beyond core, which books are your first recomnedations [Archive] - Wizards Community

beyond core, which books are your first recomnedations [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Erloas
07-18-06, 07:12 PM As a new player and a new DM I'm looking at getting a few of the non-core books. I have the PHB, DMG and MM1.

I don't know anyone locally to check out the books from, and I can look over the books in a book store, but not to the extent of having a good idea on which ones will be most useful to me.

I'm more interesting in books that will help me run a campaign mostly in the wilderness. Focusing mostly on the wilderness, cities and dungeons are still there but are of lesser importance. Books with monsters and classes/PrC, skills, feats, and spells, etc pertaining to outdoors and wilderness are of more importance then say ones dealing with the planes, or other specific pre-made campaigns.

Any number of suggestions are good, but I'm specifically looking at getting 2-3 books.
Sarella Starshine
07-18-06, 09:12 PM the complete series
the spell compendium

the complete series (adv, war, arc, div) has lots of stuff centered around a core concept (like the figher type, the arcane caster type, etc) that can help (like the tatical feats in comp. war that allows a warrior to do other things than run up and hit the foe). the spell compendium is nothing but spells (both arcane and divine), which is great if you find the spells in the phb not what you wanted for your spell caster or want something a little more different to chose from (if your tired of the same ole selection).

beyond those two which i have had experence with, you may want to check out the psionics handbook, which can add an entire new dimention to your campain setting.
Milo HoBo
07-18-06, 10:07 PM ...Beyond those two which i have had experence with, you may want to check out the psionics handbook, which can add an entire new dimention to your campain setting.I'm going to be more specific here, if you get into psionics, be sure to get the Expanded Psionics Handbook. This is the 3.5 version, where as the previous version (The Psionics Handbook) was the natural 1 incarnate.

The complete series is good, psionics is better, but if you're looking for wilderness, Races of the Wilder sounds right. I've never read the book, mind you, but it sounds right and sounds like it gives more options to players as well as D.M.'s.
Lucan_Desmond
07-18-06, 11:14 PM MM2 and MM3
The Complete Series
Spell Compendium
Players Handbook 2
Dungeon Masters Guide 2

Thats pretty much all I suggest. Everything else is pretty, but not as important. Not to mention, once you have all these books, you've got enough D&D to play through original stuff for years. At least 5 years. It'll take you a long time to get bored with all that. Once you do however:

Expanded Psionics Handbook
[Favorite Campaign Setting]
- Forgotten Realms
- Eberron
- Iron Kingdoms
- Kingdoms of Kalamar

If you want a campaign setting thats very original and fun, I suggest the Iron Kingdoms. It's tons of fun. "Steampunk" style world (they call it Full-Metal Fantasy). Tons of fun.

Anywho, have fun!
Des
panderan
07-18-06, 11:19 PM The complete series are always good to get as stated above but other than that a book is coming out november all about cities called cityscape.You might want to check it out.

As for Monsters get monster manual 3 or fiend folio both are good, dont even try MM2 it is very outdated and has alot of misprints/mistakes. MM 4 uses a new system and it might be a little confusing for a new player so maybe wait on that.

If you are planning on and Evil campaign get Book of Vile darkness and Heroes of horror, or if big battles are more for you get Heroes of battle.

Lastly, psionics, incarnium, and tome of magic are good but they deal with different magic systems so it might not be the best for new players. (finnally the end) Players handbook II is also a good buy. :) And Welcome to D&D :)
GreyLord
07-19-06, 02:25 AM MM2 and MM3
The Complete Series
Spell Compendium
Players Handbook 2
Dungeon Masters Guide 2

Thats pretty much all I suggest. Everything else is pretty, but not as important. Not to mention, once you have all these books, you've got enough D&D to play through original stuff for years. At least 5 years. It'll take you a long time to get bored with all that. Once you do however:

Expanded Psionics Handbook
[Favorite Campaign Setting]
- Forgotten Realms
- Eberron
- Iron Kingdoms
- Kingdoms of Kalamar

If you want a campaign setting thats very original and fun, I suggest the Iron Kingdoms. It's tons of fun. "Steampunk" style world (they call it Full-Metal Fantasy). Tons of fun.

Anywho, have fun!
Des

I don't do the Eberron, Iron Kingdoms, Kalamar thing, but with his original suggestions of the

DMG2
PHB2
and the Complete Series (complete Warrior, Arcane, Divine, Adventurer)

I'll second that. But I'd get them in that order (as I listed).
ArchonJohn
07-19-06, 03:44 AM Complete Divine pretty much rocks.

Along with Complete Arcane.

