The gestalt rules are meant to be used in high powered campaigns, and are meant to be universal - not limited to one type of character. This means that each level, all characters take 2 classes - and class features overlap (HD, save bonuses, etc.) , they choose the best one.
Well, I was thinking of toning the power level down a bit. This is how it would look.
1. Elves cannot be divine spellcasters. (Shadow elves are an exception).
2. Elves find wizardry natural, and very easy to learn. Unlike other races, they can learn wizard magic while following other interests. From levels one to nine, they gain a wizard level in addition to their chosen class. This wizard level grants them all the usual benefits.
3. The elf chooses the best save bonuses and base attack bonus of his two classes.
4. His hit dice for the level is the hit dice of his chosen class, lowered one stage. This means that an elf Fighter/Wizard gains 1d8 hp, while an elf rogue/wizard gains 1d4 hp. The elf always gains at least 1d4 hp at each level.
5. Elves have a level adjustment of +1. A 1st level elf warrior/wizard is considered a 2nd level character with 1000 xp when the campaign starts.
6. Elves may gain 9 wizard levels in this manner. After achieving 9th level, the elf finds more powerful magic much more demanding. At this stage an elf stops raising two classes at once.
What do you think ?
The gestalt rules are meant to be used in high powered campaigns, and are meant to be universal - not limited to one type of character. This means that each level, all characters take 2 classes - and class features overlap (HD, save bonuses, etc.) , they choose the best one.
I like this bit already. The one thing I've always disliked, is the low HD for some of the classes.
1. Elves cannot be divine spellcasters. (Shadow elves are an exception).
Okay, forgive me for saying this but I believe that you are wrong in this case. If Elves cannot be divine spellcasters, where does that leave the Treekeepers (who, from my reading, are the Clerics/Priests of Ilsundel)??
2. Elves find wizardry natural, and very easy to learn. Unlike other races, they can learn wizard magic while following other interests. From levels one to nine, they gain a wizard level in addition to their chosen class. This wizard level grants them all the usual benefits.
If you're working it strictly as 0D&D then this would be correct but my personal take on this, is that the Elves are an innately magical people anyway and it would make more sense for this to be classes of Sorceror rather than Wizard.
Just my $0.02
IMC there are no sorceres at this moment. The OD&D magic user can be translated , perhaps, to either sorcerer or wizard - based on personal tastes and not draconic bloodlines (that seems a little out of place in mystara, at least for a major core class).
After all, both classes devote a lot of time to their magical training. It's done in other ways, but they can be both called "magic users".
Ahah !! you have stumbled upon my other change to the elf race, the "elven sorcery" feat. This represents special magical studies , tought only by Alfheim treekeepers, that allows elven wizards too add some specific druid spells to their wizard spell list.
Although I don't care much for an OD&Dization of 3E (ie racial classes), I like the idea of a feat allowing elven wizards to cast a few druidic spells. I'd call the feat "Sylvan Wizardry" or something like that. Perhaps even "Druidic Wizardry". Alfheim elves seem to be masters of combining these two great magical traditions. Cool idea!
IMC there are no sorceres at this moment. The OD&D magic user can be translated , perhaps, to either sorcerer or wizard - based on personal tastes and not draconic bloodlines (that seems a little out of place in mystara, at least for a major core class).
After all, both classes devote a lot of time to their magical training. It's done in other ways, but they can be both called "magic users".
In general I agree. I think the draconic blood element should be considered a flavour element of the class, and one that may easily ignored if it doesn't fit your campaign. For Mystara, I'd say certain bloodlines do indeed provide a natural affinity for magic, but these are not limited to draconic blood.
Håvard
Elves do seem a likely choice for gestalt characters, but I think it might be fair to give everybody some gestalt option rather than limiting it to only elves and limiting them from choosing other classes.
For example: You might say that Fighter/Wizard is the only gestalt class elves can take. Fighter/Rogue is the only gestalt class halflings can take. Fighter/Cleric is the only gestalt class Dwarves can take, etc. All these races can take other classes, but if they want to multi-class they're limited to these choices, etc.
Elves do seem a likely choice for gestalt characters, but I think it might be fair to give everybody some gestalt option rather than limiting it to only elves and limiting them from choosing other classes.
I'm thinking of opening up the gestalt option for Immortal level characters.
Regards,
Gary
I like to run fairly high-powered campaigns (or at least games that get there eventually), and I like the versatility that gestalt brings. Therefore, I run gestalt games.
In my current game, it's the 'special people' who get to gestalt. In the case of the players, it's explained by the favour of Immortals. It's part of how they get around the 'no direct interference' rule. They give a couple of nudges and pushes and lend some power to those in a position to help, and see how things turn out.This also gives me flexibility in how I design my NPCs. In my Mystara (IMM?), all elves are gestalt characters, with one run taken up entirely by their choice of wizard, sorcerer or bard. At the moment, I'm saying that they cannot ever vary this progression. However, I'm considering allowing some variation -- such as taking a prestige class like Spellsword for those martial-oriented elves who wish to wear armour while casting spells (as an additional nod to OD&D).
I'm currently putting together some webpages for my game. I'll put a link up here when I'm done with it.