D&D 2E 2e kits for 5e?

[PaulKChapman]

The class kits found in the Complete series from the 2e era are remembered fondly in my group. Has anyone translated them to 5e, as backgrounds, subclasses, or alt classes?

The translations don't look like they'd be difficult, but why reinvent the wheel? Sadly, my search fu has failed me.

Thanks!

 

[Dorian_Grey]

Hello Paul!

I also haven't found anything online about conversions - but was just about to start the process myself. As a DM, I loved kits as they really let me modify classes to fit my campaign world flavor, something I want to be able to do with 5e as well. I'm actually starting with the Ranger first as I'm not happy with the ranger as it is in 5e. I own the Complete Ranger's Handbook, so I figured I'd tackle that and see what I could do! When I'm done (this week sometime), I'll try to remember to post back here so you can see the results!

 

[DammitVictor]

This could be an interesting project. A lot of the kits are already represented in one fashion or another... but there are some awesome kits that aren't.

I'm thinking of that Ranger kit that turns you into a tree.

 

[Li Shenron]

I think subclasses are the best way in 5e to implement 2e kits.

I'd leave backgrounds separate, but a properly chosen/modified background can also contribute to the overall feel of the kit.

 

[Panartias]

A swashbuckler can easily created by choosing battle-master (dex) fighter – probably with the duelist or duel-wilder fighting style and the right maneuvers.

And I would see a gladiator as a champion fighter, with a feat to get access to some maneuvers as well to keep it interesting. Perhaps a level-dip of barbarian as well for the unarmored defense.

Anyway I’m interested in what you come up with!

 

[MessiahMushroom]

Either as a subclass or maybe a prestige class - now that an example is out:

http://media.wizards.com/2015/downloads/dnd/UA_Rune_Magic_Prestige_Class.pdf

I've been running a campaign set in Zakhara (Al-Qadim themed) and we've converted a few kits specific to that setting pretty easily. Here's an example of what we came up with:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6BwrBuKP4qjWXo1aVY4YWJOenc/view?usp=sharing

It's pretty fun to translate 2e flavor into 5e mechanics as it takes a lot of creative licencing. Good luck and let us know what you end up converting!

 

[Connorsrpg]

Great thread. I have always loved the 2e brown books for flavour. Of course some kits were way over-powered compared to others, but the idea (of grounding character in the setting) was a great one.

Now we have the full sweet of being able to implement them. Whilst there has been some back and forth of how to put them into to 5E, the answer in my mind is that there is no one answer.

Kits like Peasant Hero are obviously in the game already (as the Folk Hero BG), but the paladin Wyrm Slayer (not sure on exact name), to me was never a starting BG type thing. This would clearly be better suited as a mechanic gained later (and in 5E we have several of those.

I have already written several subclasses (here on these boards), a BG, feats etc. I feel we have the necessary spread to represent kits, but you must be willing to adapt them all differently. Some suit different mechanics in 5E.

Kits could actually convert to:
Subclass
Feat
Background

Sometimes a combo of more than one.
Sometimes they just fit new skills now (or a particular skill added to one of above).

Now there is a same Prestige Class up, some will fit this 'dip in style' mechanic.

So, are there any in particular people want to do first?

 

[Elladar]

I actually just did this a few days ago. While they are far from fleshed out, reading the originals of most of them leads to backgrounds that already exist (you'd need to pick appropriate bonds, flaws etc.). It's amazing how often noble seems to be the best fit (usually because they had the etiquette nonweapon proficiency and some sort of access to royalty)
(I also did a quick runthrough of PrCs from 3e; it was surprising to me how many of them were really just backgrounds tacked onto a mechanical foible-either fixing a tough mechanic or granting numerous small bonuses that really don't matter in 5e). After doing this little project, I realized even more that 5e really does cover everything quite well. (With the exception of animal companions, which show up a lot more than I remembered in 2e, or even 3e).

Backgrounds
These are from kits from 2e

Complete Book of Dwarves

Animal Master: Ranger
Axe for Hire: Soldier
Clansdwarf: Guild Artisan
Hearthguard: Soldier
Battlerager: Pirate with Intimidate instead of Perception (Barbarian)
Highborn: Noble
Alternate rule: if you spend an additional 25% on all mundane gear, you gain advantage on social checks with other nobles etc. Maybe a rule for everyone?
Outcast: Urchin or Criminal
Rapid Response Rider: Paladin or Ranger with mount.
Sharpshooter: Anyone with the sharpshooter proficiency
Craftspriest: Guild Artisan, knowledge cleric
Pariah: Charlatan or Criminal, trickery cleric
Patrician: see Highborn
Ritual Priest: Acolyte, knowledge cleric
Champion: Paladin
Temple Guard: Acolyte with Perception instead of Insight
Vindicator: Barbarian with Acolyte (with Intimidation instead of Insight)
Diplomat: Sage
Entertainer: Entertainer
Locksmith: As guild artisan but see below
Skill Proficiencies: Investigation, Sleight of Hand
Tool Proficiencies: Thieves’ tools, carpenter’s tools
Equipment: Thieves’ tools, as guild artisan
Pest Controller: As outlander, but see below
Skill Proficiencies: Animal handling, Survival
Tool Proficiencies: One musical instrument, Tinker’s tools
Ghetto Fighter: Urchin
Trader: Guild Merchant
Vermin Slayer: Ranger
Wayfinder: As outlander, but two languages and no instrument

Complete Book of Elves

Herbalist: Hermit, possibly ranger, possibly with Healer proficiency
Archer: Warrior with archery fighting style.
Wilderness Runner: Ranger
Windrider: Really a DM campaign choice. Maybe a ranger or paladin
Spellfilcher: Arcane trickster
Bladesinger: Eldritch Knight
War Wizard: Diviner or Evoker
Huntsman: Criminal with ranger
Collector: Sage (perhaps with a multiclassed AT and EK, or maybe lore bard)
Infiltrator: Charlatan (probably bard)
Undead Slayer: ?

Complete Book of Gnomes and Halflings

Breachgnome: Soldier with flaw 4, 6 or possibly “never surrender” (Battlemaster fighter)
Goblinsticker: “” (Champion)
Mouseburgler: Thief
Tumbler: Entertainer
Imagemaker: Illusionist with guild artisan (probably tinker gnome)
Vanisher: Illusionist
Buffoon: Noble (somewhat ironically), with entertainer bonds etc.
Stalker: Outlander Ranger with Archery style
Rocktender: Land Druid (mountain)
Treetender: Hermit land druid (forest) or nature cleric

Archer: Warrior with archery style, probably ranger, probably sharp shooter
Forrest Walker: Outlander, probably ranger
Homesteader: Hermit with Animal Handling instead of Religion
Mercenary: Soldier
Sheriff: Folk Hero
Squire: Noble Knight (but in reverse, with the squire doing everything), with Animal Handling instead of Persuasion
Tunnel Rat: Urchin
Bandit: Folk Hero with disguise kit instead of artisan’s tools
Bilker: Charlatan with a gaming set instead of forgery
Burglar: Thief (probably criminal, urchin or sage)
Smuggler: Guild Merchant with Deception instead of Persuasion
Urchin: Urchin
Cartographer: Sage, Outlander, Hermit
Trader: Guild Merchant
Traveler: Entertainer
Healer: Hermit
Leaftender: Druid (land), or nature cleric with outlander or hermit
Oracle: sage, either diviner or knowledge cleric

Complete Fighter’s Handbook

Amazon: Outlander (probably barbarian)
Barbarian: “”
Beast Rider: Paladin or Ranger with mount
Berserker: Pirate with Intimidate instead of Perception (Barbarian)
Cavalier: Paladin or Ranger with mount, noble (knight)
Gladiator: Gladiator
Myrmidon: Soldier
Noble Warrior: Noble
Peasant Hero: Folk Hero
Pirate/Outlaw: Pirate, Sailor, Folk Hero
Samurai: Soldier or noble
Savage: outlander barbarian, but could be arcane trickster totally flavored (not spells, but abilities)
Swashbuckler: Swashbuckler
Wilderness Warrior: Outlander

Complete Ranger’s Handbook

Beastmaster: Beastmaster ranger
Explorer: Outlander
Falconer: Ranger with falcon companion
Feralan: Totem barbarian outlander
Forest Runner: Folk Hero with disguise kit instead land vehicles
Giant Killer: ?
Greenwood Ranger (Limbant): Subclass?
Guardian: Hermit with survival instead of religion
Justifier: Spell-less ranger
Mountain Man: Hermit with survival instead of religion and artisan’s tools instead of a language
Pathfinder: Outlander
Sea Ranger: Sailor
Seeker: Sage
Stalker: Spy
Warden: Noble

