Gestalt Rules
A
Tiefling in plate armor slices through dozens of
demons in a couple of seconds, before looking
at the neverending horde pouring out the portal.
He draws an arcane rune with the tip of his
sword, and conjures a swarm of meteors to
wipe out the ravenous horde.
The herald of Orcus looks down at the
Archmage he is sent to assassinate. He mutters a prayer to
the lord of undeath and rips the weave of magic around him,
creating a field of antimagic that renders useless even the
most potent of defences. There's a glint of steel as he
unsheathes his weapon and leap down from the ceiling, and
his dagger takes care of the rest.
The Archdruid looks at the army of hobgoblins that cut
down his sacred grove for 'provisions'. His vision goes red
with the flames of boundless rage. The flames cover his
visage as he turns into a frenzied behemoth from the
Elemental plane of fire. The army of hobgoblins sent to
invade the bordering nation is never heard from again.
A Take on Multiclassing
Multiclassing can be too punishing in 5e.
If you want to be fighter who is also a cleric of the divine,
you can multiclass fighter/cleric, but your character would
always be weaker than a pure fighter or cleric at the same
level. Now, it doesn't mean its unbalanced; 5e does a great job
making sure a multiclass in never more powerful than pure
classes.
In practice though, multiclass ends up feeling like a let
down, as you would never get those high level spells, yet also
not being particularly good with the sword and shield. Not to
mention missing out on the high level features of both
classes.
How can we solve this? With gestalt characters, you can
level up both classes at once.
Meaning, instead of being a level 3 Fighter/ level 4 Cleric,
you can be a level 7 Fighter/Cleric.
Being a gestalt means you get the features of both classes,
and do not have to choose which class to advance and which
to delay when you level up.
Gestalt characters are certainly more powerful and versatile
than a pure class.
They have more options, but are limited by Action economy.
Thus, Being powerful here means they can go through
larger dungeons and more encounters without the continous
need to rest as they have more resources on their disposal.
This encourages longer adventuring days, with a focus on
short rests.
In conclusion,
This system is balanced only if the whole party uses
Gestalt Characters.
This is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used
are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.
Building Gestalt
Characters
The first thing that you need to do is have a character concept
in mind and choose two classes; at first-level, you will be
considered a 1st-level character with the class features of
both classes. This means that your proficiency bonus scales
as though you are a single class, from 1st-level to 20th-level.
But, building a character such as this needs to possess
some specifications, in order to promote a more balanced
system for the game. Gestalt characters are, of course, going
to be more powerful than a standard character, but some
limitations can be created so that your game experience is
still as fun and challenging as it was before you implemented
this system.
Either the whole party should have gestalt characters,
or none of them.
Rules for Creation
Step 1 - Classes
Choose Two Classes.
For example, if you want to be a divine Assassin of Orcus,
you could pick Rogue and Cleric
Step 2 - Hit points and hit die
You have the larger hit die of the two classes, and use that to
calculate hit points.
For example, a Fighter/Wizard gestalt would have D10 for
hit die, and rolls that for hit points on level up
Step 3 - Proficiencies
You pick the saving throw proficiencies of one of the two
classes.
You gain all other proficiencies of both classes (skills,
weapons, armor, tools, languages)
For example, the rogue/cleric gestalt can pick Dex, Int
saving throw proficiencies and a total of 5 skill proficiencies,
and so on
Step 4 - Starting Equipment
You gain the combined starting gold of both classes, but no
equipment.
For example, the rogue/cleric gestalt would have 4d4x10 +
5d4x10 gold for a total of 9d4x10 gold.
Step 5 - Class Features
You gain all class features from both classes. This also means
both subclass features.
For example, the rogue/cleric gestalt would have both
sneak attack and channel divinity.
1
Step 6 - ASI
You gain one ASI and one feat at 4th, 8th, 12th, 16th, and
19th levels.
For example, the rogue/cleric gestalt can gain +2 dex and
the war caster feat at 4th level.
Step 7 - Similar Features
Extra Attack, Unarmored Defense etc.
Pick one from the similar features, and gain an ASI or a feat.
For example, a monk/babarian gestalt can gain unarmored
defence from one of the classes, and gain +2 str from the ASI.
Step 8 - Spellcasting
You gain the spells known/prepared from both classes, and
are tracked separately.
You gain the spell slots from both of the classes.
For example, a lvl 10 Paladin/Sorcerer gestalt will have
spell slots equal to a lvl 10 sorcerer, plus those of a paladin at
the same level.
Your spellcasting modifier is changed to the lower of the
two spellcasting modifiers for all spells you cast.
For example, a 20th level wizard/cleric gestalt with 16 wis
and 20 int, would have +3 as his spell casting modifier, and
will have 2 9th lvl slots, 2 8th lvl slots, and so on.
FAQ
1) Multiclassing?
Multiclassing is Not allowed with gestalt characters, as
multiclassing is the very mechanic this system tries to
enhance.
Most multiclass requirements can be handled with a
gestalt combo.
2) Warlock spell progression?
Warlocks are no exception to the spellcasting rules (step 8).
You gain both warlock spellslot progression (which
recharges on a short rest), and the other class's progression
(which recharges on a long rest).
3) How do I balance encounters for a
gestalt party?
A gestalt character may seem like twice as powerful as a
normal character, but that's a misconception. In terms of
power level, consider them to be 2 levels higher than their
level.
A gestalt will have almost the same health as a normal
character, and about the same damage output, as it is limited
by action economy. However, they have more resources and
can go on for longer.
Consider increasing the number of encounters they face,
rather than the difficulty of encounters.

This is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used
are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.