And the Champions of Ruin. But that's just because it gives a synopsis on different ways to be evil.
Eksem
07-19-06, 04:42 AM Perhaps the environment-series? I'm talking about Frostburn, Stormwrack and Sandstorm. They explore different wilderness-environments such as cold, wet and hot, so far.
Shaggy_Shaggs
07-19-06, 04:54 AM I strongly disagree with the recommendation to get Book of Vile Darkness. I have the book, and I love the concept and some of the art, but the execution was very poor. Furthermore even if they'd done the book well, it's 3.0 rather than 3.5, so it's outdated on top of being an inconsistent mess in the first place.

What's a wilderness campaign, without creatures that have no business being in a natural setting and need to be kicked out? Or perhaps more to your taste, struggle to assimilate into a world in which they don't belong? If you like undead, or hate them (in the love to destroy sense, not the never want to see in game sense), Libris Mortis is a great book to pick up. It's got new monsters, new variations on old monsters, templates, equipment and grafts (probably the weakest part of the book but still good), some classic monsters broken down into proper class progressions, new magic and feats for the undead and the people that fight them (druids, anyone?), PrCs related to the undead, opposing them or even being them, pregen NPCs, a few premade site-based adventures, and some nice flavor for those that care about the undead one way or the other.
Jepeddo
07-19-06, 06:01 AM Like most of the others said:

Complete Arcane
Complete Adventurer
Complete Divine
Complete Warrior
DisposableHero_
07-19-06, 10:42 AM Another vote for the expanded psionics handbook, its certainly the non-core book I use the most in my games.
panderan
07-19-06, 10:45 AM I strongly disagree with the recommendation to get Book of Vile Darkness. I have the book, and I love the concept and some of the art, but the execution was very poor. Furthermore even if they'd done the book well, it's 3.0 rather than 3.5, so it's outdated on top of being an inconsistent mess in the first place.

You may think that but I have used book of Vile darkness a lot of times for more Evil deeds ;)

What's a wilderness campaign, without creatures that have no business being in a natural setting and need to be kicked out? Or perhaps more to your taste, struggle to assimilate into a world in which they don't belong?

Fiend Folio has plenty of monsters for Wilderness adventures. Dire rhino, variants of Formian, Bog giant, Iron cobra, and mongrefolk just to name of few trust me it is a goood buy.

And if you are thinking about a heavy magic campaign get spell compendium and the upcoming complete mage (which comes out soon.)
Izodor_Shadowcaster
07-19-06, 10:47 AM Tome of Magic is your book. ;)
Erloas
07-19-06, 11:01 AM Which of the books have the most information that can be added as a suppliment that won't require the players to restart. Not that we have got very far, but I'm looking for stuff I can add pieces of into the game without having to necessarily add it all in at once or having to redo the characters to make it fit.

Adding new races as NPCs and other new monsters isn't a big deal. As far as psionics go (I'm not familar with it at all) is that the sort of thing that can be picked up by everyone later in the game, like PrC or feats, rather then races or new or completely reworked classes.

Also the group includes a druid, barbarian, ranger, and bard. Which books add the most relivent information to those classes. Which classes do each of the "Complete" books mostly pertain to.

Oh, also which books (like someone mentioned earlier) have been updated since 3.5 and which ones are still 3.0 If some have both versions are the obviously distinguished between the versions?
RadicalTaoist
07-19-06, 11:04 AM And another vote for the Expanded Psionics Handbook.

Complete Warrior, Complete Adventurer, and the Races series is good too.
Erloas
07-21-06, 10:56 AM With that class set (barbarian, druid, ranger, bard) am I going to pretty much end up having to get 3-4 "Complete" books to get something for most of them, or is there a more general one that offers at least 2-3 of said classes more options.
Raven Dark
07-21-06, 11:43 AM My first reccomendations would be the Player's Handbook II and the Spell Compendium.

My second reccomendation would the the Complete series.
babysamurai
07-21-06, 12:00 PM To add the most dimensions/new horizons:

Expanded Psionics Handbook
Magic of Incarnum
Tome of Magic
Xylem
07-21-06, 12:58 PM I started GM'ing 3.5 (having last played OD&D) with the three core books and The Complete Arcane, and have added a bunch of books since. The reason for starting with the CA is that I talked to my players and it turned out one of them really liked the idea of running a Warmage. If you have some or all of your players lined up, you might want to consider having them visit a book or hobby store and look through the books that contain character classes and races and find out what they might want to run. Or, to keep it simple, you might want to look through the books yourself and see what you want them to be able run.
BeyondFated
07-21-06, 01:10 PM Expanded Psionics Handbook
Ebberon Campaign Setting
Player's Handbook 2
Dungeon Master's Guide 2
In that order.
nameless_one_86
07-21-06, 01:41 PM Complete adventurer
DM guide 2
Tome of magic
Complete -series-
Chairman7w
07-21-06, 01:55 PM Perhaps the environment-series? I'm talking about Frostburn, Stormwrack and Sandstorm. They explore different wilderness-environments such as cold, wet and hot, so far.

