Character Conversions from 1st and 2nd Ed D&D [Archive] - Wizards Community

Character Conversions from 1st and 2nd Ed D&D [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
DrPsy
11-04-07, 01:13 AM I have a Half-Giant, Half-Human, I have been running since 1976, (I've been to the Original TSR in Lake Geneva, WI...) converted from 1st to 2nd. But I am with a new group and new players, who have not seen a character as old as mine, and would really like to use her in the game we are playing now. She is multi-class: Ranger-Cleric: :cool:
I would appreciate input on how to convert her (Shaped like an hour glass, but built to pull plow). current attributes are (2nd Ed.):
STR 25
DEX 18
CON 18
INT 16
WIS 18
CHA 17

:w00t:
I put every potion, scroll, God's gift, etc into improving her attributes: Ran her until 3.0 came out, and then retired her...
Mr_Teapot
11-04-07, 09:52 AM There was a conversion booklet to change characters from 2nd ed to 3rd ed, but you're really better off just making the character from scratch as a character of appropriate level/class.

Half Giant appears in the Expanded Psionics Handbook (and the SRD (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/psionicRaces.htm#halfGiants)). The 3rd ed halfgiant is explicitly based on the Dark Sun half giant, so has some psionic powers, but they're minor. They also have the awesome Powerful Build trait. (If you want a non-psionic half-giant, you could use the stats for a Goliath from Races of Stone and ignore what is written about their character there).

I don't think there are any particular Cleric/ranger multiclass PrCs or feats, so you could just go Ranger 10/Cleric 9/Half Giant 1 and work out pretty well.

Or do you need ranger at all, mechanically? Really, a cleric with the appropriate domains - Travel and Nature, probably, could act pretty well as a cleric and fit the story/character/flavor of a ranger without having levels in the ranger class per se.

Do you have any specific questions about how to do this? What, exactly, do you need help with? Converting a character from one game to another is pretty much the same as making a higher level character when you have a very clear mental image of them: you look through the books and find the abilities and things that allow you to best match your mental image. It will never be perfect, but sometimes the character you wind up with is surprisingly more fun to play than the one in your head/that you played before.
DrPsy
11-04-07, 10:06 AM Thank-you for the reply.:D
I, unfortunately, or fortunately, lack the funds to obtain extra books at this time. I do have the core set, of 3.5 though. So, I do not have access to the texts you mention. I was (BUT thankfully,:w00t: no longer) l am a
m.. u.. c.. h.. older medical student when I went to med school, so am still paying back serious loans... And my wife, the Budget master, is trying to get the aforesaid monies paid...:banghead:
BUT, I don't have the texts...

Thanks;

Dr. Shane
Mr_Teapot
11-05-07, 02:47 PM Thank-you for the reply.:D
I, unfortunately, or fortunately, lack the funds to obtain extra books at this time. I do have the core set, of 3.5 though. So, I do not have access to the texts you mention. I was (BUT thankfully,:w00t: no longer) l am a
m.. u.. c.. h.. older medical student when I went to med school, so am still paying back serious loans... And my wife, the Budget master, is trying to get the aforesaid monies paid...:banghead:
BUT, I don't have the texts...

Well, everything you really need for the character would be the Half giant race and information from the Player's Handbook on clerics and rangers. And since the Half giant and the majority of the player's Handbook are both in the System Reference Document, you could build the character entirely out of stuff free online (see the link in my prior post). The other material mentioned is entirely unnecessary, if you don't have it.
Orenmir
11-05-07, 03:22 PM There are a couple ways to go about this conversion (I recently had to do the same thing with my half frost giant from 2.0). If you don't mind, answer these questions first:

What were your original rolls?
What level is the PC now?
Height and weight?
What giant-like abilities does the PC already have?

With such high ability scores, the character will obviously have a level adjustment. Depending on other abilities and size, that LA is probably going to be 2 or 3.

There is already an official race called Half-Giant (XPH), but I don't think it will fit your character. So, I would suggest homebrewing something (like I did).
DrPsy
11-05-07, 06:01 PM There are a couple ways to go about this conversion (I recently had to do the same thing with my half frost giant from 2.0). If you don't mind, answer these questions first:

What were your original rolls?
What level is the PC now?
Height and weight?
What giant-like abilities does the PC already have?

