DM IRONLord's Iron Gods Book 1 (Inactive)

Game Master Dave Herman

I will be submitting one half of a duo later today. A Ratfolk Fighter (Two Weapon Fighter) / Unchained Rogue (Knife Master).

Ms.Pleiades and I have worked out the concept quite well.

Gotcha. There's a bunch of cool s&@% under the dragon type on the monster types page. I'll ignore that. NG Wyvaran (Ancient Guardian) Druid/(Unchained Flowing) Monk coming soon. She's a slippery one.

You are looking at that? You should be looking at This!

Nutcase Entertainment wrote:

I am guessing these and NPC classes are a no?

You are correct.

[sarcasm] I am guessing no robots either. [/sarcasm] (Sorry!)

One other thing:

I am strongly biased towards gestalts that have some sort of synergy concept wise, and strongly biased against gestalts with a whole bunch of weird multiclassing simply for the sake of game-breaking power. This is not a requirement necessarily, but I thought everyone should know sooner than later.

So you don't want mops/brooms, but you don't want a bunch of Jedi Knight either.

DM IRONlord wrote:

Nutcase Entertainment wrote:

I am guessing these and NPC classes are a no?

You are correct.

[sarcasm] I am guessing no robots either. [/sarcasm] (Sorry!)

DM IRONlord wrote:

One other thing:

I am strongly biased towards gestalts that have some sort of synergy concept wise, and strongly biased against gestalts with a whole bunch of weird multiclassing simply for the sake of game-breaking power. This is not a requirement necessarily, but I thought everyone should know sooner than later.

So you don't want mops/brooms, but you don't want a bunch of Jedi Knight either.

I dunno, Jedi Knight types seem relatively appropriate for this AP. What I don't want is some insane mishmash of classes that only exist to, say, have +100 to attack, AC 50, 100d6 sneak attack at level 8. That is a purely hyperbolic example. If you can make that happen, send me th build and I will use it on my IRL DM.

I am thinking Human Martial Artist Monk / Druid, if you know of an Unchained version of the Archetype, you can tell me.

Could I eventually get a limited A.I. familiar if I take improved familiar as a Witch, wizard, etc? Oni Mask-could be reflavored since they are wearable Or maybe the Figment familiar archetype. I only ask because it's strictly flavor rather than power related.

So you want one of these? Kidding, but maybe? The figment archetype is fine. I suppose you could take a homonculus or clockwork and we'll just say it's A.I. powered. Actually, I'm kinda suprised there ISN'T a robot familiar out there.

Are crafting feats allowed? not taking them quite yet, just wondering for the future with alchemist being allowed to craft i might want to take advantage.

Certainly. No crafting in character creation though. And we will be following the rules for the time it takes to make an item. I haven't read the whole AP, so I don't know how much free time you'll get to make things, especially at higher levels. I can't guaranty you would have time to, say, make an amulet of the planes, without the world exploding while the rest of the party sits around watching you do it...

And another thing:
I know, I keep doing this. Sorry, first time setting up one of these, so I'm slightly disorganized.
Please read the Players Guide!
I need to know what brings your character to Torch. And why you care enough to investigate what is going on. I've seen a few AP's sputter out really fast, because party member's didn't have any actual reason to get involved. (Real life WotR, I'm looking at you...)

I am thinking Human Martial Artist Monk / Druid, if you know of an Unchained version of the Archetype, you can tell me.

As I understand it, Unchained Monk is not compatible with any archetypes. And wow, a lot of Unchained Monks so far. You guys don't want to pay for armor, do ya?

Nutcase Entertainment wrote:

I am thinking Human Martial Artist Monk / Druid, if you know of an Unchained version of the Archetype, you can tell me.

As I understand it, Unchained Monk is not compatible with any archetypes. And wow, a lot of Unchained Monks so far. You guys don't want to pay for armor, do ya?

Druid don't have much armor they can wear, so Monk are kinda a good gestalt candidate, and both are Wis based.

