If you wanted an OP Gestalt char, what would you do?

[Skarochildren]

I'm not one to play op usually but a place I play at does. So I was wondering what the rest of you might do in this situation.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

The best gestalt combos seem to involve a passive side that gives constant benefits and an active side, for powerful actions to take in combat, since you may have twice the classes, but still the same actions per round.

If you can multiclass like crazy, I don't even know what the most overpowered combo could be, I can just imagine it'd look like caster/ full progression prestige classes cherry pcked for benefits on one side; an ungodly mix of martial class dipping and prestige classing on the other. If the DM really has no sanity caps, try to go for dual progression casting prestige classes on each side of the gestalt, maybe.

For a more simple an effective power combo, I always liked the idea of Factotum//Wizard (or Psion). Huge intelligence synergy, medium BAB, d8 HD, good proficencies, 6 + int skill points with every skill ever printed as a class skill, full wizard casting, and the cream of the crop comes at level 8...when you can get extra standard actions.

Slightly more complex combo would be a charisma-based caster (like sorcerer) on one side, the other side dipping for the massive amount of "charisma to X" class features out there. Paladin and Marshal dips give charisma to saves and (the entire party's) initiative, for example.

 

[FoxWander]

So are you asking for help/advice on what kind of crazy optimized gestalt character I might make to join in the madness? That would depend on what their game is like. Are we talking the expected (but sane) optimization that would be implied by the use of the gestalt rules in the first place? More extreme char-op stuff like you might find in the builds and handbooks over at the brilliantgameologists "Min/Max it!" boards? Or OMGWTFBBQ!!1!!! level Op madness in which there might be 300+ page threads discussing/arguing over your character concept.

Since that last level isn't actually playable, I'll assume one of the first two. But there are a few key questions. Such as, what level would you be starting at? There's a big difference between characters that are playable level-to-level and builds that start at level X but would suck in the playing to get there. Also, are you allowed PrCs on either or both sides of the gestalt? What about templates/racial ECLs on one side- are they allowed?

Anyway, I've thought of, seen, or modified things I've seen for gestalt character ideas that I think would be fun.

• On the more extreme end of the scale, Sachiru posted a crazy hellbred half-fey/half-vampire martyred saint sorcerer build over in this thread with insane charisma synergy (and a 50+ stat to back it up) that looked like it would be lots of fun to play. If only for the ability to practically waltz thru ANY encounter while blasting/charming to your heart's content!
  
• A little more toned down is Duskblade 20 // Archivist 5, Divine Oracle 2, Sacred Exorcist 2, Prestige Paladin 3, Divine Oracle 8 with the key feats Battle Blessing (all you paladin, ie archivist, spells are automatically quickened) and Sword of the Arcane Order (which allows a paladin, which again, means archivist here, to memorize wizard spells). This gives you a full BAB, all the gish arcane-striking madness from duskblade and 19 caster levels of quick-casting ANY arcane or divine spell you can get your hands on! I'd highly recommend getting the Tome of Ancient Lore (MIC) for the 1x day ability to memorize any spell you can think of- which you can then transcribe into your spell/prayer book.
  
• If your allowed PrCs on both sides you could try the combo I accidentally wound up with in my current campaign (we didn't start gestalt, but we ended up that way- long story). Anyway the build (at 16th level) is Barbarian 1, Sorcerer 6, Swiftblade 9 // Elven generalist Wizard 5 (w/ spontaneous divination), Incantatar 10, Abjurant Champion 1. This gives me a crazy amount of options for dealing with any situation coupled with awesome combat abilities and even more awesome spellcasting. And the abilities of either side really enhance the other. For instance, swiftblade abilities give me extra actions to cast spells and full wizard casting gives me high level spells I can use for arcane strike to deal out ridiculous (!) damage.

Anyway, there are countless ways you can go with gestalt depending on the answers to those questions above. Hope this helps some.

 

[Skarochildren]

Well the game used is Dragonstar. And you can progress like Base/base-base/prc-prc/prc so long as you meet all requirements