D&D 3.x A more "old-school" 3.5E

[Li Shenron]

Tho not my cup of tea, I think it would be an interesting game!

The only thing which could be problematic is indeed the Fighter without feats.

You could simply give the Fighter one "weapon point" at level1 and every even levels, which would grant one of the following, to one weapon of choice only:

- Weapon Focus
- Weapon Specialization
- Improved Critical
- (any other weapon-specific feat that resembles something of AD&D)

You'd still need to meet the prerequisites as if they were feats, so no WSpec before level 4 and without WF, and no IC before level 8. This effectively forces the Fighter to spread the points on different weapons.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

Wouldn't it be easier to download OSRIC and play that?

 

[Jack Daniel]

Tho not my cup of tea, I think it would be an interesting game!

The only thing which could be problematic is indeed the Fighter without feats.

You could simply give the Fighter one "weapon point" at level1 and every even levels, which would grant one of the following, to one weapon of choice only:

- Weapon Focus
- Weapon Specialization
- Improved Critical
- (any other weapon-specific feat that resembles something of AD&D)

You'd still need to meet the prerequisites as if they were feats, so no WSpec before level 4 and without WF, and no IC before level 8. This effectively forces the Fighter to spread the points on different weapons.

That's rather like what I'm doing. For my rules, I'm bringing back the old weapon proficiency system, where characters are only proficient in a small number of weapons, but they can spend extra proficiency slots to become specialists/experts/masters. Just like with feats, most characters only get one slot every 3 levels, but a fighter gets a bonus slot at every even level also. That does a fine job of balancing them against the other classes, who basically wind up knowing how to use one weapon at basic proficiency and one weapon with specialty, when a fighter can learn four or five weapons and specialize in a couple of them.

 

[Mycanid]

Wouldn't it be easier to just go on eBay and buy a first edition AD&D Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide, and Monster Manual? A cursory glance suggests that they go for around $5.00 + $5.00 shipping each.

Otherwise take a look at OSRIC (http://www.knights-n-knaves.com/osric/) which is alledgedly AD&D under the Open Gaming License.

Either of these options should work much easier than trying to reinvent the wheel.

'Fraid I agree with Griffith here ... if you like the interface of .pdf files you can also pick up these books and more and rpgnow.com and other places too.