This may not be the right forum for this but I'm curious how difficult it is to take classic modules (say from DMG) and adapt them to the 5e rule-set. I've recently returned to D&D after about a 25-year absence and I'm loving the hell out of it but as I peruse through the classic content on DMG I can remember all the fun I had playing all those 1st & 2nd ed. modules. Any thoughts/opinions/strategies would be most appreciated!
Wizards of the Coast has a 4 page pdf titled "Conversions to 5th edition D&D" that is a good place to start. It deals both with character and rule conversions. Once you get the hang of 5th edition and follow that pdf they're not too difficult to convert but will take a bit of time/prep.
Prep time will definitely increase. Location and story elements probably won't change, but monsters may have different CR than they used to, items probably changed a lot, skill checks might need to be adjusted too.
Adventures from 1st and 2nd Editions convert pretty easily as far a monsters go. The only time you really need to put in work is when one of the bad guys was a first edition cleric 3/rogue 2 or something.
Change any challenges, ie traps, using the new DC system 5 easy 10 medium 15 hard 20 difficult, and any damage using the damage tables from the dmg to determine how deadly you want it by party level.
For Monsters, use Kobold Fight Club online to input new numbers of monsters and come up with challenge ratings and to do a quick substitute if needed.
For the last 4 years I have been converting basic edition adventures for my kids on the fly, and I never had a problem.
Thanks for the suggestions! I've recently purchased all the 1st & 2nd edition Dragonlance modules (it's my all time favorite fantasy setting) and am looking forward to trying the conversion out on them.
Thanks for the suggestions! I've recently purchased all the 1st & 2nd edition Dragonlance modules (it's my all time favorite fantasy setting) and am looking forward to trying the conversion out on them.
I remember some of the old dragonlance modules well! Definitely some great content to work with. Just echoing what others have said that especially 2nd converts easily. Enjoy and good luck!
One thing to look out for is the amount of magic items in adventures from early editions, and perhaps even compare their old stats to the new. One adventure I slotted into my 5e campaign rewarded a Staff of Frost, and I neglected to look up the 5e stats to that. The rest of the level 1-3 adventure was mostly fine as written, but giving the party a couple of daily level 4-6 spells was a mistake at that level.
This may not be the right forum for this but I'm curious how difficult it is to take classic modules (say from DMG) and adapt them to the 5e rule-set. I've recently returned to D&D after about a 25-year absence and I'm loving the hell out of it but as I peruse through the classic content on DMG I can remember all the fun I had playing all those 1st & 2nd ed. modules. Any thoughts/opinions/strategies would be most appreciated!
Wizards of the Coast has a 4 page pdf titled "Conversions to 5th edition D&D" that is a good place to start. It deals both with character and rule conversions. Once you get the hang of 5th edition and follow that pdf they're not too difficult to convert but will take a bit of time/prep.
Prep time will definitely increase. Location and story elements probably won't change, but monsters may have different CR than they used to, items probably changed a lot, skill checks might need to be adjusted too.
Adventures from 1st and 2nd Editions convert pretty easily as far a monsters go. The only time you really need to put in work is when one of the bad guys was a first edition cleric 3/rogue 2 or something.
Thanks! I've found 5e to be pretty easy to get into, it is amazing how much memory comes back once you start dipping into the lore again.
Very easy, I can do it on the fly.
Change any challenges, ie traps, using the new DC system 5 easy 10 medium 15 hard 20 difficult, and any damage using the damage tables from the dmg to determine how deadly you want it by party level.
For Monsters, use Kobold Fight Club online to input new numbers of monsters and come up with challenge ratings and to do a quick substitute if needed.
For the last 4 years I have been converting basic edition adventures for my kids on the fly, and I never had a problem.
Thanks for the suggestions! I've recently purchased all the 1st & 2nd edition Dragonlance modules (it's my all time favorite fantasy setting) and am looking forward to trying the conversion out on them.
I remember some of the old dragonlance modules well! Definitely some great content to work with. Just echoing what others have said that especially 2nd converts easily. Enjoy and good luck!
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by chance would you have a link to this WOTC article? its not on DNDBeyond, that I've found anyways.
If you type “Conversions to 5th edition D&D” into google it’s the very first thing that pops up.
https://media.wizards.com/2015/downloads/dnd/DnD_Conversions_1.0.pdf
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One thing to look out for is the amount of magic items in adventures from early editions, and perhaps even compare their old stats to the new. One adventure I slotted into my 5e campaign rewarded a Staff of Frost, and I neglected to look up the 5e stats to that. The rest of the level 1-3 adventure was mostly fine as written, but giving the party a couple of daily level 4-6 spells was a mistake at that level.
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