Buying a new book [Archive] - Wizards Community

Buying a new book [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Darkxarth
10-05-06, 08:34 PM Hello all.

I have recently come into a little bit of money, and have decided to spend some of it on a new D&D book.

Here's a list of what I currently own, or have access to.

*Player's Handbook 3.5 (and 3.0)
*Dungeon Master's Guide 3.5 (and 3.0)
*Monster Manual 3.5 (and 3.0)
*Deities and Demigods
*Epic Level Handbook
*Arms & Equipment Guide
*Heroes of Battle
*Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss
*Complete Warrior
*Planar Handbook

I don't actually own all of those, but I can borrow them basically whenever I need to.

Now, my firsts thoughts on buying a new book were, Expanded Psionics Handbook, Unearthed Arcana, and Spell Compendium. I've heard some pretty good things about all three of those books.

Anyway, I'm not particularly looking for a setting book (not interested in Eberron or Faerun, not right now anyway) or a "Races of" book. I'd like to add another chunk of crunch to my campaigns. Whether that means adding Psionics, or a bajillion options, or new types of magic, or just a LOT of new spells.

I have about $40 to spend on this book, and I can probably order it online (if need be).
So, thanks in advance for you help and opinions!

-DX
rpgforme
10-05-06, 08:59 PM Pick up the Tome of Battle. Your warriors can now have spell lists of maneuvers basically. I was pleasantly surprised by the system.
ZeronHitaro
10-05-06, 09:05 PM Hmm...kinda depends on what your most urgent want is.

For Players who like varriant caster types:

Expanded Psionics Handbook

For Players who like melee with a little something fresh tossed in:

Magic of Incarnum
Tome of Battle

For DMs to have some interesting things to work with:

Draconomicon
Lords of Madness

However for the biggest "crunch value" I'd rate it as this.

1. Magic of Incarnum (more developed system that even includes the possiblity for players in certain PrCs to be a part of certain organzations and have "titles", not requires but opens up a lot of story possiblities)

2. Expanded Psionics Handbook (Great varriant system to add into your world for something new and refreshing)

3 Draconomicon/Lords of Madness (Both of these offer wonderful ammounts of crunch with just the right ammount of fluffy cherry on top to satisfy the DM who is looking to add greater value to his monsters in terms of social function and combat enhancment. I'd rate them both equally, it just depends on if you like Abberations or Dragons more.)
Milo HoBo
10-05-06, 09:13 PM Now, my firsts thoughts on buying a new book were, Expanded Psionics Handbook, Unearthed Arcana, and Spell Compendium. I've heard some pretty good things about all three of those books...I have about $40 to spend on this book, and I can probably order it online (if need be).
I say go with your first instict. The XPH is so beautiful. Psionics w/ augmentation is the best. Before you purchase it, concider looking at the crunch in the SRD. Unearthed Arcana, though good, it has alot of hit and miss and wasn't playtested thoroughly. The Spell Compendium added alot of changes to spells in previous books. I have heard that most of the changes were uneeded. However, it is alot easier to carry one thick book than several thin books if you need them for the spells.

If you find you like psionics, concider buying one of these at a later date.

As an addition to your purchase, I suggest later getting Untapped Potential from Dreamscarred Press. It is some very thorughly balanced material that will be in print fairly soon (it is available in PDF form right now for $5). Since it is not by WotC, it isn't official material, but it is one of my favorite additions to the game.

Another 3rd party book to concider is Hyperconcious by Malhavoc Press. This has Bruce Cordell as an author which is important to note, because he is the author of the XPH as well.

Please do not concider the Complete Psionics. It ranks about a 4 out of 10 at best, but usually much lower. Despite the fact that Bruce also authored this one, it has extremely poor editing, some unnecessary nerfs, nerfs that don't fix the original problem they were intended to fix, and only a few gems that could be printed in a few pages.
Darkxarth
10-06-06, 01:41 AM Okay, I ordered the Expanded Psionics Handbook through a reliable river-themed website, and it only cost me $20. So, I may just have to see what else I can find online. Please, keep the comments coming, but you can leave out the XPH now. :D
The_Jester
10-06-06, 02:15 AM Spell Compendium is really handy. Wads of new spells for all spell-casting classes. My bard in LG would be useless without it.
babysamurai
10-06-06, 05:37 AM Best books for options/expansion:

Unearthed Arcana
Expanded Psionics Handbook
Magic of Incarnum
Tome of Magic
Tome of Battle
aotrscommander
10-06-06, 06:06 AM I would say either the PHB II (which is useful for all classes, especially fighters, and I personally thought the Dragon shaman was a great idea) or the Spell Compendium.