@Yolollama
On further thought, and a quick perusal of familiars, an Ioun Wyrd would make sense as an AI. I would also allow an Arachnid Robot as a base familiar, or a Mechanical Viper Robot with the Improved Familiar feat at level 7.

Dotting: thinking of an Android Techslinger/Occultist, probably multiclassing out of 'slinger at level 5.
Could I ask you something, DM?

1) Androids are normally barred from taking levels in Occult classes: the only way to bypass that RAW is to get the Empathy feat. However, aside from the fact that it would cost me a lot of points, a feat, and negate completely a racial ability, it doesn't make sense for the character I want to make to have it from the start: I was planning him to feel and learn about emotions by proxy trough the Occultist's Psychometry. (And it feels a little dumb that Androids are the only race that can't take levels in a specific character class <.<)
On the other hand, I understand that just allowing Androids to get Occult classes and shore up the weakness to mind-affecting effects could be a little imbalanced: what if I don't get the malus by those effects, but still can't cast spells during the duration?
I.E. Construct McEvilbot demoralizes me, and now I'm shaken: I don't get the negative bonus to saves, attacks etc., but I can't cast spells until the I'm no longer shaken. Seems reasonable?
2)What do you mean by "streamline bits that seem unnecessary"? Like putting together descriptions of empty rooms, or cutting pieces of the AP?

Human Gunslinger/Inquisitor, Robot Slayer trait.

Dotting: thinking of an Android Techslinger/Occultist, probably multiclassing out of 'slinger at level 5.

Could I ask you something, DM?

1) Androids are normally barred from taking levels in Occult classes: the only way to bypass that RAW is to get the Empathy feat. However, aside from the fact that it would cost me a lot of points, a feat, and negate completely a racial ability, it doesn't make sense for the character I want to make to have it from the start: I was planning him to feel and learn about emotions by proxy trough the Occultist's Psychometry.
On the other hand, I understand that just allowing Androids to get Occult classes and shore up the weakness to mind-affecting effects could be a little imbalanced: what if I don't get the malus by those effects, but still can't cast spells during the duration?
I.E. Construct McEvilbot demoralizes me, and now I'm shaken: I don't get the negative bonus to saves, attacks etc., but I can't cast spells until the I'm no longer shaken. Seems reasonable?
2)What do you mean by "streamline bits that seem unnecessary"? Like putting together descriptions of empty rooms, or cutting pieces of the AP?

1: I would prefer to stick with the Empathy requirement.

2)Ok, got it!
1) Ah. :(
Is there no way to make you change idea? I think my proposal wouldn't give me an edge over someone else, and make the Android no different than another race in functionality: as I said, I think the "they can't because they can't feel emotions" (when they spell in the fluff that yes, they do) is kind of arbitrary, and put there because of the aforementioned immunity to morale effects.

Any Traits you don't want us to select? Additional Traits feat? Can we start with Special Material Ammo?

Think I will submit a Techslinger/Wizard, who is focused on ranged damage, CC, and disabling/distracting the enemy.

Nutcase Entertainment wrote:

I am thinking Human Martial Artist Monk / Druid, if you know of an Unchained version of the Archetype, you can tell me.

As I understand it, Unchained Monk is not compatible with any archetypes. And wow, a lot of Unchained Monks so far. You guys don't want to pay for armor, do ya?

For me, it's just a 2-level diversion to nab some key feats/features in time for my build. The core of the character is WHW/Lore Warden, but evasion and bonus feats work really well for her and allow for her to qualify for some other feats at the level she ought to get them.

I've settled on an Android Evoker Wizard//Bladebound Kensai Magus. I'm working on her here.

