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So my regular group only has three players, and we’ve been constantly beset by “Well, if you had a wizard...” or “No one has Track, right?” Every other session or so. It’s all in good fun, but after a near-TPK (only the cleric survived, and he’s not high enough level to cast resurrection) we decided on a restart, and I floated the idea of gestalt, so that we could be sure all the roles were covered. DM oked it, but has basically said “That’s enough special stuff”, so we’re pretty much SRD-only for options. One player’s playing a Ranger/Wizard, another a Monk/Rogue (he wanted to try Monk, figured this was a good chance), and I’m playing a Paladin/Cleric. I’ve played Pathfinder Paladins and 5e Paladins, but not yet played one in 3.5, and someone had to play the cleric, right? Ok, maybe not, but full Divine casting and whatnot goes a long way to shoring up the Paladin, and it makes thematic sense. Stats will be rolled 4d6 drop the lowest or 18, 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, our choice. We make heavy use of the RL-pantheons, and I’m thinking a Dwarven Paladin of Hephaestus. I can already see that MAD and lack of skills are going to hurt, but...at least there’s only so many good feats for Paladins in the SRD? I will be leaning into the Paladin side, just taking Cleric to cover it when we inevitably need some Cleric-only thing. So...build advice?
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The other players will have lots of skills and skill points with those classes, so you won't need a lot of skills yourself. Focus on things they won't have ranks in like healing.
Dwarves make great paladins and clerics, so you'll be a useful part of the crew. I'd aim for pre-buffing and going into battle that way.
As for the build, I'd go for strength and wisdom, of course, but you'll want decent charisma, too. It's not real important to the other classes.
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A long time ago, someone asked about gestalt classes. The Ranger/Wizard was a good choice.
6 skill points and the int bonus a wizard naturally gets, and a lot of class skills.
10 hd, full BAB and proficient in all weapons and most armor.
All good saves.
Full arcane casting to 9th level, and ranger spells, too.
A handy animal companion. Maybe a familiar, too.
What's not to like? I'd play an elf.
The monk/rogue is also very skillful.
All good saves.
8 hd, all the monk abilities, rogue abilities and sneak attack.
I'd play it as an unarmed scout/spy, using their crazy stealth and invisibility when that gets easy. I'd get wands for that, since it's a class skill. You don't see her coming. You don't see her leave, either. You may be missing some jewelry. Not a lawful act, but stealing from the enemy can be justifiable. Gotta support the cause!
A dwarf cleric/paladin is just as cool.
Crappy skill points, but they got it covered.
10 hd, full BAB, proficient in all weapons and armor, and you're a dwarf.
2 good saves.
Full cleric casting and paladin spells, too.
A handy mount.
You use magic to buff your party and confound your foes, or just buff a little and hack them up like a paladin with all the features.
You're free to use up your spells and you still fight effectively.
You guys walk in anywhere pre-buffed, you'll mop the floor.
Your GM may get frustrated.
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Oh, he won’t. He’s been DMing since 1E, has a whole continent worth of homebrew world we wander around in, and is entirely willing to let us take on challenges well beyond our CR. Last time we,Uh, distracted a wizard while our employer snuck into his tower and stole...something. Once the wizard figured out what was going on, he sicked a red-hot Iron Golem on our three 6th level adventurers.
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Oh, he won’t. He’s been DMing since 1E, has a whole continent worth of homebrew world we wander around in, and is entirely willing to let us take on challenges well beyond our CR. Last time we,Uh, distracted a wizard while our employer snuck into his tower and stole...something. Once the wizard figured out what was going on, he sicked a red-hot Iron Golem on our three 6th level adventurers.
Well, that would be interesting... lol
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Gestalt is a great option for a smaller than normal group, more competent individuals who can cover more role territory with fewer big weaknesses, but no increased action economy and their power is broader, not spikier like it would be with higher stats, free LA races, or wealth.
For your paladin be aware of the differences from pathfinder, particularly in the one attempt smiting and standard action lay on hands.
Paladin cleric can mean a great cleric who can use swords with a few extra hp/bab/and divine powers who is expected to be the big tank, or a paladin with a ton of strong spell options.