3.5 backcompatibility: what's to assume?

[Li Shenron]

Ok, after reading the thread with content of Complete Warrior, I have a simple question. We have 3.5 corebooks that completely supersede 3.0 corebooks. We have 3.5 update booklet which corrections to 3.0 stuff (PrCls, feats, spells, monsters...) from various books. We have the first book which gives rewrites of other stuff in 3.5 version, mainly from Sword & Fist.

What's to do with 3.0 stuff from splatbooks if there is NO 3.5 correction or new version? Should we assume that the 3.0 original is still compatible with 3.5 or should we assume that it must be totally discarded if we play 3.5?

The update booklet covers specific books, so I think that what in those books doesn't get an update, it means it didn't need.

But what about the Sword & Fist and others? If there is no update to a PrCl or feat, does it mean we can still use the 3.0 or that we should wipe it out of our 3.5 game?

 

[hong]

If 3.5 books can supersede 3.0 books in 3.5 days, how many days will it take before 3.0 PrCs and 3.5 feats are given the shaft?


So, um, anyway, it's your game. Pick what you think works best, and run with it. The edition police are not going to break down your door either way.

 

[Li Shenron]

So, um, anyway, it's your game. Pick what you think works best, and run with it.

That's what I have done anyway

But I wish there was a general way to go, not just "case by case". If 3.5 products are updating 3.0 books I would wish they also tell me what to do with what they don't update.

 

[Goddess FallenAngel]

I thought I had read somewhere that if they did not update it, it didn't need to be. However, since I haven't any clue where I read that (or if I even did), please pretend I never said that.

What my gaming group does is check to see if there is something simular in 3.5 (such as psionic powers to spells) and use that version. If not, we generally use it as-is, unless it is clearly game-unbalancing.

 

[HiLiphNY]

The other day, I found myself wondering why I didn't make the full lemming-esque move and upgrade to 3.5.

After reading these posts, now I know why! Laff.

 

[Flyspeck23]

The other day, I found myself wondering why I didn't make the full lemming-esque move and upgrade to 3.5.

After reading these posts, now I know why! Laff.

If 3.5 is like jumping from a cliff, then 3.0 is like jumping from a cliff into a pool of lava.


Back on topic...
I'd say that most rules could easily be used unchanged, and are 3.0&3.5-compatible. PrCs could be an exception here, as is everything that's more or less based on a changed rule
On the other hand, I've made it a habit to examine each additional bit of rule addition anyway.

 

[Arnwyn]

I was under the impression that if there isn't an "update", then it's expected you use the older stuff as-is. It's still "3rd edition".

But for me - I don't care. I just use what I want... and usually it does *not* include a 3.5 update if I own the stuff already. I don't buy duplicated material.

 

[Frostmarrow]

I sold all my 3.0 stuff and bought the 3.5 PHB. I don't plan on getting anything else. (But I do keep a bookmark in my browser to http://www.opengamingfoundation.org).

 

[Chacal]

I sold all my 3.0 stuff and bought the 3.5 PHB. I don't plan on getting anything else. (But I do keep a bookmark in my browser to http://www.opengamingfoundation.org).

some links in
http://3.5srd.com/

might help you then.


I think I would have bought the new monster manual if I had converted to 3.5.


Chacal

 

[shadow]

3.5e backwards compatible? Yeah right! Although WotC claimed that the new edition would be backwards compatible, most of the stuff they are releasing completely supersedes 3.0e. Go figure!