[Ammon here]

here is the alias for my character

everything should be just about done, He fights using combat manuevers specifically sunder and dirty fighting. he's certainly more agile than strong, his intelligence is well he claims to know everything, including how to disable traps and locks, make poisons.

he does a bit of everything but knowledge checks are were he excels

Draft character,
Lashunta Psychic/Slayer.
Became trapped on Golarion via some mystical means, and has since been investigating anything 'alien' to try and find a way back home to Castrovel.

Using Psychic as mostly utility as she builds on her racial heritage, mostly avoiding direct combat powers.

Profile needs completing but is about 80% done.
Need another trait, need feats, need backstory polishing and adding.

I'm quite interested in this. I'm thinking either an impossible or a nanite bloodline sorcerer as they'll fit wonderfully flavorwise. Which I pick depends on your answer to a couple questions. I know you said you were unlikely to bend the rules, but I'm going to ask anyway as the answers might completely change the makeup of my character.

1) Impossible bloodline allows enchatment (compulsion) to affect constructs. Would you allow to exchange this for illusion (patterns) instead? Obviously it's a drastical change, but I think it would be really cool to have an illusionist that could fool constructs. I don't think it's supported to do this otherwise. I'll understand if you don't like it though.

2) Another concept I'm considering is nanite bloodline paired with bloodrager. Sadly the rules state that you have to have to have the same bloodlines for bloodrager and sorcerer and there is no nanite bloodline for a bloodrager. Would you allow this? I'm think arcane bloodline for the bloodrager? I would prefer to play it without any extra bloodlines, but if you don't allow that how about taking Crossblooded arcane//nanite for the sorcerer?

If you answer negative to both questions I'll probably still play either of the bloodlines, but I would have to rethink things slightly.

Ms. Pleiades here, coordinating with Kerri Corynian on a pair of ratfolk. Going with a Ratfolk Inspired Blade Swashbuckler/Kensai Magus. A real bookworm that approaches combat intellectually.

Here is my half of the duo. This is all I have at the moment, but I shall carry on working on it. Sorry if this is in a bad format, if I get selected I shall write it our properly in an alias. Most of the information should be there though, excluding appearance, backstory and equipment. Feel free to message me if I have missed anything else.

QUOTE="Adahn_Cielo"] 2)Ok, got it!
1) Ah. :(
Is there no way to make you change idea? I think my proposal wouldn't give me an edge over someone else, and make the Android no different than another race in functionality: as I said, I think the "they can't because they can't feel emotions" (when they spell in the fluff that yes, they do) is kind of arbitrary, and put there because of the aforementioned immunity to morale effects.

Sorry, I'm gonna have to stick with my initial ruling. You aren't just immune to morale effects, but also all fear and emotion based effects. You can take levels in the class, but you would need the Logical Spell metamagic feat to cast anything with emotion components, if you don't want to take the Empathy feat.

Any Traits you don't want us to select? Additional Traits feat? Can we start with Special Material Ammo?

1: I can't think of any

I'm quite interested in this. I'm thinking either an impossible or a nanite bloodline sorcerer as they'll fit wonderfully flavorwise. Which I pick depends on your answer to a couple questions. I know you said you were unlikely to bend the rules, but I'm going to ask anyway as the answers might completely change the makeup of my character.

1) Impossible bloodline allows enchatment (compulsion) to affect constructs. Would you allow to exchange this for illusion (patterns) instead? Obviously it's a drastical change, but I think it would be really cool to have an illusionist that could fool constructs. I don't think it's supported to do this otherwise. I'll understand if you don't like it though.

2) Another concept I'm considering is nanite bloodline paired with bloodrager. Sadly the rules state that you have to have to have the same bloodlines for bloodrager and sorcerer and there is no nanite bloodline for a bloodrager. Would you allow this? I'm think arcane bloodline for the bloodrager? I would prefer to play it without any extra bloodlines, but if you don't allow that how about taking Crossblooded arcane//nanite for the sorcerer?

If you answer negative to both questions I'll probably still play either of the bloodlines, but I would have to rethink things slightly.

