3.5 or 4th? [Archive] - Wizards Community

3.5 or 4th? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
AH_PUNISHER
02-18-08, 01:15 PM Whos sticking with 3.5 and who's gonna start playing 4th? Im new and may just buy both, Im not sure.
Olween
02-18-08, 01:27 PM Hello again...

So, personally I have plenty of 3.5 books and so do all my playing groups. We also all have used this system for years and are pretty familiar with it and its rule.
So that's 2 pretty good reason to stick to the 3.5th edition.

However, I will definitively have a close look at the 4th Edition and if I think it is better than 3.5, I will try to convince my friends to make the switch.

As for you... as you seem to be starting from scratch, it would makes sense to start directly with the 4th edition.
However, I can see at least 2 reasons for going 3.5:
-You are joining an existing group that is sticking to 3.5. If you like this group, don't go looking for another group so that you can use the last version of the game...
-You like the 3.5th version better. Some of the rules will vary and maybe the 3.5th version will fit your taste better. Then go for the one you enjoy most.

Also, more content will be available for 3.5 for a while, until the 4th catches up. But that's not, in my opinion, a very good reason to stick to 3.5, as you will probably be able to adapt the content to play it with 4th. People are regularly doing so to use 3rd of 2nd edition adventures with the 3.5 rules...
AH_PUNISHER
02-18-08, 01:29 PM Hello again...

So, personally I have plenty of 3.5 books and so do all my playing groups. We also all have used this system for years and are pretty familiar with it and its rule.
So that's 2 pretty good reason to stick to the 3.5th edition.

However, I will definitively have a close look at the 4th Edition and if I think it is better than 3.5, I will try to convince my friends to make the switch.

As for you... as you seem to be starting from scratch, it would makes sense to start directly with the 4th edition.
However, I can see at least 2 reasons for going 3.5:
-You are joining an existing group that is sticking to 3.5. If you like this group, don't go looking for another group so that you can use the last version of the game...
-You like the 3.5th version better. Some of the rules will vary and maybe the 3.5th version will fit your taste better. Then go for the one you enjoy most.

Also, more content will be available for 3.5 for a while, until the 4th catches up. But that's not, in my opinion, a very good reason to stick to 3.5, as you will probably be able to adapt the content to play it with 4th. People are regularly doing so to use 3rd of 2nd edition adventures with the 3.5 rules...

Hopefully I can find a playgroup in a month or so. Ill see what the group plays, most likely 3.5
Olween
02-18-08, 01:33 PM Indeed. Go with the flow.
On a whole group; I would expect one of the member to be curious enough to buy the 4th Edition when it comes out in June. Borrow it then and have a look at it.
Belkar
02-18-08, 01:35 PM I'll give it a go.

I've already pre-ordered the basic 3 books off of amazon for less than $70. That's enough for me to try it. I hope it's an improvment. 3.5 needs quite a few - IMHO - despite still being a fine system.

If 4e is anything like SWSE, it'll probably be pretty good for me. Either way, it's worth $70 for me to try. If it isn't, oh well. I've still got my 3e library! :D And... my 2e library...
Olween
02-18-08, 01:39 PM On a related note; I just checked on Amazon and the pre-ordering of the 3 core books (PHB; DMG and MM) is around $66 with is not that much more than the $53 for the same books in their 3.5th version...

I sudainly feel a great disturbance in the force. As if a million tax refunds cried out at once...
Silverthumb
02-18-08, 01:43 PM I like what I've heard so far, but I really have no solid means of comparison between 3.5 & 4 until the books are released.
Seeker95
02-18-08, 01:55 PM I intend to wrap up my current 3.5 game continuing to use the 3.5 rules to its conclusion, which should occur on or about February of 2009.

However, I intend to buy the 4e core when they are released, and fully expect that the next campaign I run will be played using the 4e rules. That should be initiated on or about September of 2008.
AH_PUNISHER
02-18-08, 01:56 PM I sudainly feel a great disturbance in the force. As if a million tax refunds cried out at once...

