Brasten
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- Posted: Mon, 23 Jul 2012 18:01:54 +0000
And now part 2 of my daily blitz to get the Rush to Epic rules formalized in a written format.
Chapter 1: Gestalt
In gestalt play, characters essentially take two classes at every level, choosing the best aspects of each. The process is similar to multiclassing, except that characters gain the full benefits of each class at each level. if the two classes you choose have aspects that overlap (such as Hit Dice, attack progression, saves, and class features common to more than one class), you choose the better aspect. The gestalt character retains all aspects that don’t overlap.
Gestalt play only works if every PC in the campaign uses it, and it can result in complicated characters who may overwhelm newer players with an abundance of options.
Building a Gestalt Character
To make a 1st-level gestalt character, choose two base classes (or archetypes for those classes). Build your character according to the following guidelines. Separate your two class on your character see by using two slashes (//).
Hit Dice
Choose the larger Hit Die. Always use the maximum value for hit points. A monk//sorcerer would use d8 as her Hit Die and have 8 hit points (plus Constitution modifier) at 1st level, for example.
Base Attack Bonus
Choose the better progression from the two classes.
Base Saving Throw Bonuses
For each save bonus, choose the better progression from the two classes. For example, a 1st-level gestalt fighter//wizard would have base saving throw bonuses of Fortitude +2, Reflex +0, Will +2—taking the good Fortitude save from the fighter class and the good Will save from the wizard class.
Class Skills
Take the number of skill ranks gained per level from whichever class grants more skill ranks, and consider any skill on either class list as a class skill for the gestalt character. For example, a gestalt barbarian/bard would gain skill points per level equal to 6 + Int modifier, and can purchase skills from both the barbarian and bard lists as class skills.
Favored Class Bonus
If one of your two classes was your favored class you gain the appropriate bonus. If you take two favored classes at the same time you must pick which class gets the favored bonus. (This is important if you are using variant favorite class bonus from the Advanced Player’s Guide or elsewhere)
Class Features
A gestalt character gains the class features of both classes. A 1st-level gestalt rogue//cleric, for example, gets sneak attack +1d6, trapfinding, 1st-level cleric spells, aura, channel energy 1d6, domains, and orisons. Class- and ability-based restrictions (such as arcane spell failure chance and a druid’s prohibition on wearing metal armor) apply normally to a gestalt character, no matter what the other class is.
Advancing a Gestalt Character (Simple)
The simplest way to advance a gestalt character is to pick the same two classes you did at 1st-level. Each time he gains a new level, he chooses two classes, takes the best aspects of each, and applies them to his characteristics. A few caveats apply, however.
• Class features that two classes share (such as uncanny dodge) accrue at the rate of the faster class. (Pathfinder as done a fairly good job making sure that base classes don’t share many class features. Just be aware and when it doubt take the better bonus of like named class features, don’t add.)
• Gestalt characters with more than one spellcasting class keep track of their spells per day separately.
Advancing a Gestalt Character (Multiclassing)
This is where newer players or players with lower confined in their system mastery can really get into trouble. Even highly confident and experienced players can create combinations that are difficult to follow, orc half-minotaur weretighers for example.
Tracking your character’s advancement on your character sheet can be tricky. It is best not to use the single class level line as anything more then a rough guide to your total levels in each individual class. You may wish use the Gestalt Multiclass Tracker sheet until you have become familiar with the process. A 5th-level fighter 3/rogue 2/wizard 5 can result from many different progression and have different character statistics.
Note: It is important to keep in mind the difference between Character Level and class level. Normally you can just track Character Level by adding all accumulated class levels together. In multiclassed gestalt play it is important to record your total Character Level independently from class levels.
The prior guidelines apply to gestalt multiclassing except for the following.
Base Attack & Saving Throw Bonuses
You will need to use a system called Combined Base Bonuses. Combined Base Bonuses tracks the total advancement in each of the different bonus progressions. At each level determine which of the two class has is the better progression and increase that progression value by 1. Then add all of same bonuses together to get your final base bonus. For example a 1st-level fighter 1//wizard 1 increase he value of his BAB (Good), Fort (Good), Ref (Poor), Will (Good) by 1 each. He then advances to 2nd-level as a fighter 1/rogue 1/wizard 2, taking a level of rogue and wizard. He increase his BAB (Average), Fort (Poor), Ref (Good), Will (Good) by 1 each. Adding these progression together we get a total of BAB +1 (Good 1, Average 1), Fort +2 (Good 1, Poor 1), Ref +2 (Good 1, Poor 1), Will +3 (Good 2).
If your example fighter/rogue/wizard advances to 3rd level as fighter 1/rogue 2/wizard 3 he should now have a total of BAB +2 (Good 1, Average 2), Fort +2 (Good 1, Poor 2), Will +3 (Good 3).
