Bob decides he wants a to be a Barbarian/Ranger. He takes this combo to level 4, so he now has the best of Barbarian/Ranger over four levels. (HD=4d12, BAB +4, Fort +4, Ref +4, Wil +1, Fast movement, illiteracy, rage 2/day, Uncanny dodge, Trap sense +1, 1st favored enemy, Track, wild empathy, Combat style, Endurance, Animal companion) As his fifth level, Bob decides he no longer wants to be a Barbarian, so takes his fifth level as Ranger/Bard. Now from level four to level five, the Ranger gets no higher saves, but +1 BAB. The Bard at level one though, gains a +2 to BOTH Ref and Wil. So Bob's character Now looks like thus:

HD=4d12+1d8, BAB +5, Fort +4, Ref +6, Wil +3, Fast movement, illiteracy, rage 2/day, Uncanny dodge, Trap sense +1, 1st favored enemy, Track, wild empathy, Combat style, Endurance, Animal companion, 2nd favored enemy, Bardic music, bardic knowledge, countersong, fascinate, inspire courage +1.

In that scenario, even though the Ranger already had a higher base Ref save than the Bard, he got +2 to Ref and Wil because I took the best of both when comparing what is gained between level four and five Ranger, against one level in Bard.

So...am I doing this right? If I'm not doing it right, do you think this is and overpowered option for something that is already powerful?

Sorry for the long post, and thanks to anyone that slogs through it.

 

[apesamongus]

You really should use fractional BAB and saves for gestalt characters.

 

[Thanee]

The problem with Gestalt progression is, that it's not like multiclassing. You do not simply add everything together. You have to look at the individual halves and then figure, which is better.

A barbarian 4/bard 1 Fort +4, Refl +3 and Will +3, a ranger 5 has Fort +4, Refl +4, Will +1, so the result ist +4/+4/+3.

Same with BAB, you cannot - for example - start as fighter/wizard at 1st level and then proceed as sorcerer/wizard to gain full BAB (alternating from sorcerer and wizard). You just compare the two halves in the same way.

Fractional really works best there, tho. Highly advised!

Bye
Thanee

 

[jodyjohnson]

We use fractional Saves (and BAB) and you only get the +2 bonus for having a Good save once per category. The section on fractional saves is right next to the rules on gestalt.

Using fractional saves and a one-time +2 bonus means all saves end up between +6 (poor) and +12 (good) at 20th.

We use Excel for character sheets so it makes the save calcs follow an easy formula.