:rofl: :rofl:

I think Ill just buy that 4th 3pack set. I like to read anyways.
Sinfire Titan
02-18-08, 02:53 PM I will be using both systems. I will also be giving tactical strategies on a weekly basis for various monsters in the 4E MM for both PCs and DMs if they truly are OGC somewhere on the boards. Look for them about three to four weeks after the books come out.
pigknight
02-18-08, 03:21 PM In my currect campain setting I made a dragonborn homebrew similar to what the dragonborn are in races and classes. The 4e setting is going to be 100 years after the current campain.
CCS
02-21-08, 12:15 AM Well, I know for a fact that I'll be sticking with 3.x for many years to come.
Just as I've also stuck to using 1st & 2nd ed AD&D all these years.
See, what system I use depends mostly upon who I'm playing with. Some of us prefer one version, some prefer another. Personally? I still prefer 1st/2nd but can live with 3.x if/when I must.

So the question isn't will I stick to 3.5 or switch. It's actually "Will I add 4E?"

And that I won't be able to determine until I get to see the system....
If I like it, I'll pick it up & add it to the shelf.
If I don't like it? Well then, I'll just ignore its presence.
Either way I'll continue gaming.
Shrakta
02-21-08, 12:24 AM Me myself will probably be sticking with 3.5 for a long time, for I don't play much anyways, and I spent so much trying to read over and familiarize with the books and on my allowances to change on a dime like this.
Kursk
02-21-08, 08:42 AM Whos sticking with 3.5 and who's gonna start playing 4th? Im new and may just buy both, Im not sure.

Well, when it comes out I will carefully study all the rules from Core and playtest. If it isn't too messed up to quickly fix with a couple of house rules I'll buy the books.
neceros
02-21-08, 11:58 AM I like balance; inversely I dislike broken rules. Ergo, I like 4e.

I'm sure we'll use 3.5 every once in a while if 4e can't handle it, but for the most part 4e looks to be very nice.

Did I mention I hate arbitrary hard caps like being able to use abilities one per day?
SokenzanMarauder
02-21-08, 12:35 PM I'm going to be sticking with 3.5 as I own a solid number of books for it and don't intend to convert them to 4th edition.

That said, I'll likely pick up the core three and flip through them (not going to buy any more books than these as I have the 3.5 material to convert if need be). I may even run a game or two using 4th edition rules but my main playing (and group) will be sticking with 3.5.
Garas
02-21-08, 01:18 PM I'll more than likely pick up the 4E just to check them out. If they're like SWSE then I'll be mostly disappointed, as I didn't particularly like Saga due to broken combinations and the fact that only 2 of the base classes are playable. Saga feels as though it wasn't playtested, at least my group feels, and hopefully 4E will not feel the same. We played five sessions of Saga before we dropped it and continued playing 3.5 (which was hard because we're all diehard SW geeks).
Mock26
02-21-08, 01:22 PM 2nd Edition AD&D!

I'll pick up the core books for 4.0 (just like I did for 3.0 and 3.5) and I'll play some games and give it a whirl (just like I did for 3.0 and 3.5). But, I strongly suspect that I will not be impressed and will stick with my beloved 2nd Edition AD&D (just like I did for 3.0 and 3.5).
MOTHdevil
02-21-08, 01:54 PM Whos sticking with 3.5 and who's gonna start playing 4th? Im new and may just buy both, Im not sure.

Coming from someone who's mostly anti-4E (on grounds which have been covered plenty elsewhere), I'd say as a new player, you're best off waiting a few months for 4E to debut.

There's no sense in plunking down retail $$$ on 3.5 material that's effectively obsolete. And learning one rules system only to be quickly replaced or supplemented by another (by all accounts) radically different system is just going to be confusing.

And if you realllllly want to get into 3.5 as well, waiting until after 4E will allow you to pick up the 3.5 materials for a much lighter hit on your change purse.

