Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 Edition is a 2003 revision of D&D Third Edition.
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Does a summoned monster's alignment matter?
I am playing in a 3.5 game recently, and a question has come up that none of us could really answer.
Does the alignment of a summoned monster (as per the Summon Monster I-IX spells) matter at all?
For ...
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3answers
453 views
Is an Ooze a living creature?
Is an Ooze or something with Ooze traits a living creature for the purposes of things like Vampiric Touch?
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5answers
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How to reduce minis dependence in d20-based games?
In Pathfinder and similar versions of D&D, there is a lot more miniatures/tactical map dependence than in earlier versions (and in most other RPGs). I am interested in reducing the dependence on ...
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3answers
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If you store a personal spell in a wand, can you then target other creatures with that spell?
I'm aware that you can't brew a potion from any spell with range:personal, target:you, since it is restricted to:
any 3rd-level or lower spell that you know and that targets one or more creatures
...
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5answers
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Crit Fighter in DnD 3.5
I had a friend tell me about a DnD 3.5 specialization for a fighter class, the crit fighter. Somehow, using the int score, this class would lower the die needed for a crit, and could, for instance, ...
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5answers
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Help with epic battle
As a core part of the campaign I'm about to start, I want to include a poem detailing the last stand of a valiant paladin against a number of giants. He dies valiantly to save a town the giants were ...
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7answers
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What are some quality low-magic d20 (3.5e/PF) systems?
The title pretty much says it all. I'm getting ready to run a very low-magic (but high martial combat/adventure) Pathfinder campaign, and am looking for any systems to draw mechanics and inspiration ...
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What's the difference between a Ranger and a Scout?
Apparently the Complete Adventurer contains rules for a new base class, the Scout.
Can anyone explain, at a high-level, what is the difference in character concept between a Ranger and a Scout? When ...
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1answer
230 views
How can I balance an encounter with reinforcements?
I've been planning encounters that come in two parts or have reinforcements recently, and it occurs to me that reinforcements don't have the same effect on an encounter as if they were there from the ...
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6answers
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Rules for creating new spells?
Is there a good source for allowing players to create new (non-epic-level) spells, or combining spells?
For example, how can a Wizard research and create a new spell? What if a sorcerer improvises ...
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2answers
648 views
Do fire spells cast underwater still affect creatures vulnerable to fire?
Related Question: Can magic items that deal fire damage function underwater?
As mentioned in the above question:
From the DMG p93:
Spells or spell-like effects with the
fire descriptor are ...
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7answers
443 views
Do any resources exist which cover player governance of a population
I have some players who would be interested in managing their own city. Is there any literature out there which covers the ins and outs of PCs governing a populace?
Some example scenarios:
The PCs ...
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1answer
943 views
Is smite evil damage multiplied by a critical hit?
In Pathfinder, smite damage adds +paladin level (or 2xpaladin level) to damage when smiting evil. The rules for critical hits say:
"A critical hit means that you roll
your damage more than once, ...
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4answers
436 views
What happens to a returning weapon if someone else grabs and throws it?
As per the SRD, "A returning weapon flies through the air back to the creature that threw it. It returns to the thrower just before the creature’s next turn", so before the thrower's next turn, the ...
13
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2answers
366 views
Does expeditious retreat affect warlock fly speed
Expeditious Retreat says
This spell increases your base land speed by 30 feet. (This adjustment is treated as an enhancement bonus.) There is no effect on other modes of movement, such as burrow, ...
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Why did WotC release Psionics under the OGL?
Wizards of the Coast released the core rules of D&D 3.5 under the OGL, but only added a small amount of material after that point.
Was there some historical reason that the rules for psionics ...
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8answers
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Vow of Poverty, overpowered or underpowered?
I have read plenty of things about VoP in forums, and i have seen both opinions expressed.
If i understand it correctly, it does work on the assumption of a linear magic item acquisition from the ...
