Best Next Rule Book [Archive] - Wizards Community

Best Next Rule Book [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
RgAgsThMch
05-10-07, 01:18 PM I have PHB, DMG, and MMI. What do I pick up next? I both PC and DM. I was thinking PHB2, DMG2, or another MM, but is there some other book that's more useful?
Salla
05-10-07, 01:54 PM I'd go either Player's Handbook II or Expanded Psionics Handbook.
Doom_Linnorm
05-10-07, 01:59 PM PHB II is best for both DM and PC.
Even if you just DM the PHB II will give your group some good new resources to work with and you get some nice tools for NPCs as well.

(If you ever expand your MM's skip MMII and head straight for MMIII, cus IMO its better.)
tryco
05-10-07, 02:00 PM definatly PHBII.
it's a good book. very useful.
Netak
05-10-07, 02:07 PM Well PHB2 Has a really good content of how to play a character good. About background histories to the characters, some ways of being,
it has inspired me to make cool roleplay, some alternatives starting packages and special ability's to different characters (Std Cha)
and of course, the four new classes

would rate the book high.

Now Psionic handbook is also cool. (I play Wilder (psionic) myself)
Interesting stuff, some cool classes and other cool thing (Such as the psicrystal NJAHAAHA:D )

So that book is also pretty high rated from my view.

But PHB2 Is really cool on stuff and pretty useful
Archangel_James
05-10-07, 02:15 PM In my opinion, everyone who plays 100% of the time should make PHB2 his second book. Since you play and DM, I suggest making it your 4th book. However, if you find yourself DMing more than playing, then my suggestion shifts to one of the MMs (probably 3).

I also rate Spell Compendium and Magic Item compendium very high. If either of those sounds good (and MIC should be practically required for DMs), don't hesitate.
AllisterH
05-10-07, 02:18 PM Heh...I'm not going to break the trend.

PHB II FTW....

Yes, it is that good and I personally consider it essential a la how the Tome of Magic in 2E was considered essential.
RgAgsThMch
05-10-07, 03:25 PM Great advice on PHB2, I think you've made up my mind. But any input on the DMG2?
natural_selection
05-10-07, 04:08 PM PH2
Spell Compendium
Magic Item Compendium
MM3
MM4
MM2

in that order.

DM2 wont give you any new insights as a dm.
EvilPheemy
05-10-07, 04:31 PM The DMG2 devotes about a third of the book to hyperdetailing the city of Saltmarsh as a setting element. Which, if you're the type of GM who wants a very detailed home base for your players but just don't have the time to spell out every nook and cranny is a very good thing to have.

There's a couple of good sections on Traps, Exotic encounter locations (and what circumstances apply to them), and Magical Locales (ledgendary places where PCs can get magical abilities).

The section on Pseudo-medieval society as presented in D&D is ok. Probably better for DMs who are just beginning to explore the concepts of having a society come to life around their PCs.

It is very optional. I get more mileage out of Unearthed Arcana.
Holy_Beholder
05-10-07, 05:30 PM Get the XPH. It is really awesome.
Nihzlet
05-10-07, 09:50 PM PHB2 is in fact a wonderful book, so ill add my vote to that as well.

DMG2 is decent, though a lot of it applies more if youre new to DMing, IMO. though it will probably help every DM at least a little bit. i think the most useful part for me may actually have been the premade NPCs. ive used several and modified several more for my sessions when i didnt have time to make a high-level villain from scratch.

XPH is good, but (for players) if your DM doesnt allow psionics it wont do squat for you, and (for DMs) if you dont want psionics in your campaign... well, no point in buying it then, is there? so its a situational thing.

Spell Compendium and Magic Item Compendium are excellent as well, for playing and DMing, just because they add a wealth of additional resources. id go for them before another MM, personally. you can always modify existing monsters through templates, advancement, or levelling, or just use class-levelled NPCs, if you need villains.
Krusk
05-10-07, 10:00 PM I would say do not buy the dmg2, ive found almost nothing in the entire book to be useful. Im also quite glad my buddy bought it and not me.

As for PHB2, i would say pretty much every player should buy it.
Stormonu
05-11-07, 01:19 AM I'll throw down my vote for PHB II.

DMG2 is mostly advise for beginning DMs. Read it once at the bookstore and shelf it, photocopy Saltmarsh if you need it.

I dunno about you, but I used to get my advice from Dungeon and Dragon. Maybe more folks will need the DMG 2 in a few months. ;)
AllisterH
05-11-07, 02:53 AM Actually, here's where it gets funny.

I find Heroes of Horror is a better DMG on running campaigns than the DMG2. I've seen also many people agree on HoH's campaign advice value.
Splendide
05-11-07, 04:03 AM Eberron Campaign Sourcebook!
RgAgsThMch
05-12-07, 01:10 AM I was thinking of Eberron, but wouldn't I need to start a new game? Or is Eberron just on a different plane?
CCS
05-12-07, 04:04 PM Without question, the next two books that you should spend $ on are the:
Spell Compendium
and the
Magic Item Compendium.

