Gestalt character - Revision history

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1d4chan>Slipmcripfist: /* Dragon Shaman//Warmage/Rainbow Servant */ link

2023-05-11T05:45:34Z

Dragon Shaman//Warmage/Rainbow Servant: link

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	Both use WIS and effects to beat the shit out of people in melee. Combine them to make a crazy powerful [[CoDzilla]] who can stomp all the face. And dedicate them to [[Obad-Hai]], because it fits. Like the above, not actually that much better than sum of its parts.		Both use WIS and effects to beat the shit out of people in melee. Combine them to make a crazy powerful [[CoDzilla]] who can stomp all the face. And dedicate them to [[Obad-Hai]], because it fits. Like the above, not actually that much better than sum of its parts.

	===[[Dragon Shaman]]//[[Warmage]]/Rainbow Servant===		===[[Dragon Shaman]]//[[Warmage]]/[[Rainbow Servant]]===
	A bit of an oddball: both can fight in melee and get profit from high Charisma (casting for the warmage, healing for the Dragon Shaman), plus getting the full 10 in Rainbow Servant as the Warmage will prove to be VERY useful as a winged, firebreathing and spellslugging badass.		A bit of an oddball: both can fight in melee and get profit from high Charisma (casting for the warmage, healing for the Dragon Shaman), plus getting the full 10 in Rainbow Servant as the Warmage will prove to be VERY useful as a winged, firebreathing and spellslugging badass.

1d4chan>Slipmcripfist: added archived link

2023-01-18T04:15:52Z

added archived link

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:15, 18 January 2023
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	~~For an exceptionally high-powered campaign of~~ [[3rd Edition Dungeons and Dragons]], the [[DM]] ~~can do more than to allow characters to start out with 32 points for ability scores. They~~ can opt to allow the rules that cater to the [[munchkin]]'s sweetest fantasies: taking two [[class]]es parallel to one another: getting the best bonuses while the lower ones are ignored~~. Such characters are the famed '''gestalt characters''' from Unearthed Arcana, and make for a very high powered game~~. They are usable for games with only a few players, allowing them to do stuff ~~normally~~ only possible for a party of double the size.		A '''Gestalt character''' is a character variant introduced in the [[3rd Edition Dungeons and Dragons]] book [[Unearthed Arcana#3e UA Content\|Unearthed Arcana]] on pgs. 72-76.

			For an exceptionally high-powered campaign, the [[DM]] can opt to allow the rules that cater to the [[munchkin]]'s sweetest fantasies: taking two [[class]]es parallel to one another, getting the best bonuses while the lower ones are ignored. They are usable for games with only a few players, allowing them to do stuff typically only possible for a party of double the size.

	==How does it work?==		==How does it work?==
	The first step is the same as rolling up any old character: pick a race, roll/buy abilities and stuff. You then pick not one but TWO classes to build your character from! You get the highest Hit Die, Base Attack Bonus, saves and starting gold of the two classes, and use them to build your character with. ~~The reason a~~ gestalt character is so powerful is because you get the Class Features of BOTH classes as you level up! Spellcasting progresses normally but the two are completely ~~seperate~~ from one another: for example your casting as a [[wizard]] does not affect your abilities as an [[archivist]]. You can even pick levels in [[prestige classes]] to level up higher, but this is limited ~~somewhat~~: you cannot take levels in prestige classes for both classes at the same time, and you cannot pick prestige classes that would advance the spellcasting of two different sources, IE the Mystic Theurge and friends.		The first step is the same as rolling up any old character: pick a race, roll/buy abilities and stuff. You then pick not one but TWO classes to build your character from! You get the highest Hit Die, Base Attack Bonus, saves and starting gold of the two classes, and use them to build your character with. A gestalt character is so powerful because you get the Class Features of BOTH classes as you level up! Spellcasting progresses normally, but the two are completely separate from one another: for example, your casting as a [[wizard]] does not affect your abilities as an [[archivist]]. You can even pick levels in [[prestige classes]] to level up higher, but this is somewhat limited: you cannot take levels in prestige classes for both classes at the same time, and you cannot pick prestige classes that would advance the spellcasting of two different sources, IE the Mystic Theurge and friends.

