Best supplement for 3.5 [Archive] - Wizards Community

Best supplement for 3.5 [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Alteru
11-06-05, 01:09 AM In your opinions, which is the overall best supplement for 3.5?

Best as in; most useful, most helpful, most interesting, etc.
WizO_Cat
11-06-05, 01:15 AM For me, for listing overall optional rules to the existing rules without being world dependant, I like the Unearthed Arcana. If the Spells Compendium is what I'm thinking that it might be (a compendium of all of the spells in D&D), then I've got a strong feeling that it may be the most helpful book for me. I'll guess we'll see.
Prominence
11-06-05, 01:17 AM Book of Exalted Deeds for me.

...though unearthed arcana and complete warrior are great. UA for variant rules and CW for fleshing out and spreading out the fighter jobs.
a_psh
11-06-05, 01:19 AM I really liked Sharn: City of Towers for Eberron, which was very detailed, preserved the world flavor set down in the original book perfectly, and had so much information that one could easily run several campaigns in Sharn before one visited all of the locations and interacted with all of the NPCs detailed therein, while being vague enough to give the DM room to develop the city a little bit in his own way.

Or, for non-setting-specific stuff or crunchy stuff, the Expanded Psionics Handbook. It's basically the first actually balanced incarnation of psionics in D&D. It's got nice flavor. It's got plenty to offer dabblers as well as full-on psionicists. It's got a good new mechanic that can also be converted into a "mana" system for those who like that kind of spellcasting (some people have called the psion "what the sorceror should've been" as a result). And it manages to give psionic PCs just as many cool powers and options while having a powers section that's less than half as long as the spell list in the PHB. Some really well-crafted and well-chosen abilities in there.
Trevor Goodchild
11-06-05, 01:21 AM Though it is only focused on one type, I think Lords of Madness is the best supplement. Although I am a huge Psionics fan, the level of detail that LoM goes into (and the fact that plenty of DMs in existince refuse Psionics, even the balanced XPH) is just incredible. Plus Illithids are cool. Really really cool.
Rocketboy13
11-06-05, 01:38 AM If I went completely by frequency of use, I would have to say Complete Warrior, :fight!: I have used it for NPC's and PC's repetedly, to great success.
allenchan
11-06-05, 01:48 AM Unapproachable East is one of my favorites, even when not playing in FR, it has great flavor, crunch for just about every class, and all around good but not broken.
Complete Warrior is also good.
caeruleus
11-06-05, 01:51 AM I really like Unearthed Arcana and the Expanded Psionics Handbook. I like including stuff from each in campaigns I run, but when I'm a player (rather than a DM), the people who I tend to have as DMs don't allow stuff from them (eg, they don't know the details of psionics, and don't want to deal with it... although, I have had one DM who let me play a psionic character). As for what I usually am allowed to use as a player, I'd have to go with the various Complete <whatever> books. Which one? It depends on which class I'm playing at the time. I've made great use out of all four.

And even though it was made before 3.5, I have to mention that the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer is another great book, especially since there's nothing you have to convert to be able to use it in a 3.5 campaign.
ssvegeta555
11-06-05, 03:31 AM I think Expanded Psionics Handbook is the best. It's so balanced and cool, I just love it. I consider that book core rulebook 4. :)
Also Draconomicon is a very cool book and since my campaign is dragon heavy, it's an invaluable resource for me. Plus dragons rule! :P
a_psh
11-06-05, 03:45 AM I consider [the ExPH] core rulebook 4. :)
The System Reference Document seems to agree with you.
anarco_rata
11-06-05, 08:14 AM Gotta go with EPH too, it's just too good :D especially after the psionics handbook... :mad:
Also, eberron campaign setting is my core rulebook #5. I never lleave my home without my ECS `^_^
Ho, and spell compendium its going to be the next "must carry". Must carry means that not only you should buy it, but keep it at all times in your gaming bag. That way, if the gaming alarm sounds or you see the gaming signal in the sky, you can leave quickly and well prepared.
serow_#R
11-06-05, 08:53 AM Expanded Psionics Handbook, it's just so Force Powers :D
Complete Warrior, Adventurer
To some extent, Unearthed Arcana
Quarterstaff
11-06-05, 10:56 AM I liked the complete series in general
Otto the Bugbear
11-06-05, 11:15 AM Generic:
1. Unearthed Arcana
2. Complete Adventurer
3. Complete Warrior

