The more I read about D&D 3.5. the more...

[Olive]

as far as 3rd party publishers go, i got the impression from this thread here:
http://boards.wizards.com/rpg/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=135;t=013439;p=1

that the SRD will be updated. now, correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't that eman that people publishing under the d20 liscense will have to use the new rules? i may be confused.

 

[Utrecht]

I do not think that they have to - however, they will have every motiviation to do so. After all, 3.0 is going to wither and eventually go away, whereas 3.5 is the future.

What would be trouble some for them is the next 6 months - do they pretend like nothing is happening and release away - knowing that everything that they put out could become outdated in July - or do they wait until after the SRD is released and hope the cash flow keeps up.

 

[bret]

From what I have seen, some of the changes are likely to change the balance / challenge and appropriate tactics of an encounter.

Given this, what was a perfectly sensible tactic in 3E may not work well in 3ER. The reverse is also possible.

What would be interesting is seeing how play of some of the currently available modules would change under the new rules, and if taking 3ER characters in them would make a significant difference. I suspect the higher level the module, the more the rules changes are likely to change what works for that module.

 

[Bendris Noulg]

I actually like the fact that tactics are listed with the monsters...

Should drive the Metagamers nuts when I don't use them.

 

[William Ronald]

I am taking a wait and see attitude. However, I am cautiously optimistic in that there is at least an effort to clarify some rules and focus on balanced play. Obviously, I do not expect perfection from WotC. So, I will try to judge D&D 3.5 on its on merits. No one will force me or my group to change, as Forrester stated:

Originally posted by Forrester:


Or what? Will Skip Williams come to my house and take away all my books? Will Monte Cook break in and molest my dog? Will Gary Gygax attack me with his +6 Dentures of Doom?

(Careful, Forrester, you might be giving some of the DMs adventure ideas. Dentures of Doom, heh. )

Passionately stated. It is possible to take something from 1st Edition and converting it to 3rd edition, or D&D 3.5. Perhaps it might be wise for WoTC to address some of the backwards compatibility issues, but I am not going to lose sleep over this. Different versions of character classes, and even creatures can exist. (In the case of demons, is there any reason why any two demons -- creatures from a plane of chaos and evil -- should be identical? Slightly altered versions of creatures can exist. As I recall, there was even a random lower planar creatures generator table in the 1st edition DMG. Maybe something on building or altering monsters might be in the new Monster Manual.)

As I recall, some of the material in Deities and Demigods was designed to make it "forward-compatible" to the Epic Level Handbook.

So, my advice is take a look at the rules as they come out and try not to worry too much. (WotC should try to address some of the concerns that people have about the revised rules.) My advice: gather the facts and make an informed opinion. We just don't have all the facts yet.

 

[Celtavian]

Re

Look, the change look pretty far-reaching. Major changes to the DR system, changes to bardic music, the ranger gets a complete overhaul, a change for some major spells, pit fiend much stronger, and other changes that we just dont' know about.

At the moment, I am not sure, but I expect prestige classes to change so that they are more in line with the multi-classing rules as in no stacking a bazillion prestige classes. I am all for this change.

I just think this will freeze alot of people from buying d20 materials because they are concerned about content. Face the reality that this is a game based upon rules. Rule changes affect the way the game is played

For example, am I going to have to assume that my PC's +5 Sword would be made of Holy Silver because devils can only be hit by Holy Silver? What if demons are only hit by cold iron? Does that mean my high level Paladins' should carry two +5 Holy Swords as Andy implied? Are they going to change the Holy Avenger so that it can strike both demons and devils?

I have an unbelievable number of questions about these changes and they way they will affect my game. Will I use the new Ranger or stick with my own ranger variant? How will I have to adjust my Sorcerer's spell list now that Haste is no longer good for spellcasters?

The changes are more than I expected. Though I like some of the changes I am hearing, I am still uncertain of how far-reaching they are.

I know some of you don't care, but I am a huge fan of continuity. I did not adapt any 2nd edition characters over to 3rd edition, I just took the concepts and restarted them from 1st level. That is how I like to do things.

I am really concerned if I will have to do this again. I hope I can make a few minor changes to spell lists, skills, possibly feats, and then move on. I am not even sure how to handle magic items. I will obviously have to upgrade some of the magic items in modules I run to deal with an enemy's DR.

The changes are going to affect game continuity. I just happen to be one of those people that really enjoys a high level of continuity.

 

[thalmin]

The continuity issue is an easy one. If you are in mid-campaign and some of the 3.5 changes would cause a problem, don't implement those changes. If the characters have already faced the pit-fiend, there is no need to change him. If they have faced a pit-fiend before and now face a new one, maybe the last one was a lesser p-f. It's really up to each gaming group if they want to use the old or new DR rules in a continuing game. Or any new rule.

 

[Tom Cashel]

I'm about to start running City of the Spider Queen for my group...and since we only play once a month I've estimated that it will take us between eight and twelve months to finish! This is quite good, since we'll just coast along on 3e until the end, and then they'll retire their 18th-20th level characters, and we'll begin the proposed Unapproachable East campaign...with 3.5e rules and brand-new 1st level characters.

 

[Wolv0rine]

Why? You can just use the existing one if you want, you know.

Until he buys a module that includes a 3.1 Pit Fiend, in which case he'll have a different beastie. Now there's a simple fix for this of course; There are more than one kind of Pit Fiend, and y'all just met the Big Bro' to the sort you're familiar with.

Both sides, I think, are right on this issue. And I think that's where the big honking arguements come from. No, you don't have to use the new stuff. But yes, if you want to use stuff published after 3.1 hits and is implimented, you'll have to understand the new stuff, at the very least, or you won't grok your new books.

Thank gods for the SRD. I'd never be able to afford a new set of books, but I love new stuff.

 

[Wolv0rine]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: The more I read about D&D 3.5. the more...

I can guarantee that if someone comes to your house because you're not implementing the changes to 3.5, it WON'T be Skip, Gary or I.

But, just in case Monte... if you do come to my house, you won't molest any of my pets, right? *grin*

Cuz, they ain't fixed, and I don't want any mutant kittens running around.