Note: No Base Bonus Value should ever be higher then your Character Level. If that happens you’ve likely made an error somewhere and should double check your Gestalt Multiclass Tracker sheet.
Class Features
Like simple gestalt there are a number caveats in addition to those already mentioned:
• A gestalt character can’t combine two prestige classes at any level, although it’s okay to combine a prestige class and a regular class. Prestige classes that are essentially class combinations-such as the arcane trickster, mystic theurge, and eldritch knight-should be prohibited if you’re using gestalt classes, because they unduly complicate the game balance of what’s already a high-powered variant. Because it’s possible for gestalt characters to qualify for prestige classes earlier than normal, the game master is entirely justified in toughening the requirements of a prestige class so it’s available only after 5th level, even for gestalt characters.
• If a base or prestige class increase the effective level of another, you must choose which of the available classes it applies to and should make note of it. For example a 7th-level wizard 7/sorcerer 5/dragon disciple 2 should indicate that extra caster level and spells per day are applied to the sorcerer, e.g. +1 Spells Per Day (Sorcerer).
Your effective class level in any one class cannot be higher then your character level. This especially applies to prestige class that increase your spells per day and caster level. For example a 7th-level wizard 7/sorcerer 5/dragon disciple 2 cannot have a wizard caster level above 7 or know more wizard spells per then a 7th-level wizard.
• Keep alignment and other restrictions in mind. Some class combinations are not possible or may result in the loss of class features. For example a base Barbarian//Monk has conflicting alignment requirements.
If you’re a stubborn gamemaster or have really passionate players you may elect to use prestige classes that are basically combinations. I caution both gamemaster and players that they need to increase the requirements of any such class so that they are only available after 5th level at the least. A good guideline is to look a the current requirements and make sure that minimum level of entry is retained. Often using skill rank is the easiest way to help set a minimum entry level.
For example the mystic theurge should have its requirements modified as follows:
Knowledge (arcana) increased from 3 ranks to 6
Knowledge (religion) increased from 3 ranks to 6
Able to cast divine spells increased from 2nd to 3rd
Able to cast arcane spells increased from 2nd to 3rd
Keep in mind the caveats for gestalt multiclassing, mainly that you cannot have a higher effect class level then your character level.
Gamemaster should also understand that in many cases using such class is effectively like allowing a player to advance three class at once instead of two. This gets especially complex when spell casting classes are advanced.
A second option is rebuild such combo classes as new gestalt prestige class that use both class choices at a level. These rebuilt class should include more class features that reward focusing on only two specific class while using these rules.
Chapter 1: Gestalt
In gestalt play, characters essentially take two classes at every level, choosing the best aspects of each. The process is similar to multiclassing, except that characters gain the full benefits of each class at each level. if the two classes you choose have aspects that overlap (such as Hit Dice, attack progression, saves, and class features common to more than one class), you choose the better aspect. The gestalt character retains all aspects that don’t overlap.
Gestalt play only works if every PC in the campaign uses it, and it can result in complicated characters who may overwhelm newer players with an abundance of options.
Building a Gestalt Character
To make a 1st-level gestalt character, choose two base classes (or archetypes for those classes). Build your character according to the following guidelines. Separate your two class on your character see by using two slashes (//).
Hit Dice
Choose the larger Hit Die. Always use the maximum value for hit points. A monk//sorcerer would use d8 as her Hit Die and have 8 hit points (plus Constitution modifier) at 1st level, for example.
Base Attack Bonus
Choose the better progression from the two classes.
Base Saving Throw Bonuses
For each save bonus, choose the better progression from the two classes. For example, a 1st-level gestalt fighter//wizard would have base saving throw bonuses of Fortitude +2, Reflex +0, Will +2—taking the good Fortitude save from the fighter class and the good Will save from the wizard class.
Class Skills
Take the number of skill ranks gained per level from whichever class grants more skill ranks, and consider any skill on either class list as a class skill for the gestalt character. For example, a gestalt barbarian/bard would gain skill points per level equal to 6 + Int modifier, and can purchase skills from both the barbarian and bard lists as class skills.
Favored Class Bonus
If one of your two classes was your favored class you gain the appropriate bonus. If you take two favored classes at the same time you must pick which class gets the favored bonus. (This is important if you are using variant favorite class bonus from the Advanced Player’s Guide or elsewhere)
Class Features
A gestalt character gains the class features of both classes. A 1st-level gestalt rogue//cleric, for example, gets sneak attack +1d6, trapfinding, 1st-level cleric spells, aura, channel energy 1d6, domains, and orisons. Class- and ability-based restrictions (such as arcane spell failure chance and a druid’s prohibition on wearing metal armor) apply normally to a gestalt character, no matter what the other class is.
Advancing a Gestalt Character (Simple)
The simplest way to advance a gestalt character is to pick the same two classes you did at 1st-level. Each time he gains a new level, he chooses two classes, takes the best aspects of each, and applies them to his characteristics. A few caveats apply, however.