Campaign Specific:
Unapproachable East

Cheers

Otto :)
beezly
11-06-05, 11:27 AM I really like my Libris Mortis. I use it more than my MM
JStegmaier
11-06-05, 11:54 AM I'd just like to throw my preference out here and agree with what several people have said: Expanded Psionics Handbook and Unearthed Arcana (for me, they're in that order, but they're pretty close either way.) I prefer crunch over fluff (as I make that myself) and those two books are definitely crammed with crunch.
MysteryGilgamesh
11-06-05, 01:26 PM Easily the XPH. Probably the best damn book WotC has ever made that didn't have the words "Core Book #" on the front.
Board_Rider
11-06-05, 01:34 PM I like the CV and, most recently, the Magic of Incarnum supplement.
Majorafire77
11-06-05, 02:59 PM There's no topping the XPH (except for MAYBE the ECS, but that's debatable).
Deacon Liadon
11-06-05, 03:41 PM Draconomicon and Lords of Madness for me. I'm just a glutton for fluff.
Alteru
11-06-05, 03:47 PM I'm considering getting Oriental Adventures. Worth it?
thedude72
11-06-05, 05:00 PM i havent read unearthed arcana yet so i dont no wat that is,but my favorite is the arms and equipment or heros of battle(i play a war campaign)
Slyde Shadowdart
11-06-05, 05:12 PM LOVE Heroes of Battle. I'm seriously jonesing to run a war campaign.

Right after that, I'd have to say Libris Mortis and ECS.
Gondor
11-06-05, 05:19 PM I'll toss in my vote for the Expanded Psionics Handbook as well.

I also tend to use the Complete Warrior quite a bit, though - I think it is the best of the Complete books, though I have not yet read Complete Divine.
yeknom
11-06-05, 05:38 PM Goods N Gear it is the 'real' arms & equipment guide.
a_psh
11-06-05, 08:11 PM Hmm... I didn't figure campaign settings counted as "supplements" per se, which is why I didn't include it, but, yes, the ECS is most awesome.
Azual
11-06-05, 08:43 PM im goin with Magic of Incarnum, at the moment, followed closely by Heroes of Battle and The Eberron Campaign Setting.
:)
Dackad
11-06-05, 10:04 PM My Favorites:
Eberron Campaign Setting
Expanded Psionics Handbook
Monsternomicon 3.5 - Privateer Press
Advanced Bestiary - Green Ronin
Dire Hamster
11-10-05, 11:02 PM Unearthed Arcana, hands down.
Wharin
11-10-05, 11:20 PM Races of Stone, for like a month i almost literally took that book everywhere i went. That said... yeah... thats just me.
SinisterSeraph
11-11-05, 03:11 PM The Tome of Horrors, by Necromancer Games. This book rocks in socks. If you were a fan of older editions, or were ever curious about the older editions, this book is well worth the price.
DarQuing
11-11-05, 06:41 PM I would have to say Races of Eberron is the most useful, followed by the Complete series, and the Expanded Psionics Handbook (if I had players that had psionic powers, I'd probably find it more useful).