Chairman7w approves of this message! :)
Gottwick
07-21-06, 04:32 PM DMs need monsters. Go with MM2, 3 and 4, FF, Draconimicon and/or Liber Mortis.

Don't go with rules add-ons. Psionics are my least favorite.

After that, to me it's a toss-up between the complete series, environment series or PHB2/DMG2.
General_Ridley
07-21-06, 05:07 PM Complete series, MM3, Races of the Wild, XPH. all are useful, with some of what you need.

You may think that but I have used book of Vile darkness a lot of times for more Evil deeds ;)

in my experience the BoVD turned out to be the "Book of Slightly Gross". Oftentimes I ended up being more sickly twisted than any of the stuff in the book.
Telos_Savant
07-21-06, 07:13 PM it totLLY DEPENDS IF U WANT CRUNCH ARE FLAVOUR, BUT four BOOKS THAT HAVE A NICE MIX THAT I LUV (THOUGH SOME PEOPLE WOULD SHOOT ME FOR SUGGESTING 2 OF THEM) the book of exalted deed, shows you everything you need to know to be good and be beyond good plus gives a whole bunch o' crunch to base on a good char, The book of vile darkness flovour wize the complete opposite but again allot of crunch for evil chars, Libir mortis, a book on the undead with allot ov both crunch and fluff on them and then Lords of madness, the book of abbirations, same as the others but for crazy insane slimy mostly evil things with appendiges everywhere
Magnus Magus
07-21-06, 07:59 PM The Complete Divine, Arcane, Warrior (and to a lesser degree) Adventurer are useful for both player and DM, opening up many possibilities for PrCs, classes, feats and spells. Some other stuff in there is useful, but the meat lies in the character options.

Spell Compendium adds a LOT of crunch for your spellcasters. If you love spells, this is great. Most of the "complete" spells are reprinted here as well as many from Forgotten Realms.

PHB2 and DMG2 are very useful too and present a lot of great ideas.
garyatwal26
07-22-06, 01:12 AM who ever created the topic, gimme ur email address and i will surprise u