After you have those THEN look at the other books.
Crash169
05-12-07, 06:39 PM I would start collecting the Complete series of books. Starting with the complete Warrior.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
RgAgsThMch 05-10-07, 01:18 PM	I have PHB, DMG, and MMI. What do I pick up next? I both PC and DM. I was thinking PHB2, DMG2, or another MM, but is there some other book that's more useful?
Salla 05-10-07, 01:54 PM	I'd go either Player's Handbook II or Expanded Psionics Handbook.
Doom_Linnorm 05-10-07, 01:59 PM	PHB II is best for both DM and PC. Even if you just DM the PHB II will give your group some good new resources to work with and you get some nice tools for NPCs as well. (If you ever expand your MM's skip MMII and head straight for MMIII, cus IMO its better.)
tryco 05-10-07, 02:00 PM	definatly PHBII. it's a good book. very useful.
Netak 05-10-07, 02:07 PM	Well PHB2 Has a really good content of how to play a character good. About background histories to the characters, some ways of being, it has inspired me to make cool roleplay, some alternatives starting packages and special ability's to different characters (Std Cha) and of course, the four new classes would rate the book high. Now Psionic handbook is also cool. (I play Wilder (psionic) myself) Interesting stuff, some cool classes and other cool thing (Such as the psicrystal NJAHAAHA:D ) So that book is also pretty high rated from my view. But PHB2 Is really cool on stuff and pretty useful
Archangel_James 05-10-07, 02:15 PM	In my opinion, everyone who plays 100% of the time should make PHB2 his second book. Since you play and DM, I suggest making it your 4th book. However, if you find yourself DMing more than playing, then my suggestion shifts to one of the MMs (probably 3). I also rate Spell Compendium and Magic Item compendium very high. If either of those sounds good (and MIC should be practically required for DMs), don't hesitate.
AllisterH 05-10-07, 02:18 PM	Heh...I'm not going to break the trend. PHB II FTW.... Yes, it is that good and I personally consider it essential a la how the Tome of Magic in 2E was considered essential.
RgAgsThMch 05-10-07, 03:25 PM	Great advice on PHB2, I think you've made up my mind. But any input on the DMG2?
natural_selection 05-10-07, 04:08 PM	PH2 Spell Compendium Magic Item Compendium MM3 MM4 MM2 in that order. DM2 wont give you any new insights as a dm.
EvilPheemy 05-10-07, 04:31 PM	The DMG2 devotes about a third of the book to hyperdetailing the city of Saltmarsh as a setting element. Which, if you're the type of GM who wants a very detailed home base for your players but just don't have the time to spell out every nook and cranny is a very good thing to have. There's a couple of good sections on Traps, Exotic encounter locations (and what circumstances apply to them), and Magical Locales (ledgendary places where PCs can get magical abilities). The section on Pseudo-medieval society as presented in D&D is ok. Probably better for DMs who are just beginning to explore the concepts of having a society come to life around their PCs. It is very optional. I get more mileage out of Unearthed Arcana.
Holy_Beholder 05-10-07, 05:30 PM	Get the XPH. It is really awesome.
Nihzlet 05-10-07, 09:50 PM	PHB2 is in fact a wonderful book, so ill add my vote to that as well. DMG2 is decent, though a lot of it applies more if youre new to DMing, IMO. though it will probably help every DM at least a little bit. i think the most useful part for me may actually have been the premade NPCs. ive used several and modified several more for my sessions when i didnt have time to make a high-level villain from scratch. XPH is good, but (for players) if your DM doesnt allow psionics it wont do squat for you, and (for DMs) if you dont want psionics in your campaign... well, no point in buying it then, is there? so its a situational thing. Spell Compendium and Magic Item Compendium are excellent as well, for playing and DMing, just because they add a wealth of additional resources. id go for them before another MM, personally. you can always modify existing monsters through templates, advancement, or levelling, or just use class-levelled NPCs, if you need villains.
Krusk 05-10-07, 10:00 PM	I would say do not buy the dmg2, ive found almost nothing in the entire book to be useful. Im also quite glad my buddy bought it and not me. As for PHB2, i would say pretty much every player should buy it.
Stormonu 05-11-07, 01:19 AM	I'll throw down my vote for PHB II. DMG2 is mostly advise for beginning DMs. Read it once at the bookstore and shelf it, photocopy Saltmarsh if you need it. I dunno about you, but I used to get my advice from Dungeon and Dragon. Maybe more folks will need the DMG 2 in a few months. ;)
AllisterH 05-11-07, 02:53 AM	Actually, here's where it gets funny. I find Heroes of Horror is a better DMG on running campaigns than the DMG2. I've seen also many people agree on HoH's campaign advice value.
Splendide 05-11-07, 04:03 AM	Eberron Campaign Sourcebook!
RgAgsThMch 05-12-07, 01:10 AM	I was thinking of Eberron, but wouldn't I need to start a new game? Or is Eberron just on a different plane?
CCS 05-12-07, 04:04 PM	Without question, the next two books that you should spend $ on are the: Spell Compendium and the Magic Item Compendium. After you have those THEN look at the other books.
Crash169 05-12-07, 06:39 PM	I would start collecting the Complete series of books. Starting with the complete Warrior.