[OOC] The Rumor Mill

[Aeternis]

Originally Posted by LaydeeD

I know Aeternis mentioned that the party needed to have one skill monkey, one/support healer, and one stealth specialist as well. I'm guessing the three rest could be all out combat whether ranged or melee.

Edit: Ignore me, the scary DM has spoken.

I mentioned skillmonkey, damage, and healing as things to have, yes. How you have those is up to you.

[Aethera]

Why thank you, oh great and powerful DM. What a helpful answer. (have you gotten your fill of evil laughter for the day?) In fact, I was hoping someone else would answer, so we could discuss it in theory (prior to party member six's arrival).

Actually, LaydeeD, I was thinking we might all want to try to cover combat/other? Not necessarily fighter/other, so there could still be a skill monkey in a combat gestalt, but we'd all be able to split up (in case that's ever necessary) and still each take care of his/herself.

The three characters I have in mind so far would be a stealthy disguise master (rogue and bard or urban ranger?), a ranged specialist that'd probably have gunslinger as one half of the gestalt, and an all-combat crazy mod (probably fighter, maybe barbarian). I'm leaning more toward the latter two, since I'd like to be able to fight well enough on my own to fit into more scenarios. The last one would probably be the type that could pull off the one-man strike team type ops, the gunslinger is just something I've wanted to play with for awhile. (Sounds like I have better reasons for the last one... maybe I should work on that one.)

[LaydeeD]

*nods* I was thinking something along the lines of a grenadier (Alchemist/?) and a combat medic (Cleric or Paladin). A straight up fighter sounds pretty good, but I'm inclined to the former builds, possibly because I haven't tried a medic/bomber. The Gunslinger sounds pretty awesome, but there are so many classes I haven't tried in Pathfinder.

It's like we're supposed to be the A-Team (the original). I suppose a Face might be nice, to counter recon and infiltration.

[Aeternis]

Originally Posted by Aethera

have you gotten your fill of evil laughter for the day?

I am actually way behind quota.

It's like we're supposed to be the A-Team (the original).

More like "The Expendables".

[TheChuck]

I would expect everyone to be at least competent in ranged combat. In my mind competent would be a BAB of +7 at least, at 10th level. It is generally possible to creatively arrange your levels to optimize things like BAB and saves, without compromising the build. Even if you only take classes that are low and mid BAB rates it should still be possible to end up with a +7, especially if Aeternis allows us to use the fractional bonuses as spelled out on pg 73 of Unearthed Arcana.

Fractional bonuses solve the problem of a rogue 5/bard 5 having a BAB of 6, while a rogue 10 has a BAB of 7. And also removes the possibility of taking three (or four) classes that have a high fort save and ending up with an insane fort bonus from that initial +2 at 1st level of each class.

[Aethera]

Isn't that multi class rules? I thought with gestalt you pick the better run for each BAB, fort, ref, and will, and just go with it rather than try to combine the bonuses of two fifth level characters. I could be wrong, I don't think I've ever played a gestalt game that didn't peter out before leveling up.

[Aeternis]

I believe TheChuck is referring to cases where you cross class one or more sides of your progression. Doing so does have a nasty bookkeeping issue.

But no, if you multi class on one side of your progression between two classes with the same BAB progression, you BAB will progess as if you did not change classes. Thus, a Bard-5/Rogue-5 will have the same BAB as a Rogue-10.

[TheChuck]

Yes, you take the better bonus from whichever class gives you better at each level.

So a build with fighter 10 on one side is going to have a bab of 10, not matter what the other side is. But what about a build that is rogue 5 range 5 on one side? That looks like +8 at 10th level right? But if your first level is a high BAB class on the other side at the same time your rogue/ranger side is rogue then your BAB at 10th is going to be 9. Fractional bonuses mean you simply determine the higher fraction at each level and add that to your current BAB. Fractional bonuses mean a bit more math, but imo a better balance when things are totaled up.

[TheChuck]

Originally Posted by Aeternis

I believe TheChuck is referring to cases where you cross class one or more sides of your progression. Doing so does have a nasty bookkeeping issue.

But no, if you multi class on one side of your progression between two classes with the same BAB progression, you BAB will progess as if you did not change classes. Thus, a Bard-5/Rogue-5 will have the same BAB as a Rogue-10.

Ah, ok. That house rule results in pretty much the same ending point as if you used fractional bonuses. Groovy.

[Aeternis]

Amaya is not going to be joining us, so I will grab another sixth and we'll get to starting. Again, sorry for the delay, folks.

[Aethera]

Happens to the best of us. But I'm looking forward to getting a move on!

[Aethera]

Just a head's up, guys... I'll be around while I'm on vacation 29th-4th, but it'll probably be at odd hours rather than my usual, well, always. I'll be subject to whether or not my aunt has wifi, also, which I would assume of anyone but my aunt. So posting to get the game going might be spotty.

[Aeternis]

Originally Posted by Aethera

Just a head's up, guys... I'll be around while I'm on vacation 29th-4th, but it'll probably be at odd hours rather than my usual, well, always. I'll be subject to whether or not my aunt has wifi, also, which I would assume of anyone but my aunt. So posting to get the game going might be spotty.

I learned a long time ago which of my relatives didn't have internet.

I avoid those relatives these days.

[Aethera]

I probably would too. Luckily my grandparents have wifi for their kindles, and I can stil hope about my aunt's house. Haven't gotten there yet, so I don't know.

[LaydeeD]

Have fun on your trip. Best wishes to your grandmother!

*offers more cookies*