standard character to gestalt level conversion

[crankykobold]

Not sure if this has been addressed but I can't find it. What level would 2 gestalt characters need to be to replace 4 standard level 6 characters?

Keeping in mind they will not be highly optimized, and Red Hand of Doom is the scenario they will be playing in.

One character will likely be Paladin//Cleric, or maybe Paladin//Favored Soul. The other will be a mix of Sorcerer or Wizard with a skill monkey, likely Rogue or maybe bard.

[Red Fel]

Not sure if this has been addressed but I can't find it. What level would 2 gestalt characters need to be to replace 4 standard level 6 characters?

Keeping in mind they will not be highly optimized, and Red Hand of Doom is the scenario they will be playing in.

That's... not really a fair comparison. It's like saying, "Hey, how many apples is this puppy worth?" It really depends on how you use the puppy, how you use the apples, whether you're starved for attention or just plain starving... It's not a simple matter.

Consider first the fact that a given challenge or module is designed around a number of characters, not only because of the relative power of those characters, but because of the action economy - the fact that you have four characters taking actions, instead of just two. By way of illustration, consider one high-level character taking on a module designed for four low-to-mid-level characters. Yes, he may be strong enough to solo a lot of it, but if it asks for skills in which he isn't specialized, or if he fails the wrong save, it's a complete game over.

Next, consider the fact that while gestalt can make a character more powerful, it can also do absolutely nothing productive. Contrast gestalting a Fighter with a Wizard versus gestalting the Fighter with a Truenamer. In the former case, you have taken a melee feat-monkey and turned him into a spellcaster with a powerful melee chassis - multiplying his utility dramatically. In the latter case, you've torn off his arms and legs and replaced his head with a muskmelon. Gestalt isn't a guarantee of power increase, and absent a more specific description of your players' plans (more than "they will not be highly optimized"), it's kind of difficult to tell just how much slack they can pick up.

[Extra Anchovies]

Many of the RHoD encounters are lotsa mooks vs. our intrepid heroes, so only two gestalt characters would get their butts kicked. Action economy is very important. You'd probably need at least three gestalt characters. I don't have much of any play experience with gestalt, though, so I can't be of much help for determining what level they should be at.

[aleucard]

Many of the RHoD encounters are lotsa mooks vs. our intrepid heroes, so only two gestalt characters would get their butts kicked. Action economy is very important. You'd probably need at least three gestalt characters. I don't have much of any play experience with gestalt, though, so I can't be of much help for determining what level they should be at.

Not necessarily. If one's a minionmancer and the other is an area-effect/multi-target specialist, they may be able to keep pace with some thought. Such things almost demand T1-2 builds, though.

I agree with what everyone else has said; what's the build of both parties? Your question's answer is derived almost exclusively from this question, assuming that the players' skill is otherwise equal.

[crankykobold]

Gestalt isn't a guarantee of power increase, and absent a more specific description of your players' plans (more than "they will not be highly optimized"), it's kind of difficult to tell just how much slack they can pick up.

You are correct. One character will likely be Paladin//Cleric, or maybe Paladin//Favored Soul. The other will be a mix of Sorcerer or Wizard with a skill monkey, likely Rogue or maybe bard. I am aware of the action economy deficit, and was thinking leadership might alleviate that.