A question about the books... [Archive] - Wizards Community

A question about the books... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
OldMage45
05-07-07, 05:41 PM Hey folks, new here, how's everyone?

I see there is a Player's Handbook and a Player's Handbook 2.
Are they completely different books? Does the number 2 mean that it's still the same book with just a couple of new pages?

The Monster Manuals. Are they all different? Or like above, just a few new pages in each book.

I'd like to get started playing the game, but don't know which books to buy.

Thanks, folks!
Have fun.
Mark
Optimator
05-07-07, 05:43 PM They are completely different. The first ones are pretty vital, whereas the others are optional. The Player's Handbook II is an incredibly good buy.
darkdragonk
05-07-07, 07:26 PM MM 2+3 are 3rd edition and need eratta (update) to 3.5 edition. MM 4 is basically crap and PH2 is awsome but make sure u have Monster Manual I, Players Handbook I, and Dungeon Masters Guide I, before getting any of the supplements. Also I suggest knowing the basic game before getting into some of the more complicated stuff, some other good buys are the Complete ________ books (the old ones, Mage, Warrior, Adventurer, and Divine, are the best IMO), If you are the DM and cant think of a good campain at first Ebberon Campain Setting is great also. But like I said before get core, the 3books DM guide, MM, PHB, first. Hope that helps. Welcome to the boards and DnD!
Morwen
05-07-07, 07:47 PM MM 2+3 are 3rd edition and need eratta (update) to 3.5 edition.

MM3 is 3.5 already (released in September 2004, more than a year after the 3.5 revision). It needs no updates.
WotC Mearls
05-07-07, 07:53 PM Hey folks, new here, how's everyone?

I see there is a Player's Handbook and a Player's Handbook 2.
Are they completely different books? Does the number 2 mean that it's still the same book with just a couple of new pages?

The Monster Manuals. Are they all different? Or like above, just a few new pages in each book.

I'd like to get started playing the game, but don't know which books to buy.

It's best to start with the basic Player's Handbook. It has all the rules you need to play the game, along with the basic character classes.

Player's Handbook II is a sequel that expands on the first one. It doesn't make much sense on its own.

The Monster Manuals are all different. In theory, you could grab any one of them and use that as your source of monsters, but the first one has lots of classic monsters (orcs, vampires) that most people like to use.

Hope that helps!
Kouk
05-07-07, 08:07 PM The Core books are the Player's Handbook v.3.5, Dungeon Master's Guide v.3.5, and Monster Manual v.3.5. These are the only books you need to play the game.

There was an older version of the books with the same name, but without version numbers, it was just "Third Edition", currently the rules are 3.5 edition.

The Player's Handbook II, is not actually a rulebook exactly, it is a collection of supplemental content you can include in an existing game, with some options for customizing the classes from previous books and introducing new classes and feats. I would not deal with this book until you have been playing for some time, or unless you have a knowledgeable friend that can walk you through the use of that book.

There are many, many books published that expand upon the original 3 Core Rulebooks, but they are just supplements. A new player would only need a Player's Handbook v.3.5, whereas a new Dungeon Master would do well to get all three books.

You can find cheaper books on eBay or Amazon, but if the book was not printed after July 2003 (I believe) then it is for the old third edition ruleset and may not work correctly with the 3.5 rules.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
OldMage45 05-07-07, 05:41 PM	Hey folks, new here, how's everyone? I see there is a Player's Handbook and a Player's Handbook 2. Are they completely different books? Does the number 2 mean that it's still the same book with just a couple of new pages? The Monster Manuals. Are they all different? Or like above, just a few new pages in each book. I'd like to get started playing the game, but don't know which books to buy. Thanks, folks! Have fun. Mark
Optimator 05-07-07, 05:43 PM	They are completely different. The first ones are pretty vital, whereas the others are optional. The Player's Handbook II is an incredibly good buy.
darkdragonk 05-07-07, 07:26 PM	MM 2+3 are 3rd edition and need eratta (update) to 3.5 edition. MM 4 is basically crap and PH2 is awsome but make sure u have Monster Manual I, Players Handbook I, and Dungeon Masters Guide I, before getting any of the supplements. Also I suggest knowing the basic game before getting into some of the more complicated stuff, some other good buys are the Complete ________ books (the old ones, Mage, Warrior, Adventurer, and Divine, are the best IMO), If you are the DM and cant think of a good campain at first Ebberon Campain Setting is great also. But like I said before get core, the 3books DM guide, MM, PHB, first. Hope that helps. Welcome to the boards and DnD!
Morwen 05-07-07, 07:47 PM	MM 2+3 are 3rd edition and need eratta (update) to 3.5 edition. MM3 is 3.5 already (released in September 2004, more than a year after the 3.5 revision). It needs no updates.
WotC Mearls 05-07-07, 07:53 PM	Hey folks, new here, how's everyone? I see there is a Player's Handbook and a Player's Handbook 2. Are they completely different books? Does the number 2 mean that it's still the same book with just a couple of new pages? The Monster Manuals. Are they all different? Or like above, just a few new pages in each book. I'd like to get started playing the game, but don't know which books to buy. It's best to start with the basic Player's Handbook. It has all the rules you need to play the game, along with the basic character classes. Player's Handbook II is a sequel that expands on the first one. It doesn't make much sense on its own. The Monster Manuals are all different. In theory, you could grab any one of them and use that as your source of monsters, but the first one has lots of classic monsters (orcs, vampires) that most people like to use. Hope that helps!
Kouk 05-07-07, 08:07 PM	The Core books are the Player's Handbook v.3.5, Dungeon Master's Guide v.3.5, and Monster Manual v.3.5. These are the only books you need to play the game. There was an older version of the books with the same name, but without version numbers, it was just "Third Edition", currently the rules are 3.5 edition. The Player's Handbook II, is not actually a rulebook exactly, it is a collection of supplemental content you can include in an existing game, with some options for customizing the classes from previous books and introducing new classes and feats. I would not deal with this book until you have been playing for some time, or unless you have a knowledgeable friend that can walk you through the use of that book. There are many, many books published that expand upon the original 3 Core Rulebooks, but they are just supplements. A new player would only need a Player's Handbook v.3.5, whereas a new Dungeon Master would do well to get all three books. You can find cheaper books on eBay or Amazon, but if the book was not printed after July 2003 (I believe) then it is for the old third edition ruleset and may not work correctly with the 3.5 rules.