Converting 2nd edition stats to 3rd edition

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Does anyone know of a good formula (or whatever) that can be used to convert prime stats from 2nd edition into 3rd (or 3.5) edition? Or vice versa?

I know that 2nd edition stats of 25 = 3rd edition stats of 40, but I haven't been able to work out how those compare. I know it's not just a matter of multiplying the stats * 1.6 (otherwise 2nd edition stats of 18 would be equal to 3rd edition stats of 28.8!).

So, does anyone know just how it's done?

Thanks!

[ September 22, 2007, 16:50: Message edited by: Acrux ]

 

I would say that up to 18, the numbers would translate straight across. It's past 18, I have no ideas...

 

I don't think you can do the straight math like this. Especially with Strength you have to be very careful, since 3E does away with the "extraordinary strength" for warrior types. An increase from 18 to 19 in 2E is tremendous, and more like what 18 to 28 would be in 3E. And again, the benefits you get in 2E from raising Strength to 25 are much more substantial than raising, say, Dexterity or Constitution to 25 (in terms of actual number of increases).

 

Just drop the Exceptional strength. Fighters get the extra feats, so they don't need that bonus.

If you insist, look at the second edition categories then apply that, like 18/01 is 19, 18/51 is 20, 18/76 becomes 21, 18/91 translates as 22, and 18/100 tops at 23. I just think that's too over the top...

 

Instead they're the weakest class by far.

 

I'm not so sure of that. Those feats, if selected right, make thema quintessential part of a party.

They do tend to fall into the trap of being one dimensional if you focus too much...

 

Back when I bought D&D 3.0 PHB it came with a booklet to convert 2E to 3E characters, worked okie enough.

Generally keep stat for stat, remove old 2E race modifiers and reaply new racial modifiers (Think this was optional as I didn't do it myself).

Feats and skills etc are trickier as there are no direct similarities per say. Non weapon proficiences and weapon proficiencies have similarities though, just try to pick things fairly in "theme" with such if you have them.

 

The conversion manual should still be available for download from Wizards of the Coast.