I've read a lot of stuff on 3.5e. One thought that keeps coming into my mind is 'These rules are going to change the way I attempt to build a character."
The more I hear about them, the more I'm convinced that there will be a substantial difference between the way a particular character was built in 3e and 3.5e.
Examples:
1. Rangers and bards now get 6 skill points per level. I believe that many characters that are now being built as Rogues will switch to either ranger (sneaky/hidey scout who is alert to danger) or Bard (charming diplomat that takes over character interaction).
The ranger will make a better scout because he will now have enough skill points for all of Spot, Listen, Move Silently, Hide, and Wilderness Lore. He has the track feat. He has the best BAB. Even now, the ranger is tempting for this role. With 3.5e, it looks like it may become the best character for this role.
On top of better HD and BAB, the ranger has spells.
The bard has almost the same skill list as the Rogue. In exchange for the sneak attack, evasion, and uncanny dodge he gets the song ability and spells. The main things he can't do skill wise are traps and read lips. For many of the character concepts where people were taking the diplomacy skills, the Bard now becomes the obvious winner.
2. Multiclass spellcasters. As shown by the Mystic Theurge, PrCs are now going to be the way that you're supposed to make a multiclass spellcaster worthwhile. There are other examples, such as the Spellsword and Arcane Trickster, but those were just as much about adding style and abilities related to that style as they were about game mechanics. The Mystic Theurge is all about mechanics.
3. Changes to spells. I can't help but think that many Sorcerers are going to want to change their spells known after the new books come out, as some spells (such as Haste) change the way they work and other spells change in spell level.
Looking over the material, I can't help but feel that the changes will have unexpected consequences on all characters and the way they are built.
The more I hear about them, the more I'm convinced that there will be a substantial difference between the way a particular character was built in 3e and 3.5e.
Examples:
1. Rangers and bards now get 6 skill points per level. I believe that many characters that are now being built as Rogues will switch to either ranger (sneaky/hidey scout who is alert to danger) or Bard (charming diplomat that takes over character interaction).
The ranger will make a better scout because he will now have enough skill points for all of Spot, Listen, Move Silently, Hide, and Wilderness Lore. He has the track feat. He has the best BAB. Even now, the ranger is tempting for this role. With 3.5e, it looks like it may become the best character for this role.
On top of better HD and BAB, the ranger has spells.
The bard has almost the same skill list as the Rogue. In exchange for the sneak attack, evasion, and uncanny dodge he gets the song ability and spells. The main things he can't do skill wise are traps and read lips. For many of the character concepts where people were taking the diplomacy skills, the Bard now becomes the obvious winner.
2. Multiclass spellcasters. As shown by the Mystic Theurge, PrCs are now going to be the way that you're supposed to make a multiclass spellcaster worthwhile. There are other examples, such as the Spellsword and Arcane Trickster, but those were just as much about adding style and abilities related to that style as they were about game mechanics. The Mystic Theurge is all about mechanics.
3. Changes to spells. I can't help but think that many Sorcerers are going to want to change their spells known after the new books come out, as some spells (such as Haste) change the way they work and other spells change in spell level.
Looking over the material, I can't help but feel that the changes will have unexpected consequences on all characters and the way they are built.