Consider the Complete Arcane if, for nothing else, the Warlock.
Ryusage
10-06-06, 06:40 AM PHB2 is great; 4 new classes, expansions on a whole bunch more and more spells and feats that your party can deal with. :D
Consider also Complete Divine... It can help encourage reluctant players who don't want to be clerics.
aotrscommander
10-06-06, 06:55 AM Whoops. Stupid time out/maintaintance time...

Erm...

Yay, Libris Mortis, for all your Undead needs...?
CharlieRock
10-06-06, 08:56 AM I had tons of fun with Stronghold Builders Guide. If your characters end up building places its a great referance book. :)
The_Jester
10-06-06, 12:02 PM Most of the books are good if you want new classes. If you want something established characters and yourself can use I still recomend the Spell Compendium.
But for options I've heard good things about Magic of Incarnum and Tome of Magic looks amazing with some really fun options.

The complete books are alright but limited to each class so you often feel you have to buy alot.

The warlock is fun but I wouldn't buy the book just for them. They're more limited in options than the sorcerer (Hrm, what will I do this round in combat? I know, I'll fire my abyssal blast).
supernerd222
10-06-06, 07:57 PM Consider the Dragon Compendium. It has a little of everything: Calsses, Prestige classes, Races, Monsters (including new chromatic dragons), feats, spells, magic items, and shiny paper.

Or consider a subscription to dungeon and/or dragon mag. Dungeon just started a new pirate campaign, and Dragon always has something cool in it.

