D&D 3E/3.5 Spell/Rule Changes from 3.0 to 3.5 -- How did we survive 3.0?

[TracerBullet42]

Aha, only $70 (and lots of confusion) for 3 worthwhile changes that everybody already used. That's a downright bargain.

Correct me if I'm wrong here...but isn't the SRD available for free?

 

[The Souljourner]

These are a few of my favorite things
The Ranger!!!! (and I don't use multiple exclamations lightly)
The Bard!!!! (see the ranger)
The Monk
The Fighter (it's better but not super)
The Paladin (see fighter)
Square Facing
XPH
Goodbye Splatbooks
Spell Clarifying and Fixing
Damage Reduction!

The fact that FIVE core classes got a hell of a lot more balanced is more than enough reason to move to 3.5. Add in many cool feats and several fixed spells, not to mention that psionics are actually *useable* now...

I honestly can't think of anything in 3.5 that I say "man, I wish they'd stuck with the 3.0 rule". Do I think sometimes that it could be better than both 3.5 and 3.0? Sure. But there's not a single thing I can think of that is actually worse in 3.5.

-The Souljourner

 

[Li Shenron]

Are there any spell changes, or other significant rules changes, that once you started using them, made you wonder how 3.0 "worked" at all?

Silence. No wait, that hasn't changed much hasn't it...?

I agree that Haste was the #1 boring spell, too good to overlook, and in the other game where we still use the 3.0 rules I promised myself not to learn the old Haste in any case.

 

[Li Shenron]

I honestly can't think of anything in 3.5 that I say "man, I wish they'd stuck with the 3.0 rule". Do I think sometimes that it could be better than both 3.5 and 3.0? Sure. But there's not a single thing I can think of that is actually worse in 3.5.

You know what? Generally speaking I find the 3.0 and 3.5 game equally entertaining, but I agree that overall 3.5 is slightly more elegant and balanced (although unlike you I don't think all 3.5 things are better).

However, I wish I started playing 3ed with 3.5 straight away, instead of starting with 3.0 and then have to face the switch of a revision. It was too close in both time and different rules and so it brought in some confusion.

 

[Taloras]

Honestly? I like the new Damage Reduction rules a lot better. Now you dont see people going for the +5 weapons all the time, you see a lot more of the special abilities (holy, lawful, etc). And of course, with my hound archon having a magic silver bastard sword, and a magic cold iron bastard sword (add to that the good and lawful added on for purposes of damage reduction to any weapon he holds), im usually quite set.....until they come at me with adamantine DR. *makes note not to mention that to the DM*. But then again, with the character being who he is, his specific enemies are demons and devils, who have the good, silver, and cold iron DRs.

Haste is a good one they fixed, along with heal and harm....I like them this way. As a friend of mine pointed out, one mass heal followed by a circle of healing in the middle of an undead filled area......down go the undead. Way too easy. And using a similar tactic on a lich.....>_< seen it.

 

[swrushing]

Yeah, i am so glad they have moved away from the "warrior with his mystic weapon" classical mode to "warrior with his assortment of magical weapons" mode.

Honestly? I like the new Damage Reduction rules a lot better. Now you dont see people going for the +5 weapons all the time, you see a lot more of the special abilities (holy, lawful, etc). And of course, with my hound archon having a magic silver bastard sword, and a magic cold iron bastard sword (add to that the good and lawful added on for purposes of damage reduction to any weapon he holds), im usually quite set.....

 

[Nail]

I, too, can't imagine going back to 3.0e. Way too many balance problems - the ranger being my favorite example ("Oh look, a Rng 1/X 7. Gee, what's the ranger level for, do you suupose?). My favorite "unlooked for, but cool" change: Damage Reduction. A surprisingly good idea.

The only glaring problem 3.5e *didn't* fix is the polymorph-type spells and class powers (wildshape). It's still too confusing to use for most of us, even rule-heads like myself.

 

[Liquidsabre]

However, I wish I started playing 3ed with 3.5 straight away, instead of starting with 3.0 and then have to face the switch of a revision. It was too close in both time and different rules and so it brought in some confusion.

Oh I agree that 3e is just fine for playing and having fun. I did so for three years in fact! I also enjoy the improved game balance that 3.5 offers.

Personally, I for one would never want to take back the THREE years of fun campaigns and D&D gaming goodness that I got to enjoy with friends and acquaintences-made-friends by our gaming together.

 

[Darklone]

?). My favorite "unlooked for, but cool" change: Damage Reduction. A surprisingly good idea.

Many proposed nearly identical houserules even on these boards right after 3.0 came out.

 

[shilsen]

Yeah, i am so glad they have moved away from the "warrior with his mystic weapon" classical mode to "warrior with his assortment of magical weapons" mode.

Ah, you must have missed the memo! They actually went from the "warrior with his mystic weapon who happens to be screwed if he meets something with the wrong DR since his weapon is useless against it" to the "warrior who can still be useful even with the wrong weapon because the lowered DR allows some damage through". DOn't feel bad - it's a common error.