• Class features that two classes share (such as uncanny dodge) accrue at the rate of the faster class. (Pathfinder as done a fairly good job making sure that base classes don’t share many class features. Just be aware and when it doubt take the better bonus of like named class features, don’t add.)
• Gestalt characters with more than one spellcasting class keep track of their spells per day separately.
Advancing a Gestalt Character (Multiclassing)
This is where newer players or players with lower confined in their system mastery can really get into trouble. Even highly confident and experienced players can create combinations that are difficult to follow, orc half-minotaur weretighers for example.
Tracking your character’s advancement on your character sheet can be tricky. It is best not to use the single class level line as anything more then a rough guide to your total levels in each individual class. You may wish use the Gestalt Multiclass Tracker sheet until you have become familiar with the process. A 5th-level fighter 3/rogue 2/wizard 5 can result from many different progression and have different character statistics.
Note: It is important to keep in mind the difference between Character Level and class level. Normally you can just track Character Level by adding all accumulated class levels together. In multiclassed gestalt play it is important to record your total Character Level independently from class levels.
The prior guidelines apply to gestalt multiclassing except for the following.
Base Attack & Saving Throw Bonuses
You will need to use a system called Combined Base Bonuses. Combined Base Bonuses tracks the total advancement in each of the different bonus progressions. At each level determine which of the two class has is the better progression and increase that progression value by 1. Then add all of same bonuses together to get your final base bonus. For example a 1st-level fighter 1//wizard 1 increase he value of his BAB (Good), Fort (Good), Ref (Poor), Will (Good) by 1 each. He then advances to 2nd-level as a fighter 1/rogue 1/wizard 2, taking a level of rogue and wizard. He increase his BAB (Average), Fort (Poor), Ref (Good), Will (Good) by 1 each. Adding these progression together we get a total of BAB +1 (Good 1, Average 1), Fort +2 (Good 1, Poor 1), Ref +2 (Good 1, Poor 1), Will +3 (Good 2).
If your example fighter/rogue/wizard advances to 3rd level as fighter 1/rogue 2/wizard 3 he should now have a total of BAB +2 (Good 1, Average 2), Fort +2 (Good 1, Poor 2), Will +3 (Good 3).
Note: No Base Bonus Value should ever be higher then your Character Level. If that happens you’ve likely made an error somewhere and should double check your Gestalt Multiclass Tracker sheet.
Class Features
Like simple gestalt there are a number caveats in addition to those already mentioned:
• A gestalt character can’t combine two prestige classes at any level, although it’s okay to combine a prestige class and a regular class. Prestige classes that are essentially class combinations-such as the arcane trickster, mystic theurge, and eldritch knight-should be prohibited if you’re using gestalt classes, because they unduly complicate the game balance of what’s already a high-powered variant. Because it’s possible for gestalt characters to qualify for prestige classes earlier than normal, the game master is entirely justified in toughening the requirements of a prestige class so it’s available only after 5th level, even for gestalt characters.
• If a base or prestige class increase the effective level of another, you must choose which of the available classes it applies to and should make note of it. For example a 7th-level wizard 7/sorcerer 5/dragon disciple 2 should indicate that extra caster level and spells per day are applied to the sorcerer, e.g. +1 Spells Per Day (Sorcerer).
Your effective class level in any one class cannot be higher then your character level. This especially applies to prestige class that increase your spells per day and caster level. For example a 7th-level wizard 7/sorcerer 5/dragon disciple 2 cannot have a wizard caster level above 7 or know more wizard spells per then a 7th-level wizard.
• Keep alignment and other restrictions in mind. Some class combinations are not possible or may result in the loss of class features. For example a base Barbarian//Monk has conflicting alignment requirements.
If you’re a stubborn gamemaster or have really passionate players you may elect to use prestige classes that are basically combinations. I caution both gamemaster and players that they need to increase the requirements of any such class so that they are only available after 5th level at the least. A good guideline is to look a the current requirements and make sure that minimum level of entry is retained. Often using skill rank is the easiest way to help set a minimum entry level.
For example the mystic theurge should have its requirements modified as follows:
Knowledge (arcana) increased from 3 ranks to 6
Knowledge (religion) increased from 3 ranks to 6
Able to cast divine spells increased from 2nd to 3rd
Able to cast arcane spells increased from 2nd to 3rd
Keep in mind the caveats for gestalt multiclassing, mainly that you cannot have a higher effect class level then your character level.
Gamemaster should also understand that in many cases using such class is effectively like allowing a player to advance three class at once instead of two. This gets especially complex when spell casting classes are advanced.
A second option is rebuild such combo classes as new gestalt prestige class that use both class choices at a level. These rebuilt class should include more class features that reward focusing on only two specific class while using these rules.
