3.5 or 5e for a group of new players?

[Kelb_Panthera]

3.5 Fighter is pretty simple and a DM can hand out the magic items to make it work regardless of build. As in, if a 3.5 warrior can work, then so can a fighter. This requires active DM involvement.

Please don't spread misinformation. 3.5 fighter is deceptively complex unless you're stuck in a core only game. Barbarian is the straight-forward warrior, "equipment is all you worry about" class in 3.5.