D&D 3E/3.5 1e to 3e Introduction

[Michael Morris]

I would like help drafting up a small writeup for introducing 1e players to 3e, highlighting the advantages in the switch. I'm trying to get a group I've been with for a long time to finally change over and any help would be appreciated.

Also, advice on what order to introduce the new concepts of 3e (such as feats, skills, etc) would be helpful.

What I do not want is a bunch of posts arguing against the switch from 1e to 3e. If you want such a discussion, start a different thread please.

 

[Infiniti2000]

The most important aspect is introducing the core mechanic. So often this is ignored as being 'too obvious', but quite honestly it really is a good idea to give this information. It also immediately shows the relevance of the d20 logo. On that same page, you can also try the Demo. It might be useful for even seasoned 1e players and DMs.

After the core mechanic, I would personally introduce them to the concept of making a character, in the order as suggested in the PH. This is the order you introduce the concepts of skills, feats, etc., and they will more likely remember that order later on (it will be useful when determining the min. level for a PrC). Don't bother explaining PrC's at all yet, not until a few adventures have been taken.

Another thing, plan to create brand new characters once everyone is familiar with the system. Do not use the same characters or try to rewrite them later. State up front that these are examples. The reason for this is that it will really hurt story continuity to revise some characters midstream and some not, and certainly not everyone (if anyone) will want to actually keep playing their first character. Some will like the new spell system, some will hate it, etc.

Determine all the houserules you plan on using and state them up front (as 'required' by Rule 0 in 3.0). This is more important than most people realize.

Hope that helps and gets you started off. Welcome and enjoy!

 

[Michael Morris]

Welcome and enjoy!

Welcome? I personally have been playing 3e since it was released, but since moving back home I've gotten back with my old group. Also, I've been around EN World for... a *while*

 

[Jdvn1]

Welcome and enjoy!

Um. Read his sig. It speaks the truth.

 

[Infiniti2000]

Welcome? I personally have been playing 3e since it was released, but since moving back home I've gotten back with my old group. Also, I've been around EN World for... a *while*

I meant welcome to 3e, and I inferred from your post that you hadn't used it, despite your post count.

 

[irdeggman]

I would recommend skipping 3.0 and going to 3.5. The books are better laid out and the process is much better thought out. For example the DR system is done very well in 3.5 (much beter than 3.0), the material types is another thing that has been upgraded fairly well as has the fact that several skills were either eliminated (either by combination withother skills or makeing them class abilities vice skills) - gives the player much more bang for hsi skill points.

The things that are strongest advantages of 3.5 over 2nd ed are:

1. Ease of understanding the "core mechanics" (see link above) - higher is always better for the person rolling the dice vice the mixture of higher and lower in 2nd ed.

2. The encouragement of teamwork. 3.5 rewards based on team performance -no more class awards that encourage in-party competition. If the group works well together they get more accomplished and hence gain greater awards. Role-play is still awarded invidually, one of those "recommendations" in the DMG that might as well be a core rule.

3. Ease of multiclassing and class variation. No longer is a character locked by his race or starting class. And not all fighters are the same nor are all rogues just thieves.

4. The magic system is easier to understand overall. Spells are spells and work the same way regardless of whether a wizard or cleric casts them. The only difference is the arcane spell failure chance - a means of allowing wizards (and other arcane casters) to still cast a spell - something not allowed in 2nd ed.

5. The combat system can get confusing with all of the options available to aplayer in combat - but still it is no more confusing the than system from Player's Option: Combat and Tactics in 2d ed.

I recomend starting with character creation since that way players will get to see what choices they have available and thus are more likely to get "hooked". P.S. if you had beenpalyingthe Player's Option material the tranisition is a lot easier.

 

[Michael Morris]

Ok, here are some of the comparisons I was going to make for the argument that 3e is less complicated than 1e.

1e has, what, 9 saving throws (5 main types, some with subtypes), and sometimes it isn't clear which one to use (potion of fiery breath anyone?) . 3e has 3 saves.

1e requires at least 1 chart (THAC0) to be referrenced during play. 3e has no charts used during play.

1e has 3 main event resolution mechanics - attack roll (roll high), prof check (roll low), percentile (thief skills). 3e has only 1 mechanice (d20 + mod >= target number, you succeed).

In 1e each class has it's own XP chart. In 3e there is only 1 XP chart.

There are two forms of multiclassing in 1e, there is only 1 in 3e.

Any others in the Realm of player experience I'm forgetting?

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

3E has 6s rounds; did 1E have 1 minute rounds? I can't recall.

 

[irdeggman]

3.5 has more classes and races than did 1st ed. I don't think 1st ed had gnomes did it?

 

[Storm Raven]

3.5 has more classes and races than did 1st ed. I don't think 1st ed had gnomes did it?

Gnomes are in the 1e PHB as a PC race. From memory, humans, elves, halflings, gnomes, dwarves, half-elves, and half-orcs were listed in the 1e PHB as PC races. Some of the various racial subtypes (gray elves, wood elves, drow elves, hill dwarves, mountain dwarves, and so on) were mentioned, but not significantly detailed in the 1e PHB, they were later detailed as PC races in the 1e Unearthed Arcana, along with wild elves, deep gnomes, and, I think, valley elves.

3e has more base classes than 1e, but only by a little. 1e had (and 3e has) fighters, paladins, rangers, thieves/rogues, magic-users/wizards, clerics, druids, and monks. 3e has sorcerers, barbarians, and bards as base classes, 1e had assassins as a base class. 1e had illusionists as a seperate class, something that has been folded into the main wizard class in the form of speciality wizards in 3e. 1e added the barbarian and cavalier classes in UA.