With such high ability scores, the character will obviously have a level adjustment. Depending on other abilities and size, that LA is probably going to be 2 or 3.

There is already an official race called Half-Giant (XPH), but I don't think it will fit your character. So, I would suggest homebrewing something (like I did).

Thanks for responding:

Qriginal Attributes are:
STR 25
DEX 18
CON 18
INT 16
WIS 18
CHA 17
HP's: 172
Female (Eh, fickel roll of the dice...) I put every potion, scroll, etc of attribute adjustment into her DEX, INT, WIS, and CHA...

1/2 Storm Giant and 1/2 "Very Large Human Woman"
10 feet tall, 1050 pounds
With an "Hour glass shape but built to pull plow!"
Pale Skin to a almost blue, Green green eyes, and slight Purple tinge to her Black hair. WELL Muscled.

Natural Armor Class Bonus of 2
Gave her 1/2 of the skills / feats of a Storm Giant: (1/2 and then rounded up 1 or to nearest next level if 0.5): So,
Hurl Boulders / Catch Boulders 60 pounds to 140 feet. Catch at 60% (Up now to 80%) (Instead of the Lightning capability)
Scent/Smell ability. Only surprised on a roll of 1 (Kept that one)
Immunity to 1/2 to Electricty Including Blue Dragon's Breathe
Balance
Climb
Craft Weapon
Craft Armor
Craft Bow
Blacksmithing
Metalsmithing
Levitate: 3x a day Herself plus 1000 pounds
Breathe underwater (From Daddy)
Languages: Abyssal, Merfolk, Storm Giant, Common, Aerial, Earth, Fire, and Water Elemental, Dwarven and Elven, Common Dragon
Current Ranks 9th level Ranger / 9th level Cleric
Neutral Good

Weapons:
A single Glove worn on the Left Hand, which when worn added armor class of 5 and added 2d6 +16 for grapple and unarmed attack;
Longsword +5 Vorpal on 19-20, 3d8 + 24;
Longsword +5 vs Dragons, +3 normal both: 2d8 +18, +5 to DEX, +3 to STR
Greataxe 2 handed, (From Daddy's Clerics) a + 5 Holy Weapon vs Undead, +3 Normal, both 2d10+18;
and, From Daddy, a Composite Longbow +5, Unlimited +2 arrows that are also +2d6 Flame, and the Bow adds +3 to DEX;
2 Weapon Fighting, and + advantage to Larger Hominid Ceatures (Basically Giants and Titans) Able to wield both swords w/o penalty

Armor:
Helm of Might and Armor +1
Half-Plate Armor that gave a 10 to Armor Enhancement
Magic Ring of +3 to Dex
Necklace of Fireballs +3 (From Daddies Mages)
A Ring with a Sapphire Stone worth 5000 Platinum Pieces
A Belt of Additional Cleric Spells +1 to levels 1-5

Misc:
Potions:
3 of Neutralize Poison
1 of Cure Serious
1 of Barkskin

Scrolls:
1 of Prayer
3 of Aid
2 of Dispel Magic
3 of cure Blindness
3 of Cure Disease
4 of Strength

Wands:
Restoration, 24 charges left

Holy Symbol:
Of the 5 Elements: Air, Earth, Fire, Water, Spirit
Crafted from Platinum, Mithral, Adamamtium, Ebony and Iron Wood
Worth 15000 GP
(Daddy and Mom, made me earn this with the money from my first several campaignes, and then they taught me Blacksmith, Metal Smith, Craft Armor, Weapon, and Bow Craft)

NOW what the group I am with now (Since they have never seena character this "Old" would like to do is convert her, and then level her up to level 28 for an Epic Campaign

Thanks;:cool:

Dr. Shane
Orenmir
11-05-07, 06:37 PM Wow! This definitely calls for rebuilding from the ground up. I will need some more time to do the retooling (time to go home now).

I could see the LA actually getting up to 4 or 5, if you want. If you'd rather keep the LA low, that's possible too. At level 28, an LA+4 or 5 really won't hurt as much as if you were at, say, level 6!

