What are gestalts?
- Thread starter Storyteller01
- Start date
Readerbreeder
Explorer
No intention of hijacking the thread, but since this is where the conversation seems to be going on...
I just posted over on the General board (apparently should have been here) about a campaign I'm about to start DM'ing with 2 gestalt characters. I was curious, how do gestalt characters stack against normalized (published) adventures? For example, would a 2nd level adventure be a good challenge for 2 1st level gestalts? Is there a formula that works for anyone, or is there bound to be alot of tweaking involved for finding the right EL's?
I just posted over on the General board (apparently should have been here) about a campaign I'm about to start DM'ing with 2 gestalt characters. I was curious, how do gestalt characters stack against normalized (published) adventures? For example, would a 2nd level adventure be a good challenge for 2 1st level gestalts? Is there a formula that works for anyone, or is there bound to be alot of tweaking involved for finding the right EL's?
Gestalts are like overtime, they get level and a half.
That's about right. So a 2nd level adventure, where its being planned for 4 2nd level adventures should be really hard for 2 1st level gestalts. Make them 2nd level, and it should be all good.
so maybe run them through the local forest until they are 2nd level or something.
That's about right. So a 2nd level adventure, where its being planned for 4 2nd level adventures should be really hard for 2 1st level gestalts. Make them 2nd level, and it should be all good.
so maybe run them through the local forest until they are 2nd level or something.
Hmm, sounds interesting. It's funny that I've seen the word used so many times on ENWorld and never known what it meant until now.
One question though. Wouldn't balance issues reduce the number of possible classes to play a lot? It would seem like some class combinations would be much more powerful than others. Like a sorceror/paladin for example. A figheter/barbarian would seem to be very underpowered in comparision. Does that make things harder?
Tiew
One question though. Wouldn't balance issues reduce the number of possible classes to play a lot? It would seem like some class combinations would be much more powerful than others. Like a sorceror/paladin for example. A figheter/barbarian would seem to be very underpowered in comparision. Does that make things harder?
Tiew
Crothian
First Post
Yes, certain class combos are going to be better then others. Take the cleric rogue...you end up with great skill points, great saves, good HP, and the cleric spells to back up all the cool rogue abilities. Heck, even a Wizard/Sorcerer will be something to fear with all the spells they will be able to cast even though they would need two high abilities for it.
Victim
First Post
Take a sorcerer paladin. Good spells, good saves, good base attack. Then you run into armor problems - either you wear armor and cripple your spells or don't wear any and then have AC problems. Also, feat availability becomes a problem as well since you don't have enough for combat feats and spell feats. Cleric rogues also suffer from armor restrictions (evasion, tumble) and multiple attribute dependency. Dex usually isn't a cleric's forte. Many gestalt class combos require trading off elements of one class to use parts of the other. That's especially true in play, because characters have a limited time to act. If the paladin sorcerer is swining his sword and smiting some guy, he's not casting spells. If he hangs back and fries the enemy, then he's not being much different from the Paladin 2/ Sorc X normal multiclass.
Something like a fighter barbarian doesn't gain much in versatility, but he ends up with a staggering melee specialization. Greater Rage + Greater Specialization = ouch. Everything in the popular Barbarian Fighter multiclass, but with more hurting! Taking rogue instead of either fighter or barbarian might lead to more potential raw damage, but it'll lack the stacked to hit bonuses and probably have trouble generating flanking for frequent sneak attacks. When using Barbarian abilities, the fighter abilities also come into play.
But yes, some combos are better than others.
Something like a fighter barbarian doesn't gain much in versatility, but he ends up with a staggering melee specialization. Greater Rage + Greater Specialization = ouch. Everything in the popular Barbarian Fighter multiclass, but with more hurting! Taking rogue instead of either fighter or barbarian might lead to more potential raw damage, but it'll lack the stacked to hit bonuses and probably have trouble generating flanking for frequent sneak attacks. When using Barbarian abilities, the fighter abilities also come into play.
But yes, some combos are better than others.
ElvishBard
First Post
The word Gestalt is actually a german word meaning whole. Something I actually learned at school (I know, what a shock!) and I thought I would share it with you all.
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