The Campaign Setting - Buy? [Archive] - Wizards Community

The Campaign Setting - Buy? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Sarig the Genie
06-26-04, 10:47 AM I suppose I don't have to mention excactly what campaign setting I'm talking about here? ;)

I've bought Underdark in the past out of curiosity, and liked it quite a bit. Borrowed Unnaprochable East today, and from the look at it, wasn't that good.

Anyway, I'm seriously considering buying the FRCS now, but still need a bit of convinsion (I live far off from a fantasy store, so I can't just stroll in to look at it, I will order it off the net if I'm buying it with no chance to look at it first) so I'm wondering what's in this books? Not too much crunch I hope?

Also, what's with this Player's Guide to Faerun? I wouldn't need that too I dearly hope?
Cunning Linguist
06-26-04, 10:58 AM What was it you liked about Underdark, and what did you not like about UE?

What are you playing, or DMing? Are you looking to start a FR game, or just cherrypicking out feats and stuff for a homebrew setting?
Cherrn
06-26-04, 11:07 AM Buy the FRCS. I like it :)
Another Gnome
06-26-04, 01:19 PM If you're new to Realms, get FRCS and be happy that you did. And if you have the old material already, well, get FRCS anyway.

PGtF on the other hand is all crunch, and it being an upgrade to FRCS shows. You can use FRCS without PGtF but I wouldn't recommend it the other way around. That said, the 50 or so pages of crunch there is in FRCS is now officially outdated, so it won't hurt to have PGTF if it is rules you're after. Aside from some errors and the fact there really could've been more stuff in it, I do like PGtF myself. But I also understand that people who expected (even if without a reason) to get something more than just an update to be disappointed with the book.
Sarig the Genie
06-26-04, 02:20 PM I'm a DM (:

I'm not too keen on the crunch, we play rather rule-lite, so to speak, so I don't need to think about the PgtF then.

I'm new to the Realms, I have no pre 3rd ed material (except a few Planescape pdf's) I'm not sure what to do about it yet, if I really like the FrCS I might run a campaign in the Realms (good chance of this really, as I'll get a bunch of new players soon, that's not quite ready to be dumped on the planes ;), but otherwise I'll drag it into my own world (which was the reason I originally bought Underdark, but all the locations and stuff there, fascinated me)

I need to read more in the UE to form an opinion on it of course, but I like it better now then I first did when I looked at it (as I got it today, I really haven't read a lot, just a bit here and there)
Cunning Linguist
06-26-04, 02:27 PM If its the flavor of the realms you like, then FRCS is a great book. (The best book I'd say) It has far less rules and such then other books and I think you would really love it.
Monsoon28
06-26-04, 02:38 PM The FRCS has a player's section for PrC's and Feats, but most of the book deals on the races, Regions/History and Gods. It's an important book to get if you want to know about the greater picture of the continent. PGtF only deals on crunch and alot of that is updates from previous 3.0 FR books, but it re-introduces regional feats and the new initiate feats (both were great ideas IMO). Alot of people on this board have really loved the Silver Marches book, and you might consider getting this one too.
If you decide to get with the setting than you might also want to pick-up Faiths & Pantheons for more indepth writing on the Gods, as well Lords of Darkness is a great source on some of the top evil organizations in Faerun.

Should you buy into this setting? Well that's pointless for me to say, since i'm a fan like most people here, and we'll all say yes. :D

There is alot of history to work with, tons of modules and books to work with, and it's a magic rich environment, so mages and treasure hunters will be pleased. If you like Psionics than this setting officially supports them as well.

