Kitchen sink review of 3.5 PHB

[Plane Sailing]

That reviewer needs to learn how to proof-read.

Can anyone here please explain the logic of why high level rangers get Hide in Plain Sight but rogues don't? Gah.

The ranger hide in plain sight is only in natural terrain, and the rangers are *supposed* to be the bees knees at hiding in scouting in that kind of terrain. Rogues are not - they can become shadowdancers or assassins if they want to hide in plain sight (and probably with less limitations on the environment when they can get to use it).

In 1e and earlier the ranger was better than the rogue (thief) at surprising foes. Nice to see they get that back in the wilderness now. Heck, it's a *17th level* ability.

 

[enworldatemylogin]

So in his opinion it really is a whole new, one might say, 4th edition.

I guess we'll all find out in a few weeks.

 

[Jalkain]

Can anyone here please explain the logic of why high level rangers get Hide in Plain Sight but rogues don't? Gah.

Don't forget that the rogue class is supposed to cater to a wide range of stereotypes. Not all of these are stealth specialists. Con-men, thugs, pirates, highwaymen and many others might well have some or all levels in rogue.

By contrast, the ranger has a much narrower range of sterotypes, and is generally thought of as being a stealthy wilderness warrior/scout. So it doesn't seem much of a stretch to give them Hide in Plain Sight in wilderness areas (and it is 17th level, so only truely heroic rangers will possess the ability).

 

[EricNoah]

Endure elements:
Old -- protected against energy damage
New -- protects against hot or cold environmental extremes

Blindness/Deafness
I wouldn't call this a significant change but it's now a necromancy spell instead of transmutation.

Neutralize Poison
Old -- instantaneous
New -- has a duration (10 min/level)

 

[Herremann the Wise]

All in all, it seems like the information in the 3.5 PHB has been clarified and ordered impeccably. Congratulations to WOTC in this regard.

Our group may have to reconsider changing to it if the 3.5 PHB is so different from 3.0. Hopefully the conversion book/document will smooth out the many bumps between the two.

And enworldatemylogin,
I've noticed you commenting several times on the boards about this being 4.0 rather than 3.5 and it has come to irk me. I suggest you look at previous editions of Dungeons and Dragons and you will see that 3.x is a suitable descriptor for the new books. The overall system has not changed at all! Numerous tweaks and polish does not a new version make. Again though, the number of changes seems to be consistent with calling it 3.5 rather than 3.1 or something.

Best Regards
Herremann the Wise

 

[Mark Chance]

I've noticed you commenting several times on the boards about this being 4.0 rather than 3.5 and it has come to irk me. I suggest you look at previous editions of Dungeons and Dragons and you will see that 3.x is a suitable descriptor for the new books. The overall system has not changed at all! Numerous tweaks and polish does not a new version make.

That is largely a matter of opinion, isn't it?

It is also an opinion I (and many other people) happen to agree with, although I recognize that my opinion might change once I have the SRD. IOW, while no individual change might seem that significant, the cumulative effect of all the changes is, and the magnitude of this cumulative effect increases in direct proportion to the length of time a given 3.0 campaign has been in play.

 

[coyote6]

Just a couple of questions, Mr Noah...

Endure elements:
Old -- protected against energy damage
New -- protects against hot or cold environmental extremes

Does that mean that endure elements can no longer resist acid, sonic, or electrical damage?

If so, that's kind of uncool. It no longer protects against "the elements" of weird areas or other planes.

Neutralize Poison
Old -- instantaneous
New -- has a duration (10 min/level)

How does that work?

Does it neutralize any poison you affects you during the duration? Sort of a "immune to poison for the duration" effect?

 

[EricNoah]

Just a couple of questions, Mr Noah...



Does that mean that endure elements can no longer resist acid, sonic, or electrical damage?

If so, that's kind of uncool. It no longer protects against "the elements" of weird areas or other planes.

Correct.

How does that work?

Does it neutralize any poison you affects you during the duration? Sort of a "immune to poison for the duration" effect?

"The creature is immune to any poison it is exposed to during the duration of the spell."

 

[Jeremy Crawford]

Re: spell changes?

And what's with Bless Weapon becoming a necromancy spell?

Bless weapon is a transmutation spell in 3.5, not a necromancy spell.

 

[EricNoah]

Re: Re: spell changes?

Bless weapon is a transmutation spell in 3.5, not a necromancy spell.

You're right. This is incorrectly listed as a change in the conversion guide.