D&D 3.5: invited to play in a game, I'm totally unfamiliar with the game

[NumberKruncher]

Hey guys! 

I'm going to be joining a 3.5 game, which is a game I've never played before.

The party has a Barbarian, Ranger, and Druid.

I'm not sure what level I'll start at, but can y'all point me to a nice build guide for a character that will be very effective and compliment this party? I'm thinking an arcane spellcasters, but I'm not sure what's best. Or if I should play a Cleric (not a walking band-aid, a walking ass-kicker)? What about a Rogue or Monk? Does this game have Warlocks?

Since I don't know the system, last thing I want to do is build a gimped character.

Thanks!

[muktidata]

Warlock sounds like a great fit. Activate all the wands/scrolls you find, blaster, day-long abilities combine for a great first character.

[SolEiji]

I also suggest warlock.  I find it easy to work with out of the box: no worrying about spells per day or preparation, plus it's a ton of pretty neat abilities and a reliable blast.  You only need concern about which invocations to pick when you level.  Go for it.

[NumberKruncher]

I've played 5e. Is the 3.5 Warlock similar?

[Solo]

Hey guys! 

I'm going to be joining a 3.5 game, which is a game I've never played before.

The party has a Barbarian, Ranger, and Druid.

I'm not sure what level I'll start at, but can y'all point me to a nice build guide for a character that will be very effective and compliment this party? I'm thinking an arcane spellcasters, but I'm not sure what's best. Or if I should play a Cleric (not a walking band-aid, a walking ass-kicker)? What about a Rogue or Monk? Does this game have Warlocks?

Since I don't know the system, last thing I want to do is build a gimped character.

Thanks!

You want a sorcerer.

[SolEiji]

I've played 5e. Is the 3.5 Warlock similar?

Uncertain, haven't seen 5e warlock.  Tell me if this sounds familiar: At will laser blast, at will spell-like abilities, some of them passive 24 buffs (flight, invisibility, see invisibility, etc) and others being active effects like summoning tentacles or charm person, some synergy with Use Magic Device, and some damage reduction.

[stanprollyright]

Hey guys! 

I'm going to be joining a 3.5 game, which is a game I've never played before.

The party has a Barbarian, Ranger, and Druid.

I'm not sure what level I'll start at, but can y'all point me to a nice build guide for a character that will be very effective and compliment this party? I'm thinking an arcane spellcasters, but I'm not sure what's best. Or if I should play a Cleric (not a walking band-aid, a walking ass-kicker)? What about a Rogue or Monk? Does this game have Warlocks?

Since I don't know the system, last thing I want to do is build a gimped character.

Thanks!

You want a sorcerer.

Warlocks are easier to play and harder to mess up than Sorcerers.

[ketaro]

It's funny how a core class is never recommended for beginners in 3.5. Warlock really is probably one of the most beginner friendly classes I know of too; especially when a caster is wanted or needed.

[Solo]

Warlocks are easier to play and harder to mess up than Sorcerers.

Let's compromise.







Sorcerer with a Reserve Feat.

[faeryn]

I found Spellthief to be a pretty decent class for beginning... then again I'm odd... but anyways...

3.5 Warlock you'll have to look up their invocations elsewhere though... to be blunt though, warlock has potential to outclass everyone else in your current party... with Eldritch Claws you can outshine the druid as a natural weapons attacker (who by the way can already outshine the barbarian as a melee combatant if he takes that route), with the right choice of invocations you can out perform the ranger as a scout and you'll quickly surpass them in damage...

[awaken_D_M_golem]

Quickstart Cleric Archer (see the handbook) would well compliment your party.

Psychic Warrior ... would provide a decent if complicated transition
on 5e Spell Slot mechanics vs psionic power points (2n-1=brainlock)
and how much thinner 3e feats are compared to 5e ; as in :
you have more , you need more , but there's thousands to choose from.

[Jackinthegreen]

How well does the druid player know the system?  It's entirely possible the druid will outclass both the barbarian and ranger at their own games.  Hopefully they know enough to pull back a bit though.

And I also suggest Warlock from Complete Arcane since it's pretty straightforward.  Assuming no Dragon Magazine material (which includes the previously mentioned Eldritch Claws) it's still pretty good.  If you've heard that rogues have a shtick with the skill Use Magical Device then warlocks outclass them on that very well.

http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?265455-The-Newest-Warlock-Handbook-3-5 is a good read for warlocks, though some of the information in there is...  Iffy.

[NumberKruncher]

Thanks guys. A few questions:

1) where do I find the Warlock? I don't currently own any books and I was pointed to the SRD on Facebook. BTW, it's a home brew game, so it isn't like I need to own a book to use something, as long as somebody owns the book (and I'm willing to buy if I have to).

2) what's a spellthief, and where do I find it?

3) what's a QuickStart Cleric Archer, and where do I find it?

I'm not sure how well any of the players know the system. I haven't met any of them, except one (I work with him and play 5e with him).

I was also just told that a Bard and a Wizard occasionally play, but they're unreliable as players ( if that matters) 

[muktidata]

Hello no you dont want to play a Spellthief.
Google "Warlock class 3.5 dnd"
Google "Cleric archer 3.5 dnd"
Warlock is from the complete arcane. Perhaps searching "complete arcane pdf" woild be good.

[Solo]

I still say he should play a sorcerer with a reserve feat.

[Keldar]

Sorcerer with a reserve feat does have the advantage of being able to be built with just the SRD and a PM for the text of the feat.  But it has the disadvantage of needing another non-SRD feat to do at 1st/3rd or waiting till 6th.  And it expands more than Warlock.  But Warlock is a really good new player class, but anyone who has played 5e probably has a clue about spellcasting.

[Solo]

Sorcerer has the option of expanding much further as the player learns.

[RobbyPants]

1) where do I find the Warlock? I don't currently own any books and I was pointed to the SRD on Facebook. BTW, it's a home brew game, so it isn't like I need to own a book to use something, as long as somebody owns the book (and I'm willing to buy if I have to).

It was already mentioned that it's in Complete Arcane. In addition, it's currently up on dndtools.

I still say he should play a sorcerer with a reserve feat.

Personally, I agree.

If we help the OP pick out his starting spells, and suggest spells from there, that will get him past the hardest part of the class.

Also, the sorcerer can cast things on other PCs better than the warlock can. Looking at that party, pretty much any of them would love a casting of Enlarge Person, which will probably out-perform any other 1st level spell for damage. That, and he looks like a team player rather than a glory hog.

[stanprollyright]

Let's compromise.

Sorcerer with a Reserve Feat.

Deal.  On RobbyPants' conditions.

If we help the OP pick out his starting spells, and suggest spells from there, that will get him past the hardest part of the class.

Also, the sorcerer can cast things on other PCs better than the warlock can. Looking at that party, pretty much any of them would love a casting of Enlarge Person, which will probably out-perform any other 1st level spell for damage. That, and he looks like a team player rather than a glory hog.

[NumberKruncher]

Thanks RobbyPants: I missed the complete arcane bit! My bad!

Anyway, I'm leaning toward Sorcerer now, just because it seems like I can get (almost) everything out of the SRD.

Picking some initial spells would be a huge help. I know I'll be using point buy for the stats, so any race that boosts CHA will help, I guess. I'll get back with a starting level as soon as I know.