It's worth a shot... Threefists made some half giant templates on this board a while back. I'm pretty sure half storm giant was on it. Try searching for it!
Orenmir
11-05-07, 11:24 PM Here's a couple of quick stabs at the race:

Half Storm Giant -- LA +3

Str +6, Dex -2, Con +4, Wis +2
Natural Armor +4
Large Size
Speed 30
Electicity Resistance 10
Low Light Vision

OR

Half Storm Giant -- LA +4

Str +8, Dex -2, Con +4, Wis +2
Natural Armor +6
Large Size
Speed 30
Electicity Resistance 20
Low Light Vision
Water Breathing
Rock Throwing/Catching

(These templates are up for scrutiny from other posters)

I would start from the ground up concerning feats and skills. Use the standard starting gold for whatever level you decide to play. With that pool, you can buy all the goodies that you mentioned, especially anything that boosted ability scores.

The Scent/Smell ability doesn't really match a storm giant. But, there is a feat (albeit Psionic) from Untapped Potential called Vigilance of the Giants. Basically, you get to act during a surprise round -- which seems like the same intent with your scent/smell ability. With a DM's approval, you could adapt this feat.

She seems to know way too many languages (her intelligence only allows for 3). Stick with Common, Giant, and something else you fancy.
Orenmir
11-05-07, 11:36 PM Here, I found the half giant templates from Threefists:

http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=834509

The Storm Giant is on the first page, about half-way down. It's not tailored to your character; but, much more time and effort went into this template.
arjomanes
11-06-07, 04:49 PM If LA is an issue, here (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/monsters/halfGiant.htm) is the Half-Giant from the SRD of the Expanded Psionic Handbook. It has the low low cost of +1 LA. As you can see it has a mere +2 STR +2 CON -2 DEX, but that may be ok since a 25 STR isn't too hard to hit with stat-boosting items at level 28. Is there a point-buy you need to follow for initial stats?
Orenmir
11-06-07, 05:15 PM If LA is an issue, here (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/monsters/halfGiant.htm) is the Half-Giant from the SRD of the Expanded Psionic Handbook. As you can see it has a mere +2 STR +2 CON -2 DEX, but that may be ok since a 25 STR isn't too hard to hit with stat-boosting items at level 28. Is there a point-buy you need to follow for initial stats?

