Getting back on top of the rules

[caudor]

I think I've been using electronic tools to roll up characters a bit too long. You see, I recently sat down to roll up a new Ebberon character (on paper) and realized that I really wasn't sure if I was doing it right, according to the rules.

Back in my 1e/2e days, I could roll up a character with my eyes closed. Of course, 3e meant relearning new ways of doing things, and just when I thought I had 3e down...along came 3.5. I agree--not alot changed in 3.5, but just enough has that I tend to question everything now. This often impacts my play (when I DM) as well. I'm constantly needing to refer to the rules.

Maybe I'm just getting old and forgetful. I suppose what I'm looking for is some suggestions regarding the best way to go about getting comfortable with the 3.5 rules. Is it just a matter of forgetting the old stuff and re-reading the 3.5 Player's Handbook, or is there a better approach? Maybe there is not a short cut, but I sure would appreciate some advice.

 

[Rodrigo Istalindir]

Like most things, repetition is key. Also, checklists help a lot, especially if you have a lot of non-core material to account for.

 

[caudor]

Like most things, repetition is key. Also, checklists help a lot, especially if you have a lot of non-core material to account for.

Thanks Rodrigo...perhaps you hit the nail on the head--repetition. I don't play nearly as often as I used to play (working to provide for the family and all). They say repetition is the mother of skill; I guess I just need to play more!

 

[Voadam]

It's basically the same as in previous editions for the mechanics.

1 check with DM about what's allowed or if any variations from norm.

2 determine stats, either roll or point buy.

3 pick race, adjust stats

4 pick class

5 determine feats

6 choose skills

7 get equipment

8 figure out combat stats and saves

9 pick spells if necessary

10 roll hit points if higher than 1st level

Anything specifically tripping you up? Lots of little details changed from 3e to 3.5 like how many skill points rangers and bards get so I double check everything (classes, spells, feats, etc.) against the 3.5 srd just to be sure as I pick them. After doing a bunch and physically going through the process the specifics will come more naturally.

 

[Mercule]

You aren't alone, caudor. I think I'm the only person in my group (maybe one other) who could create a character from scratch without an aide or some sort of help. As others have said, it's about practice. And, making sure you're got some cheat-sheets handy.

 

[Henry]

One thing that helps me is that I create characters for fun on pen and paper when I'm bored and have time to kill. Yes, I'm a geek.

For getting familiar with 3.5, For all the good changes that were made, Monte Cook did have something important to his statement about there being too MANY small changes. When making a character between 3.0 and 3.5, it's like having to take your driver's test again, after you've been driving for 20 years. You have so many assumptions and bad habits built up that you make mistakes you didn't realize were actual mistakes! Small things like Mage Familiars, bard spells, spell descriptions, etc.

Heck, until recently I didn't realize that both the deflect arrows feat and the spell description for the Maze Spell had changed! It took incidentally reading over them to note it! In one case, the Monk Player in my 3.5 game surprised me with the deflect arrows feat, because I asked him to make a reflex save, and he pointed out he didn't need one anymore.

So, my best advice is re-read any and ALL character abilities to a new character, because you never know when you will run into the smallest change.

 

[caudor]

Thanks for the responses and tips

I'll toss out a couple examples of some of the things I've gotten tripped up on. Upon reflection, I'm having more problem with material published by WotC, but outside the three core rule books. I suppose it happens most of material that is supported by Ebberon or supported by me in the past, but is pre-3.5.

Example: One of my players wanted to play a fighter--an Earth Genasi fighter (which brings in the whole race level rules which I was never clear on). This falls somewhat out of the Ebberon flavor, so I steered his interest more toward Ebberon. Then he gladly settled on a Warforged fighter. Easy enough...I think, but there is no race level for Warforged?

Of course, another wanted to play a Psion Shaper Elad from the Expanded Psionics handbook (which I own but have only scanned through). Plus he wants a Psi Crystal, which I'll have to read up on. Sounds like fun, but SO much as changed with Psionics.

My third player settled on a Cleric of the Sovereign Host. I thought this one would be easy but got hung up on weapon proficiencies. Would getting a long sword be free or did he need to take a feat? Little details...seemingly too much information to sort through. Plus I had to determined whether his alignment (neutal) was OK with the domains he picked (good & war). Finally just made a judgement call and said it was OK.

A couple hours into this (we are having fun hanging out), but we are still working on characters.

Questions I've asked myself:

Did I bite off more than I can chew with Ebberon (and Expanded Psionics)? I want to give my players entertaining options. Or should I spent a lot more time preparing in advance, even if it means putting off actual play for a while?

Or...should I return to a Greyhawk campaign and stick with just the races/classes in the 3.5 PHB until I'm comfortable with that...and then add other expansions and options in gradually?

Thanks again for the responses.

 

[Dr Simon]

Example: One of my players wanted to play a fighter--an Earth Genasi fighter (which brings in the whole race level rules which I was never clear on). This falls somewhat out of the Ebberon flavor, so I steered his interest more toward Ebberon. Then he gladly settled on a Warforged fighter. Easy enough...I think, but there is no race level for Warforged?

No. Does there need to be? There isn't for any other core race that I can see.

Of course, another wanted to play a Psion Shaper Elad from the Expanded Psionics handbook (which I own but have only scanned through). Plus he wants a Psi Crystal, which I'll have to read up on. Sounds like fun, but SO much as changed with Psionics.

Well, you're DM. If you're not happy with the choice or familiar with the rules, say so now and make him choose something else!

My third player settled on a Cleric of the Sovereign Host. I thought this one would be easy but got hung up on weapon proficiencies. Would getting a long sword be free or did he need to take a feat? Little details...seemingly too much information to sort through. Plus I had to determined whether his alignment (neutal) was OK with the domains he picked (good & war). Finally just made a judgement call and said it was OK.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think alignment is irrelevent to domain choice in Eberron, the gods being that much less involved in the world that they really don't pay attention (and thus allowing for corruption in the nominally Good churches etc.).

Also, I may be wrong in this, but in choosing War as a domain, does he not get Martial Weapon Proficiency as a domain power?

Did I bite off more than I can chew with Ebberon (and Expanded Psionics)? I want to give my players entertaining options. Or should I spent a lot more time preparing in advance, even if it means putting off actual play for a while?

Well, you're not doing anyone in your game any favours if you're not happy with the material, unless you say "Guys, this is new to me. Expect errors and frequently checking the books". If they say "That's cool, we'll be tolerant if it lets us play our first choice of character" then you're safe and groovy

Si.

 

[Voadam]

If this is your first switch to 3.5 then you have to watch out for a lot of minor changes across the board. Just about every other spell changed a little bit and the specifics of every class changed as well.

I don't have Eberron but I belive the warforged are ECL +0 with no monster HD so they are just like all the PHB races for levels and xp.

Psionics changed a lot from 3.0 to 3.5. If you were steeped in 3.0 psionics there is a lot that changed, but mostly for the better with psionic combat becoming actual generic powers instead of a separate subsystem.

Eberron is probably fine for a campaign setting, but you might want to limit your campaign to core classes and no psionics until you have remastered the basics of 3.5 as a DM.

Many DMs say core only and it is more than valid to say "Until I get a better grasp of everything I want to keep it basic."

As for the cleric's sword, the cleric class does not provide longsword proficiency. If he has the war domain and the longsword is the favored weapon then the domain gives him the proficiency. Also elves can get it free as a race option. Otherwise he needs to either multiclass to something that gives him martial weapons or take the martial weapon feat.