D&D 3E/3.5 retrofitting a pathfinder class for 3.5

[Elf Witch]

I really love the witch class in Pathfinder. My DM has given me permission to use it if I can make it more 3.5. She runs a 3.5 game and does not want to switch to Pathfinder at this time.

So I am looking for advice on how to bring the Witch class into line with 3.5 classes.

 

[Azmyth]

My DM has given me permission to use it if I can make it more 3.5

What exactly do you mean by this? Has she stated something specific about the class or the PFRGP in general? Has your DM ever looked at the PF core rules?

 

[Elf Witch]

What exactly do you mean by this? Has she stated something specific about the class or the PFRGP in general? Has your DM ever looked at the PF core rules?

No she hasn't. Her issue is that the skill list is not the same as with 3.5 they combined some skills and got rid of some. Also she has read that Pathfinder characters tend to be more high powered than 3.5.

I think I can figure out how to adapt the skill list myself but I am not sure if anything else needs to be done to bring the class inline with 3.5 classes.

 

[Azmyth]

Take a close look at the Sleep spell as it appears in 3.5 and PF.
The Hex ability needs to also be understood by both you and your GM ahead of time.
(might need to be nerfed a bit for the judge's game balance)
At low levels, in urban settings, the witch dominates against humanoid foes!
Vs. critters with mind immunities and the like, she's a target!
If you own the pdfs, I'd suggest printing the section on the witch class and any relevant spell changes between the systems (there aren't many) and give it to her to reference and make a ruling. You could also point her to Witch - Pathfinder_OGC

 

[Aus_Snow]

The most obvious things would be the skill list (trivial), losing endless cantrips, and "reverting" to d4 HD.

But I only know the very basics of the class, and don't own the book. Basically, my guiding rule would be, compare it to things like the 3.5 Druid, Wizard or Sorcerer, and see if it really is at all overpowered for 3.5. S'pose that goes without saying. Oh well.

edit: Hrm. Having skimmed the above OGC, and after applying the mods I listed, it looks very much like a Wizard minus bonus feats plus hexes. I guess there's where the tricky part begins. . .

 

[Elf Witch]

I sent her a copy of the site and she is looking it over. I think I got her to relax a little when I pointed out that one of the things that make pathfinder characters more powerful is the races and since I would be using a 3.5 race that shouldn't matter.

I do have a feeling she may lower the hit dice to a D4 which is no big deal to me.

I just really like the flavor of witches and up until now I really have not found one that I thought was really playable.

 

[Ajores]

I really love the witch class in Pathfinder. My DM has given me permission to use it if I can make it more 3.5. She runs a 3.5 game and does not want to switch to Pathfinder at this time.

So I am looking for advice on how to bring the Witch class into line with 3.5 classes.

I think the advice stated above is adequate. But honestly, tell your DM to make the switch. If she hasn't downloaded the conversion file, tell her to do that ASAP. It'll explain all of the new features in the game.

GL with your conversion though, but I think your DM is missing out majorly if she's going to dismiss it like that.

 

[Kaisoku]

edit: Hrm. Having skimmed the above OGC, and after applying the mods I listed, it looks very much like a Wizard minus bonus feats plus hexes. I guess there's where the tricky part begins. . .

There is a bit of a difference still above that: the spell list.

Wizards have a far larger selection of options, and thus get a greater level of versatility in choice in their spells.
The Witch is unique in their spell list (drawing from wizard/sorcerer and cleric spells), but it's still a shorter list.

Not counting APG spells (which both classes get extra from), the Witch has 22 1st level spells to choose from, while the Wizard has 39.
Plus, the Witch's "spellbook" is now tied to a creature with hitpoints that can die... a Wizard can simply leave his familiar dead or leave it at home. Small factor (familiar death is pretty rare), but it's still a factor.

I think changing the skills, cantrips and HD to match 3.5 rules would be sufficient. Everything else (hexes) can stay fairly similar, with the only caveat being that a Hex that mimics a spell, should mimic the 3.5 version.

 

[pawsplay]

No unlimited cantrips, change the skill list, and d4s for hit dice. Hexes, for the most part, aren't truly unlimited abilities anyway.

 

[Elf Witch]

I think the advice stated above is adequate. But honestly, tell your DM to make the switch. If she hasn't downloaded the conversion file, tell her to do that ASAP. It'll explain all of the new features in the game.

GL with your conversion though, but I think your DM is missing out majorly if she's going to dismiss it like that.

Her issue about changing is that she is running a homebrew world and so many races and other things come from 3.5 that she feels overwhelmed changing things.