Unless you are going to play a Psionic character, that race is not even worth the LA+1. You'd be much better off playing a Goliath.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
DrPsy 11-04-07, 01:13 AM	I have a Half-Giant, Half-Human, I have been running since 1976, (I've been to the Original TSR in Lake Geneva, WI...) converted from 1st to 2nd. But I am with a new group and new players, who have not seen a character as old as mine, and would really like to use her in the game we are playing now. She is multi-class: Ranger-Cleric: :cool: I would appreciate input on how to convert her (Shaped like an hour glass, but built to pull plow). current attributes are (2nd Ed.): STR 25 DEX 18 CON 18 INT 16 WIS 18 CHA 17 :w00t: I put every potion, scroll, God's gift, etc into improving her attributes: Ran her until 3.0 came out, and then retired her...
Mr_Teapot 11-04-07, 09:52 AM	There was a conversion booklet to change characters from 2nd ed to 3rd ed, but you're really better off just making the character from scratch as a character of appropriate level/class. Half Giant appears in the Expanded Psionics Handbook (and the SRD (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/psionicRaces.htm#halfGiants)). The 3rd ed halfgiant is explicitly based on the Dark Sun half giant, so has some psionic powers, but they're minor. They also have the awesome Powerful Build trait. (If you want a non-psionic half-giant, you could use the stats for a Goliath from Races of Stone and ignore what is written about their character there). I don't think there are any particular Cleric/ranger multiclass PrCs or feats, so you could just go Ranger 10/Cleric 9/Half Giant 1 and work out pretty well. Or do you need ranger at all, mechanically? Really, a cleric with the appropriate domains - Travel and Nature, probably, could act pretty well as a cleric and fit the story/character/flavor of a ranger without having levels in the ranger class per se. Do you have any specific questions about how to do this? What, exactly, do you need help with? Converting a character from one game to another is pretty much the same as making a higher level character when you have a very clear mental image of them: you look through the books and find the abilities and things that allow you to best match your mental image. It will never be perfect, but sometimes the character you wind up with is surprisingly more fun to play than the one in your head/that you played before.
DrPsy 11-04-07, 10:06 AM	Thank-you for the reply.:D I, unfortunately, or fortunately, lack the funds to obtain extra books at this time. I do have the core set, of 3.5 though. So, I do not have access to the texts you mention. I was (BUT thankfully,:w00t: no longer) l am a m.. u.. c.. h.. older medical student when I went to med school, so am still paying back serious loans... And my wife, the Budget master, is trying to get the aforesaid monies paid...:banghead: BUT, I don't have the texts... Thanks; Dr. Shane
Mr_Teapot 11-05-07, 02:47 PM	Thank-you for the reply.:D I, unfortunately, or fortunately, lack the funds to obtain extra books at this time. I do have the core set, of 3.5 though. So, I do not have access to the texts you mention. I was (BUT thankfully,:w00t: no longer) l am a m.. u.. c.. h.. older medical student when I went to med school, so am still paying back serious loans... And my wife, the Budget master, is trying to get the aforesaid monies paid...:banghead: BUT, I don't have the texts... Well, everything you really need for the character would be the Half giant race and information from the Player's Handbook on clerics and rangers. And since the Half giant and the majority of the player's Handbook are both in the System Reference Document, you could build the character entirely out of stuff free online (see the link in my prior post). The other material mentioned is entirely unnecessary, if you don't have it.
Orenmir 11-05-07, 03:22 PM	There are a couple ways to go about this conversion (I recently had to do the same thing with my half frost giant from 2.0). If you don't mind, answer these questions first: What were your original rolls? What level is the PC now? Height and weight? What giant-like abilities does the PC already have? With such high ability scores, the character will obviously have a level adjustment. Depending on other abilities and size, that LA is probably going to be 2 or 3. There is already an official race called Half-Giant (XPH), but I don't think it will fit your character. So, I would suggest homebrewing something (like I did).
DrPsy 11-05-07, 06:01 PM	There are a couple ways to go about this conversion (I recently had to do the same thing with my half frost giant from 2.0). If you don't mind, answer these questions first: What were your original rolls? What level is the PC now? Height and weight? What giant-like abilities does the PC already have? With such high ability scores, the character will obviously have a level adjustment. Depending on other abilities and size, that LA is probably going to be 2 or 3. There is already an official race called Half-Giant (XPH), but I don't think it will fit your character. So, I would suggest homebrewing something (like I did). Thanks for responding: Qriginal Attributes are: STR 25 DEX 18 CON 18 INT 16 WIS 18 CHA 17 HP's: 172 Female (Eh, fickel roll of the dice...) I put every potion, scroll, etc of attribute adjustment into her DEX, INT, WIS, and CHA... 