unused_bagels
First Post
So I just read the goals page from WoTC, and does this mean I will be able to use all my old stuff including the 4e stuff I own (my wife loves 4e, don't hate), without heavy conversions and hours plugging away at numbers?
D&D 4E AD&D to 4e to 5e
- Thread starter unused_bagels
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Mattachine
Adventurer
No, no it doesn't.
DDN is not currently backwards compatible with any edition. I don't think they plan to make it that way, either.
DDN is not currently backwards compatible with any edition. I don't think they plan to make it that way, either.
unused_bagels
First Post
Ok, then is this bit just gobbledegook to get me excited, that doesn't mean anything? I'm used to advertisements telling me a load of bantha poodoo, so it wouldn't be the first time something sounded too good to be true.
The Shadow
Hero
Well... It's not strictly backward-compatible, no. But it shouldn't be hard at all to convert characters over. I suspect 4e would be the hardest, but I'm not very experienced with it.
I would be very surprised if the final product didn't include an appendix, or maybe a free download, on how to convert old characters over, along with guidelines for playing 'in the style of' previous editions.
I would be very surprised if the final product didn't include an appendix, or maybe a free download, on how to convert old characters over, along with guidelines for playing 'in the style of' previous editions.
unused_bagels
First Post
That makes sense. It's just that I have all these published adventures for 4e and ADnD that I pulled out of the closet (didn't find them til we moved XD ) and would hate to not be able to use them (it's already difficult to reconcile the two)
Olgar Shiverstone
Legend
Note the key word: "- style". Not a 4E or 1E character, a "4E-style character".
Not that that means any of your books are wasted; there's a treasure trove of information ready for mining inside of every D&D edition's books. Some just require more conversion than others if you want to reuse specific mechanics rather than just ideas and fluff. I've gotten many, many hours of productive use out of BD&D, 1E, and 2E products in 3E and 4E games.
Not that that means any of your books are wasted; there's a treasure trove of information ready for mining inside of every D&D edition's books. Some just require more conversion than others if you want to reuse specific mechanics rather than just ideas and fluff. I've gotten many, many hours of productive use out of BD&D, 1E, and 2E products in 3E and 4E games.
D'karr
Adventurer
I find that "mechanical" conversions can be a pain in the rear, in any version of D&D. However, "thematic" conversions are rather easy.
I'm running the original A1 - Slavepits of the Undercity for my 4e group right now. Conversion work was miniscule.
The only "mechanical" conversion I wanted to make was the Aspis Warriors. I wanted to make this conversion even though I could have used something like the Thri-kreen to give a similar feel. I wanted something that gave that feel of defending with two shields and attacking with 2 swords. So I created the creature from whole cloth. The rest was simply picking an choosing which orcs to use, and which priest or mage NPC would work for the priest of Orcus.
Sometimes levels might be different between editions. For example in 1e the orcs are 1 HD creatures, which make them pushovers except in great numbers. You see this in the adventure when they encounter 2-8 or 2-12 orcs with a 4th level fighter or priest. In 4e the orcs range from level 1 to level 8 for the ranges I'd like to use with this adventure. I've found that unless a creature is of a much higher (3-4+ levels) to the PCs, the encounters can be easily scaled to work properly, and satisfyingly.
This Saturday they are pairing off against 18 orcs as they try to escape from the temple. The mix of creatures is going to make this a fun combat.
So don't try to convert anything simply by the mechanics. Make a thematic conversion which takes less time, and is quite more satisfying.
I'm running the original A1 - Slavepits of the Undercity for my 4e group right now. Conversion work was miniscule.
The only "mechanical" conversion I wanted to make was the Aspis Warriors. I wanted to make this conversion even though I could have used something like the Thri-kreen to give a similar feel. I wanted something that gave that feel of defending with two shields and attacking with 2 swords. So I created the creature from whole cloth. The rest was simply picking an choosing which orcs to use, and which priest or mage NPC would work for the priest of Orcus.
Sometimes levels might be different between editions. For example in 1e the orcs are 1 HD creatures, which make them pushovers except in great numbers. You see this in the adventure when they encounter 2-8 or 2-12 orcs with a 4th level fighter or priest. In 4e the orcs range from level 1 to level 8 for the ranges I'd like to use with this adventure. I've found that unless a creature is of a much higher (3-4+ levels) to the PCs, the encounters can be easily scaled to work properly, and satisfyingly.
This Saturday they are pairing off against 18 orcs as they try to escape from the temple. The mix of creatures is going to make this a fun combat.
So don't try to convert anything simply by the mechanics. Make a thematic conversion which takes less time, and is quite more satisfying.
Steely_Dan
First Post
Though, I do find it rather easy to drop in 1st Ed stuff without too much hassle.
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