Comparing a few books? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Comparing a few books? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Baned
12-27-05, 12:16 AM I already own 3.0's Manual of the Planes and Psionics Handbook.

Are 3.5's Planar Handbook and Expanded Psionics Handbook worth the money, with loads of (or entirely) new material vs. the counterparts in 3.0?

Or are they merely revivsed much like the three core books were?
Seeker95
12-27-05, 10:10 AM If you like planar travel, Planar Handbook is worth it, but less new than old.
If you like psionics, Expanded Psionics Handbook is a must have. No doubt.
StormCrow42
12-27-05, 10:57 AM The 3.5 XPH is a huge revamp of the psionics system and is a must-have if you want to play psionics in 3.5. There are significant balance changes and the system is much easier to work with now.

I can't comment on the planar handbook, I haven't spent much time with it.
Baned
12-27-05, 11:56 AM Well, in my campaign, the players will be visiting the four Elemental Planes, possibly Mechanus, and a few others.

There's really no place for Psionics in my current campaign, but more than likely in the next, because one player has expressed interest. Maybe I'll look into an Eberron campaign next.
Crunchy Frog
12-27-05, 12:23 PM The Planar Handbook is an add-on for the Manual of the Planes. If you get it, you'll want to hold on to your MotP (and the 3.5 update (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/20030718a) on wizards.com). It includes elements of the 2nd edition Planescape setting, details of certain sites of interest in the multiverse, and new spells, races, prestige classes, and substitution levels you won't find in the MotP. It doesn't have the detailed descriptions of the planes that you'll find in the MotP.

The Expanded Psi Handbook is the 3.5 replacement for the original. It is much better than the original, and if you get it, you won't want to keep the old one. A new psionicist will be much more useful than one from 3.0.

I would recommend:
1) Before you start a campaign with psionics, either get the (much better) Expanded Psionics Handbook, or resolve to make do with the new version of psionics from the SRD (http://d20srd.org/).
2) Browse the Planar Handbook in a store and see whether or not you want it. The planar touchstones and organizations make some pretty neat adventure ideas, and the PC races are interesting. But there are plenty of adventure ideas in the MotP, and the new PC options are not vital.

In particular, there are rules for Mephlings (scaled-down mephits for PCs) and elemental swarms that might be good for the elemental planes, plus details on the City of Brass, and more detailed encounter lists for each of the planes.

For what it's worth, I have both, and I like them both.
Baned
12-27-05, 01:16 PM Thank you, that's a great help.
Greg K
12-27-05, 01:47 PM Yeah, i don't particularly care for the Expanded Psi, but the mechanical aspect of the system is a lot better than previous editions. So, if you like Psionics it is a good buy

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Baned 12-27-05, 12:16 AM	I already own 3.0's Manual of the Planes and Psionics Handbook. Are 3.5's Planar Handbook and Expanded Psionics Handbook worth the money, with loads of (or entirely) new material vs. the counterparts in 3.0? Or are they merely revivsed much like the three core books were?
Seeker95 12-27-05, 10:10 AM	If you like planar travel, Planar Handbook is worth it, but less new than old. If you like psionics, Expanded Psionics Handbook is a must have. No doubt.
StormCrow42 12-27-05, 10:57 AM	The 3.5 XPH is a huge revamp of the psionics system and is a must-have if you want to play psionics in 3.5. There are significant balance changes and the system is much easier to work with now. I can't comment on the planar handbook, I haven't spent much time with it.
Baned 12-27-05, 11:56 AM	Well, in my campaign, the players will be visiting the four Elemental Planes, possibly Mechanus, and a few others. There's really no place for Psionics in my current campaign, but more than likely in the next, because one player has expressed interest. Maybe I'll look into an Eberron campaign next.
Crunchy Frog 12-27-05, 12:23 PM	The Planar Handbook is an add-on for the Manual of the Planes. If you get it, you'll want to hold on to your MotP (and the 3.5 update (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/20030718a) on wizards.com). It includes elements of the 2nd edition Planescape setting, details of certain sites of interest in the multiverse, and new spells, races, prestige classes, and substitution levels you won't find in the MotP. It doesn't have the detailed descriptions of the planes that you'll find in the MotP. The Expanded Psi Handbook is the 3.5 replacement for the original. It is much better than the original, and if you get it, you won't want to keep the old one. A new psionicist will be much more useful than one from 3.0. I would recommend: 1) Before you start a campaign with psionics, either get the (much better) Expanded Psionics Handbook, or resolve to make do with the new version of psionics from the SRD (http://d20srd.org/). 2) Browse the Planar Handbook in a store and see whether or not you want it. The planar touchstones and organizations make some pretty neat adventure ideas, and the PC races are interesting. But there are plenty of adventure ideas in the MotP, and the new PC options are not vital. In particular, there are rules for Mephlings (scaled-down mephits for PCs) and elemental swarms that might be good for the elemental planes, plus details on the City of Brass, and more detailed encounter lists for each of the planes. For what it's worth, I have both, and I like them both.
Baned 12-27-05, 01:16 PM	Thank you, that's a great help.
Greg K 12-27-05, 01:47 PM	Yeah, i don't particularly care for the Expanded Psi, but the mechanical aspect of the system is a lot better than previous editions. So, if you like Psionics it is a good buy