Gestalt-Based Multiclassing

These are optional rules that replace the existing multiclassing rules, which can be found here.

Multiclassing is an important part of the Pathfinder game. It allows a greater degree of character customization than the Archetype rules alone, and allows the creation of characters with diverse skill sets. Pathfinder‘s multiclassing rules, allowing a character to simply choose which class to advance in at each level, are easy to apply and keep track of in the game. Unfortunately, these rules are not perfect, because they require characters to trade their highest-level class abilities for the lowest-level class abilities in the new class. While some classes, such as Fighter and Rogue, can handle this loss gracefully, spellcasting classes like Wizard and Cleric lose far more than they can possibly gain from this arrangement. Prestige Classes like the Eldritch Knight and the Mystic Theurge have been designed to compensate for this, but they impose an undue burden on characters designed for them both early in their careers, before they qualify for the Prestige Class, and later when they have reached the maximum level. Also, in order to allow the full range of multiclass combinations, there would need to be a separate Prestige Class for every possible combination of two (or more) base classes.

This system is based on the gestalt characters rules variant.

  • Characters do not select their class at each level. They select a class or combination of classes at 1st level and then advance in that class, or combination of classes concurrently, automatically at each level.
  • Characters may advance in any number of Base Classes concurrently, using the rules for Gestalt characters. Each Base Class after the first is a +2 Level Adjustment.
  • Characters may advance in any number of Prestige Classes for which they meet the requirements. Each Prestige Class is a +1 Level Adjustment. Because of the changes in how class level and character level function, the mechanics of Prestige Classes must be altered.
  • Non-human characters must select their racial class before selecting any base classes, but if their first base class is a favored class for their race, it only adds a +1 Level Adjustment.

Characters may also multiclass after 1st level by adding classes:

  • Characters may not change classes until they are at least 2nd level.
  • The character declares their new class combination.
  • The character’s XP total reverts to zero, but the character loses no current class features and no class- or level-based abilities.
  • The character gains XP as a character of his new Effective Character Level (0 plus LA) until gaining enough XP to reach 1st level, at which point they gain the 1st level class features of their new class(es) and may retrain, without spending additional time or money, their skill groups and specialties according to their new class combination.
  • The character continues gaining levels in their new classes until their Effective Character Level is equal to their original level, at which point they advance normally.
  • Characters may also choose to stop advancing in a class, with the GM’s permission, at the expense of their class features:

    • The character declares their new class combination, as in adding classes, and their XP total reverts to zero. (Characters may add and abandon classes at the same time, and must do so if they are abandoning their only base class.) They lose all class features and class skills of the abandoned class, but not proficiencies, feats, or skills.
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