D&D 3.x Edition Experience - Did/Do you Play 3rd Edtion D&D? How Was/Is it?

[Voadam]

I mean, I don't know of a way to access a monster stat block as a player in 3.5 that isn't derived from gaining access to polymorph self or a related effect somehow, generally through spellcasting, class feature, magic item creation, etc.

You can play a bunch as a PC race and get the full stat block plus a bump for PC stats.

The Sarrukh from Serpent Kingdoms are 14 HD and +8 level adjustment so ECL 22, for instance.

 

[TwoSix]

You can play a bunch as a PC race and get the full stat block plus a bump for PC stats.

The Sarrukh from Serpent Kingdoms are 14 HD and +8 level adjustment so ECL 22, for instance.

I'm not too worried about Pun-Pun in an Epic-level game.

But yes, I didn't think about Savage Species; you're correct that there are non-PHB methods to have access to monster stat blocks.

 

[The Soloist]

We played 3.5 for a year. The skill and cross-class skill system was crunchy. Especially if you wanted to make a high level NPC 'by the book'.

For me d20 Modern + Post-Apoc + Future was the game system I wanted. I bought all the hardcovers and the soft covers. We played that instead. The group fizzled out over real life issues after about two years. I stopped playing RPGs until 4e came out.

 

[VHawkwinter]

I mean, I don't know of a way to access a monster stat block as a player in 3.5 that isn't derived from gaining access to polymorph self or a related effect somehow, generally through spellcasting, class feature, magic item creation, etc.

The core issue is having access to monster abilities as a player at all, which is something allowed directly by the PHB through spells.

I think access to monster abilities is fine. LA was a good idea if poorly implemented, and I am quite happy with "Monsters Built Like PCs" in the monster books. One of the best features of the edition. Major selling point.

Susan wants to play a Tressym Bard magically modified for Intelligence and the ability to talk? Give me 20 minutes to convert the stat block so we know exactly what she gets as part of the species.

But it means when you're designing monsters you can't just give them totally busted abilities and assume it's fine because the GM won't use them. And clearly the Serpent Kingdoms designers didn't get the memo that monsters are generally playable through a variety of methods.