| Dixiflatline |
I've been scanning threads for a while now and I haven't been able to determine what the consensus is on how one should organize leveling with gestalt characters. So far, I have seen and understood three possible methods, with the base gestalt assumption being the player has a class X and class Y that level simultaneously but combine as a single class level(e.g., Fighter 10/Wizard 10, actual level 10):
1.) The player may choose X or Y to continue leveling with, and change the opposite to a new class A, prestige or otherwise (e.g., Fighter 11/Wizard 10/Arcane Archer 1, actual level 11, OR Fighter 10/Wizard 11/Arcane Archer 1, actual level 11). Player continues to progress, with values from classes X or Y compared to class A as was originally done for the gestalt combination, and NOT added together as standard (non-gestalt) classes would be*.
2.) The player may choose a new class combination A and B, of which one may be a prestige but NOT both, which will continue to level as a standard (non-gestalt) additional class would (e.g., Fighter 10/Wizard 10, Cleric 1/Arcane Archer 1, actual level 11). Player continues to progress, with values from class combination X and Y ADDED to class combination A and B as a standard (non-gestalt) class combination does.
3.) The player may choose a new prestige class A which will continue to level as a standard (non-gestalt) additional class would (e.g., Fighter 10/Wizard 10, Arcane Archer 1, actual level 11). Player continues to progress, with values from class combination X and Y ADDED to class A as a standard (non-gestalt) class combination does.
All three of these methods have different benefits and drawbacks, both from a character power perspective and a character management perspective. Option one is reminiscent of AD&D's multi-class character rules, and treats one class as a base from which to build to avoid slowing top-end progression while allowing some customization, but removes the stat value gains from the secondary class (e.g., the Fighter 11/Wizard 10/Arcane Archer 1/Actual 11 will gain most, if not all, saves and BAB from the Fighter levels as it advances due to level disparity, effectively removing possible gains from the other side)*. Option two gives extreme customization and clear delineation in regards to how stat values are added in the future, but adds a greater amount of information and ability bloat. Option 3 has the same customization and delineation as option two, but also is the most restrictive in regards to top-end progression.
Given these three readings, which one do you normally utilize, and why? Is there another reading I'm missing that more clearly defines how a gestalt character should work? Any thoughts or ideas that you guys have would be much appreciated.
*An alternative possibility for option one is that the two classes X and Y are treated as separate classes for the purpose of progression, if not for total level, and the additional class A IS added to X or Y, and THEN compared for stat values (e.g., Fighter 13/Wizard 10/Arcane Archer 3, actual level 13, would have Fighter Fort Save +8, Wizard/Arcane Archer Reflex Save +5 (+3 from Wiz 10, +2 from AA 3), and Wizard/Arcane Archer Will Save +8).