In the meantime, if you want to do some reading, grab yourself some of the Eberron or FR (or classic fantasy!) novels... Unless you LIKE reading textbooks. :D
corey1234
02-21-08, 05:24 PM I am staying with 3.5, its too much money to switch over and then what am I gonna do with all my old stuff? But i did watch a couple of videos on youtube and if i was just starting i would definently start with 4th e
tjhairball
02-21-08, 06:23 PM I prefer AD&D myself, but the simple fact of the matter is that most of the people I currently know in my area have never played it and are intimidated by the idea of learning a new system from scratch.

Based on the streamlining seen in SWSE, I would expect that the main changes of 4th edition, mechanically speaking, are mainly positive in terms of game flow, which I view as one of the big problems in 3/3.5.

On the flip side, they may be streamlining too far. 3/3.5 already did too much in destroying the difference in the flavors of miracle vs magic vs mind vs mysticism, and 4th seems likely to continue this to the point where there's nothing magic about magic.

Frankly? I'm not going to buy any 4th edition materials unless I think they're particularly good, although I am willing to play it.
sycanthor
02-21-08, 10:51 PM I equate the new version with using software. You train people on system A. After they are familiar with system A, you train them to use system B. System B fulfils the same function as system A (a like for like copy) but does so in a different way. They still have the same outcome, but they get there by different routes. Users will often prefer system A simply because it is what they know but that does not mean it is any better or any worse and system B.

I know I am generalising here, and there is a message. That is, whichever system you choose to go with will probably be something you will stick with for a while. You will have spent the time reading, absorbing and of course playing. You will have purchased material that supports your chosen platform.

Having said that, if you start on v3.5 (assuming you dont have a group you can lob in with) you will find that learning those rules will open you up to understanding v4.0. I would imagine that the reverse is true, but if you were on v4.0 you might not find a good reason to go back to v3.5.

Taking a longer view, lets assume that v4.0 has a shelf life of 10 years (speculated at in the D&D podcasts from memory). There will be lots of new material for v4.0 released, where as the v3.5 material will fall out of print. In the long run, v3.5 will get cheaper (buying 2nd hand etc) but by that stage you could be an expert.

I personally am getting back into the game after a couple of years absence. I went through the v1/2/3 revisions. v3.5 passed me by so I am ready to take on v4.0, not having a group to play with currently. I think in time, the tide will move most people onto v4.0 it just might take a while. Either way, good luck!
MrPiskie
02-21-08, 11:08 PM I'll probably pick up the 4E core books and give them a read, but I'm also planning to pick up those spare 3.x books I can't live without when the prices drop to rock bottom. Whether I get much in the way of 4E books depends on my impressions of the core books.
StevenO
02-22-08, 12:23 AM I've got the three Core 4.0 books on preorder for about $60 so I can see them and keep current in the rules. As for actual gaming my wealth of 3.5 material would lead me to use that for some time come although some 4.0 rules/ideas could migrate backwards.
Drackthor
02-22-08, 04:23 AM I think we just don't have enough "3.5 or 4E?" threads, as it is.
Escef
02-22-08, 06:38 AM I intend to pick up 4e and give it an evaluation. I've heard some things I like, I've heard some I don't care for. We'll see.
Mock26
02-22-08, 01:20 PM I intend to pick up 4e and give it an evaluation. I've heard some things I like, I've heard some I don't care for. We'll see.
To which I would say that I hope that the creators once again include a Rule 0!
Escef
02-22-08, 01:57 PM To which I would say that I hope that the creators once again include a Rule 0!

Y'know, every edition had Rule 0 before it had a name and number. In fact, I'd dare to wager that every P&P RPG has one. I do not hope they include a Rule 0, because hope can only exist where there is doubt.
Mock26
02-22-08, 03:40 PM Y'know, every edition had Rule 0 before it had a name and number. In fact, I'd dare to wager that every P&P RPG has one. I do not hope they include a Rule 0, because hope can only exist where there is doubt. Truth. I don't have any serious doubts about it, but some of the changes they've made really shocked me.

