Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Tanegar 10-09-07, 09:21 PM	How different are they? Given that I already have the MotP, how urgent is my need for the Planar Handbook?
Japan_the_cougar 10-09-07, 09:49 PM	I've found that Manuel is a better DM tool, in that it gives in-depth detail about the planes and templates for the creatures that inhabit it. Planar Handbook, on the other appendage, is a great player resourse: new starter races, alternate class features, PrCs, feats, the touchstones, armor, weapons, gear, spells that are actually useful, etc. While there are still some monsters (including revised axiomatic and anarchic templates), planar metropolis maps, and the touchstone encounters, there is really very little talk about the planes except in passing about the creatures and things on them. So, in conclusion: Manuel of the Planes: DM splatbook Planar Handbook: character creation out the rear end
Naderion 10-10-07, 08:13 AM	They are completely different. Manual of the Planes is almost a setting book, but it often doesn't get much into detail, but gives a very good basic overview about different planes. If you want to run a campaign on alternative planes, that's a very good book that holds solid informations as a foundation for new countries and places in different worlds, but it has no description of cities or NPCs like regular setting books. The Planar Handbook probably should have been names "Complete Planar". It's some new races, some restige-classes, feats, spells, and all that stuff. Found it mostly useless, but I think the same of all the Complete books.
vincer 10-10-07, 10:53 AM	The Manuel of the Planes is my favorite D&D3 book. The Planar Handbook has recently been translated in french (i am french, sorry if i make mistakes in english), but i didn't buy it. I took a look at this book, but finally, it seems not really interesting. I presume that the old Planescape books are more interesting if i want to know all details about the Great Wheel, but they are in AD&D rules. So it's difficult to find and use them. I am dismayed by the decision to change the D&D cosmology with the 4th edition. I love the Great Wheel. It's my favorite universe (original, elaborate, coherent and beautiful).
mearrin69 10-10-07, 11:07 AM	Just thought I'd chime in. The posters above are correct...MoP for DMs and Planar Handbook for players. If you can get hold of 2E Planescape stuff (PDF are available for purchase on Paizo and other sites) then you can get a great deal of detailed fluff for use in your planar campaign or adventure. I'm working up to running Expedition to the Demonweb Pits and have gone back and bought pretty much all of the Planescape stuff. It's a lot deeper than any 3E volume on the planes. There's actually very little crunch to try to update other than monster stats - and many of those are already done for you in the various MMs, FCs, etc. Also, check: http://www.planewalker.com/encyclopedia/ http://www.mimir.net/cant/cant2.html Both good resources for running interplanar campaigns. M
KillerVole 10-10-07, 07:09 PM	The Manual of the Planes is very useful. The Planar Handbook is not so much, especially if you don't use touchstones. I only bought the Planar Handbook because I thought it was the Manual of the Planes (I was new to the game at the time). That said, I'm glad I have it. It's good for some premade encounters, and it has some cool things to work into campaigns. But it is by no means necessary if you already have the Manual.