If you are just considering a book publishrd by wizards, go for the Expanded Psionics Handbook. It's borderline core, and pretty cool, just know that some people hate psionics because they are somehow futuristic or something. Make sure you know you want it before you buy it.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Darkxarth 10-05-06, 08:34 PM	Hello all. I have recently come into a little bit of money, and have decided to spend some of it on a new D&D book. Here's a list of what I currently own, or have access to. Player's Handbook 3.5 (and 3.0) Dungeon Master's Guide 3.5 (and 3.0) Monster Manual 3.5 (and 3.0) Deities and Demigods Epic Level Handbook Arms & Equipment Guide Heroes of Battle Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss Complete Warrior Planar Handbook I don't actually own all of those, but I can borrow them basically whenever I need to. Now, my firsts thoughts on buying a new book were, Expanded Psionics Handbook, Unearthed Arcana, and Spell Compendium. I've heard some pretty good things about all three of those books. Anyway, I'm not particularly looking for a setting book (not interested in Eberron or Faerun, not right now anyway) or a "Races of" book. I'd like to add another chunk of crunch to my campaigns. Whether that means adding Psionics, or a bajillion options, or new types of magic, or just a LOT of new spells. I have about $40 to spend on this book, and I can probably order it online (if need be). So, thanks in advance for you help and opinions! -DX
rpgforme 10-05-06, 08:59 PM	Pick up the Tome of Battle. Your warriors can now have spell lists of maneuvers basically. I was pleasantly surprised by the system.
ZeronHitaro 10-05-06, 09:05 PM	Hmm...kinda depends on what your most urgent want is. For Players who like varriant caster types: Expanded Psionics Handbook For Players who like melee with a little something fresh tossed in: Magic of Incarnum Tome of Battle For DMs to have some interesting things to work with: Draconomicon Lords of Madness However for the biggest "crunch value" I'd rate it as this. 1. Magic of Incarnum (more developed system that even includes the possiblity for players in certain PrCs to be a part of certain organzations and have "titles", not requires but opens up a lot of story possiblities) 2. Expanded Psionics Handbook (Great varriant system to add into your world for something new and refreshing) 3 Draconomicon/Lords of Madness (Both of these offer wonderful ammounts of crunch with just the right ammount of fluffy cherry on top to satisfy the DM who is looking to add greater value to his monsters in terms of social function and combat enhancment. I'd rate them both equally, it just depends on if you like Abberations or Dragons more.)
Milo HoBo 10-05-06, 09:13 PM	Now, my firsts thoughts on buying a new book were, Expanded Psionics Handbook, Unearthed Arcana, and Spell Compendium. I've heard some pretty good things about all three of those books...I have about $40 to spend on this book, and I can probably order it online (if need be). I say go with your first instict. The XPH is so beautiful. Psionics w/ augmentation is the best. Before you purchase it, concider looking at the crunch in the SRD. Unearthed Arcana, though good, it has alot of hit and miss and wasn't playtested thoroughly. The Spell Compendium added alot of changes to spells in previous books. I have heard that most of the changes were uneeded. However, it is alot easier to carry one thick book than several thin books if you need them for the spells. If you find you like psionics, concider buying one of these at a later date. As an addition to your purchase, I suggest later getting Untapped Potential from Dreamscarred Press. It is some very thorughly balanced material that will be in print fairly soon (it is available in PDF form right now for $5). Since it is not by WotC, it isn't official material, but it is one of my favorite additions to the game. Another 3rd party book to concider is Hyperconcious by Malhavoc Press. This has Bruce Cordell as an author which is important to note, because he is the author of the XPH as well. Please do not concider the Complete Psionics. It ranks about a 4 out of 10 at best, but usually much lower. Despite the fact that Bruce also authored this one, it has extremely poor editing, some unnecessary nerfs, nerfs that don't fix the original problem they were intended to fix, and only a few gems that could be printed in a few pages.
Darkxarth 10-06-06, 01:41 AM	Okay, I ordered the Expanded Psionics Handbook through a reliable river-themed website, and it only cost me $20. So, I may just have to see what else I can find online. Please, keep the comments coming, but you can leave out the XPH now. :D
The_Jester 10-06-06, 02:15 AM	Spell Compendium is really handy. Wads of new spells for all spell-casting classes. My bard in LG would be useless without it.
babysamurai 10-06-06, 05:37 AM	Best books for options/expansion: Unearthed Arcana Expanded Psionics Handbook Magic of Incarnum Tome of Magic Tome of Battle
aotrscommander 10-06-06, 06:06 AM	I would say either the PHB II (which is useful for all classes, especially fighters, and I personally thought the Dragon shaman was a great idea) or the Spell Compendium. Consider the Complete Arcane if, for nothing else, the Warlock.
Ryusage 10-06-06, 06:40 AM	PHB2 is great; 4 new classes, expansions on a whole bunch more and more spells and feats that your party can deal with. :D Consider also Complete Divine... It can help encourage reluctant players who don't want to be clerics.
aotrscommander 10-06-06, 06:55 AM	Whoops. Stupid time out/maintaintance time... Erm... Yay, Libris Mortis, for all your Undead needs...?
CharlieRock 10-06-06, 08:56 AM	I had tons of fun with Stronghold Builders Guide. If your characters end up building places its a great referance book. :)
The_Jester 10-06-06, 12:02 PM	Most of the books are good if you want new classes. If you want something established characters and yourself can use I still recomend the Spell Compendium. But for options I've heard good things about Magic of Incarnum and Tome of Magic looks amazing with some really fun options. The complete books are alright but limited to each class so you often feel you have to buy alot. The warlock is fun but I wouldn't buy the book just for them. They're more limited in options than the sorcerer (Hrm, what will I do this round in combat? I know, I'll fire my abyssal blast).
supernerd222 10-06-06, 07:57 PM	Consider the Dragon Compendium. It has a little of everything: Calsses, Prestige classes, Races, Monsters (including new chromatic dragons), feats, spells, magic items, and shiny paper. Or consider a subscription to dungeon and/or dragon mag. Dungeon just started a new pirate campaign, and Dragon always has something cool in it. If you are just considering a book publishrd by wizards, go for the Expanded Psionics Handbook. It's borderline core, and pretty cool, just know that some people hate psionics because they are somehow futuristic or something. Make sure you know you want it before you buy it.