=======================================

I look forward to welcoming vast hoards of new players coming and joining the ranks of those of us who frequent the Out Of Print section of these forums.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
AH_PUNISHER 02-18-08, 01:15 PM	Whos sticking with 3.5 and who's gonna start playing 4th? Im new and may just buy both, Im not sure.
Olween 02-18-08, 01:27 PM	Hello again... So, personally I have plenty of 3.5 books and so do all my playing groups. We also all have used this system for years and are pretty familiar with it and its rule. So that's 2 pretty good reason to stick to the 3.5th edition. However, I will definitively have a close look at the 4th Edition and if I think it is better than 3.5, I will try to convince my friends to make the switch. As for you... as you seem to be starting from scratch, it would makes sense to start directly with the 4th edition. However, I can see at least 2 reasons for going 3.5: -You are joining an existing group that is sticking to 3.5. If you like this group, don't go looking for another group so that you can use the last version of the game... -You like the 3.5th version better. Some of the rules will vary and maybe the 3.5th version will fit your taste better. Then go for the one you enjoy most. Also, more content will be available for 3.5 for a while, until the 4th catches up. But that's not, in my opinion, a very good reason to stick to 3.5, as you will probably be able to adapt the content to play it with 4th. People are regularly doing so to use 3rd of 2nd edition adventures with the 3.5 rules...
AH_PUNISHER 02-18-08, 01:29 PM	Hello again... So, personally I have plenty of 3.5 books and so do all my playing groups. We also all have used this system for years and are pretty familiar with it and its rule. So that's 2 pretty good reason to stick to the 3.5th edition. However, I will definitively have a close look at the 4th Edition and if I think it is better than 3.5, I will try to convince my friends to make the switch. As for you... as you seem to be starting from scratch, it would makes sense to start directly with the 4th edition. However, I can see at least 2 reasons for going 3.5: -You are joining an existing group that is sticking to 3.5. If you like this group, don't go looking for another group so that you can use the last version of the game... -You like the 3.5th version better. Some of the rules will vary and maybe the 3.5th version will fit your taste better. Then go for the one you enjoy most. Also, more content will be available for 3.5 for a while, until the 4th catches up. But that's not, in my opinion, a very good reason to stick to 3.5, as you will probably be able to adapt the content to play it with 4th. People are regularly doing so to use 3rd of 2nd edition adventures with the 3.5 rules... Hopefully I can find a playgroup in a month or so. Ill see what the group plays, most likely 3.5
Olween 02-18-08, 01:33 PM	Indeed. Go with the flow. On a whole group; I would expect one of the member to be curious enough to buy the 4th Edition when it comes out in June. Borrow it then and have a look at it.
Belkar 02-18-08, 01:35 PM	I'll give it a go. I've already pre-ordered the basic 3 books off of amazon for less than $70. That's enough for me to try it. I hope it's an improvment. 3.5 needs quite a few - IMHO - despite still being a fine system. If 4e is anything like SWSE, it'll probably be pretty good for me. Either way, it's worth $70 for me to try. If it isn't, oh well. I've still got my 3e library! :D And... my 2e library...
Olween 02-18-08, 01:39 PM	On a related note; I just checked on Amazon and the pre-ordering of the 3 core books (PHB; DMG and MM) is around $66 with is not that much more than the $53 for the same books in their 3.5th version... I sudainly feel a great disturbance in the force. As if a million tax refunds cried out at once...
Silverthumb 02-18-08, 01:43 PM	I like what I've heard so far, but I really have no solid means of comparison between 3.5 & 4 until the books are released.
Seeker95 02-18-08, 01:55 PM	I intend to wrap up my current 3.5 game continuing to use the 3.5 rules to its conclusion, which should occur on or about February of 2009. However, I intend to buy the 4e core when they are released, and fully expect that the next campaign I run will be played using the 4e rules. That should be initiated on or about September of 2008.
