Comparing character levels between editions [Archive] - Wizards Community

Comparing character levels between editions [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Naderion
08-06-07, 03:47 PM 3rd Ed. is an easy system, while old 2nd Ed. Books have the good old fluff that the new bocks lack, so these still get good use even though I never understood the old rules.

But what I am wondering now is, how to compare the character level of 2nd Ed with caracter levels in 3.5e? I found a conversion-table that just equaled levels by 1 to 1 but I did hear, that it's actually not that easy. How can I see what 3.5e level a NSC should have when I rebuild him?
Nom
08-07-07, 02:27 AM Ultimately, you can't. It's a bit like asking "I've got the yearly stats for the local American Football team; can you tell me how to convert them for soccer?"

About all you can reliably do is grab the concept and then rebuild from scratch. As for guesswork, 10th level in 2nd Ed is probably roughly equivalent to 10th-12th in 3rd Ed, though this is complicated by the fact that 2nd Ed levels can require wildly differing XP totals (and this before demi-human multiclassing). However, the only reason I can think of to do a direct level conversion is if you were trying to "seamlessly" move a bunch of PCs from a 2nd Ed campaign to a 3rd Ed and wanted them to feel as if they were the "same".
Seeker95
08-07-07, 08:14 AM About all you can reliably do is grab the concept and then rebuild from scratch.Best. Conversion. Advice. Ever.
Naderion
08-07-07, 01:52 PM That's what I have in mind, too. But the very first question is: What character-level? :D

So is 2e Level 20 as kick-ass as in un-epic 3e? Or is is it more like 3e level 14? Or maybe is 2e level 10 as badass as the 3e level 20? That's what I am wondering about. But "2e level is slightly weaker than 3e level of the same number" works for me.
Thanks for that.
Seeker95
08-07-07, 02:38 PM Look at the final encounter. If you built the BBEG in 3e, what would the EL be? Let that guide you.
SirUrza
08-07-07, 07:32 PM *shakes head*

There are conversion rules. Back when 3E first came out, stores were giving away a little booklet. It also came as a PDF with every PHB if I remember right.

In any case, you can still download it...

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/files/conversionbook.zip

It's very easy. I did it back in the day with a fighter/rogue I was playing when 3E came out.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Naderion 08-06-07, 03:47 PM	3rd Ed. is an easy system, while old 2nd Ed. Books have the good old fluff that the new bocks lack, so these still get good use even though I never understood the old rules. But what I am wondering now is, how to compare the character level of 2nd Ed with caracter levels in 3.5e? I found a conversion-table that just equaled levels by 1 to 1 but I did hear, that it's actually not that easy. How can I see what 3.5e level a NSC should have when I rebuild him?
Nom 08-07-07, 02:27 AM	Ultimately, you can't. It's a bit like asking "I've got the yearly stats for the local American Football team; can you tell me how to convert them for soccer?" About all you can reliably do is grab the concept and then rebuild from scratch. As for guesswork, 10th level in 2nd Ed is probably roughly equivalent to 10th-12th in 3rd Ed, though this is complicated by the fact that 2nd Ed levels can require wildly differing XP totals (and this before demi-human multiclassing). However, the only reason I can think of to do a direct level conversion is if you were trying to "seamlessly" move a bunch of PCs from a 2nd Ed campaign to a 3rd Ed and wanted them to feel as if they were the "same".
Seeker95 08-07-07, 08:14 AM	About all you can reliably do is grab the concept and then rebuild from scratch.Best. Conversion. Advice. Ever.
Naderion 08-07-07, 01:52 PM	That's what I have in mind, too. But the very first question is: What character-level? :D So is 2e Level 20 as kick-ass as in un-epic 3e? Or is is it more like 3e level 14? Or maybe is 2e level 10 as badass as the 3e level 20? That's what I am wondering about. But "2e level is slightly weaker than 3e level of the same number" works for me. Thanks for that.
Seeker95 08-07-07, 02:38 PM	Look at the final encounter. If you built the BBEG in 3e, what would the EL be? Let that guide you.
SirUrza 08-07-07, 07:32 PM	shakes head There are conversion rules. Back when 3E first came out, stores were giving away a little booklet. It also came as a PDF with every PHB if I remember right. In any case, you can still download it... http://www.wizards.com/dnd/files/conversionbook.zip It's very easy. I did it back in the day with a fighter/rogue I was playing when 3E came out.