	The obvious ups to being a gestalt character is that you're powerful as fuck~~: you~~ are essentially two characters at the same time, which gives you plenty of options even for classes ~~who~~ previously had only limited flexibility. Another usable part of this is that it covers up weak spots that certain classes normally had: suddenly your wizard has a nice hit die, or your [[fighter]] gets good saves, or your [[warmage]] gets full BAB.		The obvious ups to being a gestalt character is that you're powerful as fuck. You are essentially two characters at the same time, which gives you plenty of options even for classes that previously had only limited flexibility. Another usable part of this is that it covers up weak spots that certain classes normally had: suddenly, your wizard has a nice hit die, or your [[fighter]] gets good saves, or your [[warmage]] gets full BAB.

	Gestalt characters normally exist in two kinds: the "same but more" and the "double feature". The "same but more" build takes one thing it does well, IE casting, and starts to do the same thing but with two classes, like the ~~afore-mentioned~~ wizard/archivist. The other is the "double feature": two clases that use the same ability but do different things with it, like the [[bard]] and the [[sorcerer]].		Gestalt characters normally exist in two kinds: the "same but more" and the "double feature". The "same but more" build takes one thing it does well, IE casting, and starts to do the same thing but with two classes, like the aforementioned wizard/archivist. The other is the "double feature": two clases that use the same ability but do different things with it, like the [[bard]] and the [[sorcerer]].

	The downside to playing a gestalt character is that they are only as tough as the best of the two: a fighter//[[soulknife]] is only as tough as the fighter, and less tough than an equally-leveled duo of a fighter and a soulknife. Similarly, the action economy keeps gestalt characters from completely dwarfing normal ones, as any given character can only take so many actions in a round. The other thing you should keep in mind is that just because you took levels in a martial class you do not suddenly become immune to the effects of armor that affects your spellcasting. You also only have one set of ability scores and the same number of feats (aside from any bonus feats you pick up). The most common workaround for these limitations is to focus one side on passive abilities, and to pickup abilities that modify what stat boosts something (such as a Paladin's Divine Grace on a [[Sorcerer]] or [[Factotum]] with any intelligence based class.).		The downside to playing a gestalt character is that they are only as tough as the best of the two: a fighter//[[soulknife]] is only as tough as the fighter, and less tough than an equally-leveled duo of a fighter and a soulknife. Similarly, the action economy keeps gestalt characters from completely dwarfing normal ones, as any given character can only take so many actions in a round. The other thing you should keep in mind is that just because you took levels in a martial class you do not suddenly become immune to the effects of armor that affects your spellcasting. You also only have one set of ability scores and the same number of feats (aside from any bonus feats you pick up). The most common workaround for these limitations is to focus one side on passive abilities, and to pickup abilities that modify what stat boosts something (such as a Paladin's Divine Grace on a [[Sorcerer]] or [[Factotum]] with any intelligence based class.).

	If you desire to fix these very minimal downsides and acquire even more cheese than playing a gestalt ~~to begin with~~ provides, ~~just~~ play a [[Dvati]]. For those not in the know, Dvati is a race from ''Dragon Compendium'' that consists entirely of twins that share a soul between two bodies. For LA+1 you literally get to play two characters. That's right boys and girls, [[munchkin\|you get 2 full-round actions every single round]]. The downsides of this are that if one of them casts a spell the other doesn't get to act that round, and each twin gets half of your rolled HD on level-up. This is less of a problem when you're playing gestalt and can slap a barbarian's d12 HD onto a wizard. Or you could be a super nerd and play a Binder/Rogue ~~or something~~ since you can ~~then~~ flank against yourself, take a full attack for full Sneak Attack dice, and then do~~...~~ whatever it is the binder levels are doing for you. Call lightning I guess.		If you desire to fix these very minimal downsides and acquire even more cheese than playing a gestalt provides, play a [[Dvati]]. For those not in the know, Dvati is a race from ''Dragon Compendium'' that consists entirely of twins that share a soul between two bodies. For LA+1 you literally get to play two characters. That's right boys and girls, [[munchkin\|you get 2 full-round actions every single round]]. The downsides of this are that if one of them casts a spell the other doesn't get to act that round, and each twin gets half of your rolled HD on level-up. This is less of a problem when you're playing gestalt and can slap a barbarian's d12 HD onto a wizard. Or you could be a super nerd and play a Binder/Rogue since you can flank against yourself, take a full attack for full Sneak Attack dice, and then do whatever it is the binder levels are doing for you. Call lightning, I guess.

