Players guide to Fearūn... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Players guide to Fearūn... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Draka
02-14-06, 09:27 AM Can anyone be so kind too tell me what's in this book?
Is it just updating FRCS to 3,5????

And is it worth purchasing????
Evergreen_Aldaron
02-14-06, 09:42 AM No, it is not just an update, it is a great expansion in my opinion.
Here is a quick description:

"The heroes of the Forgotten Realms are as diverse and varied as the regions from which they hail. This collection of Faerūnian lore and arcana allows you to create and equip an endless array of characters braced for the challenges they’ll encounter. From races, feats, and spells to prestige classes, magic items, and more…
Player’s Guide to Faerūn
provides a v.3.5 update to the Forgotten Realms setting, reintroduces some old favourites from 1st and 2nd Edition, and offers all-new character-building material."

I liked it and definitely would purchase it.
Old Sage
02-14-06, 09:43 AM It updates the FRCS 3e rules to 3.5, yes -- this includes skills, feats, classes, spells and the like. New rules materials and information on "Epicness" in the Realms.

As well, included in the PGtF is an expanded analysis of the Great Tree cosmology and a timeline and updated Campaign Journal detailing events that had occured since the printing of the FRCS 3e.
Old Sparky
02-14-06, 03:49 PM Not to mention some Exalted and Vile stuff (very little) for those who use such things from the BoED and BoVD. :cool:
loki87
02-15-06, 01:28 PM Honestly, I feel it's nearly as important a supplement as the FRCS. I highly recommend it to any FR DM's.
Rapiersman
02-15-06, 02:56 PM Could anyone then explain where all the negative comments about the book come from? And why the book is still good enough to purchase, then? At amazon.com, the average rating of the book is 2 stars, which is very low considering how easily they give high ratings to products at there....
loki87
02-15-06, 03:03 PM It does have a lot of typos and the art is terrible, but there is a lot of great information in it for ~$20 (on Amazon I believe). I'm not exactly sure why it has such a low rating on Amazon, but I feel like it may have been apart of a larger issue, the consumer backlash to 3.5, which some considered to be purely a money-making scheme on the part of WotC.
Faraer
02-15-06, 03:10 PM It's not a player's guide, but a collection of rules updates -- only of interest to those who play by strict 3.5 rules -- with a couple of (DM-directed) appendices: a decent write-up of the Forgotten Realms planes and a misleading recap of a couple of novel series. It's a weak sourcebook with little new Realmslore.
Old Sage
02-15-06, 07:56 PM It's not a player's guide, but a collection of rules updates -- only of interest to those who play by strict 3.5 rules -- with a couple of (DM-directed) appendices: a decent write-up of the Forgotten Realms planes and a misleading recap of a couple of novel series. It's a weak sourcebook with little new Realmslore.What Faraer said...

Just add it to what I said above, and you'll have a clear picture of the PGtF.
Purple Dragon Knight
02-17-06, 09:01 AM I use the book every game. It's essential if you play with Regional feats. It also has a comprehensive spell list for every class showing all the FR spells available up to the publication of this book; it shows the book where the spells can be found too. It also updates the spell domains. It also describes the FR planes of existence, one by one.

Essential FR book if you play with the 3.5 rules.
Chosen of Bane
02-17-06, 11:15 AM I'm going to echo some of what Purple Dragon Knight just said. It is essential if you're playing 3.5.

To sum in up...

In terms of rules, also called game-mechanics or "crunch" (spells, feats, prestige classes), the book is very good and will be used often if you DM/play in the realms.

In terms of realmslore, also called "fluff", the book pretty much has none.

It really depends on what you look for in a sourcebook. If you're looking for rules to play the game correctly (3.5) than I would highly recommend it. If you don't play much D&D but like to know what's going on in the realms than it is a complete waste of money.
Faraer
02-17-06, 12:18 PM It's essential if you play by 3.5E rules strictly. Not if you use them more casually, and don't mind a few mental adjustments, improvisations and small discrepancies.
Purple Dragon Knight
02-18-06, 03:10 AM I find the amount of fluff in this book to be considerable, especially the Cosmology section, the Exalted/Vile Appendix, the section about psionics in the Realms, the background info found under each PrC, etc. Combined with the spell/domain list/compilation, the feats and PrCs, the Regional system (revamped and improved), I don't think one can game while staying 'current', without this book...
Otus
02-18-06, 02:25 PM Whether it is important for you depends if your style of play. You get updates to feats, and prestige classes, lots of regional and racial stats. On the otherhand, I find the amount of fluff very small, and if you are seeking a book that describes the realms, you don't need it (unless you want information on the planes).

