3.5 PHB or PHB II? Did I just make a mistake? [Archive] - Wizards Community

3.5 PHB or PHB II? Did I just make a mistake? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Nimloh
07-11-06, 03:27 PM Just recently I decided to get back into DnD after being away since the early '90s. A lot has changed. Anyways, I ordered the 3.5 PHB:

http://www.wizards.com/global/images/products_dndcore_175240000_lgpic.jpg

But I have just become aware of this book, released a couple of months ago:

http://www.wizards.com/global/images/products_dndacc_953747200_lgpic.jpg

Is the PHB II just another way for them to bilk us out of money for some more PrC's, or is this the new, most updated players handbook? Should I have bought this book instead?
allenchan
07-11-06, 03:32 PM Is the PHB II just another way for them to bilk us out of money for some more PrC's, or is this the new, most updated players handbook? Should I have bought this book instead?

First, the PHBII is intented to be used with the Revised (3.5)PHB. There are no PrCs in it, but alternate class abilities and more base classes, plenty of feats and spells, and character creation helps to creating good roleplaying personalities, traits, flaws, etc. I actually very much like it, for new and old players alike.

But, yea, 3.5 PHB is all you need.
Araciel
07-11-06, 03:59 PM you think THATS bad...i was at my local hobby store and found the 3.5 players kit...a trade paperback version of the PHB, minis, dice, and character creation guides....for the same price as the hardcover PHB
Bluebrush
07-11-06, 04:55 PM The PHB II is totally optional, but does contain some spiffy additonal material.

Also, if you're playing with a complete and total novice (IE: Someone who has never RP'd before) it contains some tips for beginners. Though little more useful than your other players will be able to give.
Raymond_Luxury_Yacht
07-11-06, 06:42 PM you think THATS bad...i was at my local hobby store and found the 3.5 players kit...a trade paperback version of the PHB, minis, dice, and character creation guides....for the same price as the hardcover PHB
It's cheaper because paperback books of that size have a life expectancy that can be compared to that of a mayfly.
Nom
07-11-06, 10:06 PM It's cheaper because paperback books of that size have a life expectancy that can be compared to that of a mayfly.And are a lot cheaper to bind and produce. Yes, these two facts are strongly correlated. :)

To Nimloh: The 3.5 Player's Handbook is one of the three "core rulebooks", the other two being the DMG and the MM. Between them, these three books contain all the key rules for 3.5 D&D. The Player's Handbook II is an expansion rulebook, as are the Dungeon Master's Guide II and Monster Manual's II-IV.
ElvishBard
07-11-06, 10:19 PM You can also check out www.d20srd.org (If the link doesn't work type it manually), it has most of the rules from core without the examples. It is lacking a few things, such as experience chart and some monsters, but it is a very useful site.
AcidAngel
07-12-06, 02:43 AM Seeing as you are getting back into the game, getting the PHB is a good start.
Don't forget you will also need the DMG and the MM, but after you read the PHB cover to cover.

The PHB2 is a good book, having bought it at the beginning of the month, full of useful info for players and DM's alike.
My other book suggestions would be DMG2, Spell Compendium, and the XPH.
The complete series is also a good suggestion.

It is a good idea to get the 3 core books first (PHB, DMG, MM), but get the others in your own time, or you will suffer information (read rules) overload.

IMO it is good to ask yourself one question when it comes to splat books,
"Does it fit into my game now, or where I would like to see my game go?"
Otherwise you will spend allot of time and money on books, that are a good read, but that you hardly use.

The only problem with choice is choice itself. :thinks:
Good Luck, and welcome back to the game.
Azezel
07-12-06, 04:32 AM AcidAngel recomends the DMG II and The XPH

Take note, both of these books are highly controvorcial.

The Dungeon Master's Guide II is regarded as worthless by many people, (I hapen to like it a lot) so examine its contents in the shop before buying it.

The Expanded Psionics Handbook is also a hot potato. If you remember Psionics from an older edition of the game then fear not, the XPH is no longer utterly game breaking. However, Psionics in general is a sore issue with many - so it's probably not worth buying this book until you know how the rest of your group (when you get one) feels about the subject.