1: No

And here is the character sheet for my half of the Ratfolk Duo:

Jex 'Thorium' Baine

A ratfolk with unassuming features, Jex is typically seen around town in linen robes to fight off the harsh glare of the sun, a rapier dangling off his belt, and a book firmly planted where his snout should be.

Jex ended up in Torch years ago, when he was taken in by the kindly wizard Khonnir Baine along with his brother. The two grew up in the tutelage of Khonnir. Jex has the greater academic bent of the two brothers, and he's applied his knowledge even to the fights he gets dragged into by his younger brother.

Stats are after racial modifiers, and the favored class bonus is going into Hit Points.

EDIT: If the Cold Iron Rapier is an issue, I can easily change it to a regular rapier.

And here is the character sheet for my half of the Ratfolk Duo:

Jex 'Thorium' Baine

EDIT: If the Cold Iron Rapier is an issue, I can easily change it to a regular rapier.

Yes, no masterwork items, so stick with the regular rapier.

Note, I won't be doing detailed character reviews quite yet, so don't be dismayed if I haven't commented on your submission.

Ms. Pleiades wrote:

And here is the character sheet for my half of the Ratfolk Duo:

Jex 'Thorium' Baine

EDIT: If the Cold Iron Rapier is an issue, I can easily change it to a regular rapier.

Yes, no masterwork items, so stick with the regular rapier.

But it's not masterwork, it's just cold iron. It's possible to have a cold iron rapier that isn't masterwork.

One other thing:
I am strongly biased towards gestalts that have some sort of synergy concept wise, and strongly biased against gestalts with a whole bunch of weird multiclassing simply for the sake of game-breaking power. This is not a requirement necessarily, but I thought everyone should know sooner than later.

There is something that I would like to try but require some GM input and can be seen as power gaming:

Level 1
Magus/fighter - easy to adjudicate BAB +1, F+2, R +0 W +2

Level 2 magus/bard -and that is tricky.
The level as magus would add BAB +1, F+1 R+0 W +1
The level a bard would add BAB +0, F +0 R +2, W+2

AFAIK the gestalt rules would give me BAB +1, F +1 R +2 W +2

Fast forward to level 5, where I would be getting the fifth level as a magus and the 4th as a bard

The level as magus would add BAB +0, F+0 R+0 W +0
The level a bard would add BAB +1, F +0 R +1, W+1

AFAIK the gestalt rules would give me BAB +1, F +0 R +1 W +1

level 6
Magus 6 Dragon disciple 1

he level as magus would add BAB +1, F+1 R+1 W +1
The level a dragon disciple would add BAB +0, F +1 R +0, W+1

AFAIK the gestalt rules would give me BAB +1, F +0 R +1 W +1

My reading of the gestalt rules is right and that combo is acceptable?
Personally think that the +2 to the Will saves should apply only once.

And with that staggered advancement I would have a BAB equal to my level without taking a pure martial class, a noticeable boon.
If that is a problem, a single level of bard at level 2 and the other as fighter is acceptable? I would still take Dragon disciple at level 6.

The idea is to have a strength based magus, where the bard level give an enlarged skill base, some interesting extra spell and access to the Dragon disciple prestige class.
Almost certainly I would make a arcane duelist bard.

- * -

Other questions:

We can take the Technologist feat at the start of our career?

How do you feel about the Katana? I don't like much the "oriental stuff is better" idea, but it can be a an interesting option for my build.

I'm currently working on a Genderless NG Android Ranger (divine tracker) of Brigh//uRogue (trapsmith). It was found by some dwarven smiths from Torch who activated it and taught it to protect them from the dangers of Numaria. Favored enemy (constructs), Robot Slayer trait. May swap out divine tracker archetype for the galvanic saboteur, not sure yet.

Here's the alias for my submission. Crunch is pretty much complete. May make some more purchases. Writing up background and description.