I personally wouldn't have bought the book after paging it though, and now that I have access to it (my friend bought it) I still see no real reason to have it. I'm fine with the number of feats in PHB and FRCS.
The Simbul
02-18-06, 11:37 PM No, the Players Guide to Faerun is not the replacement for the FRCS, not by a long shot. The Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting is essential to playing a Forgotten Realms game. The Players Guide to Faerun is an optional money sinkhole for gaming groups that compulsively MUST have the latest and most updated and official versions of a given game feature. The PGtF offers no real insight into the world of Faerun beyond the descriptions of prestige classes, and the knowledge that Halruaans are Spellwise, Aglarondans have the Luck of Heroes, and some Thayans practice the techniques of Mind over Body...

The Player's Guide to Faerun is basically an overpriced pamphlet that updates, nerfs, or overhauls previously published FR game features (feats, prcs, spells, etc), as well as meshing psionics, exalted & vile, and epic rules into the campaign setting.

Beyond that, you get a bunch of material that really has no place in a generic player's guide, whether its detailed information about the planes and the divine realms of deities, potential adventure hooks, or unique historic magic items of Myth Drannor that you are not going to find as random treasure or as trinkets mass-produced in Thayan Enclaves or by trade wizards.
CaptKillern
02-19-06, 12:52 AM Just wanted to point out that the art is not terrible. Some is bad, but overall it is nice.

I too put off buying the book because of the review it got on Amazon, but having just bought it a week ago so far it is very usefull.
Lord Karsus
02-21-06, 12:47 AM -The Player's Guide to Faerūn is a useful book. It's not neccesary, but is a good add-on if you are running a Forgotten Realms campaign. Like others have said, the Cosmology section of the book is, perhaps, the most useful section.

-The Player's Guide to Fearūn is something completely different. Don't know anything about this so-called Fearūn, but it sounds like a scary place...
Rholand_the_Ruined
03-20-06, 09:23 PM Hi There,
I'm just easying my way back into gaming, specifically the FR, and boy how things have changed. I did pick this book up and it has been helpful for someone trying to play catch up after 10 years!
Chosen of Bane
03-20-06, 09:49 PM Hi There,
I'm just easying my way back into gaming, specifically the FR, and boy how things have changed. I did pick this book up and it has been helpful for someone trying to play catch up after 10 years!

Hopefully you picked up the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting as well. It is essential in updating yourself in the Realms.
Lord Karsus
03-20-06, 10:57 PM Hi There,
I'm just easying my way back into gaming, specifically the FR, and boy how things have changed. I did pick this book up and it has been helpful for someone trying to play catch up after 10 years!