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7answers
933 views
“Ray of Frost” Spell + Water = Lock Broken?
I played only D&D 3.0 and 3.5 editions, but if similar, low-level spells exist in D&D 4.0 and Pathfidnder, please comment, I will probably make a transition to one of them anyway.
Is it ...
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7answers
539 views
A level 18 wizard's heritage (treasure) in DnD3.5
To cut a long story very short, the campaign's opening story ends with the following: The party's mentor, master and "step-father", a level 18 neutral evil wizard who dabbled in shadow magic, is dead, ...
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5answers
303 views
How can I balance an enemy that my players might encounter at different levels?
My story revolves around 8 angels that my players must defeat. The thing is I want them to look for them in no particular order. How can I balance an enemy easily in advance, since they may encounter ...
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5answers
373 views
Should the DM try to actively fix party wealth in a sandbox game?
This question is inspired by this WBL question. The consensus seems to be that WBL is important. But in a sandbox game , where the course of action is determined by the players, what should be DM's ...
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4answers
560 views
Reasons to multiclass in 3.5
I have been playing AD&D (and some other systems) for a long time, but I am new to 3.5/Pathfinder. I have just started looking at the optimization material, and it seems that multiclassing with ...
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3answers
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Why are whips so restricted?
The bard has always been a bit of an unusual class. One thing, though, that I've really enjoyed about the bard is that they get Exotic Weapon Proficiency (whip) for free.
However, after playing a bit ...
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4answers
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What are the benefits of playing an alignment other than True Neutral?
Alignments of Good, Evil, Lawful & Chaotic seem to be hindrances. They affect your spell choice slightly, restrict certain equipment and worst of all, they make you weak to certain forms of ...
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5answers
630 views
Is there a system for modeling insanity in d20 3.5?
I'm running a Dungeons and Dragons 3.5 (not Pathfinder) game, and I want to create a system by which players can use certain abilities, but at the cost of sanity and self-control. Is there a system ...
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3answers
266 views
Character development suggestions for a low Dexterity character?
I read in some book (forget which) that players should use a low ability score as an opportunity for character development; for example, a low Con character could have insecurities and be very ...
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5answers
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How does telepathy work
I would like peoples opinions on this ability.
According to the MM books, telepathy is described as
A creature with this ability (supernatural) can communicate telepathically with any other ...
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3answers
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How can I make an opponent flat-footed?
I'm playing a ninja in a 3.5 game right now. They have an ability that is like sneak attack, but only works when the opponent is denied their dex bonus, and not when simply flanking. I'm only first ...
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2answers
1k views
Do Class Skill Bonuses Count as Ranks?
In Pathfinder do class skill bonuses count as ranks, especially for the purpose of prestige classing, or are they a generic bonus?
If they are a bonus, how should I adjust the required ranks for ...
12
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1answer
274 views
Does a creature with a 10 ft reach due to giant size still only get a 5 ft step?
This is likely a simple question for an experienced player/DM, but I am wondering if very large creatures can take larger "steps" without provoking attacks of opportunity in battle in DnD v3.5. ...
12
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2answers
771 views
D&D 3.5: Polymorphed Rust Monster vs. Iron Golem
GMs hate me because of my sheer resourcefulness. This situation presented itself during a 3.0 game, and I'm wondering how it would play out in a 3.5 game. The party was attacked by an iron golem. I ...
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1answer
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How does an Intelligence penalty affect skill points when character-building/leveling-up?
In character-building/leveling-up, you take your class's skill points and add your Int bonus. So a Fighter gets 2 Plus their Int bonus. Say my fighter is really smart(16) he'll get 2+3 (int bonus) ...
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1answer
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A spell stacking question
I've a couple of questions regarding stacking multiple area effect spells:
Does Celestial Brilliance spell (BoED p94) stack with itself? That is, if two instances of this spell are cast and an evil ...