AH_PUNISHER 02-18-08, 01:56 PM	I sudainly feel a great disturbance in the force. As if a million tax refunds cried out at once... :rofl: :rofl: I think Ill just buy that 4th 3pack set. I like to read anyways.
Sinfire Titan 02-18-08, 02:53 PM	I will be using both systems. I will also be giving tactical strategies on a weekly basis for various monsters in the 4E MM for both PCs and DMs if they truly are OGC somewhere on the boards. Look for them about three to four weeks after the books come out.
pigknight 02-18-08, 03:21 PM	In my currect campain setting I made a dragonborn homebrew similar to what the dragonborn are in races and classes. The 4e setting is going to be 100 years after the current campain.
CCS 02-21-08, 12:15 AM	Well, I know for a fact that I'll be sticking with 3.x for many years to come. Just as I've also stuck to using 1st & 2nd ed AD&D all these years. See, what system I use depends mostly upon who I'm playing with. Some of us prefer one version, some prefer another. Personally? I still prefer 1st/2nd but can live with 3.x if/when I must. So the question isn't will I stick to 3.5 or switch. It's actually "Will I add 4E?" And that I won't be able to determine until I get to see the system.... If I like it, I'll pick it up & add it to the shelf. If I don't like it? Well then, I'll just ignore its presence. Either way I'll continue gaming.
Shrakta 02-21-08, 12:24 AM	Me myself will probably be sticking with 3.5 for a long time, for I don't play much anyways, and I spent so much trying to read over and familiarize with the books and on my allowances to change on a dime like this.
Kursk 02-21-08, 08:42 AM	Whos sticking with 3.5 and who's gonna start playing 4th? Im new and may just buy both, Im not sure. Well, when it comes out I will carefully study all the rules from Core and playtest. If it isn't too messed up to quickly fix with a couple of house rules I'll buy the books.
neceros 02-21-08, 11:58 AM	I like balance; inversely I dislike broken rules. Ergo, I like 4e. I'm sure we'll use 3.5 every once in a while if 4e can't handle it, but for the most part 4e looks to be very nice. Did I mention I hate arbitrary hard caps like being able to use abilities one per day?
SokenzanMarauder 02-21-08, 12:35 PM	I'm going to be sticking with 3.5 as I own a solid number of books for it and don't intend to convert them to 4th edition. That said, I'll likely pick up the core three and flip through them (not going to buy any more books than these as I have the 3.5 material to convert if need be). I may even run a game or two using 4th edition rules but my main playing (and group) will be sticking with 3.5.
Garas 02-21-08, 01:18 PM	I'll more than likely pick up the 4E just to check them out. If they're like SWSE then I'll be mostly disappointed, as I didn't particularly like Saga due to broken combinations and the fact that only 2 of the base classes are playable. Saga feels as though it wasn't playtested, at least my group feels, and hopefully 4E will not feel the same. We played five sessions of Saga before we dropped it and continued playing 3.5 (which was hard because we're all diehard SW geeks).
Mock26 02-21-08, 01:22 PM	2nd Edition AD&D! I'll pick up the core books for 4.0 (just like I did for 3.0 and 3.5) and I'll play some games and give it a whirl (just like I did for 3.0 and 3.5). But, I strongly suspect that I will not be impressed and will stick with my beloved 2nd Edition AD&D (just like I did for 3.0 and 3.5).
MOTHdevil 02-21-08, 01:54 PM	Whos sticking with 3.5 and who's gonna start playing 4th? Im new and may just buy both, Im not sure. Coming from someone who's mostly anti-4E (on grounds which have been covered plenty elsewhere), I'd say as a new player, you're best off waiting a few months for 4E to debut. There's no sense in plunking down retail $$$ on 3.5 material that's effectively obsolete. And learning one rules system only to be quickly replaced or supplemented by another (by all accounts) radically different system is just going to be confusing. And if you realllllly want to get into 3.5 as well, waiting until after 4E will allow you to pick up the 3.5 materials for a much lighter hit on your change purse. In the meantime, if you want to do some reading, grab yourself some of the Eberron or FR (or classic fantasy!) novels... Unless you LIKE reading textbooks. :D
corey1234 02-21-08, 05:24 PM	I am staying with 3.5, its too much money to switch over and then what am I gonna do with all my old stuff? But i did watch a couple of videos on youtube and if i was just starting i would definently start with 4th e
