D&D 3E/3.5 Need ideas on converting my 3.0 character over to 3.5...

[RigaMortus]

When 3.5 came out, we sort of abandoned (more like, put on hold) our 3.0 characters and started anew with 3.5 ones. Well, now is the time we'd like to go back and play the 3.0 characters, but we're trying our best to convert them to full 3.5 (ideally), although a hybrid version (some 3.0, some 3.5) of the character may be alright.

The problem is, my 3.0 character is a little... umm.. "different". He's kind of hard to convert to 3.5 with some of the new things WotC added. So, I'd like some ideas or suggestions of how to convert him.

He's a level 11 character. A Celestial Gnome Paladin 6 / Wizard (Illusionist) X
I don't remember off hand what the level adjustment is for being Celestial. All I know is, he's equal to a level 11 character, and that 6 of those levels are in Paladin. So the remaining levels (minus the LA for Celestial) would go into Wizard (Illusionist).

So that's my first problem...

Next problem, as you may very well know, Illusionist is no longer a Gnome's favored class. Bard is. But Bard's can not be lawful, and Paladins must be lawful... Sorry, but no house ruling here. We try and play by the rules as much as possible (makes it more fun and challening in our eyes). Sure, I could keep him as a Wizard (Illusionist), but then I'd get a big XP penalty.

So that's my second problem...

Basically what I am asking is for some suggestions as to how I can convert him to 3.5, while still being as powerful as he is now. Since he is a Wizard, he can cast True Strike, which he usually combines with Power Attack and Spirited Charge.

I would consider going straight Paladin. I would consider replacing those Wizard levels with another class, but then again I don't want the XP penalty, unless the benefits for doing so are well worth it.

Here is my info (we used 34 point buy):

Str 14 (+1 at lvl 4)
Dex 12
Con 16
Int 14 (+1 at lvl 8)
Wis 14
Cha 12

Feats: Power Attack, Mounted Combat, Ride-By Attack, Spirited Charge
Don't remember my skill and spell selection off hand...

Not sure what else you'll need...

I want to keep the same feats as he's centered on mounted combat.

Oh, and we can use anything 3.5 related, including things from Dragon magazine (which I do not currently subscribe to, so if you can explain what it is you're suggesting if you suggest something from dragon mag, i'd appreciate it).

 

[Crothian]

Well, the level adjustment for celstrial in 3.5 is +2

I really don't know of any other options to keep your current abilities without the XP penalty unless you happen upon a prestige class or something that does it.

 

[heliopolix]

He's a level 11 character. A Celestial Gnome Paladin 6 / Wizard (Illusionist) X
I don't remember off hand what the level adjustment is for being Celestial. All I know is, he's equal to a level 11 character, and that 6 of those levels are in Paladin. So the remaining levels (minus the LA for Celestial) would go into Wizard (Illusionist).

I dont see an easy way to do it keeping 6 lvls of paladin, unless your gm will allow you to multiclass to wizard(illusionist) only, maybe as a character concept/certain school he studied at/ benefit of his celestial bloodline. (your GM does have that power, you know, talk to him about it).

Im not sure how important the paladin abilities are, but I think that you could keep the concept pretty close if you were to go Fighter / Illusionist / Eldritch knight, and take the feats you had. The character can be a "Holy Warrior" without taking levels in paladin, just being a good, honest crusader-type. Again, im not sure how the character plays, but thats my input. Hope it helps.

 

[Artoomis]

I do not have a perfect suggestion, but what about a prestige class? No XP penalty that way.

You could take one level of Wizard (Illussionist) and the rest in a wizard-type prestige class. You'd only have an XP penalty for one level, could you live with that? It would get you closest to what you have now.

 

[XCorvis]

It sounds like the easiest fix would be to house rule that Wizard (or illusionist) is your favored class. This has a minimum impact on everything else. Otherwise, you'll wind up changing your classes or something, which would be a major departure from the original class.

 

[Geoff Watson]

Convince your DM to allow you to keep the old favoured class; or just put up with it. The penalty isn't that bad; you'll be at most one level behind, and when you fall behind the 3.5 XP changes will help you keep up.

Geoff.

 

[RigaMortus]

Thanks for the suggestions. I guess the easiest thing to do will be to house rule Wizard (Illusionist) as the favored class, but just change everything else to 3.5 (ie new Paladin stuff, new Gnome racial stuff, etc.).

 

[Douane]

We try and play by the rules as much as possible (makes it more fun and challening in our eyes).

It would be a sacrifice of a feat, but the Forgotten Realm Campaign setting has a feat called "Arcane Schooling" which makes one arcane spellcasting class a favored class, in addition to any others already existing.

 

[RigaMortus]

Now that is a very good idea, as I would have much preferred to go Sorcerer that Wizard (Illusionist)... I'll look into that feat when I get home. Thanks D!

 

[Douane]

No problem!

Of course, it's a regional feat and may thus not be applicable on your gnome (if you play in the Realms at all), but given the somewhat drastic changes to the gnome I still think it to be a rather good solution (and it's not like you got anything for free!).


Folkert