Translating Homebrew class(es) from 2e to 3.5e

[Shockwave]

So, I'm currently in the process of translating my 2e Homebrew world in to 3.5e, and part of that process is translating the classes across. Now I'm currently looking at the 3 "wizard" classes, Self-taught, Schooled (Standard Wizard), Tutored (Specialist)

Now something about my Homebrew, all magic is "dirty" and casting a spell draws on energies from other worlds, and all Arcane casting has to cleaned/ flittered through a focus (Simple item attuned to the owner, though schooled and Tutored are more restricted on their choices) or you risk bringing through negative plane style critters along with the magic energy. To "counter" this downside all three get to wear light armours as a class ability, though Schooled and Tutored gain that ability at later levels, where as Self-taught get it out of the gate, now in 2e there is no "arcane spell failure chance" it's an on/ off thing, you can either cast spells wearing armour, or you can't, so that is something I need to overcome.

Now Schooled and Tutored are by most accounts straight forward, just need a solution to the Arcane Spell Failure.

Now, the bigger difficulty, the Self taught. in 2e it was a Thief/ wizard hybrid (No, not a multi-class, get that out of your head)


The class starts with access to only 4 school of magic, and learns the other 4 as they progress up the levels
Whenever they cast a spell, they have to do a save vs breathweapon (worst/2nd worst type of save for the wizard class) or take damage equal to the spells level.
Class can become proficient in Thief class weapons.
Class has access to a smaller number of Thief abilities (Backstab/ Hide/ Move Silently/ Climb walls etc)


Now, I have the following ideas for this.
1 - Straight forward, can keep that pretty much unchanged I think (Either 5/7/9/11 or 7/9/11/13)
2 - Again easy change, this is now a Fort save DC15 (thinking of blending the Reflex and Will saves a bit)
3 - No such thing as "thief class" in 3.5, it's Simple or Martial and it's auto proficiency, thinking of just copying the entry under Rogue in the 3.5PHB, not a difficulty I think.
4 - Ah, yeah, a good portion of what was previously the "thief's personal playground" is now in 3.5 in Open Domain, and accessible via Cross class skills. The only ability that is still only available to Rogue is Sneak Attack, everything else appears to be just a Class Skill.

It's this last section I'm struggling with in regards to the translation/ blending. Being that I have little no experience with 3.5, balance concerns are an issue, I have no 3.5 compass for balancing via experience/ intuition.

Other things of importance, D6 Hit Dice, Skill Points (8+Int Bonus, x4 for 1st level). Saves and Skills are Rogue based.

So, can anyone help on the missing elements (Abilities unlocked at which level? Arcane failure chance?) - Have I missed anything balance wise?

Thanks

[Eurus]

There's precedent for classes in 3.5 getting the ability to cast spells in light armor without arcane spell failure, either from level one or at a later level, so I think that's fine. I would suggest giving it to Self-Taught at level 1, and the other two at level 3 or 4.

3.5 actually gives the rogue quite a few class features to choose from, so you could potentially do a lot. If you think sneak attack sounds fun you could give them 1d6 sneak attack every three or four levels. Evasion is a useful and thematic ability, and so are Trapfinding and Uncanny Dodge.

[Arkanist]

Do you think you could share the rules for the classes you're trying to convert?

[Shockwave]

Sorry for the delay in replying, I stopped checking after 5 days


There's precedent for classes in 3.5 getting the ability to cast spells in light armor without arcane spell failure, either from level one or at a later level, so I think that's fine. I would suggest giving it to Self-Taught at level 1, and the other two at level 3 or 4.
Can you advise as to where this precedent is?


3.5 actually gives the rogue quite a few class features to choose from, so you could potentially do a lot. If you think sneak attack sounds fun you could give them 1d6 sneak attack every three or four levels. Evasion is a useful and thematic ability, and so are Trapfinding and Uncanny Dodge.
I would love to show you what I have for a 1st draft, but my post count is preventing me from posting links


Do you think you could share the rules for the classes you're trying to convert?
As above, I have the images of my work, but post count is preventing me from posting links

[noob]

Sorry for the delay in replying, I stopped checking after 5 days


Can you advise as to where this precedent is?


I would love to show you what I have for a 1st draft, but my post count is preventing me from posting links


As above, I have the images of my work, but post count is preventing me from posting links

I believe the Battlemage have the ability to cast arcane spell while in armour.

By the way the entire class you are designing reminds me a slight bit of the beguiler (http://srd.dndtools.org/srd/classes/basePhb2/beguiler.html) that also can cast while in armour, is sightly roguish and have spells up to the ninth level but from a limited number of schools(fixed list caster so not as strong as straight wizard casting).

[Shockwave]

I believe the Battlemage have the ability to cast arcane spell while in armour.

By the way the entire class you are designing reminds me a slight bit of the that also can cast while in armour, is sightly roguish and have spells up to the ninth level but from a limited number of schools(fixed list caster so not as strong as straight wizard casting).

Thanks for the reply, I can see why (Without seeing the basis) you would think a Beguiler would be a good fit. Though it's more Sorcerer than Mage and on first read more magic heavy than I had in mind, though I do like it overall, it's not what I'm looking for, thank you for bring it to my attention.

Also, where can I find Battlemage?

(LOL, couldn't even quote your link)

[noob]

Thanks for the reply, I can see why (Without seeing the basis) you would think a Beguiler would be a good fit. Though it's more Sorcerer than Mage and on first read more magic heavy than I had in mind, though I do like it overall, it's not what I'm looking for, thank you for bring it to my attention.

Also, where can I find Battlemage?

(LOL, couldn't even quote your link)

I realised I used the wrong name: it is warmage.
warmages (http://srd.dndtools.org/srd/classes/baseCarc/warmage.html) are essentially spontaneous list based casters (like the beguiler) that are what should have been in the phb where the sorcerer was: a class about fighting spells that is simple and straightforward to play and where making character building errors takes intent(and which does not randomly either is overshadowed by everybody or overshadows everybody like the sorcerer).

[Shockwave]

Had an idea

You will need to manually fix the links

Self taught 2e
https: // imgur. com/2WQYZio

3.5 version 1st draft
https: // imgur. com/tBtFg5k

Basic Mage/ Wizard 2e
https: // imgur. com/Ff7esep

Specialist
https: // imgur. com/bHDacbE

For 3.5 all "Can wear X Armours" change to Armoured Mage - Light Armours