D&D 3.x Running 3e D&D for the first time in a while, any advice?

[Lord Zack]

Yeah, so I am planning a 3.5 game set in the Forgotten Realms. The thing is I haven't played 3.5 in like, forever. Even back in the day I never played 3.5 as much as I have played Pathfinder. So is there anything I should do/not do? Anything I should look out for? I should note I I am using Trailblazer from Bad Axe Games. Oh, and I am planning to run a modified version of Expedition to Undermountain.

 

[Deset Gled]

My #1 recommendation is to start at level 1 and work your way up. It may feel like a bit of a slog, and some PC's may die. But it's absolutely the best way to get into the system. Starting at higher level and higher complications could be a very steep hill to climb.

Other than that, check out this thread for ideas of what people have trouble with: Still playing 3e? Share your 3.0 and/or 3.5 house rules

 

[Voadam]

I love the Trailblazer phantom attack bonuses for rogues and monks. I added them as house rules in my 3e and pathfinder 1e games.

My advice, don’t sweat the exact calculations on monsters and NPCs in your prep, close enough is a great time saver on the DM end. Also reskinning is allowed. You want appropriate challenges for their level, don’t sweat exact skill point allocations if you don’t want to.

 

[Stormonu]

Limit your players to pulling from no more than 2 books for their abilities. Not so much for the player’s sake, but for the DMs.The more sources the DM has to track or prep for, the less is spent on handling the adventure and actin at hand.

Completely personal opinion: 3E is a severe headache past 8th level. You can tell a pretty complete story in that level range, for me the system breaks down too much beyond that to be enjoyable for a DM.

 

[payn]

Keep an eye on wealth by level. Folks will say the game works fine never giving any magic items, but I have found that to be completely untrue.