How does 3E work in comparison to ADnD?

ReignsOfPower · Post by **ReignsOfPower** » Sun Jan 20, 2002 1:10 am

Just a simple question. I have been hearing this stuff about ref, fort saves and i have also heared that we will not see multiply 18 stat characters anymore.

Why not?
Please help me.
Thanks in advance for any help.

Craig · Post by **Craig** » Sun Jan 20, 2002 4:14 am

you have point buy

Pebz · Post by **Pebz** » Sun Jan 20, 2002 5:28 am

There are only three types of saving throws in 3E: Fortitude (con), Reflex (dext) and Will (wis) saving throws.

And as craig said, you have a point buy system (from 25 to 30 points). All stats start out at 8 (for humans), then it costs:

1 point for everything between 8 and 14 (6 points for 14)

2 points for everything between 14 and 16 (10 points for 16)

3 points for everything between 16 and 18 (16 points for 18).

There are also racial modifiers:
Elf: +2 dext, -2 con
Dwarf: +2 con, -2 char
Half-orc: +2 str, -2 int, -2 char
Halfling: +2 dext, -2 str
Gnome: +2 con, -2 str

Skuld · Post by **Skuld** » Sun Jan 20, 2002 3:19 pm

I was also a little confused when I heard about 3rd edition rules. I have played BG and IWD before and kinda got used to the whole THAC0 business being that I never actually played AD&D before I think I had pretty good grasp on everything except multiclassing. But if you wanna get aquainted with 3rd edition rules before NWN comes out there is one game out that uses 3rd edition rules. It's called Pool of Radiance. It's and overhead view game like BG, but the fighting system is turn based. The game has it's pros and cons, some love it and some hate it. But I think this game is a good intro to 3rd edition rules. And if you do wanna get this game there is a speed adjuster for it and the game shouldn't be played without it. One more thing about PoR when you make your party create your own characters and don't start with a Sorceror because there's one right in the first dungeon and he's lvl 3. Sorry to spoil it but having two sorcerors is just ridiculous in this game. And if you're interested check out the PoR forum. Hope this helps.

Pebz · Post by **Pebz** » Sun Jan 20, 2002 3:40 pm

Or buy the [url="http://store.wizards.com/product.asp?ProductID=3628"]Player Handbook[/url]

Xyx · Post by **Xyx** » Sun Jan 20, 2002 4:44 pm

Or... Read just about all of it for free at [url="http://www.opengamingfoundation.org/srd.html"]www.opengamingfoundation.org[/url].

Xandax · Post by **Xandax** » Sun Jan 20, 2002 10:47 pm

Originally posted by craig:
<STRONG>you have point buy</STRONG>

This is just one of the ways to create a chracter - one can still roll like in 2.ed.

Pebz · Post by **Pebz** » Mon Jan 21, 2002 5:25 am

Originally posted by Xyx:
<STRONG>Or... Read just about all of it for free at [url="http://www.opengamingfoundation.org/srd.html"]www.opengamingfoundation.org[/url]. </STRONG>

Yes, you could... but the book looks soooo much nicer

Nightmare · Post by **Nightmare** » Mon Jan 21, 2002 6:16 pm

3E doesn't use THAC0. AC is the opposite (the higher the better; no more negatives).

Skuld · Post by **Skuld** » Tue Jan 22, 2002 1:59 am

The way the to hit roll in 3E works, from what I understand, is that you roll a d20 add your attack bonus whatever it may be and that's the AC you can hit. Therefore the higher the AC the better. And yes THACO is gone, but I like this way better. It's a change and a move forward for D&D. Also when multiclassing there are favored classes now:
Elf - Sorceror
Halfling - Rogue
Dwarf - Fighter
Half-Orc - Barbarian
Half-Elf - highest class
Human - highest class
Also there's a -20% XP penalty for each class not within one level of the others. But when determining this the favored class doesn't count. And if you have a Half-Elf or Human the higest class is always the favored class. So if you have a Dwarf lvl 8 Fighter/lvl 3 Rogue/lvl 4 Cleric, you will recieve no penalty, but if you have a Dwarf lvl 8 Fighter/lvl 3 Rogue/lvl 5 Cleric, you will recieve -20% XP until the Rogue and Cleric are once again withing one level of each other. I hope some of this makes sense. And for new player I think it'll be a lot more user friendly system, in which the players get a little more control.

ReignsOfPower · Post by **ReignsOfPower** » Wed Feb 06, 2002 2:05 am

Thanks for your help guys.
I went out and bought all three book. I agree they are very nice indeed. I got the Monster Manual, Players Handbook and Dungon Masters book too.

Hey, what is the chance of a party of 6 all at level 20 with a Paladin, Ranger, Fighter, Mage, Cleric and Theif beating a Titan? They have a challenge rating of 21. I think this is very impressive considering a Greater Wyrum Gold Dragon was a challenge rating of 26.