Which Edition to Buy
- Thread starter yawny
- Start date
StreamOfTheSky
Adventurer
I vote for 3.5, though 3.0 is also good. It has little things i like better, like the weapon size rules or size adding +5 ft to reach instead of doubling it. There is worse class balance in 3.0, though. Not like they fixed it in 3.5, but Bard and Ranger certainly got needed help.
The DMG has the wealth by level table and other stuff not in the SRD. Not sure what's missing from the SRD from the PH other than xp for level up, but that is VERY easy to extract on your own, it follows a simple mathematical pattern. You need to gain [current level] x 1000 xp to go up to the next level. So 1000 to advance to 2nd level. 2000 more (3000 total) to go to third, 3000 more (6000 total) to go to 4th, and so on.
EDIT: Alternatively, if you wanted to know the total xp level needed to reach a certain level "x," you can just add together all the levels less than x and multiply by 1000. For example:
Q: How much xp does a starting level 6 character have?
A: [5+4+3+2+1]x1000 = 13000 xp.
The DMG has the wealth by level table and other stuff not in the SRD. Not sure what's missing from the SRD from the PH other than xp for level up, but that is VERY easy to extract on your own, it follows a simple mathematical pattern. You need to gain [current level] x 1000 xp to go up to the next level. So 1000 to advance to 2nd level. 2000 more (3000 total) to go to third, 3000 more (6000 total) to go to 4th, and so on.
EDIT: Alternatively, if you wanted to know the total xp level needed to reach a certain level "x," you can just add together all the levels less than x and multiply by 1000. For example:
Q: How much xp does a starting level 6 character have?
A: [5+4+3+2+1]x1000 = 13000 xp.
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I believe every official 3.5 book is available for free on the Internet. One site in particular had every book except that evil counterpart to the Exalted Deeds.
Mod Note: EN World does not advocate or support piracy. Our site and hobby ultimately depends on good people getting paid for their creative work, and piracy runs contrary to that. What you do is not our business, but let's not start suggesting places people can go to break the law, please. ~Umbran
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billd91
Not your screen monkey (he/him) 🇺🇦🇵🇸🏳️⚧️
The only way all of the books would be free on the internet is via piracy. WotC has not been distributing them for free.
kitcik
Adventurer
"Free" if you don't mind stealing...
I have a few of the 4.0 pdfs lying around. They're nice and clear, but i hate scrolling through a pdf instead of just flipping a few pages. They're just inconvenient. And for the price it would cost to print any of them, you might as well buy the books.
Now i just need to find a PHB that isn't really expensive.
I think I'll go with 3.5, at least for now. I want the physical books and the Pathfinder ones are actually quite expensive.
Now i just need to find a PHB that isn't really expensive.
I think I'll go with 3.5, at least for now. I want the physical books and the Pathfinder ones are actually quite expensive.
Jackinthegreen
Explorer
Another vote for 3.5 stuff here, including Pathfinder. Let's face it, 3.x has had the most printed material of all versions.
Lots of places online such as Amazon and Ebay have good used copies.
Quite often you get what you pay for with PDF's. Many can't be searched through using Reader and such because there are technically no words. At least the SRD and such have a search option.
Lots of places online such as Amazon and Ebay have good used copies.
Quite often you get what you pay for with PDF's. Many can't be searched through using Reader and such because there are technically no words. At least the SRD and such have a search option.
GreyLord
Legend
I personally prefer AD&D. Specifically 2e core with 1e rules grandfathered in...or if you wish...1e with a few 2e additions...either way you count them.
It's easier to go with the flow, the classes are more defined...and characters are trained and experienced warriors (well as fine a warrior as a 0-class warrior who has a THAC0 of 20 and a d8 HD in 2e...so they took some time to be trained in the profession rather than...poof...I decide to be this class overnight...and then this one as well...etc). The archtypes are strongest in AD&D. I wouldn't play AD&D with all the kits and stuff that came into being with 2e however.
