The Conversion Process: 3.5 to 4th
YES, WOTC said it is too much like hard work for players to convert 3.5 ed characters to new edition.
I disagree. If they wish to use ANY old favorites in the new ed Players Guide to Faerun, or new FRCS if there is one, they will need to do some of it.
Obviously some characters have no precise equivalent, but the training feats, paragon paths, and epic destinies should allow some matching up.
Elminster: 1 fighter training feat, 1 Rogue training feat, 1 cleric training feat, 27th level Wizard, Epic Destiny: Chosen of Deity. Some epic paths strongly suggest you can become an agent of deity with immortality. This is EXACTLY like the old Chosen of Mystra template.
Yes, doing it this way will mean less cool powers for the Sage of Shadowdale, but it will also mean no annoying template, and make it so players with the right choices can do the same sort of thing. No more "The NPC's are Different" I chose 27th level because it has traction: he was that level in 2nd ed.
Drizzt: 18th level Ranger, Barbarian Training (if possible) maybe a Fighter training feat or two. Now we can have a Drizzt that is same level as Artemis, without a Level adjustment, and all ranger levels, like he was in last edition!
If multiclassing is gone, but you can do similar tricks by taking feats, without having a perfectly balanced character with equal powers in both, it could be interesting. No more mystic theurge equality: now they are mages with cleric training, or clerics with mage training, and the Mystic Theurge paragon path.
Be aware I do not KNOW they are abolishing multiclassing, but the theme in Races and Classes book seemed a lot like that. It said Tank Mages are Mages with Armour Proficiency, maybe a Fighter Training feat or two. That sounds awfully like much less multiclassing to me, maybe no multiclassing.
Oh, and Swordmage sounds rather better than Gish to me. It gives a category for the Magic Wielding Fighter Type that avoids making him too good at a distance: his armour is magical energy, his sword glows with fire or other power, his job is to defend, and slay things in melee.
All things considered, only a few of the most exotic new 3.5 ed classes will be impossible to convert, in my opinion. Might have to change a few names: Warmage=Wizard with a few Fighter Training things, Knight is fighter specialising in defence of others, Beguiler is rather harder though.
Binders WOULD have fitted Warlock with Vestige pacts, a little bit, but apparently these pacts are now gone. Drat.
Factotum could be Rogue with a lot of training feats and skills
Incarnum classes have no close fit, though Soulblades might squeeze into Paladin niche.
Most core players, ever some multiclass players, will be able to reconstuct a approxiate equivalent of their old characters, I think.
Those who cannot, are stuck with old edition.