Should I get FRCS?? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Should I get FRCS?? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
ImagoKid
11-19-04, 04:09 AM Hey!

Christmas is coming up, and my mum has offered to buy me a new D&D book. I am considering whether to get the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting. I know it's very good, but I'm only twelve years old so would it be a good choice for me?

Thanks,
ImagoKid
Draco Strang
11-19-04, 05:42 AM Well, assuming you have all of the 3 core books, (PHB, DMG, and MM) then I see no reason the FRCS isnt a good choice for you. You type like you have a firm handle on spelling and grammar, so your being able to read probably isn't a problem at all.

Will you be DMing, or just a player? Do you have a group to play with at the moment? the book in question is excellent reading for anyone interested in Forgotten Realms, as it gives you a lot of material that is gleaned from dozens and dozeons of novels and old 2nd edition "fluff" products.

Have you read any of the Forgotten Realms novels? If not...forget FRCS, those are DEFINITELY the place to start. Very entertaining. And, at 7 to 8 dollars USD for paperbacks, they're a lot cheaper. (Meaning you can get 5 of them for what it would cost to buy the campaign setting).

I'd recommend starting off with either the Icewind Dale trilogy, or the Dark Elf trilogy. Both of those series are great for introducing you to the Realms, as you get to meet Drizzt, Bruenor, Wulfgar, Artemis, and tons of other important characters.

If you've read those, try the Cleric Quintet, and anything else by R.A. Salvatore that's set in the realms. (I recommend him first because he's less "wordy" than say, Elaine Cunningham or Ed Greenwood, and it makes for an easier, more entertaining read. Mind you, I'm not trying to patronize you for being 12, I just don't have a handle on what you like)

Whatever you do, be sure to read in order....there are plenty of places on the net, and even in the backs of the books, that give you the chronology of the Drizzt books, so it should be easy to pick them up one after the other.

So, in summation, yes, the FRCS is worth it, if you have at least an elementary understanding of the Realms. If not....try reading some of the novels first, IMO, because they give you a sense of "familiarity" with the stuff you'll see in the campaign setting. I love seeing stuff in DnD game products that I've read about. Makes the whole world seem that much more cohesive.

Sorry the post was so long, hope I helped.....if you have any questions PM me man.

P.S.-I really wasn't trying to talk down to you or anything...and if in any way you think I did, then I apolgize in advance.
Sucineri
11-19-04, 08:51 AM You know what, I would say screw buying the novels before FRCS. I personally didn't even give a crap about the FR novels til I got the FRCS and actually read some of the stuff in that book.

So yes, I would say FIRST you should buy FRCS because it is a very good book to have detailing the setting. After that I would go with Player's Guide to Faerun, because it updates the storyline a little bit. THEN go with novels if you really want to, but don't do the novels first. Atleast the FRCS can have immediate use.
KingDes
11-19-04, 09:33 AM You know what, I would say buying the novels before FRCS. I personally didn't even give a crap about the FR novels til I got the FRCS and actually read some of the stuff in that book.

So yes, I would say FIRST you should buy FRCS because it is a very good book to have detailing the setting. After that I would go with Player's Guide to Faerun, because it updates the storyline a little bit. THEN go with novels if you really want to, but don't do the novels first. Atleast the FRCS can have immediate use.

I would suggest buying the FRCS first. I loved the novels, and thats what got me into FR as a DM, and then writer.

But w/ the FRCS you can read a novel, and say "hey i know where that is" or look up info on it. It makes it much more personal...
The Simbul
11-19-04, 02:55 PM If you are a DM, or you would enjoy reading about people, places, and things in a fictional campaign setting then you would want the FRCS. Other Forgotten Realms Sourcebooks are either more detailed zoom-ins on a specific regional or series of regions in close proximity (i.e. the Silver Marches, the Unapproachable East), or are designed to enhance one specific element of the D&D game (i.e. Magic of Faerun for spells, Monsters of Faerun for monsters, Lords of Darkness for NPC antagonists, and Races of Faerun for well, you guess it, races).

