Re: Character Discussions
Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2012 4:37 pm
A crazy idea I had...
No this isn't an add-in to rules, at least not yet.
Feel free to go nuts in opposition right now though =P
Gestalt Classing [Optional]
Foreword: Gestalt classing is an optional feature that allows one character to have two class lines by investing experience from their regular progression into a 'second line XP pool'. Because of the experience progression skew on the higher levels, gestalt classing may offer a character a chance to sacrificing some strength (e.g. caster level, BAB) for much adaptability, or the ability to use a prestige class without stopping base class progression (which Pathfinder mechanics greatly discourages). However, excessive use of Gestalt may cause a character to fall behind too much in combat stats. This is a strictly optional feature due to the complexity and statistical madness involved in building such a character, and there should not be any need to feel obliged to use this feature or 'fall behind the curve' as it will rarely be used by NPCs (only major NPCs of CR15 or above will even have an option for doing so).
Start: To begin using Gestalt classing, simply choose to invest experience from your character experience pool into a secondary experience pool. You may not reduce your character experience pool to below the minimum experience required for your character level. The amount of experience in this secondary experience pool determines the number of second level class levels, using experience progression one grade slower (e.g. Moderate instead of Fast).
[Note: this puts full Gestalt characters about 2~3 levels behind single line character, a penalty that only high level characters can really afford.]
Class Levels: You may choose any base class or prestige class, as long as your main class line meets the prerequisites (e.g. Magus 15//Arcane Archer 3). But to prevent level-dipping, you may not choose more than one base class and must invest at least five base class levels at start. Class levels in your second line does not count towards your character level and cannot exceed your character level (determined by your primary line), so you do not gain any feats or ability score bonuses from increases in character level, nor does your maximum skill rank increase, etc etc.
Base Attack Bonus & Base Saves: Calculate the Base Attack Bonus and Base Saving Throws for your second line by itself. If BAB or any one Base Save is higher on your second line than your primary line, you may use it *instead* of your normal. Otherwise, ignore it.
Hit Points: If you class levels on your second line uses higher HD than those on your primary line, you may replace those primary line HDs with your second line ones (e.g. a Rogue 17//Fighter 5 may replace 5 rogue HD with fighter HD when determining hit points).
Skill Points: Each class level on your second line grants skill points equal to [Normal Skillpts/level without Int mod]/2 (e.g. a rogue level, which normally grants 8 + Int skill points, grants only +4 skill points on the second line).
Favored Class: You do not receive any additional favored classes for starting a second line. However, you may receive favored class bonuses if you have more than one favored class (e.g. Half-Elves) and your second line to used to occupy the other class.
No this isn't an add-in to rules, at least not yet.
Feel free to go nuts in opposition right now though =P
Gestalt Classing [Optional]
Foreword: Gestalt classing is an optional feature that allows one character to have two class lines by investing experience from their regular progression into a 'second line XP pool'. Because of the experience progression skew on the higher levels, gestalt classing may offer a character a chance to sacrificing some strength (e.g. caster level, BAB) for much adaptability, or the ability to use a prestige class without stopping base class progression (which Pathfinder mechanics greatly discourages). However, excessive use of Gestalt may cause a character to fall behind too much in combat stats. This is a strictly optional feature due to the complexity and statistical madness involved in building such a character, and there should not be any need to feel obliged to use this feature or 'fall behind the curve' as it will rarely be used by NPCs (only major NPCs of CR15 or above will even have an option for doing so).
Start: To begin using Gestalt classing, simply choose to invest experience from your character experience pool into a secondary experience pool. You may not reduce your character experience pool to below the minimum experience required for your character level. The amount of experience in this secondary experience pool determines the number of second level class levels, using experience progression one grade slower (e.g. Moderate instead of Fast).
[Note: this puts full Gestalt characters about 2~3 levels behind single line character, a penalty that only high level characters can really afford.]
Class Levels: You may choose any base class or prestige class, as long as your main class line meets the prerequisites (e.g. Magus 15//Arcane Archer 3). But to prevent level-dipping, you may not choose more than one base class and must invest at least five base class levels at start. Class levels in your second line does not count towards your character level and cannot exceed your character level (determined by your primary line), so you do not gain any feats or ability score bonuses from increases in character level, nor does your maximum skill rank increase, etc etc.
Base Attack Bonus & Base Saves: Calculate the Base Attack Bonus and Base Saving Throws for your second line by itself. If BAB or any one Base Save is higher on your second line than your primary line, you may use it *instead* of your normal. Otherwise, ignore it.
Hit Points: If you class levels on your second line uses higher HD than those on your primary line, you may replace those primary line HDs with your second line ones (e.g. a Rogue 17//Fighter 5 may replace 5 rogue HD with fighter HD when determining hit points).
Skill Points: Each class level on your second line grants skill points equal to [Normal Skillpts/level without Int mod]/2 (e.g. a rogue level, which normally grants 8 + Int skill points, grants only +4 skill points on the second line).
Favored Class: You do not receive any additional favored classes for starting a second line. However, you may receive favored class bonuses if you have more than one favored class (e.g. Half-Elves) and your second line to used to occupy the other class.