How Do Gestalt Spell Slots Work?

In short, gestalt spellcasting simply allows a character to treat two distinct classes as one when determining spells per day and spells known. The character can then cast spells from either class as if she were a single-classed member of that class.

When a character gains a level in a gestalt class, she gains new spells per day (and spells known, if applicable) as if she had also gained a level in her other class. She does not, however, gain any other benefits a character of that class would have gained.

For example, a 3rd-level sorcerer//3rd-level fighter could cast three 0-level spells and one 1st-level spell each day. He knows the same number of sorcerer spells as a 3rd-level sorcerer (four 0-level spells and two 1st-level spells), and he knows the same number of fighter bonus feats (one) as a 3rd-level fighter.

The key word here is “simply.” There’s really not much more to it than that—the character can just pick and choose which class’s spell list she wants to use for the day.

If she feels like casting fireballs, she can do so; if she wants to go toe-to-toe with swords and shields, she can do that too. The only limit is the number of spell slots available to her—she can’t exceed her maximum number of spells per day by casting from both lists.

It’s important to note that this only applies to spellcasting classes—a gestalt character cannot combine the abilities of, say, a wizard and a rogue. She can, however, combine the abilities of two different spellcasting classes—a sorcerer//wizard, for example, or a cleric//druid.

Gestalt spellcasting has some interesting implications for game balance. First and foremost, it effectively doubles the number of spells per day available to the character—which can be quite powerful at higher levels. Second, it gives the character access to a much wider range of spells than she would otherwise have; instead of being limited to the spells on one class’s list, she can choose from any spell on either list.

This can be especially useful for characters who want to specialize in one particular area (such as blasting), but still have the option to fall back on other spells when needed. Finally, it opens up some interesting multiclass combinations that wouldn’t be possible without gestalt spellcasting—such as a sorcerer//paladin or cleric//wizard.