As far as Sourcebooks vs Novels; having some amount of background information about the setting in general can greatly enhance the enjoyment of a novel, specifically since as a shared world fictional setting, FR novels are written with the assumption that you already know at least something about the FR world in general.
Lashan
11-19-04, 03:51 PM I would say getting the FRCS depends on a lot of things. Are you a player or a DM? Are you currently in a game? I assume you have the basic DnD books? If you are a player in a non-FR game, then you might want to get one of the splat books (Complete Warrior, Complete Divine, etc) or one of the racial books (Races of Renown or Races of Stone). While the FRCS is a neat book, it doesn't do a lot for you if you aren't playing in the FR.

Now, if you ARE playing in the FR, then I highly recommend it. Well, if you are a DM, then I say it is an essential. If you are a player, then I would get the Player's Guide to Faerun. I also recommend getting the free downloadable stuff from the WOTC website. If you click on DOWNLOADS on the upper left boarder of the main screen, you can get to it. There are many stuff that is FREE.

If you are considering DMing or playing in the FR, then I recommend you download the free FR stuff to see if you like it. Sure, it won't be 3rd Edition, but the stories and feel of the game world doesn't change no matter what version you are playing.
ruleslawyer
11-19-04, 05:49 PM Actually, even if you are a player, I'd still say get the FRCS before Player's Guide to Faerun. The latter isn't very useful without the former.

If this is to play D&D, or to get to know the setting: I'd say, absolutely buy it! I also will respectfully disagree with other posters who suggest getting the novels first. IMHO, the novels represent a very specific and author-centered view of particular sections of the Realms; they don't generally give a good feel for the setting overall. It seems to me that much of the Realms hatred comes from people who associate Drizzt and co. with FR, when those characters were shoe-horned into the setting quite late into its development.

Anyway, just my two cents. I'd recommend getting the FRCS, in any case. Happy Christmas!
ImagoKid
11-19-04, 06:07 PM Hey,

Thanks everyone for the advice. I am currently a player, playing in a world made up by my DM, and I am also DMing a campaign for a seperate group - the campaign is set in my own homebrew world. In about a month or two, however, my friend's campaign will be over (our campaigns usually go for about a whole semester) and it will be my turn to DM for a large group.

I have read the Dark Elf trilogy by R.A Salvatore, and I quite enjoyed it. I have read many fantasy books in the past, but (apart from LOTR) my favourites were definately those set in Faerun. I recently purchased the whole Icewind Dale trilogy via amazon.com and when they arrive in the mail, which will be very soon, I will begin reading them.

I would really like to set my upcoming campaign in the FR, and I am now convinced that I should get the book.

Thanks,
ImagoKid
Monsoon28
11-19-04, 07:53 PM Hey,

Thanks everyone for the advice. I am currently a player, playing in a world made up by my DM, and I am also DMing a campaign for a seperate group - the campaign is set in my own homebrew world. In about a month or two, however, my friend's campaign will be over (our campaigns usually go for about a whole semester) and it will be my turn to DM for a large group.

I have read the Dark Elf trilogy by R.A Salvatore, and I quite enjoyed it. I have read many fantasy books in the past, but (apart from LOTR) my favourites were definately those set in Faerun. I recently purchased the whole Icewind Dale trilogy via amazon.com and when they arrive in the mail, which will be very soon, I will begin reading them.

I would really like to set my upcoming campaign in the FR, and I am now convinced that I should get the book.

Thanks,
ImagoKid

Well in that case, definitely get the FRCS! This book is a must have and will help you flesh out the continent of Faerun and it's people.

After that the Player's Guide to Faerun would be good as a supplement for your player's. After that the regional Source Books are useful ( I'm really loving the Shining South!)