In terms of actually liking them: Draconomicon, XPH, and ECS (I know its not an actual supplement, but I still really like it).
grayeyes008
11-11-05, 06:54 PM Iron Kingdoms, really any setting book is good.
Comple series a big help.
All 19 of my Monster Manual. and yes i use them all
General_Ridley
11-11-05, 07:02 PM Libris Mortis, Heroes of Horror, and Lords of Madness happen to be my favorites.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Alteru 11-06-05, 01:09 AM	In your opinions, which is the overall best supplement for 3.5? Best as in; most useful, most helpful, most interesting, etc.
WizO_Cat 11-06-05, 01:15 AM	For me, for listing overall optional rules to the existing rules without being world dependant, I like the Unearthed Arcana. If the Spells Compendium is what I'm thinking that it might be (a compendium of all of the spells in D&D), then I've got a strong feeling that it may be the most helpful book for me. I'll guess we'll see.
Prominence 11-06-05, 01:17 AM	Book of Exalted Deeds for me. ...though unearthed arcana and complete warrior are great. UA for variant rules and CW for fleshing out and spreading out the fighter jobs.
a_psh 11-06-05, 01:19 AM	I really liked Sharn: City of Towers for Eberron, which was very detailed, preserved the world flavor set down in the original book perfectly, and had so much information that one could easily run several campaigns in Sharn before one visited all of the locations and interacted with all of the NPCs detailed therein, while being vague enough to give the DM room to develop the city a little bit in his own way. Or, for non-setting-specific stuff or crunchy stuff, the Expanded Psionics Handbook. It's basically the first actually balanced incarnation of psionics in D&D. It's got nice flavor. It's got plenty to offer dabblers as well as full-on psionicists. It's got a good new mechanic that can also be converted into a "mana" system for those who like that kind of spellcasting (some people have called the psion "what the sorceror should've been" as a result). And it manages to give psionic PCs just as many cool powers and options while having a powers section that's less than half as long as the spell list in the PHB. Some really well-crafted and well-chosen abilities in there.
Trevor Goodchild 11-06-05, 01:21 AM	Though it is only focused on one type, I think Lords of Madness is the best supplement. Although I am a huge Psionics fan, the level of detail that LoM goes into (and the fact that plenty of DMs in existince refuse Psionics, even the balanced XPH) is just incredible. Plus Illithids are cool. Really really cool.
Rocketboy13 11-06-05, 01:38 AM	If I went completely by frequency of use, I would have to say Complete Warrior, :fight!: I have used it for NPC's and PC's repetedly, to great success.
allenchan 11-06-05, 01:48 AM	Unapproachable East is one of my favorites, even when not playing in FR, it has great flavor, crunch for just about every class, and all around good but not broken. Complete Warrior is also good.
caeruleus 11-06-05, 01:51 AM	I really like Unearthed Arcana and the Expanded Psionics Handbook. I like including stuff from each in campaigns I run, but when I'm a player (rather than a DM), the people who I tend to have as DMs don't allow stuff from them (eg, they don't know the details of psionics, and don't want to deal with it... although, I have had one DM who let me play a psionic character). As for what I usually am allowed to use as a player, I'd have to go with the various Complete <whatever> books. Which one? It depends on which class I'm playing at the time. I've made great use out of all four. And even though it was made before 3.5, I have to mention that the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer is another great book, especially since there's nothing you have to convert to be able to use it in a 3.5 campaign.
ssvegeta555 11-06-05, 03:31 AM	I think Expanded Psionics Handbook is the best. It's so balanced and cool, I just love it. I consider that book core rulebook 4. :) Also Draconomicon is a very cool book and since my campaign is dragon heavy, it's an invaluable resource for me. Plus dragons rule! :P