-Well, as it's name states, the book is a useful guide for Playing a character in Faerūn.
Tiruvel
03-21-06, 05:21 AM I personally think this is a very nice book. I also like the art (I have a weak-spot for group-images). As a newbie to FR I started with buying the Races of Faerun since I was gonna be a player and wanted to look at some PC options. But that was quite a waste of money in my opinion.. Especially since they didn't bother to reprint the game-stats for the races allready described elsewhere... VERY annoying. And though there are quite a few nice images in it, I think they are too few.
I decided to buy the Campaign setting a few days later, now that's a nice book (!!) and as good for the player as for the DM. I was also lucky to be allowed to switch my copy of Races of Faerun with Player's Guide to Faerun at the store. I feel much better now. :D
My opinion: The Campaign setting book and the Player's guide are highly recommended. Races of Faerun is not...
Rholand_the_Ruined
03-21-06, 12:09 PM Thanks for the input. I did get the FR campaine setting as well as the core books: PHB, DMG, MM. I also have all of my old stuff (mostly 2nd edition). I still read the novels which keeps me juiced about gaming.
I'm gonna play dumb here. I'm not sure I understand the difference (if there is one)between 3rd edition and 3.5. Could someone enighten me? Thanks!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Draka 02-14-06, 09:27 AM	Can anyone be so kind too tell me what's in this book? Is it just updating FRCS to 3,5???? And is it worth purchasing????
Evergreen_Aldaron 02-14-06, 09:42 AM	No, it is not just an update, it is a great expansion in my opinion. Here is a quick description: "The heroes of the Forgotten Realms are as diverse and varied as the regions from which they hail. This collection of Faerūnian lore and arcana allows you to create and equip an endless array of characters braced for the challenges they’ll encounter. From races, feats, and spells to prestige classes, magic items, and more… Player’s Guide to Faerūn provides a v.3.5 update to the Forgotten Realms setting, reintroduces some old favourites from 1st and 2nd Edition, and offers all-new character-building material." I liked it and definitely would purchase it.
Old Sage 02-14-06, 09:43 AM	It updates the FRCS 3e rules to 3.5, yes -- this includes skills, feats, classes, spells and the like. New rules materials and information on "Epicness" in the Realms. As well, included in the PGtF is an expanded analysis of the Great Tree cosmology and a timeline and updated Campaign Journal detailing events that had occured since the printing of the FRCS 3e.
Old Sparky 02-14-06, 03:49 PM	Not to mention some Exalted and Vile stuff (very little) for those who use such things from the BoED and BoVD. :cool:
loki87 02-15-06, 01:28 PM	Honestly, I feel it's nearly as important a supplement as the FRCS. I highly recommend it to any FR DM's.
Rapiersman 02-15-06, 02:56 PM	Could anyone then explain where all the negative comments about the book come from? And why the book is still good enough to purchase, then? At amazon.com, the average rating of the book is 2 stars, which is very low considering how easily they give high ratings to products at there....
loki87 02-15-06, 03:03 PM	It does have a lot of typos and the art is terrible, but there is a lot of great information in it for ~$20 (on Amazon I believe). I'm not exactly sure why it has such a low rating on Amazon, but I feel like it may have been apart of a larger issue, the consumer backlash to 3.5, which some considered to be purely a money-making scheme on the part of WotC.
Faraer 02-15-06, 03:10 PM	It's not a player's guide, but a collection of rules updates -- only of interest to those who play by strict 3.5 rules -- with a couple of (DM-directed) appendices: a decent write-up of the Forgotten Realms planes and a misleading recap of a couple of novel series. It's a weak sourcebook with little new Realmslore.
Old Sage 02-15-06, 07:56 PM	It's not a player's guide, but a collection of rules updates -- only of interest to those who play by strict 3.5 rules -- with a couple of (DM-directed) appendices: a decent write-up of the Forgotten Realms planes and a misleading recap of a couple of novel series. It's a weak sourcebook with little new Realmslore.What Faraer said... Just add it to what I said above, and you'll have a clear picture of the PGtF.
Purple Dragon Knight 02-17-06, 09:01 AM	I use the book every game. It's essential if you play with Regional feats. It also has a comprehensive spell list for every class showing all the FR spells available up to the publication of this book; it shows the book where the spells can be found too. It also updates the spell domains. It also describes the FR planes of existence, one by one. Essential FR book if you play with the 3.5 rules.
Chosen of Bane 02-17-06, 11:15 AM	I'm going to echo some of what Purple Dragon Knight just said. It is essential if you're playing 3.5. To sum in up... In terms of rules, also called game-mechanics or "crunch" (spells, feats, prestige classes), the book is very good and will be used often if you DM/play in the realms. In terms of realmslore, also called "fluff", the book pretty much has none. It really depends on what you look for in a sourcebook. If you're looking for rules to play the game correctly (3.5) than I would highly recommend it. If you don't play much D&D but like to know what's going on in the realms than it is a complete waste of money.
