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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Warchild" data-source="post: 2008843" data-attributes="member: 769">The Book that started the 3E revolution.Rather than go through an entire point by point review, I'll keep my meanderings short. The wonders of the 3E system have been well documented by others and I'll not gainsay them, mostly because I agree with them. What I will do is describe the D&D renovations I think catapult this edition far beyond the previous ones.Classes Though panned by many of its critics as a limit to character creation, the class based system has been brought to life by 3E. Though some people still complain about the equality of the specific classes presented in this book (myself included), the class based creation system is still a viable one.Multi-classingPersonally, I view the revamped of the multi-classing rules in 3E to be the best revision in the entire book. They strained the impurities of the existing multi-classing rules and whipped them into shape. SkillsThe new skill system presented to D&D fans is a quantum leap beyond the "skill slots" of 1E/2E. The skill point system allows for true customization of any character class to something unique.FeatsYet another new mechanic presented in the new Players Handbook that allows for even more customization. Though the feat mechanic is prone to exaggerated power levels in many D20 products and even some WOTC products, the Feats and Feat system presented in the Players Handbook are wonderfully crafted.CombatThough the combat rules have had their complexity increased many fold, the new combat rules are sensible (once you learn them) and do smooth out once you have studied them thoroughly. Though many of the new rules are easily removed and are not necessary, depending on the level of complexity you strive for. Now that Weapon Speeds have been vanquished, I find initiative to be quicker and easier. The reversed THACO system had been in affect in my D&D games for years, so that was another easy change. This part of the game however, is knowledge intensive and does have a learning curve. For converts and beginners, both.OverallAt $20 for this hardcover, this is an incredible buy. That is why I gave it 5 stars without a second thought!The renovations to the game that 3E provides not only saved D&D, it brought me back the fold after I had sworn off D&D forever! Gone (or diminished greatly) are the cries of character creation being stifled? Between multi-classing, skill points, and Feats, the new D&D allows for truly different characters that are easily distinguished from each other.Even at the soon some price bump to $30, this is a great buy, although at this price, my rating would probably drop to a 4 because of the somewhat imbalanced races and classes, as well as too much complexity in the default combat rules.</blockquote>

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