PF Gestalt?

[BaldHero]

My group is about to begin an entirely new campaign. Our group of three players, plus a DM. We considered using the gestalt rules when we were just using 3.5 D&D. Now three out of four of us received Pathfinder tomes for Bobcat Day, and we want to try it out.

My question is would gestalt characters be even remotely balanced using the Pathfinder ruleset, or would it just be silly?

Gestalt is specifically listed in UA as being ideal for groups of less than four players, however, i haven't decided yet if such is required, or if PF scenarios can be designed against a three player group to begin with.

Anyone have experience with this? Or a good idea of which way to address the issue behind the question?

If it matters, we will be tackling the WLD with these characters.

Thanks in advance,
L.

 

[Nebten]

To answer your question, No clue.
I'm more interested in this Bobcat Day. Please explain.

 

[Tinker Gnome]

I think it could work well with PF. I have never done it myself, but I do not see why it would be that different from using Gestalt in 3.5.

 

[Will]

You can run gestalt fine in any size group, really. It just means you up the enemies a bit.

I'm in a 3.5 gestalt game, and I don't see any reason why PF wouldn't work just as well.

Mind you, PF gives more abilities you'd have to keep track of.

 

[BaldHero]

To answer your question, No clue.
I'm more interested in this Bobcat Day. Please explain.

Bobcat day is the day we celebrate our friends, family, and gamers.
It is always the last saturday before christmas, and affords us the opportunity to gather for a winter holiday. We have a massive pot luck dinner, and give out awards for best dish. We also give out awards for most interesting npc of the year, most awesome in game moment, and best out of game moments, and sometimes other, made up categories as well.

We exchange gifts, when our budget allows, which is how three out of four of us ended up with Pathfinder. Bobcat day is more important in our house than christmas. We range between twelve to thirty guests each year. This year was year seven.

 

[Hrothgar Rannúlfr]

Disclaimer: I haven't played a pure Pathfinder game.

That said, I don't see why Gestalt wouldn't work as well in Pathfinder as it does in 3.5. Sure, the characters will have more options and be slightly tougher than non-gestalt PC's, but I think it should work quite well. Especially, since your number of players is low.

If you want to play gestalt, go for it! I wouldn't necessarily even make the monsters any tougher. As I see it, the reason for allowing gestalts with a small number of players is to give fewer PCs the ability to take on the challenges a normal party of normal numbers could attempt.

The one thing that comes to mind that I'd recommend is, perhaps, using the slow advancement option in Pathfinder. And, I recommend that because the PC's are going to have nearly twice as many options to use and the faster advancement rules might make it seem that the options are piling on faster than the players can use them.

 

[concerro]

My group is about to begin an entirely new campaign. Our group of three players, plus a DM. We considered using the gestalt rules when we were just using 3.5 D&D. Now three out of four of us received Pathfinder tomes for Bobcat Day, and we want to try it out.

My question is would gestalt characters be even remotely balanced using the Pathfinder ruleset, or would it just be silly?

Gestalt is specifically listed in UA as being ideal for groups of less than four players, however, i haven't decided yet if such is required, or if PF scenarios can be designed against a three player group to begin with.

Anyone have experience with this? Or a good idea of which way to address the issue behind the question?

If it matters, we will be tackling the WLD with these characters.

Thanks in advance,
L.

It would be more balanced if you the DM ran an NPC or he allowed one of you to run two players. If the group goes gestalt just remember some combinations are more powerful than others.

 

[DaveMage]

Gestalt is a good choice for the WLD. Pathfinder gestalt would be like 3.5 gestalt, I'd guess, so should be fun.

The one thing that comes to mind that I'd recommend is, perhaps, using the slow advancement option in Pathfinder. And, I recommend that because the PC's are going to have nearly twice as many options to use and the faster advancement rules might make it seem that the options are piling on faster than the players can use them.

Slow advancement is a great idea with the WLD since depending on how your players go, they could very quickly outpace the standard xp charts in certain areas.

 

[milo]

I don't see why it wouldn't work and it would probably be great fun, that said though I would suggest running at least a session before you make your decision to get used to the system. Yes it is built on the 3.5 system, but it has a large number of minor changes making for a different experience.
For one I can't think of any class I wouldn't want to add fighter to for gestault.

 

[BaldHero]

The more i read, the more i think it will be just fine. I appreciate everyone's input.

Thanks.

L.