As for books, the two trilogies I'd suggest as 'The Bigger Picture' novels would be the Avatar Trilogy and the Return of the Archwizards, both had significant effects on the realms (love 'em or hate 'em.)
Kuje31
11-19-04, 08:41 PM Actually as a player I'd get Races of Faerun also.... :) You don't "need" the FRCS if you have a good DM who tells you what your PC's know or don't know. :) It takes the surprise out of the world if the PC's know all the info in the FRCS..... but er :)
Draco Strang
11-19-04, 09:33 PM I have read the Dark Elf trilogy by R.A Salvatore, and I quite enjoyed it. I have read many fantasy books in the past, but (apart from LOTR) my favourites were definately those set in Faerun. I recently purchased the whole Icewind Dale trilogy via amazon.com and when they arrive in the mail, which will be very soon, I will begin reading them.

well why didn't you say so? FRCS all the way man, have fun.
KingDes
11-20-04, 01:00 AM I have read the Dark Elf trilogy by R.A Salvatore, and I quite enjoyed it. I have read many fantasy books in the past, but (apart from LOTR) my favourites were definately those set in Faerun. I recently purchased the whole Icewind Dale trilogy via amazon.com and when they arrive in the mail, which will be very soon, I will begin reading them.
Thanks,
ImagoKid

Dont mention anything about novels...you'll go on the "bad boy list"...i cant seem to get off it.
Monsoon28
11-20-04, 12:30 PM Errr yes Races of Faerun, how could I forget?!?!

And I promise my mention of novels is strickly for game building info! :angel:
Honest! :bigeyes:
iKitten
11-23-04, 12:33 PM Personally, I'd go with getting the FRCS and later getting the Players Guide to Faerun, a book which I've found more useful as a DM than my players ever did, also because it has a lot of updates for 3.5 in it.
GothicDan
11-23-04, 12:49 PM I'd go with the FRCS and Races of Faerun. Actually, I'd say go for the FRCS and then all of the old 2E products, but that's not really an option. Races of Faerun nicely.. consolidates all of the information from previous editions.

