Campaign Setting vs Player Handbook [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTimePost
Lastel

09-18-04, 09:17 PM
What of the two should I get? I think I should get both, but of the two, what has better stuff in it?

(Campaign Setting (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0786918365/qid=1095556450/sr=ka-1/ref=pd_ka_1/102-8891057-7355312))

(Players Handbook (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0786931345/ref=pd_sxp_f/102-8891057-7355312?v=glance&s=books))
GothicDan

09-18-04, 09:22 PM
You can, if absolutely necessary, download the basics for the game from the Open source site. But if you're going to actually be running the game, it's always handy to have a physical copy of the PHB in hand.

But, if you don't mind a LOT of printing, and an ugly format for the PHB online, you could pick up the campaign setting.
Purple Dragon Knight

09-18-04, 09:38 PM
He's referring to the FRCS or the PGtoF, not the PHB.

My answer would be that you need both, but if you are a DM, get FRCS; if you are a player, get the PGtoF.

FRCS explains the world, the countries, the gods, etc.

PGtoF provides Prestige Classes, Feats Character Home Regions, etc.
GothicDan

09-18-04, 10:26 PM
Oh. Haha, right.
Supercilious

09-18-04, 10:26 PM
FRCS is much more importent from a DM perspective, whereas the PGtF is mildly importent to a DM, and importent to a player.
Gadodel

09-18-04, 10:29 PM
When in doubt, don't listen to yourself.
Lastel

09-18-04, 10:55 PM
Heh, sorry for not making that more clear. So, from a players perspective, I should get the Players Guide to Faerun then? Thanks for the help guys.
Lashan

09-19-04, 08:30 PM
Races of Faerun is also an excellent book. It gives a good feel for all of FR without giving away a lot of good points. It's also got lots of good crunchy stuff to make a character with, too. I would say it is mostly fluff, though. It's one of my all time favorite FR products. It has a lot of world history, info on cultures, and all around good stuff.
warlockco

09-19-04, 08:33 PM
Heh, sorry for not making that more clear. So, from a players perspective, I should get the Players Guide to Faerun then? Thanks for the help guys.

FRCS is world information, lots of fluff and some crunch.

PGtF is revision of crunch from FRCS and a few other books, information on the Cosmology, and new crunch.
Faraer

09-20-04, 07:50 AM
As a player or as a DM, you want the FRCS first. PGtF is a 3-to-3.5 rules-update book with a miscellany of other, not particularly player-focused, stuff; not a player's book in the sense I recognize of a book with the information a player most needs to know about the setting.
GothicDan

09-20-04, 11:51 AM
Why DID they even call it a Player's Guide? It doesn't make much sense, especially considering they presented the entire cosmology (as entire as it is, at least) in there...
warlockco

09-20-04, 11:54 PM
Why DID they even call it a Player's Guide? It doesn't make much sense, especially considering they presented the entire cosmology (as entire as it is, at least) in there...

Well as a Player, which would you buy?
Player's Guide to Faerun

or

Dungeon Master's Guide to Faerun

Its all about marketing.
Also which is likely to sell more copies, something seen as for players or for DMs?
DMs usually have all DM and Player stuff, while alot of players only have Player stuff.
GothicDan

09-20-04, 11:55 PM
Me? DMG! I'm sneaky like that. ;)