Dungeons & Dragons: 3.5e vs. 5th Edition
While 5th Edition (5e) D&D has been out and running for well over half-a-decade, some still prefer the acclaimed 3.5e. Why is that? Are they crazy?
Alas, I was not of age to play Dungeons & Dragons when Gary Gygax created the 1st Edition in 1974 (which then became the now-famous “Advanced Dungeons & Dragons”), nor was I playing when the 2nd Edition in the ‘80s-’90s. I got started later, years after 3.5 had been out and surpassed. Yet, my first foray into the world of TTRPGs (Tabletop Roleplaying Games) was as a Rogue Gnome named Slink Featherfoot in D&D 3.5. At the time, it was all I knew. In retrospect, I have given a good deal of thought as to why my DM Nick chose to run our first campaign in 3.5 (the actual answer, I think, is “it’s what he knew best”), which in many ways is considerably more complex than later editions. So I figured a good side-by-side comparison would be helpful for players new and old.
3.5 Pros:
Been around a long time, accumulating a vast array of materials to choose and customize from
Contains the most comprehensive list of skills, spells, and abilities
Utilizes Prestige Classes (of which there are dozens, and way more if you include semi- or non-official materials)
Tons of books and adventures lend to a variety of game-play options and styles
3.5 Cons:
An overwhelming number of choices, intimidating for first-time/new players
A grab-bag of “homebrew” options floating on the internet with similar or identical names of official options can get muddled and confusing
Outdated, with fewer accessories still available for purchase (like spell cards and manuals)
5e Pros:
Newest edition, makes it easy to get started with online/in-store resources readily available
Version most people nowadays use and are familiar with, making it easier to find a group to play with
Streamlined character choices may be less confusing for newbies
Combat, skills, and spells are less complicated, and there are fewer abilities to remember/choose from
5e Cons:
Lacks the versatility and customization that 3.5 has, making characters often seem incredibly similar, even at later levels
Not as much material out there (spells, adventures, feats), although more UA (Unearthed Arcana, AKA additional official material for DMs and players) is coming out monthly
Fewer in-game options for certain skills or combat functions (how many times does your Barbarian player sigh and say, “I hit it with a sword”?)
Conclusion:
I have an affinity for 3.5, since it’s where I got my start. To an extent, I miss the variety of options offered in that version. I recently “ported” my 3.5 character over the 5e, and I was quite disappointed at how much of his inherent flavor he had lost due to the more limited array of magic items, feats, niche multi-classing/Prestige Class options, and insanely high-ranked skills (who doesn’t love a +28 to Stealth?). However, as I’ve gotten used to 5e, I’ve come to appreciate its elegant simplicity. If you know how to play, you can dig deeper and create more fun options for your character, and with the constant additions of new UA, the game is growing quickly while still being more manageable than 3.5. As a Pro DM who has coached a lot of new players, the game is far easier to teach and for first-time players to latch onto, keeping them interested longer and letting them focus on RPing (Role-playing) and having fun. Levels progress so quickly early on, new characters gain abilities at a rapid enough pace that it keeps things exciting. Still, the amount of insane power-building (or “min-max’ing”) available in 3.5 makes it fun as hell for veteran players looking to create the most outrageous characters out there.
In short, I’m leaning towards 5e. Not only is it much easier to get into and to find merchandise (not to mention players), but it lets players focus much more on the story-telling aspects of the game, rather than complex builds and wacky magic items that can easily unbalance the game. But if you’re feeling adventurous (and have some experience in TTRPGs), I really would advocate trying a 3.5 one-shot or mini-campaign with someone who’s played it before…and hey, guess what! We hear at Tabletop Now would love to whet your appetite for older editions with such a game!