D&D 3.x New 3E campaign - how to fit best with 4E later?

[Man in the Funny Hat]

I'm looking at the probability of starting a new 3.5 game in the coming weeks. I will want to convert this to 4E when it is released. How do you suppose I should arrange my business to best facilitate that at this point?

 

[GlassJaw]

I wouldn't try. If you start a campaign now, try to finish up by May. Then when 4E hits, keep the same setting/world and just start a new campaign then.

 

[Blind Azathoth]

Don't use gnomes.

 

[Stalker0]

Don't worry about it. May is a LONG LONG LOOOOONGGGGG way off in terms of campaign time. Odds are you will finish your campaign or everyone will be TPKed before it comes

 

[Remathilis]

My suggestion is don't use any odd races or core classes from beyond the PH (well, with maybe the exception of tiefling or changlings). Feats, PrCs, spells, etc should be ok, but unless your really think you can redefine your illumain swordsage/warmage as a human warlord/wizard and be happy with it, I'd K.I.S.S.

 

[Someone]

Use (or allow) "safe bet" races, like human, dwarf or elf, confirmed classes like the classic four and non-odd builds: sword and board or two handed fighter won't be difficult to convert, but other builds that rely on rules odities (like the spiked chain trip monster) are likely not to work as well in the new edition.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Don't restrain yourself to much. Basically, you have the option of using less options now (to be "safe"), or being more creatively re-interpreting characters once you get D&D 4.

Also keep in mind that you don't have to instantly turn to D&D 4, it's not like your books will burst into flames once the PHB for 4th edition hits the shelves.

Since it is very likely that your campaign will be relatively close to an end when D&D 4 arrives, I think you shouldn't restrain yourself now. I think re-interpreting characters might in fact be more fun, because you get to try out how the new systems works based on something you know.
Though it is most likely better to start a new system at low (1st?) level, to get familiar with the basics, anyway.

Hey, maybe you even can use your plot so that it involves a major world change coinciding with the switch to D&D 4 - maybe a "minor Armageddon" occurs (the players having their hand in this, naturally).

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

1) Stick to the three main books.

2) Don't develop anything you don't need next session. If the campaign's primary BBEG is a wizard, fine. Just don't bother figuring out what his prestige classes are and what magic items he's toting around; they'll change by the time it's an issue.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

Ignore 4e. Play whatever you want. Let the players play whatever they want.

Then, when 4e comes around, you'll have had lots of fun.

Chances are that you can easily convert the characters. Maybe you can change it 1:1, but maybe you'll have to use different classes that are close enough to what you played, and can use a race whose abilities work well with what you played, even if your race isn't among those presented.

There's a chance that you'll "lose some fun", but I doubt the loss will be higher than the loss you'd have if you didn't play what you want now.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Hey, maybe you even can use your plot so that it involves a major world change coinciding with the switch to D&D 4 - maybe a "minor Armageddon" occurs (the players having their hand in this, naturally).

Expedition to the Apocalypse Stone!