Editing Unearthed Arcana (section)

==3e UA Content==
The 3e version of the UA is divided into six different chapters; Races, Classes, Building Characters, Adventuring, Magic and Campaigns.

The Races chapter introduces new racial variants of standard PHB races based on environment or elemental affinity. It also introduces mechanics for reducing the dread [[Level Adjustment]], a new mechanic of "Bloodlines", which is effectively an alternate way of handling special racial ancestry outside of the "Half-X" racial templates, and the Racial Paragons mechanic; racial "mini-classes" that expand upon the inherent abilities of a race. Everything except bloodlines (which are horribly confusing and counter intuitive) are generally allowed in normal all first party book games/optimization contests.

The Classes chapter is all about the [[Variant Class]]es. Firstly, it provides a huge list of specific variant classes, listed below. Then it provides examples of a simpler way of making variant classes, such as a "Hunter" (Barbarian who trades Raging for the Ranger's archery skills), a shapeshifting, swift-moving Ranger, a Monk that favors toughness over mobility, or a Sorcerer/Wizard who gains an animal companion instead of a [[familiar]]. Then it examines possible variant abilities for specialist wizards, in many ways laying groundwork for what would happen to them in [[Pathfinder]] and 5th edition. This is followed by mechanics for converting divine spellcasters to work as spontaneous casters, and then variant versions of class features, such as replacing Favored Enemy with Favored Environment. The Prestigious Character Classes turns the [[Bard]], [[Paladin]] and [[Ranger]] into Prestige Classes, whilst the [[Gestalt character]] rules are either a foundation for 4e's Hybrid Classes or a throwback to 2e's [[Multiclass]]es; they let you advance in two classes simultaneously, instead of taking first one level in one and then a level in the other. The chapter finishes with new rules for generic classes; Warrior, Expert and Spellcaster. The sample alternate classes (except Domain Wizard which gets a shit ton of stuff at no cost) are generally allowed in all first-party book games/optimization contests.
* Totem [[Barbarian]]
* [[Bard]]ic Sage
* Divine [[Bard]]
* Savage [[Bard]]
* Cloistered [[Cleric]]
* [[Druid]]ic Avenger (a sort of Druid/Barbarian hybrid)
* Thuggish [[Fighter]]
* [[Monk]] Fighting Styles
* [[Paladin]]s of Freedom, Slaughter & Tyranny
* Planar [[Ranger]]
* Urban [[Ranger]]
* Wilderness [[Rogue]]
* Battle [[Sorcerer (Dungeons & Dragons)|Sorcerer]]
* Domain [[Wizard]]

Chapter 3, "Building Characters", is a more grab-bag affair, featuring alternative skill systems, complex skill checks, new rules for character traits and flaws, the "Spelltouched" and "Weapon Group" feats, the Craft Points mechanic, and an examination of character background.

Chapter 4, "Adventuring" is again a grab-bag of various topics, ranging from alternative ways of handling hit points and armor, to new rules for reserve points, action points, combat facing, variable modifiers, bell curve rolls, playing on a hex grid, and having players roll all the dice.

Chapter 5, "Magic", is new material all relating to spellcasting. Variant rules for handling Summon Monster spells, a new "Magic Rating" mechanic to replace caster level, the option to allow spells to be cast with metamagic effects by using new "metamagic components", using metamagic spontaneously, a spell points system to replace the traditional Vancian Casting mechanic, rule to make spellcasting "rechargeable", and finally rules for legendary weapons (magic weapons that improve as your character does via a prestige class), item familiars (just what it sounds like; [[familiar]]s that are sapient magical items), and incantations (a way for non-dedicated spellcasters to cast spells).

Finally, the book's last chapter, "Campaigns", is an assortment of different campaign altering subsystems and mechanics; [[Honor]], [[Taint]], [[Reputation]], and [[Sanity]] all appear as new ability scores, alongside mechanics for contact, test-based prerequisites, and level-independent XP awards.