a_psh 11-06-05, 03:45 AM	I consider [the ExPH] core rulebook 4. :) The System Reference Document seems to agree with you.
anarco_rata 11-06-05, 08:14 AM	Gotta go with EPH too, it's just too good :D especially after the psionics handbook... :mad: Also, eberron campaign setting is my core rulebook #5. I never lleave my home without my ECS `^_^ Ho, and spell compendium its going to be the next "must carry". Must carry means that not only you should buy it, but keep it at all times in your gaming bag. That way, if the gaming alarm sounds or you see the gaming signal in the sky, you can leave quickly and well prepared.
serow_#R 11-06-05, 08:53 AM	Expanded Psionics Handbook, it's just so Force Powers :D Complete Warrior, Adventurer To some extent, Unearthed Arcana
Quarterstaff 11-06-05, 10:56 AM	I liked the complete series in general
Otto the Bugbear 11-06-05, 11:15 AM	Generic: 1. Unearthed Arcana 2. Complete Adventurer 3. Complete Warrior Campaign Specific: Unapproachable East Cheers Otto :)
beezly 11-06-05, 11:27 AM	I really like my Libris Mortis. I use it more than my MM
JStegmaier 11-06-05, 11:54 AM	I'd just like to throw my preference out here and agree with what several people have said: Expanded Psionics Handbook and Unearthed Arcana (for me, they're in that order, but they're pretty close either way.) I prefer crunch over fluff (as I make that myself) and those two books are definitely crammed with crunch.
MysteryGilgamesh 11-06-05, 01:26 PM	Easily the XPH. Probably the best damn book WotC has ever made that didn't have the words "Core Book #" on the front.
Board_Rider 11-06-05, 01:34 PM	I like the CV and, most recently, the Magic of Incarnum supplement.
Majorafire77 11-06-05, 02:59 PM	There's no topping the XPH (except for MAYBE the ECS, but that's debatable).
Deacon Liadon 11-06-05, 03:41 PM	Draconomicon and Lords of Madness for me. I'm just a glutton for fluff.
Alteru 11-06-05, 03:47 PM	I'm considering getting Oriental Adventures. Worth it?
thedude72 11-06-05, 05:00 PM	i havent read unearthed arcana yet so i dont no wat that is,but my favorite is the arms and equipment or heros of battle(i play a war campaign)
Slyde Shadowdart 11-06-05, 05:12 PM	LOVE Heroes of Battle. I'm seriously jonesing to run a war campaign. Right after that, I'd have to say Libris Mortis and ECS.
Gondor 11-06-05, 05:19 PM	I'll toss in my vote for the Expanded Psionics Handbook as well. I also tend to use the Complete Warrior quite a bit, though - I think it is the best of the Complete books, though I have not yet read Complete Divine.
yeknom 11-06-05, 05:38 PM	Goods N Gear it is the 'real' arms & equipment guide.
a_psh 11-06-05, 08:11 PM	Hmm... I didn't figure campaign settings counted as "supplements" per se, which is why I didn't include it, but, yes, the ECS is most awesome.
Azual 11-06-05, 08:43 PM	im goin with Magic of Incarnum, at the moment, followed closely by Heroes of Battle and The Eberron Campaign Setting. :)
Dackad 11-06-05, 10:04 PM	My Favorites: Eberron Campaign Setting Expanded Psionics Handbook Monsternomicon 3.5 - Privateer Press Advanced Bestiary - Green Ronin
Dire Hamster 11-10-05, 11:02 PM	Unearthed Arcana, hands down.
Wharin 11-10-05, 11:20 PM	Races of Stone, for like a month i almost literally took that book everywhere i went. That said... yeah... thats just me.
SinisterSeraph 11-11-05, 03:11 PM	The Tome of Horrors, by Necromancer Games. This book rocks in socks. If you were a fan of older editions, or were ever curious about the older editions, this book is well worth the price.
DarQuing 11-11-05, 06:41 PM	I would have to say Races of Eberron is the most useful, followed by the Complete series, and the Expanded Psionics Handbook (if I had players that had psionic powers, I'd probably find it more useful). In terms of actually liking them: Draconomicon, XPH, and ECS (I know its not an actual supplement, but I still really like it).
grayeyes008 11-11-05, 06:54 PM	Iron Kingdoms, really any setting book is good. Comple series a big help. All 19 of my Monster Manual. and yes i use them all
General_Ridley 11-11-05, 07:02 PM	Libris Mortis, Heroes of Horror, and Lords of Madness happen to be my favorites.