Faraer 02-17-06, 12:18 PM	It's essential if you play by 3.5E rules strictly. Not if you use them more casually, and don't mind a few mental adjustments, improvisations and small discrepancies.
Purple Dragon Knight 02-18-06, 03:10 AM	I find the amount of fluff in this book to be considerable, especially the Cosmology section, the Exalted/Vile Appendix, the section about psionics in the Realms, the background info found under each PrC, etc. Combined with the spell/domain list/compilation, the feats and PrCs, the Regional system (revamped and improved), I don't think one can game while staying 'current', without this book...
Otus 02-18-06, 02:25 PM	Whether it is important for you depends if your style of play. You get updates to feats, and prestige classes, lots of regional and racial stats. On the otherhand, I find the amount of fluff very small, and if you are seeking a book that describes the realms, you don't need it (unless you want information on the planes). I personally wouldn't have bought the book after paging it though, and now that I have access to it (my friend bought it) I still see no real reason to have it. I'm fine with the number of feats in PHB and FRCS.
The Simbul 02-18-06, 11:37 PM	No, the Players Guide to Faerun is not the replacement for the FRCS, not by a long shot. The Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting is essential to playing a Forgotten Realms game. The Players Guide to Faerun is an optional money sinkhole for gaming groups that compulsively MUST have the latest and most updated and official versions of a given game feature. The PGtF offers no real insight into the world of Faerun beyond the descriptions of prestige classes, and the knowledge that Halruaans are Spellwise, Aglarondans have the Luck of Heroes, and some Thayans practice the techniques of Mind over Body... The Player's Guide to Faerun is basically an overpriced pamphlet that updates, nerfs, or overhauls previously published FR game features (feats, prcs, spells, etc), as well as meshing psionics, exalted & vile, and epic rules into the campaign setting. Beyond that, you get a bunch of material that really has no place in a generic player's guide, whether its detailed information about the planes and the divine realms of deities, potential adventure hooks, or unique historic magic items of Myth Drannor that you are not going to find as random treasure or as trinkets mass-produced in Thayan Enclaves or by trade wizards.
CaptKillern 02-19-06, 12:52 AM	Just wanted to point out that the art is not terrible. Some is bad, but overall it is nice. I too put off buying the book because of the review it got on Amazon, but having just bought it a week ago so far it is very usefull.
Lord Karsus 02-21-06, 12:47 AM	-The Player's Guide to Faerūn is a useful book. It's not neccesary, but is a good add-on if you are running a Forgotten Realms campaign. Like others have said, the Cosmology section of the book is, perhaps, the most useful section. -The Player's Guide to Fearūn is something completely different. Don't know anything about this so-called Fearūn, but it sounds like a scary place...
Rholand_the_Ruined 03-20-06, 09:23 PM	Hi There, I'm just easying my way back into gaming, specifically the FR, and boy how things have changed. I did pick this book up and it has been helpful for someone trying to play catch up after 10 years!
Chosen of Bane 03-20-06, 09:49 PM	Hi There, I'm just easying my way back into gaming, specifically the FR, and boy how things have changed. I did pick this book up and it has been helpful for someone trying to play catch up after 10 years! Hopefully you picked up the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting as well. It is essential in updating yourself in the Realms.
Lord Karsus 03-20-06, 10:57 PM	Hi There, I'm just easying my way back into gaming, specifically the FR, and boy how things have changed. I did pick this book up and it has been helpful for someone trying to play catch up after 10 years! -Well, as it's name states, the book is a useful guide for Playing a character in Faerūn.
Tiruvel 03-21-06, 05:21 AM	I personally think this is a very nice book. I also like the art (I have a weak-spot for group-images). As a newbie to FR I started with buying the Races of Faerun since I was gonna be a player and wanted to look at some PC options. But that was quite a waste of money in my opinion.. Especially since they didn't bother to reprint the game-stats for the races allready described elsewhere... VERY annoying. And though there are quite a few nice images in it, I think they are too few. I decided to buy the Campaign setting a few days later, now that's a nice book (!!) and as good for the player as for the DM. I was also lucky to be allowed to switch my copy of Races of Faerun with Player's Guide to Faerun at the store. I feel much better now. :D My opinion: The Campaign setting book and the Player's guide are highly recommended. Races of Faerun is not...
Rholand_the_Ruined 03-21-06, 12:09 PM	Thanks for the input. I did get the FR campaine setting as well as the core books: PHB, DMG, MM. I also have all of my old stuff (mostly 2nd edition). I still read the novels which keeps me juiced about gaming. I'm gonna play dumb here. I'm not sure I understand the difference (if there is one)between 3rd edition and 3.5. Could someone enighten me? Thanks!