In general, the best books to buy, are in order: PHB, DMG, MM Or PHB II, PHB II Or MM, Spell Compendium Or Complete X.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Nimloh 07-11-06, 03:27 PM	Just recently I decided to get back into DnD after being away since the early '90s. A lot has changed. Anyways, I ordered the 3.5 PHB: http://www.wizards.com/global/images/products_dndcore_175240000_lgpic.jpg But I have just become aware of this book, released a couple of months ago: http://www.wizards.com/global/images/products_dndacc_953747200_lgpic.jpg Is the PHB II just another way for them to bilk us out of money for some more PrC's, or is this the new, most updated players handbook? Should I have bought this book instead?
allenchan 07-11-06, 03:32 PM	Is the PHB II just another way for them to bilk us out of money for some more PrC's, or is this the new, most updated players handbook? Should I have bought this book instead? First, the PHBII is intented to be used with the Revised (3.5)PHB. There are no PrCs in it, but alternate class abilities and more base classes, plenty of feats and spells, and character creation helps to creating good roleplaying personalities, traits, flaws, etc. I actually very much like it, for new and old players alike. But, yea, 3.5 PHB is all you need.
Araciel 07-11-06, 03:59 PM	you think THATS bad...i was at my local hobby store and found the 3.5 players kit...a trade paperback version of the PHB, minis, dice, and character creation guides....for the same price as the hardcover PHB
Bluebrush 07-11-06, 04:55 PM	The PHB II is totally optional, but does contain some spiffy additonal material. Also, if you're playing with a complete and total novice (IE: Someone who has never RP'd before) it contains some tips for beginners. Though little more useful than your other players will be able to give.
Raymond_Luxury_Yacht 07-11-06, 06:42 PM	you think THATS bad...i was at my local hobby store and found the 3.5 players kit...a trade paperback version of the PHB, minis, dice, and character creation guides....for the same price as the hardcover PHB It's cheaper because paperback books of that size have a life expectancy that can be compared to that of a mayfly.
Nom 07-11-06, 10:06 PM	It's cheaper because paperback books of that size have a life expectancy that can be compared to that of a mayfly.And are a lot cheaper to bind and produce. Yes, these two facts are strongly correlated. :) To Nimloh: The 3.5 Player's Handbook is one of the three "core rulebooks", the other two being the DMG and the MM. Between them, these three books contain all the key rules for 3.5 D&D. The Player's Handbook II is an expansion rulebook, as are the Dungeon Master's Guide II and Monster Manual's II-IV.
ElvishBard 07-11-06, 10:19 PM	You can also check out www.d20srd.org (If the link doesn't work type it manually), it has most of the rules from core without the examples. It is lacking a few things, such as experience chart and some monsters, but it is a very useful site.
AcidAngel 07-12-06, 02:43 AM	Seeing as you are getting back into the game, getting the PHB is a good start. Don't forget you will also need the DMG and the MM, but after you read the PHB cover to cover. The PHB2 is a good book, having bought it at the beginning of the month, full of useful info for players and DM's alike. My other book suggestions would be DMG2, Spell Compendium, and the XPH. The complete series is also a good suggestion. It is a good idea to get the 3 core books first (PHB, DMG, MM), but get the others in your own time, or you will suffer information (read rules) overload. IMO it is good to ask yourself one question when it comes to splat books, "Does it fit into my game now, or where I would like to see my game go?" Otherwise you will spend allot of time and money on books, that are a good read, but that you hardly use. The only problem with choice is choice itself. :thinks: Good Luck, and welcome back to the game.
Azezel 07-12-06, 04:32 AM	AcidAngel recomends the DMG II and The XPH Take note, both of these books are highly controvorcial. The Dungeon Master's Guide II is regarded as worthless by many people, (I hapen to like it a lot) so examine its contents in the shop before buying it. The Expanded Psionics Handbook is also a hot potato. If you remember Psionics from an older edition of the game then fear not, the XPH is no longer utterly game breaking. However, Psionics in general is a sore issue with many - so it's probably not worth buying this book until you know how the rest of your group (when you get one) feels about the subject. In general, the best books to buy, are in order: PHB, DMG, MM Or PHB II, PHB II Or MM, Spell Compendium Or Complete X.