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.
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.
Thanks for the link Maddog, much appreciated.
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
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
R.A.
Just my
;)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.
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.
You could also try the 3.5 Basic Set.
That's an excellent suggestion!
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.
You could also try the 3.5 Basic Set.
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.