Tips for 1E, 2E DM in 3E

[Voadam]

Grappling and getting a handle on attacks of opportunity took a while to get the hang of (you get one when you leave but not enter a threatened space, OK).

Spell changes lightning bolt starts at the caster with no bouncing and does max 10d6, hold person can't get multiple people, stoneskin is just different. Every spell must be looked up the first time it is used so that you see how it works differently in 3e.

Multiclassing is very cool now but the stacking BAB and saves trips up a couple people initially.

Monsters are tougher.

Spells don't have as much punch comparatively.

Fighters and sneak attacks do massive amounts of damage.

Levels come quicker.

No barred class, race or (generally) multiclass restrictions.

No level limits or racial maxes for demihumans.

You might want to avoid prcs to start to keep things a little simpler.

 

[Deadguy]

Tell the DM to remember that there is no x.p. for treasure gained. Only for "defeating/bypassing" monsters and traps.

One thing I feel I want to add to this. The game rewards experience for overcoming challenges. Now the specific challenges of monsters and traps are referred to in the DMG, but it is also clear that XP can be awarded for any challenge. Is it important to persude the Count to let the PCs investigate the palace dungeons? That's a challenge that can be overcome, and thus can be awarded XPs.

Whilst in principle it was there in 2E, in practise 3E was the first to give a mechanism for awarding XPs in these circumstances. I find that remembering to include a few such rewards in every adventure helps balance up the feel otherwise that the game is just about killing things!

 

[RJKrik]

Thank you all!

Thanks everybody. All very helpful info. I will be talking with my DM (it's a he if you are interested) soon and will have most of these things in mind.

Two of the four players are fairly familiar with the rules, so we'll see how it goes. It should be fun all around I'd say.

Again, thanks much for the tips

 

[Barendd Nobeard]

One thing I feel I want to add to this. The game rewards experience for overcoming challenges. Now the specific challenges of monsters and traps are referred to in the DMG, but it is also clear that XP can be awarded for any challenge. Is it important to persude the Count to let the PCs investigate the palace dungeons? That's a challenge that can be overcome, and thus can be awarded XPs.

Whilst in principle it was there in 2E, in practise 3E was the first to give a mechanism for awarding XPs in these circumstances. I find that remembering to include a few such rewards in every adventure helps balance up the feel otherwise that the game is just about killing things!

Thanks, Deadguy, for using the right phrase--"overcoming challenges"--I couldn't remember the term.