FR newbie wondering about PGtF [Archive] - Wizards Community

FR newbie wondering about PGtF [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Messener
09-30-04, 07:31 PM I'm a long time 1e and 2e D&D player, and started playing again with a new group when 3.5e came out. I've also been DM'ing our campaigns for my first time ever.

Neither I nor any of my players have ever played in the FRCS, although we are familiar with it through novels and videogames. I recently bought the FRCS, having trouble creating an entire world on my own and not really feeling much support for Greyhawk.

I've been reading about PGtF and I see that a lot of people really don't like it. I was planning on buying it, since it's the 3.5 update for the Realms, but now I'm not sure. I was wondering if people thought it would be a good resource for those who are new to the Realms and want to play 3.5 rules, before I spend the money on something so many seem to hate. If I want to stick with a 3.5 world would I maybe be better off looking into Eberron? I have all the 3.5 core books, and no 3e books except the FRCS.

If I don't get PGtF, is there another book you can suggest as a must-have for an FR campaign? I am already planning on getting the Monsters of Faerun.

And don't just post to say you don't like PGtF, there are plenty of posts on that already. I really just want to know if it's valuable for a new guy.
Kuje31
09-30-04, 07:39 PM For me? No I don't need it because I use the old regional feat system. I happen to like the 3.0 spells, etc. :) Nor do I use the updated planes.

And since they cut the monster updates from the book, my copy sits in my FR box. :)

BTW those monster updates can be found below.

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/we/20040313a
Dielzen
09-30-04, 10:29 PM If you're going to run Faerun, get the FRCS. If you're going to run Faerun in 3.5, get PgtF also.
warlockco
09-30-04, 11:40 PM All Forgotten Realms information, especially Fluff can still be used for the most part regardless if it is 1E, 2E or 3E.

The PGtF provides updates mainly to the FRCS, but also to a few of the other books released before it came out.

It has a revised Regional System, which I like quite a bit now that I'm used to it.

It provides new PrCs in addition to revised PrCs. It provides new spells and magic items in addition to revising previous versions.

It provides the Cosmology of the Realms (The layout of the Planes).

Biggest question is do you want to play 3.0 or 3.5 rules?
You can still play 3.5 without the PGtF, but some of the feats and especially PrCs presented in the FRCS are unbalancing as they are for a 3.5 game.
Messener
09-30-04, 11:45 PM Thanks for the info. I think that I will get the PGtF, since I have all 3.5 core rulebooks and I want to play with 3.5 rules.
warlockco
10-01-04, 01:12 AM Good Luck with your gameplay!
Gray Richardson
10-01-04, 02:53 AM May I just say that I love the Players Guide to Faerun and I think it will be very helpful to a newbie. It is extremely useful for creating new characters and NPC's and a couple of the new players in my campaign have found it invaluable. I refer to it quite often and I heartily recommend it for you or any new player.

The information about feats and regions I find particularly useful as well as the info about spells and domains. And it's also all compatible with 3.5. In addition it is chock full of other wonderful bits about Faerun in the apendices and in the sidebars all through the book.

Welcome to the board by the way. Hope you enjoy your purchase. :)
chme
10-01-04, 03:38 AM In addition it is chock full of other wonderful bits about Faerun in the apendices and in the sidebars all through the book.

To each his own, and I'm not gonna say anything about "wonderful" in the quote above ... but "chock full"??? Come on, that is pretty misleading don't you think?

+--------

As for what to buy and what not as a beginner, my advice is to get the old Volo Guides from a second-hand store (there are links in the out-of-print forum). What really saves you time and effort is the fluff, not the crunch. You said it yourself - creating an own world is too much work. PGtF is crunch and won't help you as much as many other sources in that perspective.
MakesMeSick
10-01-04, 09:21 AM If I don't get PGtF, is there another book you can suggest as a must-have for an FR campaign? I am already planning on getting the Monsters of Faerun.

Races of Faerūn is also a very useful book for FR newbies. I know it helped me a lot to understand the different friendships and rivalities among the FR races, as well as their history. Full of fluff, and not too much crunch. I like that.

