Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 nazralte Feb 10, 2009 11:47:02	Going to start playing D&D again (its been a few years for me) and I have an adventure from the Kingdoms of Kalamar setting I used in the past with a different group. Since this new group has only used 4E (and only like once so far) I figured it would be easier for me to convert the adventure then to try and have them learn 3E as well. So other than switching out monsters/NPCs for their 4E counterpart and make sure the magic weapons fit 4E, what else should I worry about when thinking of converting?
#2 koradzi Feb 10, 2009 11:52:58	For me, the biggest issue with converting 3e campaigns to Fouth has been the changes to the baseline races and classes. The old-school races have gone through some changes, and there are a few new ones to find a place for; and if the setting relies heavily on Barbarians or Sorcerors (for example), you're going to have to find some homebrew rules for them.
#3 ostrakon Feb 10, 2009 12:49:37	Define "easy." I think it's easy, but I still design my monsters and treasure by the new rules, going back to 3.XE stats for inspiration as to what powers and stats to give them. For example, I'm going through Elder Evils to stat all the Atropus-related guys for a new campaign.
#4 Vatras Feb 10, 2009 13:49:04	Simply switching out an 3E ogre for a 4E one won't work, btw, as creatures are not on the same powerlevel as before (this is just one example). You will have to check the treasure in general, if you wish to conform to 4E wealth distribution. In older modules is much more treasure than in 4E. A group of five gets only four items during the course of a full level (typically 9 encounters and a quest reward), while in 3E a single NPC could have that much. The same goes for the monetary treasure. Traps and hazards have changed completely and need to be reworked into an encounter. Many old encounters just don't work in 4E. Meeting a Glyph of Warding in 3E is a "save or bite the dust" event, in 4E it is an event involving skills, which needs some support to make it challenging. Creature encounters with low level critters could be a real fight in 3E, but not in 4E. There are no more "save or lose" effects in 4E, as the good old Hold Person in 1st Edition for example. When redesigning encounters you have to think about the surroundings and what kinds of effects (if any) it should have (see terrain definitions and effects in the DMG).
#5 fireinthedust Feb 11, 2009 22:54:55	I agree with the above. Keep in mind that a lot of monsters now are... well, stat blocks for one fight that are described as a creature with that race/class combination. Like the Tiefling Heretic is effectively an infernal pact warlock. It's not build like a 3e version would be (taking the base Tiefling and adding class levels) but rather you have the numbers you need for that combat and describe it in that context. So for 4e you can have vastly different statted monsters be the same "type" of monster. Like the goblins: the hexer vs. the cutters. If you have the PCs fighting Drow at low levels (which they could before), use other monsters and re-describe them how you'd like. The Humans and Elves in the 4e MM can sub in nicely; as can the Tiefling Heretic. Once the drow ambush begins and the "drow" come out of hiding and attack, if you get me. Something to keep in mind if you don't want to design your own lower level versions of monsters like Drow who would be too high level for the PCs.
#6 wizarddog Feb 13, 2009 0:22:04	You have two options in dealing with 3e to 4e converts. 1. Stay true to the monsters and make 4e versions by adjusting levels and powers. i.e. Make a 2nd level Drow Skrimisher. 2. Swapping different monsters. i.e. Make the Drow 2nd Level Elven Archers. Swapping different monsters and calling them the monster you want. So swap with the Elven archers and say they are Drow. The last thing you have to deal with is that 4e relies on multiple foes fighting the PC's rather than a single. You can use a solo, but the real challenge is multiple enemies of different type. You also have to be careful in how many can actually fit on the map. 4 medum foes that take up a 10x10 room are just an easy target for a wizard. ;)
#7 itarakoturo Feb 18, 2009 18:28:34	For an example of a 3.5 campaign converted to 4th Edition, check the link in my signature.