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

[Neonchameleon]

Is there any edition of D&D where that isn't the case? 1e, maybe, but even then, people will debate Unearthed Arcana's additions until the cows come home.

Assuming by "that" you mean getting worse rather than changing then 4e. At launch the PHB was at least six months from being ready and adding books didn't add too much power creep because there was structure.

4e also has the distinction of outlasting the edition intended to replace it in the way 3.5 or 5.24 did their predecessors (Essentials) - but Monster Vault is better than the MM1.

For that matter I prefer 5e with Tasha's and Xanathar's to 5.14 core. I'd say it's only 2e, 3.0, and 3.5 that managed to bury themselves.

 

[VHawkwinter]

Assuming by "that" you mean getting worse rather than changing then 4e. At launch the PHB was at least six months from being ready and adding books didn't add too much power creep because there was structure.

4e also has the distinction of outlasting the edition intended to replace it in the way 3.5 or 5.24 did their predecessors (Essentials) - but Monster Vault is better than the MM1.

For that matter I prefer 5e with Tasha's and Xanathar's to 5.14 core. I'd say it's only 2e, 3.0, and 3.5 that managed to bury themselves.

Bury themselves in what way? In a "people think piling on too many splat books without picking and choosing makes the edition worse"? I don't think I would say that is accurate about 3.0. I would say it about 3.5 though.

 

[Lord Zack]

I am playing 3.5 right now, with an asterix. I am using the Trailblazer rules. So, it has some similar alterations to Pathfinder, but is perhaps more compatible with 3e. It has worked pretty well when we have been able to play. However we seem have fewer interested players.

 

[VHawkwinter]

I am playing 3.5 right now, with an asterix. I am using the Trailblazer rules. So, it has some similar alterations to Pathfinder, but is perhaps more compatible with 3e. It has worked pretty well when we have been able to play. However we seem have fewer interested players.

I read that years ago. Good 3.x math analysis. I tried to find a group for it once, but everyone either told me they'd rather 3.5 or PF1.

 

[Voadam]

I adopted Trailblazer phantom rogue and monk attack bonuses into my 3.5 and pathfinder house rules.

 

[Alzrius]

I adopted Trailblazer phantom rogue and monk attack bonuses into my 3.5 and pathfinder house rules.

I use their iterative attack mechanics.

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

I didn't see any major practical impact from later books (at least in a negative way) at least until Essentials came by. You either were going to like where they were going or you weren't. If anything, some of the later GM-facing books actually fixed a few problems.

Assuming by "that" you mean getting worse rather than changing then 4e. At launch the PHB was at least six months from being ready and adding books didn't add too much power creep because there was structure.

4e also has the distinction of outlasting the edition intended to replace it in the way 3.5 or 5.24 did their predecessors (Essentials) - but Monster Vault is better than the MM1.

For that matter I prefer 5e with Tasha's and Xanathar's to 5.14 core. I'd say it's only 2e, 3.0, and 3.5 that managed to bury themselves.

In my experience, running 4e towards the end, with its slew of options, classes, and abilities got to be particularly onerous. But each table can vary.

 

[Neonchameleon]

In my experience, running 4e towards the end, with its slew of options, classes, and abilities got to be particularly onerous. But each table can vary.

A lot depends on whether you can tell players to manage their own stuff.

 

[Thomas Shey]

In my experience, running 4e towards the end, with its slew of options, classes, and abilities got to be particularly onerous. But each table can vary.

Oh, if you want to say that 4e characters were too busy (especially toward the upper end) I'd absolutely agree with you; I had a heck of a time managing the cleric I played up to around 20th because there were so many bits and bobs (this is, IMO, a chronic problem with games in the D20 sphere because everything is a bloody special case). I'm just unsold it would have been meaningfully better if she had only used PHB1 stuff.

 

[Thomas Shey]

A lot depends on whether you can tell players to manage their own stuff.

Even when they do, there was a lot of room for decision paralysis there.