Regards,
Purple Dragon Knight
10-01-04, 10:49 AM So far I've given the same advice to everyone:

DM = FRCS

Player = PGtoF

Today, however, I'm in the mood to say:

DM = All FR books

Player = FRCS, PGtoF OR All FR books (if wiz/sor)
Messener
10-01-04, 11:08 AM Today, however, I'm in the mood to say:

DM = All FR books

Hehe, all FR books might break the bank right now, but I hope to get there eventually, if nothing else for the fluffy goodness. I really just wanted to know if PGtF was worth it for a 3.5 rules campaign, and from the answers I've decided it is, so thanks all.
ruleslawyer
10-01-04, 11:23 AM I actually tend to think that the "Player's" Guide to Faerun is most useful as a DM book.

Honestly, unless you use the 2e cosmology or the 3.0 regional feat system (note Kuje's post above), PGtF is probably worth it for the crunch. The regional feat system is fun and easy to use, the PrCs and spells work out most of the kinks in the FRCS and MoF versions, and the cosmology section, IMHO, is excellent. Even the magic items are fun and interesting (I'm particularly happy to see the Baneblades and some of the other unique weapons back in print.) It's definitely a one-book-per-group purchase.
Erianys Coldrage
10-01-04, 04:31 PM May I just say that I love the Players Guide to Faerun and I think it will be very helpful to a newbie. It is extremely useful for creating new characters and NPC's and a couple of the new players in my campaign have found it invaluable. I refer to it quite often and I heartily recommend it for you or any new player.

The information about feats and regions I find particularly useful as well as the info about spells and domains. And it's also all compatible with 3.5. In addition it is chock full of other wonderful bits about Faerun in the apendices and in the sidebars all through the book.

Welcome to the board by the way. Hope you enjoy your purchase. :)

Gray absolutly right, a lot of my pcs use it and i find the book really useful for their epic character in faerun chapter, all great stuff to make FR fit with other 3.5 rules books
Telagaunt
10-01-04, 08:00 PM Most of the 3.0 rules IMO are better (like the regional feats stuff), but I'd still suggest getting the PGtF so you can catch up on some big events happening as of late, and see some of the new spells, and feats. Just because you got the PGtF doesn't mean you need to play all the 3.5 rules :D
Wil Harvey
10-02-04, 02:16 PM I'd definitely recommend the PGtF. I love that book.

As for other FR essentials, I'd say either The Silver Marches or The Unapproachable East. Either of those two would be perfect for a DM new to the Realms. Those two books gives you in-depth information about two specific regions in the Realms, so essentially you could pick up one of those books, read it over, and be able to create a very well thought out adventure in at least one region in the Realms.
Telagaunt
10-02-04, 06:40 PM PGtF is very good, even though some of the 3.5 rules suck :mad: Another good FR supplement I thought was great was The Underdark. I loved that :D
AvengedMutablegenus
10-02-04, 07:06 PM I'm a long time 1e and 2e D&D player, and started playing again with a new group when 3.5e came out. I've also been DM'ing our campaigns for my first time ever.

Neither I nor any of my players have ever played in the FRCS, although we are familiar with it through novels and videogames. I recently bought the FRCS, having trouble creating an entire world on my own and not really feeling much support for Greyhawk.

I've been reading about PGtF and I see that a lot of people really don't like it. I was planning on buying it, since it's the 3.5 update for the Realms, but now I'm not sure. I was wondering if people thought it would be a good resource for those who are new to the Realms and want to play 3.5 rules, before I spend the money on something so many seem to hate. If I want to stick with a 3.5 world would I maybe be better off looking into Eberron? I have all the 3.5 core books, and no 3e books except the FRCS.

If I don't get PGtF, is there another book you can suggest as a must-have for an FR campaign? I am already planning on getting the Monsters of Faerun.

And don't just post to say you don't like PGtF, there are plenty of posts on that already. I really just want to know if it's valuable for a new guy.

It's pretty good, really it is. I especially like the epic and psionic and other variant stuff, it's worth the money go ahead and buy it
Elereth_Berantor
10-06-04, 09:57 PM I run two different Realms campaigns and have found the PGtF to be very useful.