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3answers
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Calculating and balancing challenge ratings
Are there standard rules for calculating CR of groups? For example, in my Pathfinder bestiary, a single Stirge is listed as CR 1/2, and a group of 2d4 (average 5) of them is listed as an average CR 4.
...
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3answers
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How can I convert D&D 3.5 to 2nd Edition or older AD&D?
I have accumulated a lot of D&D 3.5 modules and adventure settings, but I play older editions of the game. What is the best way to convert these to an older edition, say AD&D 2nd edition? Is ...
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1answer
414 views
What's the history of the Darkness spell?
In D&D 3.0, the darkness spell was a sphere of blackness, impenetrable even to darkvision, which was terrifyingly powerful (except against demons and devils).
In D&D 3.5, it's a zone of 20% ...
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3answers
542 views
Is the banshee's wail a death attack?
The banshee is described on page 30 of the Monster Manual II:
Wail (Su): During the night, a banshee can loose a deadly wail. This attack can slay up to eighteen living creatures within a 30-foot ...
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5answers
841 views
Reasonable stats for a god (DR 25)
I'm constructing a god based on a video game boss to assist a DM friend of mine, which means that ultimately it is intended that the players may (or perhaps WILL) confront his avatar. Given this, I ...
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2answers
253 views
What does Detect [Alignment] show for a possessed creature?
What does Detect [Alignment] reveal about a creature that is possessed? Does it reveal the presence of the base creature's alignment, the possessing creature's alignment, or both?
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5answers
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What's the nicest way to handle lycanthropy when it comes to XP?
I've been running some published adventures in D&D 3.5 and two of the PCs in the party have contracted lycanthropy (they're now were-rats). They've had their first night of the full-moon. While ...
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3answers
594 views
Balancing a monk variant with full base attack bonus
I'm gearing up for a 2-person campaign (my wife and myself, with myself as DM). The party will be two characters, with occasional hirelings/NPCs. One of the characters will be a DMPC (we've run one ...
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3answers
391 views
Limits and rules for Silent/Minor/Major Image spells
What are the limits of Image spells?
An example in the 'All about Illusions' articles on wizards.com (1, 2, 3, 4) is an illusionary guard: Can I make the guard (keeping concentration) dissolve into ...
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3answers
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Any good premade campaigns for beginners?
Does anyone know of some good premade campaigns for a small (not more than 5) players, all of whom are new to D&D? I want to start them at low level since they haven't played before. I'm finding ...
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5answers
866 views
Character build for Gandalf in D&D3.5?
In my groups next campaign I am hoping to be a PC instead of the DM and I want to play a character who is like Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. I began looking at options; he would ...
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5answers
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Staying awake in-game in DnD3.5
A rather basic question, I guess, yet it came up and we've found we're not sure anymore:
What do you roll to see if a PC can stay awake on guard duty?
(...after a day's march through winter terrain, ...
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3answers
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How does time work in 3.5/Pathfinder?
I am wondering about preparing spells per day. How long is a day? One session?
Also some spells last 15 minutes. How long is that during a combat encounter?
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4answers
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Help turning my NPC Druid Undead
I have an upper level NPC druid that I plan on killing and then making undead, along with his animal companion.
1) Do the rules allow the undead animal companion in this situation? (If so does it ...
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5answers
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Can a horse start a grapple?
I know it defies suspension of disbelief, but what official rule can I show a rules lawyer player that "proves" a horse can't start a grapple?
If the answer needs to distinguish between animal ...
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6answers
572 views
How can I make my adventures more bard-inclusive?
For whatever reason, it seems that no one in my campaigns ever chooses to play a bard. I am beginning to wonder if it has something to do with the adventures I construct as our game's DM. These ...
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7answers
660 views
Systems similar to D&D 3.5
We have recently finished our very first campaign in D&D 3.5, after well over two years in play - the thing is, it was a to be continued type of ending, and we intend to continue playing in the ...