	==The Hall of Fame==		==The Hall of Fame==
	Here's a short list of combinations you might like to try if you were to play a gestalt character.		Here's a short list of combinations you might like to try if you were to play a gestalt character.

	===[[Archivist]]//[[Wizard]]===		===[[Archivist]]/[[Wizard]]===
	Stand back and throw ALL THE SPELLS. Less powerful than the Erudite pick later on this list, but it doesn't require faffing about with Psionics, for which everyone at the table will thank you for. Tends to ~~not~~ be much more powerful than its components, since you're still restricted to the same number of actions and Wizards can't wear armor.		Stand back and throw ALL THE SPELLS. Less powerful than the Erudite pick later on this list, but it doesn't require faffing about with Psionics, for which everyone at the table will thank you for. Tends not to be much more powerful than its components since you're still restricted to the same number of actions, and Wizards can't wear armor.

	===[[Cleric]]//[[Druid]]===		===[[Cleric]]/[[Druid]]===
	Both use WIS and effects to beat the shit out of people in melee. Combine them to make a crazy powerful [[CoDzilla]] who can stomp all the face. And dedicate them to [[Obad-Hai]], because it fits. Like the above, not actually that much better than sum of its parts.		Both use WIS and effects to beat the shit out of people in melee. Combine them to make a crazy powerful [[CoDzilla]] who can stomp all the face. And dedicate them to [[Obad-Hai]], because it fits. Like the above, not actually that much better than sum of its parts.

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	A bit of an oddball: both can fight in melee and get profit from high Charisma (casting for the warmage, healing for the Dragon Shaman), plus getting the full 10 in Rainbow Servant as the Warmage will prove to be VERY useful as a winged, firebreathing and spellslugging badass.		A bit of an oddball: both can fight in melee and get profit from high Charisma (casting for the warmage, healing for the Dragon Shaman), plus getting the full 10 in Rainbow Servant as the Warmage will prove to be VERY useful as a winged, firebreathing and spellslugging badass.

	===[[Erudite]]//[[Archivist]]===		===[[Erudite]]/[[Archivist]]===
	This is the Spell-to-Power version of the Erudite, allowing you to pull all Arcane spells from peoples' heads. Meanwhile, ~~your~~ divine part of your brain can learn all Divine spells even easier. ~~This class can as such with~~ a combination of good casting, domination effects and plenty of reading learn every spell in the game. Too bad that they're not very tough in a fight.		This is the Spell-to-Power version of the Erudite, allowing you to pull all Arcane spells from peoples' heads. Meanwhile, the divine part of your brain can learn all Divine spells even easier. With a combination of good casting, domination effects and plenty of reading, this class can learn every spell in the game. Too bad that they're not very tough in a fight.

	===[[Fighter]]//Wild Shape [[Ranger]]/Master of Many Forms===		===[[Fighter]]//Wild Shape [[Ranger]]/Master of Many Forms===
	An odd combination at first, until you realize you can turn into a Giant, break out a big weapon and beat the everloving shit out of everyone in your way. Or just become a [[dragon]] with Fighter feats, for the giggles.		An odd combination at first, until you realize you can turn into a Giant, break out a big weapon and beat the everloving shit out of everyone in your way. Or just become a [[dragon]] with Fighter feats, for the giggles.

