How do I Convert D&D 3rd Editon to 4th Edition?

Try this conversion from third to fourth edition before re-rolling!

Converting a role-playing character from the third edition of Dungeons & Dragons to the fourth is not easy with the new rule changes. The third edition had many accessory books that introduced material that is not incorporated in the core rulebooks of the fourth edition, such as new classes, races or spells. The best way to convert your character under the new rules is to capture the essence of your character, consider your options in the new game, and rebuild with the old character concept in mind.

Things You'll Need

• Scratch paper
• Pencil
• D&D fourth edition character sheet
• D&D Player's Handbook, fourth edition

Instructions

1. Consult your Game Master. Discuss the rules of the game and determine if she is implementing any new house rules or variants.

2. Determine your character's concept. Boil the multi-faceted complexities of your character down to a core idea. Think about how your character performed in the adventuring party and in the game. Consider how he used the rules. What made him different from the other characters?

3. Reconsider your character's race. Races in the new game have been revamped with different philosophies and flavors, and your old character's race may not fit into the new character model. (Gnomes, for example, are a non-playable race in the core rules.)

4. Review the options available in fourth edition. Apply your character concept to an appropriate and available race, and to one of the four character roles in the game: controller, defender, leader or striker.

5. Further define how your character will fill that role by selecting a class build (found under the "Creating a [Class]" heading under each class's description in chapter 4: Character Classes of the Player's Handbook), which suggests skills, feats and powers for that particular character concept. The predetermined class builds are an optional but easy way to insert your character into a defined role and concept in the game.

6. Complete the conversion by filling in the above information and any further details on your character sheet with a pencil. Ask your GM for assistance if you need it.

Tips & Warnings

• When determining your character concept, consider the role that you played in the third edition. Where you a hulking warrior, a sniping spell caster, a stealthy scout, ...?

• Many skills have been renamed and drastically reduced in number or enveloped by a larger skill name. In the third edition a player might have invested ranks in Jump, Swim and Climb, but now only invests in the Athletics skill to perform all the same functions.

• A highly multi-classed character in the third edition will be difficult to pin down in the fourth edition.

References

• "Dungeons & Dragons Player's Handbook: Arcane, Divine, and Martial Heroes"; Rob Heinsoo, Andy Collins, James Wyatt; 2008

Resources

• Converting Your Character: The Player's Handbook
• Converting Your Character, Part 2: Complete Adventurer
• Converting Your Character, Part 3: Complete Warrior
• Converting Your Character, Part 5: Complete Arcane
• Converting Your Character, Part 6: Complete Divine