Complete Paladin’s Handbook

Chevalier: Noble or Soldier
Divinate: Acolyte
Envoy: Noble
Equerry: Knight
Errant: Soldier or Folk Hero
Expatriate: Soldier
Ghosthunter: ?
Inquisitor: Mage Slayer feat
Medician: Hermit with healing proficiency
Militarist: Champion or Battlemaster with acolyte
Skyrider: ?
Squire: Knight in reverse
Votary: soldier or acolyte
Wyrmslayer: ?

Complete Wizard’s Handbook

Academician: Sage
Amazon Sorceress: Outlander
Anagakok: Outlander
Militant Wizard: Soldier
Mystic: Sage or hermit
Patrician: Noble
Peasant Wizard: Folk Hero
Savage Wizard: Outlander (possibly warlock)
Witch: Warlock
Wu Jen: Noble with extra flaws (taboos)

Complete Priest’s Handbook

Amazon Priestess: Outlander with Animal Handling instead of Athletics
Barbarian/Berserker Priest: Pirate with Intimidate instead of Perception
Fighting Monk: Monk
Nobleman Priest: Noble
Outlaw Priest: Folk Hero, criminal, pirate
Pacifist Priest: Acolyte, Hermit
Peasant Priest: Folk Hero
Prophet Priest: Sage, Hermit, Acolyte
Savage Priest: Outlander
Scholar Priest: Sage

Complete Druid’s Handbook

Adviser: Noble
Avenger: Fey Paladin
Animal Friend: Hermit with Animal Handling instead of Religion
Guardian: Hermit with Survival instead of Religion
Hivemaster: Standard Druid, shapechange into insects, instead of Woodland Stride, webwalker
Lost Druid: Hermit?
Natural Philosopher: Sage
Outlaw: Criminal
Pacifist: Acolyte, hermit
Savage: Outlander
Shapeshifter: Moon druid
Totemic Druid: Moon Druid
Village Druid: Folk Hero
Wanderer: Outlander

Complete Thief’s Handbook

Acrobat: Entertainer
Adventurer: Thief with criminal, charlatan, urchin
Assassin: Assassin
Bandit: Soldier, criminal
Beggar: Urchin
Bounty Hunter: Criminal
Buccaneer: Sailor, pirate
Burglar: Any
Cutpurse: Criminal
Fence: Guild Artisan or merchant
Investigator: Guild Artisan with disguise kit instead of artisan’s tools
Scout: Outlander thief or criminal ranger
Smuggler: Guild artisan or merchant
Spy: Spy
Swashbuckler: Swashbuckler
Swindler: Charlatan
Thug: Criminal Fighter or barbarian (or paladin?)
Troubleshooter:?

Complete Bard’s Handbook

True Bard: Lore Bard
Blade: Entertainer Valor Bard (with sharpshooting applying to daggers?); possibly battlemaster
Charlatan: Charlatan
Gallant: Knight
Gypsy Bard: Entertainer with Animal Handling instead of Acrobatics
Herald: Noble
Jester: Noble or entertainer
Jongleur: Entertainer
Loremaster: Sage
Maistersinger: Outlander with Animal Handling instead of athletics
Riddlemaster: Sage
Skald: Valor bard soldier or outlander
Thespian: Charlatan

Complete Ninja Handbook

Stealer-in: Monk or Thief
Shadow Warrior: Shadow Monk
Intruder: Spy
Consort: Charlatan
Pathfinder: Outlander
Lonewolf: Outlander
Spirit Warrior: Any Monk or maybe Arcane Trickster

Complete Book of Necromancers

Anatomist: Hermit (maybe switch religion for survival? Animal handling?)
Deathslayer: Outlander
Philosopher: Noble or acolyte
Undead Master: Necro Death priest

 

[Panartias]

Where take you all the kits from (I'm especially looking at the Swashbuckler and the Gladiator from Complete Fighter's)? Are they from the Sword Coast adventures guide? (My only 5e book is the Players Handbook)...

 

[Elladar]

Gladiator is an alternate option for entertainer in the PHB. Swashbuckler was from the Maritime unearthed arcana (though it will be more official in the upcoming sword coast supplement).