	===[[Ranger]]//[[Scout]]===		===[[Ranger]]/[[Scout]]===
	Both of them can do one thing well: shooting bows. Combining the Ranger's tricks and limited spellcasting with the Scout's skirmishing and superior hiding skills you can get a very potent and dangerous archer, picking people off with their bow like it's nobody's business. This was later made into an official hybrid ~~pesudo~~-class with the "Swift Hunter" feat, which allowed Ranger levels to stack with Scout levels for Skirmish damage.		Both of them can do one thing well: shooting bows. Combining the Ranger's tricks and limited spellcasting with the Scout's skirmishing and superior hiding skills you can get a very potent and dangerous archer, picking people off with their bow like it's nobody's business. This was later made into an official hybrid pseudo-class with the "Swift Hunter" feat, which allowed Ranger levels to stack with Scout levels for Skirmish damage.

	===[[Succubus]]//[[Blackguard]]//[[Swordsage]]//[[Sorcerer]]===		===[[Succubus]]//[[Blackguard]]//[[Swordsage]]//[[Sorcerer]]===
	With monsters being a "class" in gestalt, combinations like these become possible. Succubi gain an innate +16 to charisma which is the same as most starting caster's entire score. Through a few levels in Blackguard they can add their CHA to their saving throws. By taking the Swordsage class and Ascetic Mage feat from Complete Adventurer, she can add her CHA to her AC ~~as well~~. Throw in CHA based spellcasting, the ability to control minds (based on CHA), teleport at will, telepathy, spell resistance and having just enough skill points to be a pocket diplomancer ~~this~~ build will make a fun anti-hero to play~~. Or~~ a seriously aggravating villain who can turn people against the party with ~~just~~ her honeyed tongue. To put gestalt into perspective, this is considered to be a moderately weak build...		With monsters being a "class" in gestalt, combinations like these become possible. Succubi gain an innate +16 to charisma which is the same as most starting caster's entire score. Through a few levels in Blackguard they can add their CHA to their saving throws. By taking the Swordsage class and Ascetic Mage feat from Complete Adventurer, she can also add her CHA to her AC. Throw in CHA-based spellcasting, the ability to control minds (based on CHA), teleport at will, telepathy, spell resistance and having just enough skill points to be a pocket diplomancer. This build will make a fun anti-hero to play or a seriously aggravating villain who can turn people against the party with her honeyed tongue. To put gestalt into perspective, this is considered to be a moderately weak build...

	===Factotum 8/anything//Any intelligence based class===		===Factotum 8/anything//Any intelligence based class===
	You know how number of actions is the main limitation on gestalt characters? [[Factotum]] 8 breaks that to tiny little pieces by getting an extra standard action if they spend enough inspiration. Factotum also ~~get to~~ add their intelligence to ~~a lot of~~ things, offsetting the other gestalt weakness of only having one set of ability scores. Factotum themselves are balanced around needing a lot of levels to get this awesome ability, but in gestalt they can do crazy shit. Typical pairings are finishing the Factotum side with [[~~Prestige_Class~~#Chameleon\|Chameleon]] (which solves the problem of only having so many feats in addition to its other merits) or the remaining levels of Factotum (both normal builds for the class). The other side has many options, but the most common are Wizard, Psion, Archivist, and Warblade (with relevant prestige classes).		You know how the number of actions is the main limitation on gestalt characters? [[Factotum]] 8 breaks that into tiny little pieces by getting an extra standard action if they spend enough inspiration. Factotum can also add their intelligence to many things, offsetting the other gestalt weakness of only having one set of ability scores. Factotum themselves are balanced around needing a lot of levels to get this awesome ability, but in gestalt they can do crazy shit. Typical pairings are finishing the Factotum side with [[Prestige Class#Chameleon\|Chameleon]] (which solves the problem of only having so many feats in addition to its other merits) or the remaining levels of Factotum (both normal builds for the class). The other side has many options, but the most common are Wizard, Psion, Archivist, and Warblade (with relevant prestige classes).

			==Links==
			* [https://web.archive.org/web/20220524103054/https://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/gestaltCharacters.htm SRD for Gestalt Characters] (archived)

	{{~~Template:~~D&D3-Classes}}		{{D&D3-Classes}}

37.19.221.159: /* The Hall of Fame */

2022-04-04T01:52:18Z

The Hall of Fame

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:52, 4 April 2022
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	==The Hall of Fame==		==The Hall of Fame==
	Here's a short list of combinations you might like to ~~tryif~~ you were to play a gestalt character.		Here's a short list of combinations you might like to try if you were to play a gestalt character.