Of course the FRCS is used more, but that is because my campaigns tend to have more fluff than crunch. But the PGtF has found a good bit of use for my players and a bit less for me.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Messener 09-30-04, 07:31 PM	I'm a long time 1e and 2e D&D player, and started playing again with a new group when 3.5e came out. I've also been DM'ing our campaigns for my first time ever. Neither I nor any of my players have ever played in the FRCS, although we are familiar with it through novels and videogames. I recently bought the FRCS, having trouble creating an entire world on my own and not really feeling much support for Greyhawk. I've been reading about PGtF and I see that a lot of people really don't like it. I was planning on buying it, since it's the 3.5 update for the Realms, but now I'm not sure. I was wondering if people thought it would be a good resource for those who are new to the Realms and want to play 3.5 rules, before I spend the money on something so many seem to hate. If I want to stick with a 3.5 world would I maybe be better off looking into Eberron? I have all the 3.5 core books, and no 3e books except the FRCS. If I don't get PGtF, is there another book you can suggest as a must-have for an FR campaign? I am already planning on getting the Monsters of Faerun. And don't just post to say you don't like PGtF, there are plenty of posts on that already. I really just want to know if it's valuable for a new guy.
Kuje31 09-30-04, 07:39 PM	For me? No I don't need it because I use the old regional feat system. I happen to like the 3.0 spells, etc. :) Nor do I use the updated planes. And since they cut the monster updates from the book, my copy sits in my FR box. :) BTW those monster updates can be found below. http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/we/20040313a
Dielzen 09-30-04, 10:29 PM	If you're going to run Faerun, get the FRCS. If you're going to run Faerun in 3.5, get PgtF also.
warlockco 09-30-04, 11:40 PM	All Forgotten Realms information, especially Fluff can still be used for the most part regardless if it is 1E, 2E or 3E. The PGtF provides updates mainly to the FRCS, but also to a few of the other books released before it came out. It has a revised Regional System, which I like quite a bit now that I'm used to it. It provides new PrCs in addition to revised PrCs. It provides new spells and magic items in addition to revising previous versions. It provides the Cosmology of the Realms (The layout of the Planes). Biggest question is do you want to play 3.0 or 3.5 rules? You can still play 3.5 without the PGtF, but some of the feats and especially PrCs presented in the FRCS are unbalancing as they are for a 3.5 game.
Messener 09-30-04, 11:45 PM	Thanks for the info. I think that I will get the PGtF, since I have all 3.5 core rulebooks and I want to play with 3.5 rules.
warlockco 10-01-04, 01:12 AM	Good Luck with your gameplay!
Gray Richardson 10-01-04, 02:53 AM	May I just say that I love the Players Guide to Faerun and I think it will be very helpful to a newbie. It is extremely useful for creating new characters and NPC's and a couple of the new players in my campaign have found it invaluable. I refer to it quite often and I heartily recommend it for you or any new player. The information about feats and regions I find particularly useful as well as the info about spells and domains. And it's also all compatible with 3.5. In addition it is chock full of other wonderful bits about Faerun in the apendices and in the sidebars all through the book. Welcome to the board by the way. Hope you enjoy your purchase. :)
chme 10-01-04, 03:38 AM	In addition it is chock full of other wonderful bits about Faerun in the apendices and in the sidebars all through the book. To each his own, and I'm not gonna say anything about "wonderful" in the quote above ... but "chock full"??? Come on, that is pretty misleading don't you think? +-------- As for what to buy and what not as a beginner, my advice is to get the old Volo Guides from a second-hand store (there are links in the out-of-print forum). What really saves you time and effort is the fluff, not the crunch. You said it yourself - creating an own world is too much work. PGtF is crunch and won't help you as much as many other sources in that perspective.
MakesMeSick 10-01-04, 09:21 AM	If I don't get PGtF, is there another book you can suggest as a must-have for an FR campaign? I am already planning on getting the Monsters of Faerun. Races of Faerūn is also a very useful book for FR newbies. I know it helped me a lot to understand the different friendships and rivalities among the FR races, as well as their history. Full of fluff, and not too much crunch. I like that. Regards,
