Hi guys, so my usual group is running a supposedly long term Darksun gestalt game. Stats are produced via an exceedingly bizarre roll system but that's already sorted:
18
16
15
14
14
11
This is Athas, so all your race options have level adjust (human = LA +1, get +2 to two different stats, 3pp at 1st level and a level 1 power, 3pp at 5th and a 2nd level power, more stuff at 10th and 15th). I picked human because it is awesome basic.
Books are limited to: PHB, CPsi, XPH, Legends of Athas, Darksun 3.5, Darksun Prestige Class Appendix I + II.
The build rules are:
Double feats for leveling up (eg 2x 1st level, 2x 3rd level, 2x 6th level). You do not double class/race bonus feats.
Start at ECL 6 (5 class levels gestalt + LA1)
Expect to go epic. BUT: only the advanced beings from the Legends of Athas get access to the really cool epic toys (eg epic spellcasting).
Gestalt and double feats end at level 20, you single class for epic.
Pre epic you must complete a prestige class before you can start another.
I had planned to go Druid/Psion up til 5th, then prestige Psion into Drake Guardian (Reason: The GM said class features always apply, even in other forms, getting the 1/2 drake template while Metamorphosised/Wildshaped/Shapechanged into some crazy form seemed pretty fun). Drake Guardian is 8/10 manifesting, does not advance psicrystal, and effectively gives you the 1/2 drake template and a few other fun bits. Like Dragon Disciple, only 8/10 power advancement.
I must take Grove Master 1 (it is lame, advances druid spellcasting but not animal companion or wildshaping, but it is a prereq for epic prestige class that unlocks epic spellcasting)
Level Class A Class B
1 Psion Druid
1st Great Fortitude feat (+2 on fort saves) - Prereq for Drake Guardian
1st: Linked Power (expend Focus + pay for 2 powers now, 1 manifests this turn, the other manifests next)
Human: Psicrystal Affinity (Nimble) - XPH
Psion 1: Overchannel (Can take damage to manifest at a higher level) - XPH
2 Psion Druid
3 Psion Druid
3rd: Psionic Meditation (Concentration to check to become Psionically Focused is now a Move action) - XPH
3rd: Psicrystal Containment (Psicrystal can become Psionically Focused and expend for me) - XPH
4 Psion Druid
5 Psion Druid
Psion 5: Metamorphic Transfer (gain SU ability when taking a form, usable only 3 times per change) - XPH - this will be Psi reffed out when I get Shapechange. What for though?
Future plans:
6 Drake-Guardian Druid
6th: Natural Spell
6th: Practiced Manifester
7 Drake-Guardian Druid
8 Drake-Guardian Druid
9 Drake-Guardian Druid
9th: Quicken Power (expend Focus + 6 extra PP to manifest as a swift action)
9th: Extend Power (expend focus + 2 extra pp, power lasts double length)
10 Drake-Guardian Druid
11 Drake-Guardian Druid
12 Drake-Guardian Druid
12th: Quicken Spell
12th: Freedom (Regional: level / 5 (round up) times per day can take an extra std or move action at beginning of my turn)
13 Drake-Guardian Druid
14 Drake-Guardian Druid
15 Drake-Guardian Druid
15th: Improved Initiative
15th: Extend Spell
16 Psion Druid
17 Psion Druid
18 Psion Druid
18th: Wastelander (+1 fort and +2 to survival checks) - Pre-req for Grove Master
18th: Skill Focus Knowledge (Nature) - Prereq for Spirit Initiate
19 Psion Druid
20 Grove Master Druid
21 Druid
21st: Epic feat:
22-31 Spirit Initiate (6/10 spellcasting, 2/10 manifesting, full animal companion + wildshape progression)
Other pre-reqs for Spirit Initiate
any 2 metamagic or metapsionic feats.
Spells: Able to cast 9th-level divine spells.
Psionics: Able to manifest 6th-level powers. Special: Guarded lands class feature. (Grove Master level 1)
I was going to go high wisdom (raising it with level ups) as by level 21 I will be 20/20 druid casting but only 17/20 Psion manifesting (practiced manifester and overchannel helps, but still limited on PP and powers known). The epic prestige class will not help much either, in fact I am unlikely to get the powers known of a 20th level psion until at the earliest level 32 with this approach, BUT I keep full druid casting and Wildshape and Animal Companion all the way to 31 (and further if I just drop back into Druid after 10 levels in Spirit Initiate, having achieved the pre-reqs for epic spellcasting).
Now the question is: What would you change?
Did I pick any dud feats that aren't prestige class pre-reqs?
Should I drop the whole Druid/Psion-Drake Guardian entirely? Is an extra 8 strength, 2 con, 2 int, 2 cha and perm immunity to fire, Dragon type, claw and bite attacks if I dont already possess them EVEN in alternate forms not worth the loss of 2 levels of manifesting?
Would I be better off with 20 Druid and some full BAB class, 11 levels of Psion and power attack instead?
I'm curious what others would do!