	===[[Archivist]]//[[Wizard]]===		===[[Archivist]]//[[Wizard]]===

1d4chan>QuietBrowser: /* How does it work? */

2020-11-02T21:20:25Z

How does it work?

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:20, 2 November 2020
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	The downside to playing a gestalt character is that they are only as tough as the best of the two: a fighter//[[soulknife]] is only as tough as the fighter, and less tough than an equally-leveled duo of a fighter and a soulknife. Similarly, the action economy keeps gestalt characters from completely dwarfing normal ones, as any given character can only take so many actions in a round. The other thing you should keep in mind is that just because you took levels in a martial class you do not suddenly become immune to the effects of armor that affects your spellcasting. You also only have one set of ability scores and the same number of feats (aside from any bonus feats you pick up). The most common workaround for these limitations is to focus one side on passive abilities, and to pickup abilities that modify what stat boosts something (such as a Paladin's Divine Grace on a [[Sorcerer]] or [[Factotum]] with any intelligence based class.).		The downside to playing a gestalt character is that they are only as tough as the best of the two: a fighter//[[soulknife]] is only as tough as the fighter, and less tough than an equally-leveled duo of a fighter and a soulknife. Similarly, the action economy keeps gestalt characters from completely dwarfing normal ones, as any given character can only take so many actions in a round. The other thing you should keep in mind is that just because you took levels in a martial class you do not suddenly become immune to the effects of armor that affects your spellcasting. You also only have one set of ability scores and the same number of feats (aside from any bonus feats you pick up). The most common workaround for these limitations is to focus one side on passive abilities, and to pickup abilities that modify what stat boosts something (such as a Paladin's Divine Grace on a [[Sorcerer]] or [[Factotum]] with any intelligence based class.).

	If you desire to fix these very minimal downsides and acquire even more cheese than playing a gestalt to begin with provides, just play a Dvati. For those not in the know, Dvati is a race from ''Dragon Compendium'' that consists entirely of twins that share a soul between two bodies. For LA+1 you literally get to play two characters. That's right boys and girls, [[munchkin\|you get 2 full-round actions every single round]]. The downsides of this are that if one of them casts a spell the other doesn't get to act that round, and each twin gets half of your rolled HD on level-up. This is less of a problem when you're playing gestalt and can slap a barbarian's d12 HD onto a wizard. Or you could be a super nerd and play a Binder/Rogue or something since you can then flank against yourself, take a full attack for full Sneak Attack dice, and then do... whatever it is the binder levels are doing for you. Call lightning I guess.		If you desire to fix these very minimal downsides and acquire even more cheese than playing a gestalt to begin with provides, just play a [[Dvati]]. For those not in the know, Dvati is a race from ''Dragon Compendium'' that consists entirely of twins that share a soul between two bodies. For LA+1 you literally get to play two characters. That's right boys and girls, [[munchkin\|you get 2 full-round actions every single round]]. The downsides of this are that if one of them casts a spell the other doesn't get to act that round, and each twin gets half of your rolled HD on level-up. This is less of a problem when you're playing gestalt and can slap a barbarian's d12 HD onto a wizard. Or you could be a super nerd and play a Binder/Rogue or something since you can then flank against yourself, take a full attack for full Sneak Attack dice, and then do... whatever it is the binder levels are doing for you. Call lightning I guess.

	==The Hall of Fame==		==The Hall of Fame==

1d4chan>Agiletek: /* How does it work? */

2020-08-04T02:42:14Z

How does it work?