Purple Dragon Knight 10-01-04, 10:49 AM	So far I've given the same advice to everyone: DM = FRCS Player = PGtoF Today, however, I'm in the mood to say: DM = All FR books Player = FRCS, PGtoF OR All FR books (if wiz/sor)
Messener 10-01-04, 11:08 AM	Today, however, I'm in the mood to say: DM = All FR books Hehe, all FR books might break the bank right now, but I hope to get there eventually, if nothing else for the fluffy goodness. I really just wanted to know if PGtF was worth it for a 3.5 rules campaign, and from the answers I've decided it is, so thanks all.
ruleslawyer 10-01-04, 11:23 AM	I actually tend to think that the "Player's" Guide to Faerun is most useful as a DM book. Honestly, unless you use the 2e cosmology or the 3.0 regional feat system (note Kuje's post above), PGtF is probably worth it for the crunch. The regional feat system is fun and easy to use, the PrCs and spells work out most of the kinks in the FRCS and MoF versions, and the cosmology section, IMHO, is excellent. Even the magic items are fun and interesting (I'm particularly happy to see the Baneblades and some of the other unique weapons back in print.) It's definitely a one-book-per-group purchase.
Erianys Coldrage 10-01-04, 04:31 PM	May I just say that I love the Players Guide to Faerun and I think it will be very helpful to a newbie. It is extremely useful for creating new characters and NPC's and a couple of the new players in my campaign have found it invaluable. I refer to it quite often and I heartily recommend it for you or any new player. The information about feats and regions I find particularly useful as well as the info about spells and domains. And it's also all compatible with 3.5. In addition it is chock full of other wonderful bits about Faerun in the apendices and in the sidebars all through the book. Welcome to the board by the way. Hope you enjoy your purchase. :) Gray absolutly right, a lot of my pcs use it and i find the book really useful for their epic character in faerun chapter, all great stuff to make FR fit with other 3.5 rules books
Telagaunt 10-01-04, 08:00 PM	Most of the 3.0 rules IMO are better (like the regional feats stuff), but I'd still suggest getting the PGtF so you can catch up on some big events happening as of late, and see some of the new spells, and feats. Just because you got the PGtF doesn't mean you need to play all the 3.5 rules :D
Wil Harvey 10-02-04, 02:16 PM	I'd definitely recommend the PGtF. I love that book. As for other FR essentials, I'd say either The Silver Marches or The Unapproachable East. Either of those two would be perfect for a DM new to the Realms. Those two books gives you in-depth information about two specific regions in the Realms, so essentially you could pick up one of those books, read it over, and be able to create a very well thought out adventure in at least one region in the Realms.
Telagaunt 10-02-04, 06:40 PM	PGtF is very good, even though some of the 3.5 rules suck :mad: Another good FR supplement I thought was great was The Underdark. I loved that :D
AvengedMutablegenus 10-02-04, 07:06 PM	I'm a long time 1e and 2e D&D player, and started playing again with a new group when 3.5e came out. I've also been DM'ing our campaigns for my first time ever. Neither I nor any of my players have ever played in the FRCS, although we are familiar with it through novels and videogames. I recently bought the FRCS, having trouble creating an entire world on my own and not really feeling much support for Greyhawk. I've been reading about PGtF and I see that a lot of people really don't like it. I was planning on buying it, since it's the 3.5 update for the Realms, but now I'm not sure. I was wondering if people thought it would be a good resource for those who are new to the Realms and want to play 3.5 rules, before I spend the money on something so many seem to hate. If I want to stick with a 3.5 world would I maybe be better off looking into Eberron? I have all the 3.5 core books, and no 3e books except the FRCS. If I don't get PGtF, is there another book you can suggest as a must-have for an FR campaign? I am already planning on getting the Monsters of Faerun. And don't just post to say you don't like PGtF, there are plenty of posts on that already. I really just want to know if it's valuable for a new guy. It's pretty good, really it is. I especially like the epic and psionic and other variant stuff, it's worth the money go ahead and buy it
Elereth_Berantor 10-06-04, 09:57 PM	I run two different Realms campaigns and have found the PGtF to be very useful. Of course the FRCS is used more, but that is because my campaigns tend to have more fluff than crunch. But the PGtF has found a good bit of use for my players and a bit less for me.