PGtF I was pretty disappointed with. Pure crunchy boringness, and more about the Tree. Neither of which I am particularly fond of.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
ImagoKid 11-19-04, 04:09 AM	Hey! Christmas is coming up, and my mum has offered to buy me a new D&D book. I am considering whether to get the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting. I know it's very good, but I'm only twelve years old so would it be a good choice for me? Thanks, ImagoKid
Draco Strang 11-19-04, 05:42 AM	Well, assuming you have all of the 3 core books, (PHB, DMG, and MM) then I see no reason the FRCS isnt a good choice for you. You type like you have a firm handle on spelling and grammar, so your being able to read probably isn't a problem at all. Will you be DMing, or just a player? Do you have a group to play with at the moment? the book in question is excellent reading for anyone interested in Forgotten Realms, as it gives you a lot of material that is gleaned from dozens and dozeons of novels and old 2nd edition "fluff" products. Have you read any of the Forgotten Realms novels? If not...forget FRCS, those are DEFINITELY the place to start. Very entertaining. And, at 7 to 8 dollars USD for paperbacks, they're a lot cheaper. (Meaning you can get 5 of them for what it would cost to buy the campaign setting). I'd recommend starting off with either the Icewind Dale trilogy, or the Dark Elf trilogy. Both of those series are great for introducing you to the Realms, as you get to meet Drizzt, Bruenor, Wulfgar, Artemis, and tons of other important characters. If you've read those, try the Cleric Quintet, and anything else by R.A. Salvatore that's set in the realms. (I recommend him first because he's less "wordy" than say, Elaine Cunningham or Ed Greenwood, and it makes for an easier, more entertaining read. Mind you, I'm not trying to patronize you for being 12, I just don't have a handle on what you like) Whatever you do, be sure to read in order....there are plenty of places on the net, and even in the backs of the books, that give you the chronology of the Drizzt books, so it should be easy to pick them up one after the other. So, in summation, yes, the FRCS is worth it, if you have at least an elementary understanding of the Realms. If not....try reading some of the novels first, IMO, because they give you a sense of "familiarity" with the stuff you'll see in the campaign setting. I love seeing stuff in DnD game products that I've read about. Makes the whole world seem that much more cohesive. Sorry the post was so long, hope I helped.....if you have any questions PM me man. P.S.-I really wasn't trying to talk down to you or anything...and if in any way you think I did, then I apolgize in advance.
Sucineri 11-19-04, 08:51 AM	You know what, I would say screw buying the novels before FRCS. I personally didn't even give a crap about the FR novels til I got the FRCS and actually read some of the stuff in that book. So yes, I would say FIRST you should buy FRCS because it is a very good book to have detailing the setting. After that I would go with Player's Guide to Faerun, because it updates the storyline a little bit. THEN go with novels if you really want to, but don't do the novels first. Atleast the FRCS can have immediate use.
KingDes 11-19-04, 09:33 AM	You know what, I would say buying the novels before FRCS. I personally didn't even give a crap about the FR novels til I got the FRCS and actually read some of the stuff in that book. So yes, I would say FIRST you should buy FRCS because it is a very good book to have detailing the setting. After that I would go with Player's Guide to Faerun, because it updates the storyline a little bit. THEN go with novels if you really want to, but don't do the novels first. Atleast the FRCS can have immediate use. I would suggest buying the FRCS first. I loved the novels, and thats what got me into FR as a DM, and then writer. But w/ the FRCS you can read a novel, and say "hey i know where that is" or look up info on it. It makes it much more personal...
The Simbul 11-19-04, 02:55 PM	If you are a DM, or you would enjoy reading about people, places, and things in a fictional campaign setting then you would want the FRCS. Other Forgotten Realms Sourcebooks are either more detailed zoom-ins on a specific regional or series of regions in close proximity (i.e. the Silver Marches, the Unapproachable East), or are designed to enhance one specific element of the D&D game (i.e. Magic of Faerun for spells, Monsters of Faerun for monsters, Lords of Darkness for NPC antagonists, and Races of Faerun for well, you guess it, races). As far as Sourcebooks vs Novels; having some amount of background information about the setting in general can greatly enhance the enjoyment of a novel, specifically since as a shared world fictional setting, FR novels are written with the assumption that you already know at least something about the FR world in general.
Lashan 11-19-04, 03:51 PM	I would say getting the FRCS depends on a lot of things. Are you a player or a DM? Are you currently in a game? I assume you have the basic DnD books? If you are a player in a non-FR game, then you might want to get one of the splat books (Complete Warrior, Complete Divine, etc) or one of the racial books (Races of Renown or Races of Stone). While the FRCS is a neat book, it doesn't do a lot for you if you aren't playing in the FR. Now, if you ARE playing in the FR, then I highly recommend it. Well, if you are a DM, then I say it is an essential. If you are a player, then I would get the Player's Guide to Faerun. I also recommend getting the free downloadable stuff from the WOTC website. If you click on DOWNLOADS on the upper left boarder of the main screen, you can get to it. There are many stuff that is FREE. If you are considering DMing or playing in the FR, then I recommend you download the free FR stuff to see if you like it. Sure, it won't be 3rd Edition, but the stories and feel of the game world doesn't change no matter what version you are playing.