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:42, 4 August 2020
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	Gestalt characters normally exist in two kinds: the "same but more" and the "double feature". The "same but more" build takes one thing it does well, IE casting, and starts to do the same thing but with two classes, like the afore-mentioned wizard/archivist. The other is the "double feature": two clases that use the same ability but do different things with it, like the [[bard]] and the [[sorcerer]].		Gestalt characters normally exist in two kinds: the "same but more" and the "double feature". The "same but more" build takes one thing it does well, IE casting, and starts to do the same thing but with two classes, like the afore-mentioned wizard/archivist. The other is the "double feature": two clases that use the same ability but do different things with it, like the [[bard]] and the [[sorcerer]].

	The downside to playing a gestalt character is that they are only as tough as the best of the two: a fighter//[[soulknife]] is only as tough as the fighter, and less tough than an equally-leveled duo of a fighter and a soulknife. Similarly, the action economy keeps gestalt characters from completely dwarfing normal ones, as any given character can only take so many actions in a round. The other thing you should keep in mind is that just because you took levels in a martial class you do not suddenly become immune to the effects of armor that affects your spellcasting. You also only have one set of ability scores and the same number of feats (aside from any bonus feats you pick up). The most common workaround for these limitations is to focus one side on passive abilities.		The downside to playing a gestalt character is that they are only as tough as the best of the two: a fighter//[[soulknife]] is only as tough as the fighter, and less tough than an equally-leveled duo of a fighter and a soulknife. Similarly, the action economy keeps gestalt characters from completely dwarfing normal ones, as any given character can only take so many actions in a round. The other thing you should keep in mind is that just because you took levels in a martial class you do not suddenly become immune to the effects of armor that affects your spellcasting. You also only have one set of ability scores and the same number of feats (aside from any bonus feats you pick up). The most common workaround for these limitations is to focus one side on passive abilities, and to pickup abilities that modify what stat boosts something (such as a Paladin's Divine Grace on a [[Sorcerer]] or [[Factotum]] with any intelligence based class.).

	If you desire to fix these very minimal downsides and acquire even more cheese than playing a gestalt to begin with provides, just play a Dvati. For those not in the know, Dvati is a race from ''Dragon Compendium'' that consists entirely of twins that share a soul between two bodies. For LA+1 you literally get to play two characters. That's right boys and girls, [[munchkin\|you get 2 full-round actions every single round]]. The downsides of this are that if one of them casts a spell the other doesn't get to act that round, and each twin gets half of your rolled HD on level-up. This is less of a problem when you're playing gestalt and can slap a barbarian's d12 HD onto a wizard. Or you could be a super nerd and play a Binder/Rogue or something since you can then flank against yourself, take a full attack for full Sneak Attack dice, and then do... whatever it is the binder levels are doing for you. Call lightning I guess.		If you desire to fix these very minimal downsides and acquire even more cheese than playing a gestalt to begin with provides, just play a Dvati. For those not in the know, Dvati is a race from ''Dragon Compendium'' that consists entirely of twins that share a soul between two bodies. For LA+1 you literally get to play two characters. That's right boys and girls, [[munchkin\|you get 2 full-round actions every single round]]. The downsides of this are that if one of them casts a spell the other doesn't get to act that round, and each twin gets half of your rolled HD on level-up. This is less of a problem when you're playing gestalt and can slap a barbarian's d12 HD onto a wizard. Or you could be a super nerd and play a Binder/Rogue or something since you can then flank against yourself, take a full attack for full Sneak Attack dice, and then do... whatever it is the binder levels are doing for you. Call lightning I guess.

1d4chan>Agiletek: /* The Hall of Fame */

2020-01-08T22:49:42Z

The Hall of Fame

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:49, 8 January 2020
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	===[[Archivist]]//[[Wizard]]===		===[[Archivist]]//[[Wizard]]===
	Stand back and throw ALL THE SPELLS. Less powerful than the Erudite pick later on this list, but it doesn't require faffing about with Psionics, for which everyone at the table will thank you for.		Stand back and throw ALL THE SPELLS. Less powerful than the Erudite pick later on this list, but it doesn't require faffing about with Psionics, for which everyone at the table will thank you for. Tends to not be much more powerful than its components, since you're still restricted to the same number of actions and Wizards can't wear armor.