DM IRONlord wrote:

One other thing:
I am strongly biased towards gestalts that have some sort of synergy concept wise, and strongly biased against gestalts with a whole bunch of weird multiclassing simply for the sake of game-breaking power. This is not a requirement necessarily, but I thought everyone should know sooner than later.

There is something that I would like to try but require some GM input and can be seen as power gaming:

Level 1
Magus/fighter - easy to adjudicate BAB +1, F+2, R +0 W +2

Level 2 magus/bard -and that is tricky.
The level as magus would add BAB +1, F+1 R+0 W +1
The level a bard would add BAB +0, F +0 R +2, W+2

AFAIK the gestalt rules would give me BAB +1, F +1 R +2 W +2

Fast forward to level 5, where I would be getting the fifth level as a magus and the 4th as a bard

The level as magus would add BAB +0, F+0 R+0 W +0
The level a bard would add BAB +1, F +0 R +1, W+1

AFAIK the gestalt rules would give me BAB +1, F +0 R +1 W +1

level 6
Magus 6 Dragon disciple 1

he level as magus would add BAB +1, F+1 R+1 W +1
The level a dragon disciple would add BAB +0, F +1 R +0, W+1

AFAIK the gestalt rules would give me BAB +1, F +0 R +1 W +1

My reading of the gestalt rules is right and that combo is acceptable?
Personally think that the +2 to the Will saves should apply only once.

And with that staggered advancement I would have a BAB equal to my level without taking a pure martial class, a noticeable boon.
If that is a problem, a single level of bard at level 2 and the other as fighter is acceptable? I would still take Dragon disciple at level 6.

The idea is to have a strength based magus, where the bard level give an enlarged skill base, some interesting extra spell and access to the Dragon disciple prestige class.
Almost certainly I would make a arcane duelist bard.

- * -

Other questions:

We can take the Technologist...

I might recommend that giving the DM a headache is not a good way to start your proposal. ;)

Technologist at level 1 is fine, and not a bad idea for this AP.

Katana is also fine, just remember you need the exotic proficiency to wield it one handed.

@DMIron: Ok, bummer. :/
I'll see if I can come up with something else that inspires me.

DM IRONlord wrote:

Ms. Pleiades wrote:

And here is the character sheet for my half of the Ratfolk Duo:

Jex 'Thorium' Baine

EDIT: If the Cold Iron Rapier is an issue, I can easily change it to a regular rapier.

Yes, no masterwork items, so stick with the regular rapier.

But it's not masterwork, it's just cold iron. It's possible to have a cold iron rapier that isn't masterwork.

Ah, you are correct. You have the ok to do that. Also, somebody asked about special materials ammo before, and I said no. I can't remember who, but consider my opinion reversed.

Edit:It was Nutcase Entertainment.

@Diego Rossi: Here's a more thought out answer.
Note that it specifies better progression of the two classes, not just everytime it gets a +1. I would rule that you would follow the Magus progression over the Bard, so at level 5 you would end up lagging behind by 1.

@Diego Rossi: Here's a more thought out answer.

Note that it specifies better progression of the two classes, not just everytime it gets a +1. I would rule that you would follow the Magus progression over the Bard, so at level 5 you would end up lagging behind by 1.

A gestalt character follows a similar procedure when he attains 2nd and subsequent levels. 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.

Your interpretation has a serious impact on people taking a prestige class, something that is easy to do with gestalt rules.

I know that for now it isn't relevant, but in time it will matter.

And fighter 1/bard 4 will have a better BAB than Magus 5.
They will even out at level 6 when it become Magus 6 vs Bard 4/Fighter 1/Dragon disciple 1.

To stay away from the whole mess, the arcanist count as a spontaneous spellcaster for Dragon disciple?

DM IRONlord wrote:

One other thing:
I am strongly biased towards gestalts that have some sort of synergy concept wise, and strongly biased against gestalts with a whole bunch of weird multiclassing simply for the sake of game-breaking power. This is not a requirement necessarily, but I thought everyone should know sooner than later.