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Erloas 07-18-06, 07:12 PM	As a new player and a new DM I'm looking at getting a few of the non-core books. I have the PHB, DMG and MM1. I don't know anyone locally to check out the books from, and I can look over the books in a book store, but not to the extent of having a good idea on which ones will be most useful to me. I'm more interesting in books that will help me run a campaign mostly in the wilderness. Focusing mostly on the wilderness, cities and dungeons are still there but are of lesser importance. Books with monsters and classes/PrC, skills, feats, and spells, etc pertaining to outdoors and wilderness are of more importance then say ones dealing with the planes, or other specific pre-made campaigns. Any number of suggestions are good, but I'm specifically looking at getting 2-3 books.
Sarella Starshine 07-18-06, 09:12 PM	the complete series the spell compendium the complete series (adv, war, arc, div) has lots of stuff centered around a core concept (like the figher type, the arcane caster type, etc) that can help (like the tatical feats in comp. war that allows a warrior to do other things than run up and hit the foe). the spell compendium is nothing but spells (both arcane and divine), which is great if you find the spells in the phb not what you wanted for your spell caster or want something a little more different to chose from (if your tired of the same ole selection). beyond those two which i have had experence with, you may want to check out the psionics handbook, which can add an entire new dimention to your campain setting.
Milo HoBo 07-18-06, 10:07 PM	...Beyond those two which i have had experence with, you may want to check out the psionics handbook, which can add an entire new dimention to your campain setting.I'm going to be more specific here, if you get into psionics, be sure to get the Expanded Psionics Handbook. This is the 3.5 version, where as the previous version (The Psionics Handbook) was the natural 1 incarnate. The complete series is good, psionics is better, but if you're looking for wilderness, Races of the Wilder sounds right. I've never read the book, mind you, but it sounds right and sounds like it gives more options to players as well as D.M.'s.
Lucan_Desmond 07-18-06, 11:14 PM	MM2 and MM3 The Complete Series Spell Compendium Players Handbook 2 Dungeon Masters Guide 2 Thats pretty much all I suggest. Everything else is pretty, but not as important. Not to mention, once you have all these books, you've got enough D&D to play through original stuff for years. At least 5 years. It'll take you a long time to get bored with all that. Once you do however: Expanded Psionics Handbook [Favorite Campaign Setting] - Forgotten Realms - Eberron - Iron Kingdoms - Kingdoms of Kalamar If you want a campaign setting thats very original and fun, I suggest the Iron Kingdoms. It's tons of fun. "Steampunk" style world (they call it Full-Metal Fantasy). Tons of fun. Anywho, have fun! Des
panderan 07-18-06, 11:19 PM	The complete series are always good to get as stated above but other than that a book is coming out november all about cities called cityscape.You might want to check it out. As for Monsters get monster manual 3 or fiend folio both are good, dont even try MM2 it is very outdated and has alot of misprints/mistakes. MM 4 uses a new system and it might be a little confusing for a new player so maybe wait on that. If you are planning on and Evil campaign get Book of Vile darkness and Heroes of horror, or if big battles are more for you get Heroes of battle. Lastly, psionics, incarnium, and tome of magic are good but they deal with different magic systems so it might not be the best for new players. (finnally the end) Players handbook II is also a good buy. :) And Welcome to D&D :)
GreyLord 07-19-06, 02:25 AM	MM2 and MM3 The Complete Series Spell Compendium Players Handbook 2 Dungeon Masters Guide 2 Thats pretty much all I suggest. Everything else is pretty, but not as important. Not to mention, once you have all these books, you've got enough D&D to play through original stuff for years. At least 5 years. It'll take you a long time to get bored with all that. Once you do however: Expanded Psionics Handbook [Favorite Campaign Setting] - Forgotten Realms - Eberron - Iron Kingdoms - Kingdoms of Kalamar If you want a campaign setting thats very original and fun, I suggest the Iron Kingdoms. It's tons of fun. "Steampunk" style world (they call it Full-Metal Fantasy). Tons of fun. Anywho, have fun! Des I don't do the Eberron, Iron Kingdoms, Kalamar thing, but with his original suggestions of the DMG2 PHB2 and the Complete Series (complete Warrior, Arcane, Divine, Adventurer) I'll second that. But I'd get them in that order (as I listed).
ArchonJohn 07-19-06, 03:44 AM	Complete Divine pretty much rocks. Along with Complete Arcane. And the Champions of Ruin. But that's just because it gives a synopsis on different ways to be evil.
Eksem 07-19-06, 04:42 AM	Perhaps the environment-series? I'm talking about Frostburn, Stormwrack and Sandstorm. They explore different wilderness-environments such as cold, wet and hot, so far.
Shaggy_Shaggs 07-19-06, 04:54 AM	I strongly disagree with the recommendation to get Book of Vile Darkness. I have the book, and I love the concept and some of the art, but the execution was very poor. Furthermore even if they'd done the book well, it's 3.0 rather than 3.5, so it's outdated on top of being an inconsistent mess in the first place. What's a wilderness campaign, without creatures that have no business being in a natural setting and need to be kicked out? Or perhaps more to your taste, struggle to assimilate into a world in which they don't belong? If you like undead, or hate them (in the love to destroy sense, not the never want to see in game sense), Libris Mortis is a great book to pick up. It's got new monsters, new variations on old monsters, templates, equipment and grafts (probably the weakest part of the book but still good), some classic monsters broken down into proper class progressions, new magic and feats for the undead and the people that fight them (druids, anyone?), PrCs related to the undead, opposing them or even being them, pregen NPCs, a few premade site-based adventures, and some nice flavor for those that care about the undead one way or the other.
