ADnD 2nd ED VS. 3.5

[Brian Compton]

I have a fondness for 2E because it was how I came into the D&D fold. What I didn't like then, and still don't like now, is that you had to do many different kinds of math. Some rolls had to be low, some high. Sometimes you subtract modifiers, sometimes add. Over time it was easy to deal with, and we usually came up with our own systems that fit the rules but were easier to remember. But honestly, 3E with its "just roll high" mentality makes it a little easier. The only downside- too many bloody modifiers only applicable in certain situations still makes it a mathematical nightmare. I usually end up missing something (usually spell bonuses that would have caused a success if I'd remembered them) or (rarely) adding in too many pluses. But at least I know I'm supposed to always add rather than subtract.

I also appreciate not having to navigate six different tables to do my character stats. Where it would have taken me 5 minutes to do up all my ability score info, now it's done in seconds. Though I miss the chance to roll strength percentiles .

If the numbers games aren't important to you and you simply want to role-play, either is fine. The math for both distracts from role-playing, just in a different way. For me, though, because I think it's easier, 3E's the one for me.

Brian.

 

[Brian Compton]

I prefer 3e


Unified xp chart

stats are not capped

3 saves that are intuitive vs multiple arbitrary ones

More balanced magic prices

Item creation

Guidelines for starting wealth/magic item worth past 1st level

Better multiclassing rules

No level limits

No race/class restrictions

HD do not stop at certain class levels.

Yeah, forgot about those. A lot of them seemed really arbitrary and pointless, especially the level limits. I guess the same could be said for the "preferred class" system, but something has to make humans look playable. I felt a lot of the limits did less to make humans appear attractive as a race choice and more to make demi-humans look less attractive. Now all the races are attractive, just for different reasons.

And the Saving Throws: hated them. You had to constantly figure out what throw went to what effect. I prefer having a fireball be a fireball be a fireball, regardless of where it came from or what extra it might do.

Things I prefer about 2e

Customization of specialty priests

I do miss those. Many argue you can do the same with domain choices and multi-classing, but it still lacks something.

Brian.

 

[Kanegrundar]

I do miss the way monsters were detailed in 2E. Now, this isn't a problem in some monster books like Monsternomicon, Creatures of Freeport, Penumbra Fantasy Bestiary, etc, but many monster tomes are nothing more than a group of stats (cough, Tome of Horrors, cough). The 2E monster books would give information about the monster's society and culture that you just don't get out of many 3E/D20 monster books. The trend is pulling away from just stat collections, but this is still the norm in D20. The monster books I really like are those that are really interesting to read. Colorful descriptions can make an otherwise boring creature one that I really want to use.

Kane

 

[TerraDave]

Most of my gaming experience is with 2 ed, and we had a great long running campaign with many fond memories. But I never played it "straight", instead using lots of official options and house rules. When 3.0 came out it actually simplified and clarified things compared to what we where already doing, so there was no question of switching.

If you:

can cover the gaps in 2 ed--ie know how to contstructively use ability checks and proficiencies

are used to its little quirks--saving throws, pole arms, thaco...

want to run 1st edition modules--who doesn't!?

don't mind limited player options or tactical options

prefer to play at the mid levels (3-12) where the game works pretty well

and can cover over glaring problems--e.g. using the XP penalty for demihumans instead of level limits

Then it may not be worth switching. And the Monstrous Manual was nice...

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

I have never under stood why people think 1e or 2e characters were all alike. I've played a dark, brooding fighter, a dumb, hulking brute, and a swashbuckling rake. They were all completely different.

It could be that swashbucklers pretty much sucked in 2e. Where was Weapon Finesse? Maybe in a supplement somewhere, but not in the core rules.

 

[diaglo]

Where was Weapon Finesse?

it was in the style the player chose to play his character. the weapons he chose to use. the armor.

and also in the stats.

dexterity in 1edADnD and 2edADnD was the stat responsible for twf penalties.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

it was in the style the player chose to play his character. the weapons he chose to use. the armor.

Fair enough, but he was still a wimp, since he can't hit anything.

and also in the stats.

So now you need an extra high stat... not too different from 3e though.

dexterity in 1edADnD and 2edADnD was the stat responsible for twf penalties.

Great for dual-wielding swashbucklers. Not great for those who didn't dual wield.

 

[Virel]

Great for dual-wielding swashbucklers. Not great for those who didn't dual wield.

In AD&D, learn to fight like an elf or you'll die like an orc.

 

[Arnwyn]

now, here's an odd question... how many people who say they left D&D because of 2E would *not* have left if D&D went straight from 1E to something exactly like 3E or 3.5? i think the drastic change would have scared off more people than 2E did. 3E seems to become acceptable in many people's mind as a refreshing change after a long period of time, rather than a sudden one.

I agree. It'll be the 'curse of the even-numbered editions'.

We've already seen a multitude of posts here from people who say they have no intention of going to 4e, and 3e "gives them everything they need".

Then they'll all come back for 5e, and the cycle continues.

 

[mark_j]

Well, 2nd edition commited many sins that practically destroyed what 1E had built. 3E has introduced a whole new gereration of gamers to D&D. This is something that I am grateful for, even though I prefer DMing 1st edition (more from a content creation standpoint than a game mechanic standpoint). 3E is fun to play though.