REALLY What Was So Bad About 2nd Edition?

[Wolfen Priest]

Ever Since 3e came out there have been arguments as to which was better: 3e or some older edition.

Now, I for one LOVE 3e, but before it came along, I really didn't see any major problems with 2e. A few house rules for multiclassing and level advancement, perhaps, but not much more.

So, what was it that everyone HATED about 2e long before 3e even came out? This is not meant to be another rambling debate about which edition is better, just a collection of things people thought sucked about 2nd edition.

Anyone?

 

[IceBear]

Man, I really don't see the point of these threads that have been popping up lately other than poking a hornet's nest. You *know* this is going to turn into a rambling debate. Nothing good can come out of this post

If it doesn't, I'm impressed, but with the state of world lately I doubt it.

IceBear

 

[EricNoah]

THAC0

Saving throws that just plain didn't make sense.

Very unclear rules about movement in combat.

But I still played it and enjoyed it!

 

[Wicht]

Personally I never had any problems with 2e.

I even understood Thac0.

Of course I never used anything other than the three core books in my games so I can't comment on the various problems with the class books.

Not that I would go back from 3e mind you. But thats just because I like 3e better, not because I did not like 2e.

 

[Paladin]

Things I Hated About 2E...

1. THAC0. It is (was) evil.
2. Racial level limits and Racial class restrictions. They made no sense.
3. "The Complete Book of EVERYTHING" series. (At least in 3E they put a minimum of two classes together for the splatbooks.)
4. Ability scores capped at 25. Again, no sense.
5. Psionics were horribly over-powered.

I can't think of any more right now, but those are the biggies.

 

[IceBear]

Hmmmm....I'm impressed. This isn't going wildly into the realm of bitter arguing that I thought it would. I guess I'm too cynical today.

Same here. I didn't NOT like 2nd. I just like what 3E does better.

IceBear

 

[Wolfen Priest]

Man, I really don't see the point of these threads that have been popping up lately other than poking a hornet's nest. You *know* this is going to turn into a rambling debate. Nothing good can come out of this post

IceBear

I am aware of that, yes.... and I definitely don't want to make any enemies here or anywhere.

HOWEVER, when THAC0 was "what was done," I really didn't think anything much about it. It worked about the same way as BAB does now, really. A certain die roll produces a certain result based on modifiers....

Either players got it, in which case they still get it, or they didn't, in which case they quit gaming. What I mean is, is BAB really that much simpler than THAC0?

<stands with hose ready to douse oncoming flames>

 

[Kugar]

Proficiencies:

Spend one slot and have to roll under 16 to do something.
Spend a second slot and you only get a +1 to your target number.
Almost no one put more than one slot into a proficiency

 

[IceBear]

I am aware of that, yes.... and I definitely don't want to make any enemies here or anywhere.

HOWEVER, when THAC0 was "what was done," I really didn't think anything much about it. It worked about the same way as BAB does now, really. A certain die roll produces a certain result based on modifiers....

Either players got it, in which case they still get it, or they didn't, in which case they quit gaming. What I mean is, is BAB really that much simpler than THAC0?

<stands with hose ready to douse oncoming flames>

Don't worry about it...I think I'm in a bitter, cynical mood this afternoon for some reason. My faith in my fellow-man has increased so far with the responses on this thread

IceBear

 

[ghettognome]

I actually liked 2e, and all of the confusing things about it. I guess I was a munchkin then, cuz I would take advantage of the loopholes and inconsistencies in all of th suppliments and use them to my advantage. I can see why a lot of people like 3e better, it took me a while to get used to it since I was still playing 2e at the same time (though not anymore) and now I must say that I think 3e is much better. The whole d20 thing makes a world of difference, and is great that all worlds and settings are interchangeable. The only thing I miss about 2e is the whole what the DM says goes thing. I liked that sort of power. Now there are rules for everything so there aren't many points where the DM gets to kill the part cuz of a fluke in the system.