1/2 Storm Giant and 1/2 "Very Large Human Woman" 10 feet tall, 1050 pounds With an "Hour glass shape but built to pull plow!" Pale Skin to a almost blue, Green green eyes, and slight Purple tinge to her Black hair. WELL Muscled. Natural Armor Class Bonus of 2 Gave her 1/2 of the skills / feats of a Storm Giant: (1/2 and then rounded up 1 or to nearest next level if 0.5): So, Hurl Boulders / Catch Boulders 60 pounds to 140 feet. Catch at 60% (Up now to 80%) (Instead of the Lightning capability) Scent/Smell ability. Only surprised on a roll of 1 (Kept that one) Immunity to 1/2 to Electricty Including Blue Dragon's Breathe Balance Climb Craft Weapon Craft Armor Craft Bow Blacksmithing Metalsmithing Levitate: 3x a day Herself plus 1000 pounds Breathe underwater (From Daddy) Languages: Abyssal, Merfolk, Storm Giant, Common, Aerial, Earth, Fire, and Water Elemental, Dwarven and Elven, Common Dragon Current Ranks 9th level Ranger / 9th level Cleric Neutral Good Weapons: A single Glove worn on the Left Hand, which when worn added armor class of 5 and added 2d6 +16 for grapple and unarmed attack; Longsword +5 Vorpal on 19-20, 3d8 + 24; Longsword +5 vs Dragons, +3 normal both: 2d8 +18, +5 to DEX, +3 to STR Greataxe 2 handed, (From Daddy's Clerics) a + 5 Holy Weapon vs Undead, +3 Normal, both 2d10+18; and, From Daddy, a Composite Longbow +5, Unlimited +2 arrows that are also +2d6 Flame, and the Bow adds +3 to DEX; 2 Weapon Fighting, and + advantage to Larger Hominid Ceatures (Basically Giants and Titans) Able to wield both swords w/o penalty Armor: Helm of Might and Armor +1 Half-Plate Armor that gave a 10 to Armor Enhancement Magic Ring of +3 to Dex Necklace of Fireballs +3 (From Daddies Mages) A Ring with a Sapphire Stone worth 5000 Platinum Pieces A Belt of Additional Cleric Spells +1 to levels 1-5 Misc: Potions: 3 of Neutralize Poison 1 of Cure Serious 1 of Barkskin Scrolls: 1 of Prayer 3 of Aid 2 of Dispel Magic 3 of cure Blindness 3 of Cure Disease 4 of Strength Wands: Restoration, 24 charges left Holy Symbol: Of the 5 Elements: Air, Earth, Fire, Water, Spirit Crafted from Platinum, Mithral, Adamamtium, Ebony and Iron Wood Worth 15000 GP (Daddy and Mom, made me earn this with the money from my first several campaignes, and then they taught me Blacksmith, Metal Smith, Craft Armor, Weapon, and Bow Craft) NOW what the group I am with now (Since they have never seena character this "Old" would like to do is convert her, and then level her up to level 28 for an Epic Campaign Thanks;:cool: Dr. Shane
Orenmir 11-05-07, 06:37 PM	Wow! This definitely calls for rebuilding from the ground up. I will need some more time to do the retooling (time to go home now). I could see the LA actually getting up to 4 or 5, if you want. If you'd rather keep the LA low, that's possible too. At level 28, an LA+4 or 5 really won't hurt as much as if you were at, say, level 6! It's worth a shot... Threefists made some half giant templates on this board a while back. I'm pretty sure half storm giant was on it. Try searching for it!
Orenmir 11-05-07, 11:24 PM	Here's a couple of quick stabs at the race: Half Storm Giant -- LA +3 Str +6, Dex -2, Con +4, Wis +2 Natural Armor +4 Large Size Speed 30 Electicity Resistance 10 Low Light Vision OR Half Storm Giant -- LA +4 Str +8, Dex -2, Con +4, Wis +2 Natural Armor +6 Large Size Speed 30 Electicity Resistance 20 Low Light Vision Water Breathing Rock Throwing/Catching (These templates are up for scrutiny from other posters) I would start from the ground up concerning feats and skills. Use the standard starting gold for whatever level you decide to play. With that pool, you can buy all the goodies that you mentioned, especially anything that boosted ability scores. The Scent/Smell ability doesn't really match a storm giant. But, there is a feat (albeit Psionic) from Untapped Potential called Vigilance of the Giants. Basically, you get to act during a surprise round -- which seems like the same intent with your scent/smell ability. With a DM's approval, you could adapt this feat. She seems to know way too many languages (her intelligence only allows for 3). Stick with Common, Giant, and something else you fancy.
Orenmir 11-05-07, 11:36 PM	Here, I found the half giant templates from Threefists: http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=834509 The Storm Giant is on the first page, about half-way down. It's not tailored to your character; but, much more time and effort went into this template.
arjomanes 11-06-07, 04:49 PM	If LA is an issue, here (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/monsters/halfGiant.htm) is the Half-Giant from the SRD of the Expanded Psionic Handbook. It has the low low cost of +1 LA. As you can see it has a mere +2 STR +2 CON -2 DEX, but that may be ok since a 25 STR isn't too hard to hit with stat-boosting items at level 28. Is there a point-buy you need to follow for initial stats?
Orenmir 11-06-07, 05:15 PM	If LA is an issue, here (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/monsters/halfGiant.htm) is the Half-Giant from the SRD of the Expanded Psionic Handbook. As you can see it has a mere +2 STR +2 CON -2 DEX, but that may be ok since a 25 STR isn't too hard to hit with stat-boosting items at level 28. Is there a point-buy you need to follow for initial stats? Unless you are going to play a Psionic character, that race is not even worth the LA+1. You'd be much better off playing a Goliath.