tjhairball 02-21-08, 06:23 PM	I prefer AD&D myself, but the simple fact of the matter is that most of the people I currently know in my area have never played it and are intimidated by the idea of learning a new system from scratch. Based on the streamlining seen in SWSE, I would expect that the main changes of 4th edition, mechanically speaking, are mainly positive in terms of game flow, which I view as one of the big problems in 3/3.5. On the flip side, they may be streamlining too far. 3/3.5 already did too much in destroying the difference in the flavors of miracle vs magic vs mind vs mysticism, and 4th seems likely to continue this to the point where there's nothing magic about magic. Frankly? I'm not going to buy any 4th edition materials unless I think they're particularly good, although I am willing to play it.
sycanthor 02-21-08, 10:51 PM	I equate the new version with using software. You train people on system A. After they are familiar with system A, you train them to use system B. System B fulfils the same function as system A (a like for like copy) but does so in a different way. They still have the same outcome, but they get there by different routes. Users will often prefer system A simply because it is what they know but that does not mean it is any better or any worse and system B. I know I am generalising here, and there is a message. That is, whichever system you choose to go with will probably be something you will stick with for a while. You will have spent the time reading, absorbing and of course playing. You will have purchased material that supports your chosen platform. Having said that, if you start on v3.5 (assuming you dont have a group you can lob in with) you will find that learning those rules will open you up to understanding v4.0. I would imagine that the reverse is true, but if you were on v4.0 you might not find a good reason to go back to v3.5. Taking a longer view, lets assume that v4.0 has a shelf life of 10 years (speculated at in the D&D podcasts from memory). There will be lots of new material for v4.0 released, where as the v3.5 material will fall out of print. In the long run, v3.5 will get cheaper (buying 2nd hand etc) but by that stage you could be an expert. I personally am getting back into the game after a couple of years absence. I went through the v1/2/3 revisions. v3.5 passed me by so I am ready to take on v4.0, not having a group to play with currently. I think in time, the tide will move most people onto v4.0 it just might take a while. Either way, good luck!
MrPiskie 02-21-08, 11:08 PM	I'll probably pick up the 4E core books and give them a read, but I'm also planning to pick up those spare 3.x books I can't live without when the prices drop to rock bottom. Whether I get much in the way of 4E books depends on my impressions of the core books.
StevenO 02-22-08, 12:23 AM	I've got the three Core 4.0 books on preorder for about $60 so I can see them and keep current in the rules. As for actual gaming my wealth of 3.5 material would lead me to use that for some time come although some 4.0 rules/ideas could migrate backwards.
Drackthor 02-22-08, 04:23 AM	I think we just don't have enough "3.5 or 4E?" threads, as it is.
Escef 02-22-08, 06:38 AM	I intend to pick up 4e and give it an evaluation. I've heard some things I like, I've heard some I don't care for. We'll see.
Mock26 02-22-08, 01:20 PM	I intend to pick up 4e and give it an evaluation. I've heard some things I like, I've heard some I don't care for. We'll see. To which I would say that I hope that the creators once again include a Rule 0!
Escef 02-22-08, 01:57 PM	To which I would say that I hope that the creators once again include a Rule 0! Y'know, every edition had Rule 0 before it had a name and number. In fact, I'd dare to wager that every P&P RPG has one. I do not hope they include a Rule 0, because hope can only exist where there is doubt.
Mock26 02-22-08, 03:40 PM	Y'know, every edition had Rule 0 before it had a name and number. In fact, I'd dare to wager that every P&P RPG has one. I do not hope they include a Rule 0, because hope can only exist where there is doubt. Truth. I don't have any serious doubts about it, but some of the changes they've made really shocked me. ======================================= I look forward to welcoming vast hoards of new players coming and joining the ranks of those of us who frequent the Out Of Print section of these forums.