3.5 vs 5.0 d20 - Large Spider comparison

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3.5 vs 5.0 d20 - Large Spider comparison

I want to compare the stat block for the Large sized spider to see how the versions changed. I notice that most of the stats are similar despite being different CR levels. This may only be true at lower levels. I'll try doing a higher level comparison of a dragon next time..

1. Names

3.5e Monstrous Spider, Large
5e Giant Spider

First of all the names are somewhat different. In 3.5e, several sizes are available besides the Large Monstrous Spider. However, 5e only comes in one size in the reference document.

2. Challenge Rating

3.5e Challenge Rating: 2
5e Challenge 1 (200 XP)

The Challenge Rating has gone down one level. Despite this decrease, the stats and abilities seem somewhat similar as will be seen below.

3. Size, Type, alignment

3.5e Size/Type: Large Vermin

5e Large beast, unaligned

Both spiders are Large size

4. Hit Dice & Hitpoints

3.5e Hit Dice: 4d8+4 (22 hp)

5e Hit Points 26 (4d10 + 4)

Despite being lower CR, the 5e giant spider has more hitpoints due to the increase in hitdice from d8 to d10

5. Armor Class

3.5e Armor Class: 14 (-1 size, +3 Dex, +2 natural), touch 12, flat-footed 11

5e Armor Class 14 (natural armor)

Armor Class the same. 3.5 provides additional information that explains how that number was calculated.

6. Speed

3.5e Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares), climb 20 ft.
5e Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft.

Speed is the same and climb has increased.

7. Abilities

3.5e Abilities: Str 15 (+3), Dex 17 (+3), Con 12 (+1), Int Ø (na), Wis 10 (+0), Cha 2 (-4)

Initiative:	+3

5e STR14 (+2), DEX16 (+3), CON12 (+1), INT2 (−4), WIS11 (+0), CHA4 (−3)

Strength has decreased and intelligence and charisma have increased slightly.

8. Skills

3.5e Skills: Climb +11, Hide +3*, Jump +2*, Spot +4*

Monstrous spiders have a +4 racial bonus on Hide and Spot checks and a +8 racial bonus on Climb checks. A monstrous spider can always choose to take 10on Climb checks, even if rushed or threatened. Monstrous spiders use either their Strength or Dexterity modifier for Climb checks, whichever is higher.
*Hunting spiders have a +10 racial bonus on Jump checks and a +8 racial bonus on Spot checks. Web-spinning spiders have a +8 racial bonus on Hide and Move Silently checks when using their webs. 

5e Skills Stealth +7 Spider Climb. The spider can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.
Web Sense. While in contact with a web, the spider knows the exact location of any other creature in contact with the same web.
Web Walker. The spider ignores movement restrictions caused by webbing.

The stealth ability seems better for the 5e spider. Climb seems much better since the 5e spider automatically climbs difficult surfaces due to the description of Spider Climb. The 3e spider seems to have to make a climb roll and use a +11 bonus - which means that that spider could fail the roll and fall. While the 3e spider receives +4 Spot bonus, the 5e spider receives a 10 to perception as will be seen in the section 10 Senses section and Web Sense.  This is very much improved senses.

9. Attacks

3.5e Base Attack/Grapple: +3/+9 Attack:Bite +4 melee (1d8+3 plus poison) Full Attack: Bite +4 melee (1d8+3 plus poison) Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft. Special Attacks: Poison, web

Poison (Ex)

A monstrous spider has a poisonous bite. The details vary by the spider’s size, as shown on the table below. The save DCs are Constitution-based. The indicated damage is initial and secondary damage.

Web (Ex)

Both types of monstrous spiders often wait in their webs or in trees, then lower themselves silently on silk strands and leap onto prey passing beneath. A single strand is strong enough to support the spider and one creature of the same size. Web-spinners can throw a web eight times per day. This is similar to an attack with a net but has a maximum range of 50 feet, with a range increment of 10 feet, and is effective against targets up to one size category larger than the spider. An entangled creature can escape with a successful Escape Artist check or burst it with a Strength check. Both are standard actions whose DCs are given in the table below. The check DCs are Constitution-based, and the Strength check DC includes a +4 racial bonus.

Web-spinners often create sheets of sticky webbing from 5 to 60 feet square, depending on the size of the spider. They usually position these sheets to snare flying creatures but can also try to trap prey on the ground. Approaching creatures must succeed on a DC 20 Spot check to notice a web; otherwise they stumble into it and become trapped as though by a successful web attack. Attempts to escape or burst the webbing gain a +5 bonus if the trapped creature has something to walk on or grab while pulling free. Each 5-foot section has the hit points given on the table, and sheet webs have damage reduction 5/—.

A monstrous spider can move across its own web at its climb speed and can pinpoint the location of any creature touching its web.

5e Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage, and the target must make a DC 11 Constitution saving throw, taking 9 (2d8) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. If the poison damage reduces the target to 0 hit points, the target is stable but poisoned for 1 hour, even after regaining hit points, and is paralyzed while poisoned in this way.
Web (Recharge 5–6). Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, range 30/60 ft., one creature. Hit: The target is restrained by webbing. As an action, the restrained target can make a DC 12 Strength check, bursting the webbing on a success. The webbing can also be attacked and destroyed (AC 10; hp 5; vulnerability to fire damage; immunity to bludgeoning, poison, and psychic damage).
To snare its prey, a giant spider spins elaborate webs or shoots sticky strands of webbing from its abdomen. Giant spiders are most commonly found underground, making their lairs on ceilings or in dark, web-­filled crevices. Such lairs are often festooned with web cocoons holding past victims.

Despite being lower CR level, the 5e spider receives a higher bonus to hit and though has similar damage.

10. Senses

3.5e Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., tremorsense 60 ft., vermin traits

Tremorsense (Ex)
A monstrous spider can detect and pinpoint any creature or object within 60 feet in contact with the ground, or within any range in contact with the spider’s webs.

5e Senses blindsight 10 ft., darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10

11. Saves

3.5e Saves: Fort +5, Ref +4, Will +1
5e STR14 (+2), DEX16 (+3), CON12 (+1), INT2 (−4), WIS11 (+0), CHA4 (−3)

5e switched to basic stat based resistance instead of fort, ref, and will. It also has charisma save.

12 Remaining information from 3.5e.

Feats:	—
Environment:	Temperate forests
Organization:	Solitary or colony (2-5)
Treasure:	1/10 coins; 50% goods; 50% items
Advancement:	5-7 HD (Large)

This is information missing from the 5e SRD. This information is helpful for setting and treasure distribution.

Summary

In all, I think that the large monstrous spider and the giant spider are comparable between versions with only small changes.