ruleslawyer 11-19-04, 05:49 PM	Actually, even if you are a player, I'd still say get the FRCS before Player's Guide to Faerun. The latter isn't very useful without the former. If this is to play D&D, or to get to know the setting: I'd say, absolutely buy it! I also will respectfully disagree with other posters who suggest getting the novels first. IMHO, the novels represent a very specific and author-centered view of particular sections of the Realms; they don't generally give a good feel for the setting overall. It seems to me that much of the Realms hatred comes from people who associate Drizzt and co. with FR, when those characters were shoe-horned into the setting quite late into its development. Anyway, just my two cents. I'd recommend getting the FRCS, in any case. Happy Christmas!
ImagoKid 11-19-04, 06:07 PM	Hey, Thanks everyone for the advice. I am currently a player, playing in a world made up by my DM, and I am also DMing a campaign for a seperate group - the campaign is set in my own homebrew world. In about a month or two, however, my friend's campaign will be over (our campaigns usually go for about a whole semester) and it will be my turn to DM for a large group. I have read the Dark Elf trilogy by R.A Salvatore, and I quite enjoyed it. I have read many fantasy books in the past, but (apart from LOTR) my favourites were definately those set in Faerun. I recently purchased the whole Icewind Dale trilogy via amazon.com and when they arrive in the mail, which will be very soon, I will begin reading them. I would really like to set my upcoming campaign in the FR, and I am now convinced that I should get the book. Thanks, ImagoKid
Monsoon28 11-19-04, 07:53 PM	Hey, Thanks everyone for the advice. I am currently a player, playing in a world made up by my DM, and I am also DMing a campaign for a seperate group - the campaign is set in my own homebrew world. In about a month or two, however, my friend's campaign will be over (our campaigns usually go for about a whole semester) and it will be my turn to DM for a large group. I have read the Dark Elf trilogy by R.A Salvatore, and I quite enjoyed it. I have read many fantasy books in the past, but (apart from LOTR) my favourites were definately those set in Faerun. I recently purchased the whole Icewind Dale trilogy via amazon.com and when they arrive in the mail, which will be very soon, I will begin reading them. I would really like to set my upcoming campaign in the FR, and I am now convinced that I should get the book. Thanks, ImagoKid Well in that case, definitely get the FRCS! This book is a must have and will help you flesh out the continent of Faerun and it's people. After that the Player's Guide to Faerun would be good as a supplement for your player's. After that the regional Source Books are useful ( I'm really loving the Shining South!) As for books, the two trilogies I'd suggest as 'The Bigger Picture' novels would be the Avatar Trilogy and the Return of the Archwizards, both had significant effects on the realms (love 'em or hate 'em.)
Kuje31 11-19-04, 08:41 PM	Actually as a player I'd get Races of Faerun also.... :) You don't "need" the FRCS if you have a good DM who tells you what your PC's know or don't know. :) It takes the surprise out of the world if the PC's know all the info in the FRCS..... but er :)
Draco Strang 11-19-04, 09:33 PM	I have read the Dark Elf trilogy by R.A Salvatore, and I quite enjoyed it. I have read many fantasy books in the past, but (apart from LOTR) my favourites were definately those set in Faerun. I recently purchased the whole Icewind Dale trilogy via amazon.com and when they arrive in the mail, which will be very soon, I will begin reading them. well why didn't you say so? FRCS all the way man, have fun.
KingDes 11-20-04, 01:00 AM	I have read the Dark Elf trilogy by R.A Salvatore, and I quite enjoyed it. I have read many fantasy books in the past, but (apart from LOTR) my favourites were definately those set in Faerun. I recently purchased the whole Icewind Dale trilogy via amazon.com and when they arrive in the mail, which will be very soon, I will begin reading them. Thanks, ImagoKid Dont mention anything about novels...you'll go on the "bad boy list"...i cant seem to get off it.
Monsoon28 11-20-04, 12:30 PM	Errr yes Races of Faerun, how could I forget?!?! And I promise my mention of novels is strickly for game building info! :angel: Honest! :bigeyes:
iKitten 11-23-04, 12:33 PM	Personally, I'd go with getting the FRCS and later getting the Players Guide to Faerun, a book which I've found more useful as a DM than my players ever did, also because it has a lot of updates for 3.5 in it.
GothicDan 11-23-04, 12:49 PM	I'd go with the FRCS and Races of Faerun. Actually, I'd say go for the FRCS and then all of the old 2E products, but that's not really an option. Races of Faerun nicely.. consolidates all of the information from previous editions. PGtF I was pretty disappointed with. Pure crunchy boringness, and more about the Tree. Neither of which I am particularly fond of.