	===[[Cleric]]//[[Druid]]===		===[[Cleric]]//[[Druid]]===
	Both use WIS and effects to beat the shit out of people in melee. Combine them to make a crazy powerful [[CoDzilla]] who can stomp all the face. And dedicate them to [[Obad-Hai]], because it fits. ~~Tends to~~ not be much ~~more powerful~~ than its ~~components, since you're still restricted to the same number of actions~~.		Both use WIS and effects to beat the shit out of people in melee. Combine them to make a crazy powerful [[CoDzilla]] who can stomp all the face. And dedicate them to [[Obad-Hai]], because it fits. Like the above, not actually that much better than sum of its parts.

	===[[Dragon Shaman]]//[[Warmage]]/Rainbow Servant===		===[[Dragon Shaman]]//[[Warmage]]/Rainbow Servant===

1d4chan>Agiletek: /* How does it work? */

2018-12-31T16:46:39Z

How does it work?

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:46, 31 December 2018
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	Gestalt characters normally exist in two kinds: the "same but more" and the "double feature". The "same but more" build takes one thing it does well, IE casting, and starts to do the same thing but with two classes, like the afore-mentioned wizard/archivist. The other is the "double feature": two clases that use the same ability but do different things with it, like the [[bard]] and the [[sorcerer]].		Gestalt characters normally exist in two kinds: the "same but more" and the "double feature". The "same but more" build takes one thing it does well, IE casting, and starts to do the same thing but with two classes, like the afore-mentioned wizard/archivist. The other is the "double feature": two clases that use the same ability but do different things with it, like the [[bard]] and the [[sorcerer]].

	The downside to playing a gestalt character is that they are only as tough as the best of the two: a fighter//[[soulknife]] is only as tough as the fighter, and less tough than an equally-leveled duo of a fighter and a soulknife. Similarly, the action economy keeps gestalt characters from completely dwarfing normal ones, as any given character can only take so many actions in a round. The other thing you should keep in mind is that just because you took levels in a martial class you do not suddenly become immune to the effects of armor that affects your spellcasting.		The downside to playing a gestalt character is that they are only as tough as the best of the two: a fighter//[[soulknife]] is only as tough as the fighter, and less tough than an equally-leveled duo of a fighter and a soulknife. Similarly, the action economy keeps gestalt characters from completely dwarfing normal ones, as any given character can only take so many actions in a round. The other thing you should keep in mind is that just because you took levels in a martial class you do not suddenly become immune to the effects of armor that affects your spellcasting. You also only have one set of ability scores and the same number of feats (aside from any bonus feats you pick up). The most common workaround for these limitations is to focus one side on passive abilities.

	If you desire to fix these very minimal downsides and acquire even more cheese than playing a gestalt to begin with provides, just play a Dvati. For those not in the know, Dvati is a race from Dragon ~~Magazine~~ that consists entirely of twins that share a soul between two bodies. For LA+1 you literally get to play two characters. That's right boys and girls, [[munchkin\|you get 2 full-round actions every single round]]. The downsides of this are that if one of them casts a spell the other doesn't get to act that round, and each twin gets half of your rolled HD on level-up. This is less of a problem when you're playing gestalt and can slap a barbarian's d12 HD onto a wizard. Or you could be a super nerd and play a Binder/Rogue or something since you can then flank against yourself, take a full attack for full Sneak Attack dice, and then do... whatever it is the binder levels are doing for you. Call lightning I guess.		If you desire to fix these very minimal downsides and acquire even more cheese than playing a gestalt to begin with provides, just play a Dvati. For those not in the know, Dvati is a race from ''Dragon Compendium'' that consists entirely of twins that share a soul between two bodies. For LA+1 you literally get to play two characters. That's right boys and girls, [[munchkin\|you get 2 full-round actions every single round]]. The downsides of this are that if one of them casts a spell the other doesn't get to act that round, and each twin gets half of your rolled HD on level-up. This is less of a problem when you're playing gestalt and can slap a barbarian's d12 HD onto a wizard. Or you could be a super nerd and play a Binder/Rogue or something since you can then flank against yourself, take a full attack for full Sneak Attack dice, and then do... whatever it is the binder levels are doing for you. Call lightning I guess.

