Shin Okada
Explorer
Herobizkit said:Example:
3.0 sleep; affects 2d4 HD of creatures, no save.
3.5 sleep; affects up to 4 HD of creatures, Will save negates.
And don't get me started on Sanctuary.
3.0e Sleep had will saves, too. The differences are, number of HDs affected and casting time.
IMHO this was a very good change, especially thinking the fact that NPC opponents can use the same spell. Average PC party can hold the line with fighters and clerics, while an arcane caster is casting a full-round spell. So sleep is, still a very strong spell at starting levels. And from a point of view, 3.5e version is slightly more reliable as it affects fixed number of HDs in total. On the other hand, this change reduces the probability of accidental one-turn TPK. Even if PCs are surprised by a Kobold Sorcerer, some PC may attack the sorcerer before the Sleep spell takes effect.
Onto the main topic. IMHO differences between 3.0e and 3.5e are relatively minor, especially if you play only with core rules. But at this moment, 3.5e is more popular. And new supplements are all based on 3.5e (until WotC publishes 4.0e, or maybe 3.75e, in future). So I suggest 3.5e.