Jepeddo 07-19-06, 06:01 AM	Like most of the others said: Complete Arcane Complete Adventurer Complete Divine Complete Warrior
DisposableHero_ 07-19-06, 10:42 AM	Another vote for the expanded psionics handbook, its certainly the non-core book I use the most in my games.
panderan 07-19-06, 10:45 AM	I strongly disagree with the recommendation to get Book of Vile Darkness. I have the book, and I love the concept and some of the art, but the execution was very poor. Furthermore even if they'd done the book well, it's 3.0 rather than 3.5, so it's outdated on top of being an inconsistent mess in the first place. You may think that but I have used book of Vile darkness a lot of times for more Evil deeds ;) What's a wilderness campaign, without creatures that have no business being in a natural setting and need to be kicked out? Or perhaps more to your taste, struggle to assimilate into a world in which they don't belong? Fiend Folio has plenty of monsters for Wilderness adventures. Dire rhino, variants of Formian, Bog giant, Iron cobra, and mongrefolk just to name of few trust me it is a goood buy. And if you are thinking about a heavy magic campaign get spell compendium and the upcoming complete mage (which comes out soon.)
Izodor_Shadowcaster 07-19-06, 10:47 AM	Tome of Magic is your book. ;)
Erloas 07-19-06, 11:01 AM	Which of the books have the most information that can be added as a suppliment that won't require the players to restart. Not that we have got very far, but I'm looking for stuff I can add pieces of into the game without having to necessarily add it all in at once or having to redo the characters to make it fit. Adding new races as NPCs and other new monsters isn't a big deal. As far as psionics go (I'm not familar with it at all) is that the sort of thing that can be picked up by everyone later in the game, like PrC or feats, rather then races or new or completely reworked classes. Also the group includes a druid, barbarian, ranger, and bard. Which books add the most relivent information to those classes. Which classes do each of the "Complete" books mostly pertain to. Oh, also which books (like someone mentioned earlier) have been updated since 3.5 and which ones are still 3.0 If some have both versions are the obviously distinguished between the versions?
RadicalTaoist 07-19-06, 11:04 AM	And another vote for the Expanded Psionics Handbook. Complete Warrior, Complete Adventurer, and the Races series is good too.
Erloas 07-21-06, 10:56 AM	With that class set (barbarian, druid, ranger, bard) am I going to pretty much end up having to get 3-4 "Complete" books to get something for most of them, or is there a more general one that offers at least 2-3 of said classes more options.
Raven Dark 07-21-06, 11:43 AM	My first reccomendations would be the Player's Handbook II and the Spell Compendium. My second reccomendation would the the Complete series.
babysamurai 07-21-06, 12:00 PM	To add the most dimensions/new horizons: Expanded Psionics Handbook Magic of Incarnum Tome of Magic
Xylem 07-21-06, 12:58 PM	I started GM'ing 3.5 (having last played OD&D) with the three core books and The Complete Arcane, and have added a bunch of books since. The reason for starting with the CA is that I talked to my players and it turned out one of them really liked the idea of running a Warmage. If you have some or all of your players lined up, you might want to consider having them visit a book or hobby store and look through the books that contain character classes and races and find out what they might want to run. Or, to keep it simple, you might want to look through the books yourself and see what you want them to be able run.
BeyondFated 07-21-06, 01:10 PM	Expanded Psionics Handbook Ebberon Campaign Setting Player's Handbook 2 Dungeon Master's Guide 2 In that order.
nameless_one_86 07-21-06, 01:41 PM	Complete adventurer DM guide 2 Tome of magic Complete -series-
Chairman7w 07-21-06, 01:55 PM	Perhaps the environment-series? I'm talking about Frostburn, Stormwrack and Sandstorm. They explore different wilderness-environments such as cold, wet and hot, so far. Chairman7w approves of this message! :)
Gottwick 07-21-06, 04:32 PM	DMs need monsters. Go with MM2, 3 and 4, FF, Draconimicon and/or Liber Mortis. Don't go with rules add-ons. Psionics are my least favorite. After that, to me it's a toss-up between the complete series, environment series or PHB2/DMG2.
General_Ridley 07-21-06, 05:07 PM	Complete series, MM3, Races of the Wild, XPH. all are useful, with some of what you need. You may think that but I have used book of Vile darkness a lot of times for more Evil deeds ;) in my experience the BoVD turned out to be the "Book of Slightly Gross". Oftentimes I ended up being more sickly twisted than any of the stuff in the book.
Telos_Savant 07-21-06, 07:13 PM	it totLLY DEPENDS IF U WANT CRUNCH ARE FLAVOUR, BUT four BOOKS THAT HAVE A NICE MIX THAT I LUV (THOUGH SOME PEOPLE WOULD SHOOT ME FOR SUGGESTING 2 OF THEM) the book of exalted deed, shows you everything you need to know to be good and be beyond good plus gives a whole bunch o' crunch to base on a good char, The book of vile darkness flovour wize the complete opposite but again allot of crunch for evil chars, Libir mortis, a book on the undead with allot ov both crunch and fluff on them and then Lords of madness, the book of abbirations, same as the others but for crazy insane slimy mostly evil things with appendiges everywhere
Magnus Magus 07-21-06, 07:59 PM	The Complete Divine, Arcane, Warrior (and to a lesser degree) Adventurer are useful for both player and DM, opening up many possibilities for PrCs, classes, feats and spells. Some other stuff in there is useful, but the meat lies in the character options. Spell Compendium adds a LOT of crunch for your spellcasters. If you love spells, this is great. Most of the "complete" spells are reprinted here as well as many from Forgotten Realms. PHB2 and DMG2 are very useful too and present a lot of great ideas.
garyatwal26 07-22-06, 01:12 AM	who ever created the topic, gimme ur email address and i will surprise u