For you, that may not be the best fit however. You said you played some 3.5 so that's probably going to be what your memories of D&D are...and something along those lines would probably be the best fit.
I'd say Pathfinder is a great thing to play. This has already been posted...however...
Pathfinder_OGC
Is split into the specific areas which you need to know the rules...so want a Barbarian, simply go to the Barbarian section. Easier then flipping pages even.
If you want the entire rules as a download, or the free ones go to their download section
Downloads - Pathfinder_OGC
but seriously, it's easier just to access the page. It's free too. You can buy the books...I think the Core Rulebook can be gotten for $25 used...or cheaper on ebay if you are lucky...just depends. Not as expensive as 3.5...but I'll grant that's it's not as cheap as free.
I'd say Pathfinder would seem to be the best fit for you though...it has some elements of 4e in there too...so it may be easier for your 4e friends to swallow.
Unless they REALLY like class as an archtype with tougher Multiclassing rules like 4e...or as the same thing would be called in AD&D...Dual Classing...in which case you still might consider AD&D. AD&D also has Hybrid type rules (it's term for Multiclassing) though that's a little more strict then even 4e. AD&D also doesn't have all the neat little powers that 4e has...Pathfinder and 3e at least have feats (different then 4e feats in that their feats are MUCH more powerful, and in many instances closer to powers...such as Power Attack and Cleave and such) that will give them the semblance of dailies and encounter powers.
ADDED: So overall, I think Pathfinder probably is the easiest way...and best off you can try it before you buy it with the pages I listed above...for free!
It's easier to go with the flow, the classes are more defined...and characters are trained and experienced warriors (well as fine a warrior as a 0-class warrior who has a THAC0 of 20 and a d8 HD in 2e...so they took some time to be trained in the profession rather than...poof...I decide to be this class overnight...and then this one as well...etc). The archtypes are strongest in AD&D. I wouldn't play AD&D with all the kits and stuff that came into being with 2e however.
For you, that may not be the best fit however. You said you played some 3.5 so that's probably going to be what your memories of D&D are...and something along those lines would probably be the best fit.
I'd say Pathfinder is a great thing to play. This has already been posted...however...
Pathfinder_OGC
Is split into the specific areas which you need to know the rules...so want a Barbarian, simply go to the Barbarian section. Easier then flipping pages even.
If you want the entire rules as a download, or the free ones go to their download section
Downloads - Pathfinder_OGC
but seriously, it's easier just to access the page. It's free too. You can buy the books...I think the Core Rulebook can be gotten for $25 used...or cheaper on ebay if you are lucky...just depends. Not as expensive as 3.5...but I'll grant that's it's not as cheap as free.
I'd say Pathfinder would seem to be the best fit for you though...it has some elements of 4e in there too...so it may be easier for your 4e friends to swallow.
Unless they REALLY like class as an archtype with tougher Multiclassing rules like 4e...or as the same thing would be called in AD&D...Dual Classing...in which case you still might consider AD&D. AD&D also has Hybrid type rules (it's term for Multiclassing) though that's a little more strict then even 4e. AD&D also doesn't have all the neat little powers that 4e has...Pathfinder and 3e at least have feats (different then 4e feats in that their feats are MUCH more powerful, and in many instances closer to powers...such as Power Attack and Cleave and such) that will give them the semblance of dailies and encounter powers.
ADDED: So overall, I think Pathfinder probably is the easiest way...and best off you can try it before you buy it with the pages I listed above...for free!
Gonna probably go with 3.5, as i found someone who has a ton of 3.5 books to sell for about $10 a pop.
Are there any supplements in particular i should inquire if he has since the price seems decent? I know some people recommend a few specific ones, but i can't think of them off the top of my head.
Are there any supplements in particular i should inquire if he has since the price seems decent? I know some people recommend a few specific ones, but i can't think of them off the top of my head.
