Now that we have a sense of what low tier classes are like, is anyone interested in trying to create alternative rules to improve those classes, so that the gestalt system eventually goes away?

Ideas:
1) Make the Tome of Battle powers applicable to every martial class
2) Improve AB of low Ab classes
3) Add skill points/skill options to low skill classes
4) Improve casting abilities for low tier casters

MY idea is to look at each and every class and try to make a version of it that is T3+.

Example:
Give the fighter limited access to the Iron Heart and Diamond Mind Disciplines in Tome of Battle.
1 Power at Level 3
1 Power at each even level after that (10 total powers)
1 Stance at level 3, 2 at level 13
Initiator Level is fighter level - 2
Skill Points per Level = 3 (+1 per level)
Add Martial Lore, Profession, Knowledge (Local) to the fighter skill lists
Add Weapon Versatility at level 7: (Switch focus, spec, imp. crit etc. with 2 hrs of practice per feat).

The above is just for reference.  So, thoughts?

As a compromise, I'd like to look at a select few classes that could/should be improved to make them a little better in their tier.  Specifically:

Barbarian:  Currently, there is minimal improvement from the Gestalt System:  Suggestion: Look into adjustements to rage/bonus feats

Ranger:  No help from Gestalt
Suggestion:  Adjust level of pet.

Hexblade:  Warrior can provide one more save, and that is it.  The D&D lead designer who made the class has a fix here:
http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75882/19547530/Contacting_Wizards_of_the_Coast_about_Hex_Blades?post_id=332210466#332210466

Ninja:  Sudden Strike mechanic is terrible/near useless:  Replace with Sneak Attack.

Knight:  Serious work would be done to the Knight's Challenge to make the class a T4.  Perhaps adding a war mount of some type?

Samurai: Recommend a total over haul.  This is the worst PC class in the game.

These are all low tier 4 or T5 classes.  Changes could be made to bring them to T4 high or T3.

*BUMP* Attn: SEV

Bleah after work today

Baba:

Ranger: I would rather not touch the animal companion, as the only class that gets it besides the ranger is the druid, and there is a notable difference in the connection with nature between a ranger and the druid. Maybe favored enemy more often and/or Focus/Spec/GFocus/GSpec for free when fighting using chosen wepon style. Also, change granted bonus feats for ranged. Manyshot and Rapid shot are similar mechanics (getting extra attacks and the such) so maybe Rapid Shot -> Improved Rapid Shot -> Improved Precise Shot.

Hexblade: I like all of the wizard's updates to the class except one. To my knowledge, there is no other ability that does not count if used if it doesnt work, and I dont think this should be implimented. They are a cha based caster so will have a good charisma modifier, so, as a swift action, can throw their curse. They should not get the use back if the saving throw is made.

Ninja: Replace Sudden Strike with Sneak Attack, at same progression, and change skill points to 8+ int mod (realistically, a standard ninja would have at least 6-9 of their class skills to be an effective ninja, so I dont see the problem with bumping their skill loadout, especially without the extra 2 skill points homebrew errata)

Knight:

Samurai: I honestly have no idea what to do with this. Its bad and I dont see how its flavor is different than that of a Lawful Fighter

This post is in edit as I get the chance to update it.

Baba:  Changes to rage mechanic:
With a DC 10 con check, the barbarian can use a second use of his rage in a single combat. If used while already in rage, the ability starts the roll-down for the rage over.  Every time the baba tries to do this in combat, the DC on the CON check increases by 5.

Pounce:  Level 5: The barbarian can make a full attack at the end of a charge.

Ranger:  Druid level for animal companion ability is treated as Ranger Levels -4.

Ranger gains both combat styles.  At level 2, 5, 8, 11, 14 and 17, the ranger advances his combat syle.  He may choose at each level to advance either ranged combat or dual wielding.  He must have basic before taking improved in either skill, and improvedin one, and basic in the off skill before taking Master.

For example: a ranger could take Ranged Master at 2nd, Imp. Ranged at 5th, but would have to take Dual Wield at 8 before he could take Ranged Mastery at 11.  At 14 and 17, he would pick up the next two dual wield abilities.

Change Feats associated with the ranged combat style.

Hexblade:

Good Fortitude save

* Curse ability usable 3 + the hexblade's Cha modifier per day

* Curse ability usable as a swift action

* Curse ability does not count as used if the target makes his saving throw

* Ability to cast in light or medium armor and while carrying a light shield or buckler

* At 6th level, the hexblade can cast one hexblade spell per day as a swift action, as long as its original casting time is a standard action or faster. He gains an additional use of this power at levels 8, 11, 14, and 18.

Ninja:  Replace Sudden with Sneak.  Skiill point mod is 8+int.???? (I'm still leary of this one.  I'm worreid that the ninja will eclipse the rogue as the premire skills character, which is not my intent.  Thoughts?

Knight:  In process

Samurai:  Recommend total rebuild:  Perhaps aim for a T3 or T4 class using the TOB material.

Paladin:  Lay on hands change: A paladin gains 2 x Level x CHA bonus as his lay on hands pool.  One point spent heals 1 HP of damage.
At level 5, he can remove certain status ailments, by spending more of his pool

For every 5 points of your healing ability you expend,

you can cure 1 point of ability damage or remove the dazed,

fatigued, or sickened condition from one individual.

For every 10 points of your healing ability you expend, you

can remove the exhausted, nauseated, poisoned, or stunned

condition from one individual.

For every 20 points of your healing ability you expend,

you can remove a negative level or the blinded, deafened, or

diseased condition from one individual.

No more remove disease/week.