* * * Wizards Community Thread * * * -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Thread : A Question About 3rd Edition Rules. Started at 09-12-05 07:40 PM by Iramus Visit at http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=501198 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 1] Author : Iramus Date : 09-12-05 07:40 PM Thread Title : A Question About 3rd Edition Rules. Greetings. I hope you don't mind me posting my first thread on the Mystara forum but I always had a soft spot for the Gazetteers and the 'Basic' rules system. After a LONG absence from the gaming world I've recently picked up a 2nd hand set of 3rd edition rules, with a view to starting a D&D game with my children. However I've since found out that these are not the latest rules edition and we are now on 3.5. With this in mind, are the rules changes so drastic as to warrant splashing out more money on the new set? What are the most significant changes? Thanks in advance. Iramus. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 2] Author : maddog Date : 09-12-05 08:27 PM Thread Title : v3.5 update pdf.... AIR, the update booklet contains the changes you want. Linky Linky..... http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/20030718a If you want a "lite" set of rules that I use with Mystara (PHB only), take a look at the link in my sig. --Ray. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 3] Author : Iramus Date : 09-13-05 02:39 PM Great! Thanks for the link Maddog, much appreciated. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 4] Author : arvedui Date : 09-14-05 11:12 AM Hello Iramus, I'm glad that another old school gamer returns to play! :) A rather accurate comparison between 3.0 and 3.5 rules can be found at http://www.users.bigpond.com/steven_cooper/dnd/ I suggest you to get a look also to the SRD 3.5 d20 rules. They are the free rules for the d20 game, that is (to be concise) the nutshell of the D&D core books; you can get them at the WotC site or check the (excellent) html version at http://www.d20srd.org/ A nicely formatted SRD d20 can be also found and downloaded at http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/ Monster figures are at the WotC site. Regards -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 5] Author : havard Date : 09-14-05 11:31 AM My own sentiments: There were a few glitches in 3.0 that were fixed in 3.5 such as the Haste spell not allowing people to cast two spells per round anymore. Some of the classes have been beefed up a bit, which is good for the players, but doesnt really make it a better or worse game. Other than that, most of the changes are minor and can be considered a matter of personal taste. WotC really wanted to call it 3E revised rather than 3.5 which I think they should have done, since now, very few people care to buy 3.0 supplements. If you already own 3.0 cashing out for 3.5 is really not worth it, especially since you can download the things you are missing for free. Håvard -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 6] Author : Hugin Date : 09-14-05 11:40 AM How could forget about the SRD System Reference Document (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=d20/article/srd35). It basically includes the entire core rules for the 3.5 D&D game, including spells and monsters. So don't spent any more money (unless you really want to :D ). Thanks for mentioning them, arvedui. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 7] Author : Iramus Date : 09-14-05 03:41 PM Again, thanks for the links guys. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 8] Author : rogueattorney Date : 09-14-05 04:05 PM In my opinion, if you're going to be playing a game with your kids (I'm assuming they aren't experienced rpg'ers, here), you're far, far better off having them start with the old Basic rules. They're much simpler, lighter weight, and easily digested by newcomers to the game. Even if I was completely in love with the 3e rules (which I'm not) I'd still be hesitant to bring newbies in with the 300 page PHB. R.A. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 9] Author : Traianus Decius Aureus Date : 09-14-05 04:16 PM Not to start a 0E vs 3E argument, but 3E is only as complicated as you want it to be. I'm assuming they are not DMing, which is the hardest part of 3E. Character creation is much more logical and balanced, and you don't have to answer questions about why my elf can't be "x" and why Timmy's dwarf can't be "y". The OD&D advancement was aggravating- each class advanced a a different rate so everybody was at different levels- try explaining that to kids. Just my :twocents: ;) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 10] Author : Iramus Date : 09-14-05 04:41 PM In my opinion, if you're going to be playing a game with your kids (I'm assuming they aren't experienced rpg'ers, here), you're far, far better off having them start with the old Basic rules. They're much simpler, lighter weight, and easily digested by newcomers to the game. Even if I was completely in love with the 3e rules (which I'm not) I'd still be hesitant to bring newbies in with the 300 page PHB. R.A. Fair comment R.A. I can probably pick up the Basic rules on e-bay for a few pounds. In fact I may just do that - at least then I'll avoid having to convert all the B module info to the newer system. I can always advance to 3rd edition if they become hooked on the game. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 11] Author : katana_one Date : 09-14-05 06:19 PM You could also try the 3.5 Basic Set (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dndacc/966470000). It features a much trimmed-down version of the 3.5 rules, four pre-generated character sheets (and rules to make your own characters), 16 pre-painted plastic miniatures, and four full-color, double sided dungeon map tiles on heavy card stock. Oh, and a set of dice (which are each colored differently for easier identification by newbies). Includes a sample dungeon that uses all of the map tiles and miniatures. This would be good for teaching the basics of the 3.5 game, then you could build slowly on top of it as your kids start to get a handle on things. Retails for $25 USD. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 12] Author : Traianus Decius Aureus Date : 09-14-05 06:23 PM You could also try the 3.5 Basic Set (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dndacc/966470000). That's an excellent suggestion! :) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 13] Author : Cthulhudrew Date : 09-14-05 09:03 PM WotC really wanted to call it 3E revised rather than 3.5 which I think they should have done, since now, very few people care to buy 3.0 supplements. A huge mistake, IMO. The online community was the primary source (progenitors, maybe, even) of the 3.5 assignation, and WotC promised that the actual books wouldn't be called 3.5, but as you point out, "Revised". Then they went and printed 3.5. Ugh. It just looks ugly. I really like the changes that they made (with one or two minor exceptions) but I still can't stand that 3.5. If I didn't know anything about D&D, I expect that would be very confusing to me. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 14] Author : tjedge1 Date : 09-15-05 06:13 PM You could also try the 3.5 Basic Set (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dndacc/966470000). It features a much trimmed-down version of the 3.5 rules, four pre-generated character sheets (and rules to make your own characters), 16 pre-painted plastic miniatures, and four full-color, double sided dungeon map tiles on heavy card stock. Oh, and a set of dice (which are each colored differently for easier identification by newbies). Includes a sample dungeon that uses all of the map tiles and miniatures. This would be good for teaching the basics of the 3.5 game, then you could build slowly on top of it as your kids start to get a handle on things. Retails for $25 USD. Ooh, I didn't know about that. I might have to use that for myself to get a feel of 3.5. I've never bothered to look real close at that system yet. I was stuck in Rolemaster and now have de-evolved from it's complexity and overkill of realism. I might be able to use some of the new things in 3.5 for my new rule system. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Downloaded from Wizards Community (http://forums.gleemax.com) at 05-10-08 09:30 AM.