There is something that I would like to try but require some GM input and can be seen as power gaming:

Level 1
Magus/fighter - easy to adjudicate BAB +1, F+2, R +0 W +2

Level 2 magus/bard -and that is tricky.
The level as magus would add BAB +1, F+1 R+0 W +1
The level a bard would add BAB +0, F +0 R +2, W+2

AFAIK the gestalt rules would give me BAB +1, F +1 R +2 W +2

Fast forward to level 5, where I would be getting the fifth level as a magus and the 4th as a bard

The level as magus would add BAB +0, F+0 R+0 W +0
The level a bard would add BAB +1, F +0 R +1, W+1

AFAIK the gestalt rules would give me BAB +1, F +0 R +1 W +1

level 6
Magus 6 Dragon disciple 1

he level as magus would add BAB +1, F+1 R+1 W +1
The level a dragon disciple would add BAB +0, F +1 R +0, W+1

AFAIK the gestalt rules would give me BAB +1, F +0 R +1 W +1

My reading of the gestalt rules is right and that combo is acceptable?
Personally think that the +2 to the Will saves should apply only once.

And with that staggered advancement I would have a BAB equal to my level without taking a pure martial class, a noticeable boon.
If that is a problem, a single level of bard at level 2 and the other as fighter is acceptable? I would still take Dragon disciple at level 6.

The idea is to have a strength based magus, where the bard level give an enlarged skill base, some interesting extra spell and access to the Dragon disciple prestige class.
Almost certainly I would make a arcane duelist bard.

- * -

Other questions:

We can take the Technologist...

I've never met a single GM who have interpreted/allowed this yet and I've played double digit gestalt games. You can't mix and match alternating levels.

Curious, in another thread I was reprimanded for speaking of sides, but that is exactly what that interpretation involve, oyzar.

While "RAW" don't exist for gestalt, the linked page say that you choose the better option at each level, not between two character sheets put side to side.

Either way is fine, it is only important to know how the GM will have it work as it will affect my early choices.

Fractional base bonuses D20PFSRD.

Man it's a madhouse in here!

@ DM IRONlord
I love all the options you threw down for familiars. Especially the robot spider. It's very tempting. I'm also considering going medium with either Geist Channeler or Fractured Mind and flavoring the Phantom as an A.I. instead. The Geist Channeler would be great for flavoring the
Emotionless knowledge aspect and the Fractured Mind removes the ghost/undead aspects. I'm considering coupling it with blood rager to benefit from the charisma focus and flavor the self buff spells as tech features of the A.I. or benefits from Brigh.

Since a lot of people in the running are going with a Tech savvy character, I'm going for a robot and technology worshipping barbarian who views them as gifts from the heavens. That doesn't mean that he won't fight robots , he just does so as an act of worship. If they kill him, then he's helped them take another step towards perfection, but if he says them, he's rid the world of an imperfect creation. He'll view any android in the party as saints or some equivalent.

I had an idea a while back for an Iron Gods character. He's an android, who was experimented on by the Technic League, and as a result, is psychologically unsound. He experiences rapid drastic mood swings between two extreme emotional states, corresponding with a change of color in his glowy bits.

Mechanically, I planned to represent that by making him an Unchained Barbarian, going into Stalwart Defender at 8th level. Raging would put him in his "red mode", i.e., an unstable manic state, and Defensive Stance would put him in his "blue mode", i.e., a calm and sober depressive state.

I considered that, with this being a gestalt game, he could continue taking levels in barbarian after becoming a stalwart defender, but I concluded that there's very little to gain by having both classes in the same level. I'm not sure what else to use the other side of his gestalt for, though. Thoughts, anyone?

slayer maybe? might end up giving a Geth infiltrator feel to it. if you know mass effect that is, if you don't then well what i say right now will fall flat.

Probably going original monk for flowing archetype/druid. I know it well enough already, & it's simple. Wyvaran Sinde.

