Crake
2015-01-22, 09:40 AM
A more up to date version of this variant can be found here (http://madius.wasd.net.au/doku.php?id=hb:optional_la_gestalt).
Ok, so I've devised a rather nice (at least so far) system for optional gestalting, which also works nicely as a method for allowing higher levels of LA in higher powered games. It's only been playtested over the course of a single game so far, but I think it's been fairly well tested regarding most of it's use cases in said game.
It has since been playtested over several characters and campaigns, covering it's use as both low and high numbers of LA (+2 to +8), full class gestalt, combined LA and class gestalt, and RHD+LA combinations.
With this variant each player may, at their option, choose to gestalt either class levels, or any LA they happen to have (though I like to limit the LA to in game granted material, rather than allowing a player to begin play with exorbient LA that they will pay off on the side) by paying a cumulative 500xp per gestalt level (see table below). Their ECL is then calculated by summing their xp on both sides and rounding it down to the nearest level threshold of a normal character. This has also been provided in an easy to read table format below.
The progression is staggered, so a player does not go from 1//1 to 2//2, but rather to 2//1, then 2//2, and as a personal rule, I don't allow partial gestalting if a player chooses to gestalt class levels. A player may choose to begin gestalting at level 13 (as one of my players did), but he may not progress his main side until his gestalt side has caught up. This rule is obviously waived for LA.
As you can see, the numbers start to get a little high toward the end, with ECL 20 being hit at 17//16. While this does not quite result in dual 9s for any dual spellcasting progression, like typical level 20 dual progression builds, this is offset by a much broader set of benefits from having the ability to access two prestige classes.
This system does allow for a much higher level of LA than the normal one does, though it has a natural "buy off" as gestalted LA, slowly, as you gain levels, has less of an impact on your total XP, until it finally stops mattering. For example, a player with +6 LA (10,500xp invested into LA) has +1 ECL until level 11, where the LA ceases to increase the character's XP to the next level threshold. This allows players who gain templates such as lycanthropy or vampirism to explore these options without completely gimping their character with LA. By level 19, a vampire's +8LA would be completely offset, resulting in no increase in ECL, which, at that level, it would not be deserving, while still maintaining a hefty penalty at lower levels, where it is powerful. I also strongly urge DMs to use savage progressions for any templates that players may acquire over the course of the game, just to add granularity to it.
I haven't playtested this enough to be sure, but I've found that, while higher powered, this option opens up much more of the system to both players and DMs alike. As a litmus test, i've looked at this against a few creatures, their LAs and their CR. For example, a succubus, 6HD and 6LA, under this rule would be ECL 7, which just happens to be their CR. Hound Archons and Janni, similar popular (though likely hardly ever played) monstrous player races, while having 6HD and +5 LA, still result in ECL 7 (despite their CR4) and attain "LA"+0 once they hit level 8 (assuming they take no gestalt levels).
This system opens up many, previously crippling to play, monster races, for a much more fun and varied game, and I'd love to get more playtesting to occur to see if it's a viable houserule beyond just my game. If anyone has any questions or has any crippling flaws to point out, please do so, I'd be happy to reply.
Here are a few clarifying points about the system:
All LA must be on the gestalt side
Class gestalt comes in at the lowest available level on the gestalt side, with LA always on top
Once a player begins class gestalting, he must have his main and gestalt side of equal level (adding up class and LA gestalt) before he may continue progressing his main side
Works best with set HP per level, partial bab/saves, and no multiclassing penalties.
Through playtesting, I have also added the following rules to cover unforseen use cases:
Characters gestalting may choose to withold selecting a feat when they gain class levels on their main side until their gestalt side has caught up. This is to allow for feats to be chosen as if the character was of equal level on both sides of his gestalt.
Ok, so I've devised a rather nice (at least so far) system for optional gestalting, which also works nicely as a method for allowing higher levels of LA in higher powered games. It's only been playtested over the course of a single game so far, but I think it's been fairly well tested regarding most of it's use cases in said game.
It has since been playtested over several characters and campaigns, covering it's use as both low and high numbers of LA (+2 to +8), full class gestalt, combined LA and class gestalt, and RHD+LA combinations.
With this variant each player may, at their option, choose to gestalt either class levels, or any LA they happen to have (though I like to limit the LA to in game granted material, rather than allowing a player to begin play with exorbient LA that they will pay off on the side) by paying a cumulative 500xp per gestalt level (see table below). Their ECL is then calculated by summing their xp on both sides and rounding it down to the nearest level threshold of a normal character. This has also been provided in an easy to read table format below.
The progression is staggered, so a player does not go from 1//1 to 2//2, but rather to 2//1, then 2//2, and as a personal rule, I don't allow partial gestalting if a player chooses to gestalt class levels. A player may choose to begin gestalting at level 13 (as one of my players did), but he may not progress his main side until his gestalt side has caught up. This rule is obviously waived for LA.
As you can see, the numbers start to get a little high toward the end, with ECL 20 being hit at 17//16. While this does not quite result in dual 9s for any dual spellcasting progression, like typical level 20 dual progression builds, this is offset by a much broader set of benefits from having the ability to access two prestige classes.
This system does allow for a much higher level of LA than the normal one does, though it has a natural "buy off" as gestalted LA, slowly, as you gain levels, has less of an impact on your total XP, until it finally stops mattering. For example, a player with +6 LA (10,500xp invested into LA) has +1 ECL until level 11, where the LA ceases to increase the character's XP to the next level threshold. This allows players who gain templates such as lycanthropy or vampirism to explore these options without completely gimping their character with LA. By level 19, a vampire's +8LA would be completely offset, resulting in no increase in ECL, which, at that level, it would not be deserving, while still maintaining a hefty penalty at lower levels, where it is powerful. I also strongly urge DMs to use savage progressions for any templates that players may acquire over the course of the game, just to add granularity to it.
I haven't playtested this enough to be sure, but I've found that, while higher powered, this option opens up much more of the system to both players and DMs alike. As a litmus test, i've looked at this against a few creatures, their LAs and their CR. For example, a succubus, 6HD and 6LA, under this rule would be ECL 7, which just happens to be their CR. Hound Archons and Janni, similar popular (though likely hardly ever played) monstrous player races, while having 6HD and +5 LA, still result in ECL 7 (despite their CR4) and attain "LA"+0 once they hit level 8 (assuming they take no gestalt levels).
This system opens up many, previously crippling to play, monster races, for a much more fun and varied game, and I'd love to get more playtesting to occur to see if it's a viable houserule beyond just my game. If anyone has any questions or has any crippling flaws to point out, please do so, I'd be happy to reply.
Here are a few clarifying points about the system:
All LA must be on the gestalt side
Class gestalt comes in at the lowest available level on the gestalt side, with LA always on top
Once a player begins class gestalting, he must have his main and gestalt side of equal level (adding up class and LA gestalt) before he may continue progressing his main side
Works best with set HP per level, partial bab/saves, and no multiclassing penalties.
Through playtesting, I have also added the following rules to cover unforseen use cases:
Characters gestalting may choose to withold selecting a feat when they gain class levels on their main side until their gestalt side has caught up. This is to allow for feats to be chosen as if the character was of equal level on both sides of his gestalt.