Are you worried about character conversion from 3.E-4.E?

[jdrakeh]

Conversion? Absolutely not.

If I want to "convert" something, I'll just rebuild the character from scratch to recreate the concept, not the details. No "micromanagement". No "conversion" issues then.

I guess it should be noted that not every system can handle every concept -- for example, in AD&D, it was next to impossible to realize the "confidence man" rogue, while D&D 3x made this possible by allowing a player to emphasize (mechanically) things such as bluffing and diplomacy. So, without seeing the new system, I think the assumption that it will accommodate all 3.5 character concepts and so well may be putting carts before the horses.

 

[3catcircus]

I think they already announced that the new system would not be designed with conversion in mind and that people should begin thinking about starting new 4ed campigns one it is released.

If I can't convert all of the cool 1st/2nd/3rd edition adventures for use with 4e, then 4e can go pound sand.

 

[Li Shenron]

I voted "absolutely not".

If we start playing 4.0, we definitely start with a new campaign.

And as long as our 3.0 campaigns are still going, we're not changing ruleset.

 

[Hejdun]

Conversion? Absolutely not.

If I want to "convert" something, I'll just rebuild the character from scratch to recreate the concept, not the details. No "micromanagement". No "conversion" issues then.

I quite agree that this is the best way to go about it. Why try to look up obscure conversion tables and trying to jerryrig spells and feats into place in the new rules? Just rebuild your character using the new rules and keep the feel of your character intact.

 

[Odhanan]

I guess it should be noted that not every system can handle every concept -- for example, in AD&D, it was next to impossible to realize the "confidence man" rogue, while D&D 3x made this possible by allowing a player to emphasize (mechanically) things such as bluffing and diplomacy. So, without seeing the new system, I think the assumption that it will accommodate all 3.5 character concepts and so well may be putting carts before the horses.

Indeed.

Hence my own uncertainty in another thread on whether I'll keep running 3.5 Ptolus, Pathfinder etc or convert them to 4E, whether or not I play/run 4E on the side. It will all depend on the ability for 4E to recreate some character archetypes from 3.5 without too much trouble. IF the system lives up to the design philosophy of less prep time, shorter stat blocks and so on, that's a part of the problem that's solved, I think. After, a shadowcaster can become a wizard with a dark spell emphasis, a crusader can become a paladin, and so on, so forth.

I don't intend on translating every power and every ability from 3.5 to 4E. That's not something I even consider doing, hence my answer to the OP's question.

 

[Jhaelen]

I voted "absolutely not".

If we start playing 4.0, we definitely start with a new campaign.

And as long as our 3.0 campaigns are still going, we're not changing ruleset.

Ditto! I am not worried about character conversion because there will not be anything to convert. I'll definitely not start playing 4th edition before my current campaign is over.

 

[Tarek]

If 4e is anything like Saga edition, it will be easier to rewrite the character than it would be to convert the character.

That said, I'm probably not going to bother.

 

[Voadam]

I'm hoping I can use 3e characters and monsters in a 4e game with minimal conversion. I'm not optimistic about it though. 3e to 3.5 was fine for direct use, as was Basic D&D to 1e and 2e, but I fear it will be as incompatible as using stat blocks from old editions in 3e.

I expect my character who started in 2e, went into a 1e house ruled game then 3e and 3.5 will be translated into new 4e mechanics when it comes out. He just turned 17th level and finished off eldritch knight so I'm excited about the 30 level span instead of the 3e 20 level then epic mechanic switch.

 

[Tiberius]

Oh yeah, there's now two hobby shops in my region boycotting 4E. This will be fun to watch, WotC.

Meh. Hobby shops have been made irrelevant by Amazon anyway. Maybe the ones around me just suck, but I can find no compelling reason to spend my money there rather than getting it cheaper with free 2-day shipping online.

 

[Patlin]

I think it'll be best to finish current campaigns under 3.5, and then start in 4.0 with new characters when we finally make the switch. Therefore, no conversion required.