I don't know if this has been answered, if I missed it, I apologize, but how long will recruitment be open?

Probably going original monk for flowing archetype/druid. I know it well enough already, & it's simple. Wyvaran Sinde.

I don't know if this has been answered, if I missed it, I apologize, but how long will recruitment be open?

He said until the end of November.

I've never met a single GM who have interpreted/allowed this yet and I've played double digit gestalt games. You can't mix and match alternating levels.

Fighter1/Bard1 //Magus2 is going to be +1 BAB +3 F +2 R no matter how you twist and turn it. I greatly prefer fractional BAB and saves to further greatly reduce headaches in calculation (and weird stacking rules). That also solves the multiple +2 bonus problem.

That's about the best way to say it I can think of. In fact, I think if someone wants to do any multiclassing, they need to follow the fractional rules. This isn't the campaign for mad tweaky game breaking shenanigens.

oyzar said wrote:

I've never met a single GM who have interpreted/allowed this yet and I've played double digit gestalt games. You can't mix and match alternating levels.

Fighter1/Bard1 //Magus2 is going to be +1 BAB +3 F +2 R no matter how you twist and turn it. I greatly prefer fractional BAB and saves to further greatly reduce headaches in calculation (and weird stacking rules). That also solves the multiple +2 bonus problem.

That's about the best way to say it I can think of. In fact, I think if someone wants to do any multiclassing, they need to follow the fractional rules. This isn't the campaign for mad tweaky game breaking shenanigens.

That don't change the basic question. We are using the better increase at each level or we are treating the character as if it had 2 sheets side by side and taking the better total of each sheet?

From what you said earlier I think it is the second option.

And Updated. Just gear to do, unless I realize I've screwed up somewhere.

*brief tutorial on fractional bonuses in Gestalt*
if you're going to take all your levels in the same 2 classes feel free to ignore

Instead of looking at the chart for your class and saying 'everytime I see a +1 I gain it' this system uses the underlying math. At each level any given class gains the same bonus to BAB/saves/etc (ranging from 1/3 to 1, generally) and you add together all these bonuses and round down. Being gestalt you still take the higher of your options. BABs increase by 1/2, 3/4, or 1 depending on class. Saves increase by 1/3 or 1/2 depending on whether its a good save, and any save that is a good save for any of your classes gains a one time (non-stacking) +2 bonus.

To apply this to the example above:
1st level: fighter/magus
- gains +1 (fighter) or +3/4 (magus) BAB. +1=+1 BAB
- +2 bonus to Fort from fighter or magus;
gains +1/2 Fort (fighter or magus) 2+1/2= 2.5 -round down-> +2 Fort
- gains +1/3 Ref (fighter or magus) -round down-> +0 Ref
- +2 bonus to Will from magus;
gains +1/3 Will (fighter) or 1/2 (magus) 2+1/2= 2.5 -round down-> +2 Will

2nd level: bard/magus
- gains +3/4 (bard or magus) BAB. 1+3/4= 1.75 -round down-> still +1 BAB
- gains +1/3 Fort (bard) or 1/2 (magus). 2.5 from above +1/2= +3 Fort
- +2 bonus to Ref from bard;
gains +1/2 Ref (bard) or 1/3 (magus). 1/3 from above +2 +1/2= 2 5/6 -round down-> +2 Ref
- gains +1/2 Will (bard or magus). 2.5 from above +1/2= +3 Will

3rd level: bard/magus
- gains +3/4 (bard or magus) BAB. 1 3/4 +3/4= 2.5 -round down-> increases to +2 BAB
- gains +1/3 Fort (bard) or 1/2 (magus). 3 +1/2= +3.5 -round down-> +3 Fort
- gains +1/2 Ref (bard) or 1/3 (magus). 2 5/6 +1/2= 3 1/3 -round down-> +3 Ref
- gains +1/2 Will (bard or magus). 3 +1/2= +3.5 -round down-> +3 Will

I know that seems complicated but presumably if you can handle tracking all the resources and abilities of a gestalt character you should be able to make these calculations.

