Hello Pathfinder Messageboards,
So our GM has thrown us a bit of a curve ball for our next game and i'm looking for some build advice. We normally run a 5 person party but we have unexpectedly lost 1 person. Because the GM already balanced the game for 5 players he doesn't want to re-balance the power level on the fly so our characters will be gestalt characters at first level. Additional levels will be standard 1 class levels that build upon the gestalt base. While this should provide us with an opportunity to create some interesting characters it is going to be a pretty big challenge at mid to higher levels. Having a few extra 1st level abilities is not going to be able to make up for the damage and utility of a 5th party member. (The GM did mention that he may do another gestalt level at 10 depending on how the game is going but we shouldn't count on it.)
So here's my dilemma: What is the most effective way to use the single gestalt level? Should I just use it as a dip to shore up some weakness? Should I multiclass to take better advantage of both class features? Should I use it to help qualify for a prestige class? Since most of the advice threads assume that you're either doing a full gestalt build or that you have to give up a class level to dip they are not really 100% applicable. Please help me think of some ideas to make an interesting and effective character.
20pt buy
Standard Races
Only core rule book classes
Only core rule book prestige classes
Any archetypes are allowed but no more than 1 per build
No traits
I prefer not to have penalties for "dump stats". I could deal with a single 8pt stat if it makes sense with the concept but I'd rather not do more than that.
The build has to be fun! I'm going to be going from at least lvl 1-15 and maybe higher, that's a long time, I'd rather have an mostly effective and interesting build rather than a boring but mechanically strongest build.
Of course no man is an island so here's what the rest of the party is thinking of doing so far:
Dwarven Cleric of Cayden 1/Fighter 1 (roles: tank, healer, back up buffs):
Concept wise he's a rowdy dwarf who loves to drink, pick fights and wench, all in the name of his god.
Mechanically he will use the fighter levels to get heavy armor and a two handed weapon, the dwarf movement trait combined with the travel domain power give him solid movement, the extra bab eventually gives him a 4th attack and he's able to handle most of the healing duties. He is planing on eventually picking up a total of 3-5 levels in fighter and the rest in cleric. With a high strength score, better than 3/4 bab and buffs he should be able to fight as well as a pure melee class and still reach 8th level spells.
Human Bard 1/ Fighter 1 (roles: Skill monkey, party face, buffs, striker)
Concept wise she's a kid who grew up on the streets and is trying to make a name for herself and raise in station, eventually she hopes be accepted among nobility.
Mechanically she's an archer bard and using the fighter level as a dip to bump up the combat feats, bab and fort save to make her more effective. Beyond first she's planning on putting all levels in to bard to increase skills, spells and bardic music.
The third person hasn't decided what he's doing yet.
you didn't mention which way you were inclined to go with your character.
If you are considering a Sorceror, consider the Wisdom build Empyreal (wildblooded Celestial) Bloodline combined with a single level of monk. that will add your wisdom to your AC, ramp up your saves, and not interfere with your arcane gestures.
you didn't mention which way you were inclined to go with your character.
I sort of left that out on purpose. While I tend to favor arcane casters (hence the name) I wouldn't mind branching out a bit and trying something different. The only real concern that I have would be that I don't want to play something that steps on someone else's toes too much. It's no fun for either player when when you have to constantly share the spotlight.
Synthesist dip is useful for any character (essentially). For casters, it provides a reasonably solid chassi + natural armor bonuses.
For martials, it provides an easy way to gain pounce and basic spell casting (for cure light wound wand, let's say).