Backwards compatibility advice?

[fireinthedust]

so is Pathfinder more powerful than 3.x? Like, not just PCs, but are the Monsters actually tougher?

 

[Alzrius]

Don't forget that you now gain feats at every odd-numbered level, so most NPCs and monsters are going to gain at least a feat or two.

 

[ruemere]

For Creature Collection books best advice would be to rebuild monsters altogether (may be unnecessary for less complicated monsters from final books, i.e. from CC III and CC Revised).

Regards,
Ruemere

 

[Voadam]

What about things like spells? I suppose I could just refer to the listed spells from the PFCR, rather than the 3.x versions.

And the classes? For NPCs, I mean.

I'm working off the idea that I'd like to add PrCs and Templates to monsters. Also to NPC mortals.

Examples:
Half-golem from MM2.
Lords of Madness Ropers & super Ropers, Illithids, etc.
Creature Collection revised's Hags
GR's advanced bestiary. I'm not 100% on any of that stuff, in play, and knowing if it will work would be good.
Drow of the Underdark's Deep Dragon, in particular, looks fun, ditto some other breeds. However, I've noticed a major shift in the CR of the chromatic dragons in PF. So, I wonder, will the other versions be alright? Can I use a dragon like that, and would it screw up the game in general?

It's good to hear that there isn't much change from the 3.x as far as monsters go, at least in use (and if I swap out older versions of spells).

What about modules? Like, if I want to grab some old Dungeon issues, or Dungeon Crawl Classics modules, are those still good? Or should I convert all the NPCs?
I guess, for sorcerers and other classed creatures, it's a good idea to do conversions by adding new class powers.

For actual spellcasters I'd use PF versions of the spells to keep things consistent. For monsters with magical spell-like abilities it can be either, whatever's easier for you. I like PF versions better a lot so I'd go with those or that style in general.

NPC classes don't need to be fully converted. Knowing an NPC can use his cantrips at will is good enough, NPC sorcerers can get bloodline powers added if you want but it is not necessary, the game will be fine if they don't.

On monsters note the CMB and keep in mind the chart of what old 3e skills turned into which PF skills and you can use 3e monsters as is just fine.

PF characters in 3e modules work fine, they are a touch more powerful than 3e characters but not significantly so for purposes of CR and ELs and suggested level ranges on modules.

Convert as much as you want to and have time for, but you can be fine running with 3e stuff on the DM's side of the screen straight 98% of the time (grappling and spells are the big mechanics to use PF versions for). Really.

 

[Sylrae]

For what it's worth, with estimates using Upper Krust's CR Guide as a guideline, and comparing a bunch of stuff, here are the main power differences, approximately.

in 3.5, races are worth a third, to half a CR.
in pathfinder they're worth half, to 3/4 a CR.

in 3.5 characre classes are worth 1.16x (IIRC) monster CR.
in Pathfinder, classes are worth about 1.25x what a 3.5 monster CR is worth.

Of course you can always build something powerful or terrible if youre trying, but on average, with decent core feat and skill and gear selection.