	==The Hall of Fame==		==The Hall of Fame==

1d4chan>Agiletek: /* The Hall of Fame */

2018-12-31T16:43:55Z

The Hall of Fame

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:43, 31 December 2018
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	===[[Cleric]]//[[Druid]]===		===[[Cleric]]//[[Druid]]===
	Both use WIS and effects to beat the shit out of people in melee. Combine them to make a crazy powerful [[CoDzilla]] who can stomp all the face. And dedicate them to [[Obad-Hai]], because it fits.		Both use WIS and effects to beat the shit out of people in melee. Combine them to make a crazy powerful [[CoDzilla]] who can stomp all the face. And dedicate them to [[Obad-Hai]], because it fits. Tends to not be much more powerful than its components, since you're still restricted to the same number of actions.

	===[[Dragon Shaman]]//[[Warmage]]/Rainbow Servant===		===[[Dragon Shaman]]//[[Warmage]]/Rainbow Servant===
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	===[[Ranger]]//[[Scout]]===		===[[Ranger]]//[[Scout]]===
	Both of them can do one thing well: shooting bows. Combining the Ranger's tricks and limited spellcasting with the Scout's skirmishing and superior hiding skills you can get a very potent and dangerous archer, picking people off with their bow like it's nobody's business.		Both of them can do one thing well: shooting bows. Combining the Ranger's tricks and limited spellcasting with the Scout's skirmishing and superior hiding skills you can get a very potent and dangerous archer, picking people off with their bow like it's nobody's business. This was later made into an official hybrid pesudo-class with the "Swift Hunter" feat, which allowed Ranger levels to stack with Scout levels for Skirmish damage.

	===[[Succubus]]//[[Blackguard]]//[[Swordsage]]//[[Sorcerer]]===		===[[Succubus]]//[[Blackguard]]//[[Swordsage]]//[[Sorcerer]]===
	With monsters being a "class" in gestalt, combinations like these become possible. Succubi gain an innate +16 to charisma which is the same as most starting caster's entire score. Through a few levels in Blackguard they can add their CHA to their saving throws. By taking the Swordsage class and Ascetic Mage feat from Complete Adventurer, she can add her CHA to her AC as well. Throw in CHA based spellcasting, the ability to control minds (based on CHA), teleport at will, telepathy, spell resistance and having just enough skill points to be a pocket diplomancer this build will make a fun anti-hero to play. Or a seriously aggravating villain who can turn people against the party with just her honeyed tongue. To put gestalt into perspective, this is considered to be a moderately weak build...		With monsters being a "class" in gestalt, combinations like these become possible. Succubi gain an innate +16 to charisma which is the same as most starting caster's entire score. Through a few levels in Blackguard they can add their CHA to their saving throws. By taking the Swordsage class and Ascetic Mage feat from Complete Adventurer, she can add her CHA to her AC as well. Throw in CHA based spellcasting, the ability to control minds (based on CHA), teleport at will, telepathy, spell resistance and having just enough skill points to be a pocket diplomancer this build will make a fun anti-hero to play. Or a seriously aggravating villain who can turn people against the party with just her honeyed tongue. To put gestalt into perspective, this is considered to be a moderately weak build...

			===Factotum 8/anything//Any intelligence based class===
			You know how number of actions is the main limitation on gestalt characters? [[Factotum]] 8 breaks that to tiny little pieces by getting an extra standard action if they spend enough inspiration. Factotum also get to add their intelligence to a lot of things, offsetting the other gestalt weakness of only having one set of ability scores. Factotum themselves are balanced around needing a lot of levels to get this awesome ability, but in gestalt they can do crazy shit. Typical pairings are finishing the Factotum side with [[Prestige_Class#Chameleon\|Chameleon]] (which solves the problem of only having so many feats in addition to its other merits) or the remaining levels of Factotum (both normal builds for the class). The other side has many options, but the most common are Wizard, Psion, Archivist, and Warblade (with relevant prestige classes).

	{{Template:D&D3-Classes}}		{{Template:D&D3-Classes}}