*brief tutorial on fractional bonuses in Gestalt*

if you're going to take all your levels in the same 2 classes feel free to ignore

Instead of looking at the chart for your class and saying 'everytime I see a +1 I gain it' this system uses the underlying math. At each level any given class gains the same bonus to BAB/saves/etc (ranging from 1/3 to 1, generally) and you add together all these bonuses and round down. Being gestalt you still take the higher of your options. BABs increase by 1/2, 3/4, or 1 depending on class. Saves increase by 1/3 or 1/2 depending on whether its a good save, and any save that is a good save for any of your classes gains a one time (non-stacking) +2 bonus.

This is by far the best (not to mention official) way of handling it. It doesn't provide the ridiculous 'Ftr 1/Sorc 19//Wiz 20 has +20BAB and +21 to Will Saves' result that the normal rules put out, and it actually follows the rules as written.

There was a reason that the fractional base bonus rules were first printed as a sidebar to the Gestalt Rules, after all - they're created to tackle this specific problem. Sadly, they got classed as 'fluff text' for the purpose of what could go on the SRD, so now the two aren't in the same place.

Anyway, the short of it is that the designers were aware that multiclassing gave wierd results, and they used partial bonus progression to patch those.

Perfect, what I wanted to know.

- * - * -

The other question that probably was lost in the discussion about the level bonuses:

To stay away from the whole mess, the arcanist count as a spontaneous spellcaster for Dragon disciple?

*brief tutorial on fractional bonuses in Gestalt*

if you're going to take all your levels in the same 2 classes feel free to ignore

Instead of looking at the chart for your class and saying 'everytime I see a +1 I gain it' this system uses the underlying math. At each level any given class gains the same bonus to BAB/saves/etc (ranging from 1/3 to 1, generally) and you add together all these bonuses and round down. Being gestalt you still take the higher of your options. BABs increase by 1/2, 3/4, or 1 depending on class. Saves increase by 1/3 or 1/2 depending on whether its a good save, and any save that is a good save for any of your classes gains a one time (non-stacking) +2 bonus.

To apply this to the example above:
1st level: fighter/magus
- gains +1 (fighter) or +3/4 (magus) BAB. +1=+1 BAB
- +2 bonus to Fort from fighter or magus;
gains +1/2 Fort (fighter or magus) 2+1/2= 2.5 -round down-> +2 Fort
- gains +1/3 Ref (fighter or magus) -round down-> +0 Ref
- +2 bonus to Will from magus;
gains +1/3 Will (fighter) or 1/2 (magus) 2+1/2= 2.5 -round down-> +2 Will

2nd level: bard/magus
- gains +3/4 (bard or magus) BAB. 1+3/4= 1.75 -round down-> still +1 BAB
- gains +1/3 Fort (bard) or 1/2 (magus). 2.5 from above +1/2= +3 Fort
- +2 bonus to Ref from bard;
gains +1/2 Ref (bard) or 1/3 (magus). 1/3 from above +2 +1/2= 2 5/6 -round down-> +2 Ref
- gains +1/2 Will (bard or magus). 2.5 from above +1/2= +3 Will

3rd level: bard/magus
- gains +3/4 (bard or magus) BAB. 1 3/4 +3/4= 2.5 -round down-> increases to +2 BAB
- gains +1/3 Fort (bard) or 1/2 (magus). 3 +1/2= +3.5 -round down-> +3 Fort
- gains +1/2 Ref (bard) or 1/3 (magus). 2 5/6 +1/2= 3 1/3 -round down-> +3 Ref
- gains +1/2 Will (bard or magus). 3 +1/2= +3.5 -round down-> +3 Will

I know that seems complicated but presumably if you can handle tracking all the resources and abilities of a gestalt character you should be able to make these calculations.

Beautiful. Thank you.