Converting Rangers from 3.0 to 3.5

[the Jester]

How's everyone handling converting existing rangers? (Everyone being those that are switching over.) Specifically, what are you doing about hit points? Taking some away, like 1 per level (i.e. average difference)? Giving a reroll with d8s? Letting them keep 'em?

Just curious...

 

[shoplifter]

Subtract 1 FULL HD (d10) from the 3e Ranger's total, then find the ratio of actual hp to possisble hp on the remaining HD. Then take the same number of HD on d8s, multiply the total possible by that percentage, add 8 and round up. Ignore CON bonus for this process, then add it after you're done.

example:

11th level 3e Ranger: 90 HP before CON

1) Subtract the FULL HD gained at 1st level (10HP)
2) Find the percentage of 80/100 (the remaining 10HD.) This is 80% exactly.
3) Multiply 80 (max of 10d8) by .8 (80% of 80.) This is 64.
4) Add 8 (New full 1st level HD) to the total.

This gives the 11th level 3.5 Ranger 72HP prior to Con bonus.



Another option I've seen was to simply allow the character to have the same number of hp IF it wasn't more than the maximum available to him post-conversion. Not sure I like that, but it's an option if you don't want to do too much math, and more likely to appease those who don't like the HD change.


edit: Sorry for stating the obvious, but I wanted to clarify!!
Thanks to Jens for reminding me about the whole "full HD at first level". After playing too much hackmaster, I forget that kind of thing!

 

[Ron]

How's everyone handling converting existing rangers? (Everyone being those that are switching over.) Specifically, what are you doing about hit points? Taking some away, like 1 per level (i.e. average difference)? Giving a reroll with d8s? Letting them keep 'em?

Just curious...

I say that it is better to reconstruct the character using the same ability values and number of levels. You may re-roll all hit points, although taking one hit point per level would be a fair solution.

Rangers are my favorite class. I already have updated a few characters from first to second and third editions. However, I can tell that there is more fun in playing a brand new one from first level to have the whole experience of the new revised class.

 

[Jens]

Most people that I know of are taking the straight HP before Con bonus, finding that as a percentage, then using the percentage to find the same percentage on a d8.

This is a good idea, but you cheat the character a little:
- the '10' at 1st level should convert to '8' (not 7.5 as you implicitly get in your example)
- the minimum at subsequent levels should still be 1 (not 0.75 as you implicitly get in your example)

Solution: Use "HP above the minimum before Con Bonus", with the minimum being HD+(level-1).

Formula: NewHP = (OldHP-OldHD-(Level-1)) * ((NewHD-1)/(OldHD-1)) + NewHD+(Level-1), round to nearest.

So the 10th level ranger with 75 HPs before Con should convert to (75-10-9)*(7/9)+(8+9) = 60.56 = 61. It's not much more than 60, but it's fairer

 

[shoplifter]

edited above

 

[krunchyfrogg]

Keep the same exact character, but lower the converted version's INT by 2, and raise his CON by 2.

This will make up for the lost HP (if you had rolled d8 instead of d10), and make up for the extra skills you would have gotten.

 

[Drawmack]

Leave the HP and SP alone and start with the new values next time he levels.

 

[shoplifter]

Leave the HP and SP alone and start with the new values next time he levels.

I can see why you'd do this, but are you going to also let him keep the old abilities? How about retconning the skill points? You can't do one and not the others...

 

[Li Shenron]

Keep the same exact character, but lower the converted version's INT by 2, and raise his CON by 2.

This will make up for the lost HP (if you had rolled d8 instead of d10), and make up for the extra skills you would have gotten.

Wouldn't it be -4 Int? Otherwise it would have been the best idea so far IMHO.

 

[shoplifter]

You forget that if you dump his INT, you don't just drop skill points, you cripple Search, among other skills.


Besides which, wouldn't you want to dump con and raise int to simulate the HP loss and SP gain[/g]? Of course then, you'd cripple his Fort save.