Post/Author/DateTime	Post
E_merlin 01-23-07, 10:03 AM	Hi All, This is my first post so go easy on me :-). I am getting back into playing after a looooong layoff, like 10 years. Before that I was an avid AD&D/Palladium. I have found a group of people to play with and am excited to get back in the mix. So last night I dusted off my dice :-) and found this site. My question is this, I need to get "caught up" with the 3.5 stuff. I am certainly interested in doing the home work on this, but I was hoping there was a great primer or getting started article that someone could point me too. Really I am just looking for anything to get me started and perhaps fill me in on whats changed. I searched this site, but did not really come up with anything. I plan on going out to get PH today! Thanks for any and all help. E
Kevtar 01-23-07, 10:10 AM	Hey there, Welcome to the ranks. I am also an older D&D player who started out with 1st ed, went to 2nd ed, to a break, and is now regularly DMing a 3.5 ed. group. In my opinion, the rules have vastly improved, and I think you're going to have a good experience - granted you have a good group of friends to play with. One important difference with D&D from previous editions is the Open Game License and the SRD (System Reference Documents). A significant portion of the core rule books have been made Open Game content, and as such, you have free access to a variety of resources. The following link is an excellent site (of many other sites) that have posted the SRD online in an easy to use format. Sovelior Sage SRD (http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/sovelior_sage/home.html) Good luck with your group and kiss THAC0 goodbye! :D
Bluebrush 01-23-07, 10:12 AM	Well, I'm only just beginning to play 2nd Ed myself so I can't tell you what's changed... On the D&D site itself, they're running what seems to be a Newbie guide series of articles. (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/arch/play) and Rules of the game, for an in-depth examination of some topics. (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/arch/rg) Aside from that, for a 3.5 game you could look to theSystem Reference Document (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=d20/article/srd35), though I'd reccomend this user-friendly online version. (http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/sovelior_sage/home.html)
pres_man 01-23-07, 10:23 AM	You might try this a demo for the basic game. http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/playdnd
E_merlin 01-23-07, 10:37 AM	Thanks for all the replies.... I am really looking forward to this.
Waterhammer 01-24-07, 12:27 AM	E_merlin: I don't think you will have too much trouble with the new rule set. I expect you already have the basic skills needed. You may be pleasantly surprised at the great amount of options that 3.5 offers.
AesirRaven 01-24-07, 08:39 AM	The most obvious 2e-to-3e changes to me, back in 2000, were that every roll now goes in the same direction -- no more "do I have to roll over or under this number?" questions, three Saves instead of five, any race can be any class and go all the way up to 20th level without restriction, the unified XP table, the expansion of non-weapon proficiencies into a full-fledged Skills system, and the introduction of the Sorcerer class. 3e-to-3.5 tweaks (which you'll be skipping straight into) include rebalancing of spells, the Ranger class getting an obvious overhaul to allow for diversification of Ranger character concepts, and the simplification/clarification of the Action Types (which has since been recomplicated with the introduction of Swift and Immediate actions in newer non-core books, but you can get along just fine without them). If you played 2e a long time, some of these might take a while to get used to, but they'll become second nature soon enough.
Paiku 01-24-07, 09:13 AM	Welcome back to the fold, E_merlin :) Old 1st-Ed gamer here, too. I found the 3E rules really easy to pick up. They quickly became second nature, and now I can't remember how 1E-2E worked! Hehehh. The old rulebooks continue to be great sources of inspiration, but the new rules are both more consistent and more adaptable. Wherever your game takes you -- bon voyage!
Edymnion 01-24-07, 09:54 AM	Surprisingly enough, there is actually a D&D For Dummies book for the new rules that is quite useful.
Ninja_Sensei 01-24-07, 03:15 PM	Surprisingly enough, there is actually a D&D For Dummies book for the new rules that is quite useful. I agree. With the SRD, "D&D for Dummies" (I'd also recommend "Dungeonmaster for Dummies" just for depth of coverage), and the resources on WotC's website you should have no problem returning to the fold. Welcome back! (I personally found the Dummies books brought me back to a fresher time when the game was new for me. It raised fond memories of lots of fun.)