Book Selection [Archive] - Wizards Community

Book Selection [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Ryusage
04-04-06, 03:36 PM I have a friend who's uncle has a huge collection of D&D books. His uncle has agreed to give my friend the books he needs to play since he no longer plays. But my friend isn't sure which ones he'll need for our type of playing. We play v3.5 and so far it's been core. Which books would be helpful or simply offer more possibilities in playing?
Witch
04-04-06, 03:40 PM Naturally:
PHB
DMG
MM

Depending on his character:
Complete Adventurer (useable for most classes)
Complete Arcane, Complete Warrior or Complete Divine
Spell Compendium

There's more ofcourse, but these are most interesting.
Ryusage
04-04-06, 03:41 PM Sorry I'm fairly new to the game, I've been hearing arguments both with and against Psionics... what's the deal with those and what books should I get?

Also heard of books like races of stone, races of _____ , etc.
KublaiKhan
04-04-06, 03:47 PM If the uncle no longer plays [ why not? :eek: ] then why not get all of 'em?

Psionics [ provided you get the XPH ] are nice. Some people like the feel; some don't.

I happen to like MM3 and the Spell Compendium.

One caveat--the uncle might be an old school 2e player.
Witch
04-04-06, 03:50 PM I personally dislike psionics, simply because they add a whole lot of new stuff to the game that is totally different. Probably, if I knew them, I'd like them too.

If you're only just starting out, don't play them (yet).
The "Races of" provide additional starting races and more explanation to the normal ones.
I'd say you can always borrow them later, but when starting out, an elf will be impressive enough ^^
Xaxor
04-04-06, 05:50 PM Psionics is not broken, but it has a bad rep because people are unwilling to learn even a little. The default option is that Psionics and Magic are transparent, so a Dispel Psionics can dispel a Bull's Strength, or a creature with Spell Resistance can resist psionic powers just as easily. There are two little rules you need to learn, Manifester Cap and Psionic Focus. Heck, you don't even have to buy the book to learn the basics, it's all in the SRD. Psionics of earlier editions is quite different, but it is close to seamless in 3.5. It should be Core IV, considering Mind Flayers, Aboleths and Gith already are core.
allenchan
04-04-06, 06:05 PM I personally dislike psionics, simply because they add a whole lot of new stuff to the game that is totally different. Probably, if I knew them, I'd like them too.

If you're only just starting out, don't play them (yet).

Yes, because different is bad and is something to be feared. :rolleyes:

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Ryusage 04-04-06, 03:36 PM	I have a friend who's uncle has a huge collection of D&D books. His uncle has agreed to give my friend the books he needs to play since he no longer plays. But my friend isn't sure which ones he'll need for our type of playing. We play v3.5 and so far it's been core. Which books would be helpful or simply offer more possibilities in playing?
Witch 04-04-06, 03:40 PM	Naturally: PHB DMG MM Depending on his character: Complete Adventurer (useable for most classes) Complete Arcane, Complete Warrior or Complete Divine Spell Compendium There's more ofcourse, but these are most interesting.
Ryusage 04-04-06, 03:41 PM	Sorry I'm fairly new to the game, I've been hearing arguments both with and against Psionics... what's the deal with those and what books should I get? Also heard of books like races of stone, races of _____ , etc.
KublaiKhan 04-04-06, 03:47 PM	If the uncle no longer plays [ why not? :eek: ] then why not get all of 'em? Psionics [ provided you get the XPH ] are nice. Some people like the feel; some don't. I happen to like MM3 and the Spell Compendium. One caveat--the uncle might be an old school 2e player.
Witch 04-04-06, 03:50 PM	I personally dislike psionics, simply because they add a whole lot of new stuff to the game that is totally different. Probably, if I knew them, I'd like them too. If you're only just starting out, don't play them (yet). The "Races of" provide additional starting races and more explanation to the normal ones. I'd say you can always borrow them later, but when starting out, an elf will be impressive enough ^^
Xaxor 04-04-06, 05:50 PM	Psionics is not broken, but it has a bad rep because people are unwilling to learn even a little. The default option is that Psionics and Magic are transparent, so a Dispel Psionics can dispel a Bull's Strength, or a creature with Spell Resistance can resist psionic powers just as easily. There are two little rules you need to learn, Manifester Cap and Psionic Focus. Heck, you don't even have to buy the book to learn the basics, it's all in the SRD. Psionics of earlier editions is quite different, but it is close to seamless in 3.5. It should be Core IV, considering Mind Flayers, Aboleths and Gith already are core.
allenchan 04-04-06, 06:05 PM	I personally dislike psionics, simply because they add a whole lot of new stuff to the game that is totally different. Probably, if I knew them, I'd like them too. If you're only just starting out, don't play them (yet). Yes, because different is bad and is something to be feared. :rolleyes: