Converting 2nd Ed to 3.5 [Archive] - Wizards Community

Converting 2nd Ed to 3.5 [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Thamior Magus Rex
02-20-05, 11:35 PM Does anyone know where there are rules for converting 2nd to 3.5?
Zariell
02-20-05, 11:43 PM GL with that, I think you'd be better off redoing everything in the 3.5 rules.

to answer you question, im not sure one even exists.
Morwen
02-21-05, 05:33 AM I downloaded a document with information on that once, but I don't remember where I found it.. I could email it to you, if you want.
Thamior Magus Rex
02-21-05, 09:32 AM Cheers.That'd be great. Send it to koboldkoenig@hotmail.com Please make the subject line 2nd Ed to 3rd ed or something similar so it doesn't get deleted as spam.
GreyLord
02-21-05, 09:51 AM In a word, it can't be done.

They DID release a conversion document for 2e to 3e long ago, however, it didn't really do squat.

The 5/6 Half-Elf Cleric Ranger would suddenly be something such as a 2/6 Cleric Ranger...they basically killed any MC...in addition, other things such as equalizing HP, and such items are a pain.

In a word, sure you can do as they say and see your character basically skimped, skutted, and screwed up,

So, if you like that idea...here's the conversion booklet...as long as the link still works.

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

Or you can just accept that 3e and 3.5 are a different game system than 2e and about as compatible as the Warhammer RPG and 3.5 are.

In otherwords, the suggestion to just start from scratch is probably the best suggestion.

PS: This is not a pro 2e or pro 3e, nor is it putting down either one, just noting that the two are basically incompatible. Thought I'd put this down before everyone on both sides jumps down my throat.
Escef
02-22-05, 09:46 AM When converting a multi-class character, always chump the levels from non-casting classes. If you had a 4/4 Fighter/Mage under 2e, I'd make him into a Wizard4/Fighter1 or 2, this keeps his spellcasting and attack bonuses more or less the same. With MC rogues I'd try to keep some kind of balance of abilities, but always favor spellcasting classes and putting extra levels of all else based on THAC0 improvement compared to BAB improvement. In the example above, a 4/4 fighter/mage has a THAC0 of 17, 3 points of improvement. With 4 levels of Wizard one nets a BAB of +2. One level of fighter would put the BAB improvement equal to the old character's THAC0 improvement; and 2 levels of fighter would put it equal to a 3.Xe 4th level fighter, which might be preferable since a 4th level fighter from 2e would get converted straight across as a 4th level fighter in 3.Xe (but then again, you might not want to have that kind of level difference sitting around).

All in all, the conversion process is more art than skill.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Thamior Magus Rex 02-20-05, 11:35 PM	Does anyone know where there are rules for converting 2nd to 3.5?
Zariell 02-20-05, 11:43 PM	GL with that, I think you'd be better off redoing everything in the 3.5 rules. to answer you question, im not sure one even exists.
Morwen 02-21-05, 05:33 AM	I downloaded a document with information on that once, but I don't remember where I found it.. I could email it to you, if you want.
Thamior Magus Rex 02-21-05, 09:32 AM	Cheers.That'd be great. Send it to koboldkoenig@hotmail.com Please make the subject line 2nd Ed to 3rd ed or something similar so it doesn't get deleted as spam.
GreyLord 02-21-05, 09:51 AM	In a word, it can't be done. They DID release a conversion document for 2e to 3e long ago, however, it didn't really do squat. The 5/6 Half-Elf Cleric Ranger would suddenly be something such as a 2/6 Cleric Ranger...they basically killed any MC...in addition, other things such as equalizing HP, and such items are a pain. In a word, sure you can do as they say and see your character basically skimped, skutted, and screwed up, So, if you like that idea...here's the conversion booklet...as long as the link still works. http://www.wizards.com/dnd/files/conversionbook.zip Or you can just accept that 3e and 3.5 are a different game system than 2e and about as compatible as the Warhammer RPG and 3.5 are. In otherwords, the suggestion to just start from scratch is probably the best suggestion. PS: This is not a pro 2e or pro 3e, nor is it putting down either one, just noting that the two are basically incompatible. Thought I'd put this down before everyone on both sides jumps down my throat.
Escef 02-22-05, 09:46 AM	When converting a multi-class character, always chump the levels from non-casting classes. If you had a 4/4 Fighter/Mage under 2e, I'd make him into a Wizard4/Fighter1 or 2, this keeps his spellcasting and attack bonuses more or less the same. With MC rogues I'd try to keep some kind of balance of abilities, but always favor spellcasting classes and putting extra levels of all else based on THAC0 improvement compared to BAB improvement. In the example above, a 4/4 fighter/mage has a THAC0 of 17, 3 points of improvement. With 4 levels of Wizard one nets a BAB of +2. One level of fighter would put the BAB improvement equal to the old character's THAC0 improvement; and 2 levels of fighter would put it equal to a 3.Xe 4th level fighter, which might be preferable since a 4th level fighter from 2e would get converted straight across as a 4th level fighter in 3.Xe (but then again, you might not want to have that kind of level difference sitting around). All in all, the conversion process is more art than skill.