Good luck on your decision, and hopefully it's the right one for you. :thumbsup:
Jecca-neko
06-27-04, 08:21 PM Buy the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting. It's pretty much mandatory so you can get a feel of whether you like the Realms or not. If you do there's a TON of books that go into a lot more depth. If not, then you aren't losing out that much.

other Forgotten Realms books:

Player's Guide to Faerun (3.5 update to a lot of stuff in the FRCS)
Underdark (location book - goes into more detail than FRCS does)
Unapproachable East (location book)
Silver Marches (location book)
Races of Faerun (takes the races from FRCS, expands on them, and adds more)
Magic of Faerun (spells, magic items, magic in Faerun)
Lords of Darkness (covers the evil organizations)
Faiths and Pantheons (more indepth with the gods from FRCS, adds more)
Monster Compedium: Monsters of Faerun (like a tiny Monster Manual for FR)

There's also The Shining South and Serpent Kingdoms coming out later this year.
Lashan
06-28-04, 08:27 AM What I recommend is to try looking at a lot of the old 1E and 2E supplements that are there for free download. If you think you like the FR setting, then I recommend getting the FRCS. I would say that it is incredibly to have the FRCS to run a 3E game in.

If you are new to FR and want 3E stuff, then I recommend Races of Faerun. It has a lot of history of all the races and also enough crunch for all the various races to make it interesting.

The Player's Guide has an extensive system for starting character races and new regional feats that they can gain. It also has feats redone and PrC's. It is a crunch heavy book, yet good for getting things up to 3.5E.
Mystery Man
06-28-04, 01:54 PM Originally posted by Lashan
What I recommend is to try looking at a lot of the old 1E and 2E supplements that are there for free download. If you think you like the FR setting, then I recommend getting the FRCS. I would say that it is incredibly to have the FRCS to run a 3E game in.

Exactly, I was going to say take a look at the Volo's Guides for flavah.
Sarig the Genie
06-29-04, 12:37 PM Had totally forgotten to check the downloads page actually (:

Today I got the FRCS (and because when I've asked before, it was said it contained mostly flavour) I got Races of Faerun too.

Have read quite a bit in the FRCS now, and I'm fairly impressed (:

Seems really good!
Lashan
06-29-04, 01:50 PM Glad you like it. I don't want to give advice to help cause people to spend money on something they didn't like.

If you don't have all the other FR stuff, I have found that Races of Faerun is a really great place to sum everything up. Personally, I think the book is worth it just for the details it goes into on human ethnicity.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Sarig the Genie 06-26-04, 10:47 AM	I suppose I don't have to mention excactly what campaign setting I'm talking about here? ;) I've bought Underdark in the past out of curiosity, and liked it quite a bit. Borrowed Unnaprochable East today, and from the look at it, wasn't that good. Anyway, I'm seriously considering buying the FRCS now, but still need a bit of convinsion (I live far off from a fantasy store, so I can't just stroll in to look at it, I will order it off the net if I'm buying it with no chance to look at it first) so I'm wondering what's in this books? Not too much crunch I hope? Also, what's with this Player's Guide to Faerun? I wouldn't need that too I dearly hope?
Cunning Linguist 06-26-04, 10:58 AM	What was it you liked about Underdark, and what did you not like about UE? What are you playing, or DMing? Are you looking to start a FR game, or just cherrypicking out feats and stuff for a homebrew setting?
Cherrn 06-26-04, 11:07 AM	Buy the FRCS. I like it :)
Another Gnome 06-26-04, 01:19 PM	If you're new to Realms, get FRCS and be happy that you did. And if you have the old material already, well, get FRCS anyway. PGtF on the other hand is all crunch, and it being an upgrade to FRCS shows. You can use FRCS without PGtF but I wouldn't recommend it the other way around. That said, the 50 or so pages of crunch there is in FRCS is now officially outdated, so it won't hurt to have PGTF if it is rules you're after. Aside from some errors and the fact there really could've been more stuff in it, I do like PGtF myself. But I also understand that people who expected (even if without a reason) to get something more than just an update to be disappointed with the book.
Sarig the Genie 06-26-04, 02:20 PM	I'm a DM (: I'm not too keen on the crunch, we play rather rule-lite, so to speak, so I don't need to think about the PgtF then. I'm new to the Realms, I have no pre 3rd ed material (except a few Planescape pdf's) I'm not sure what to do about it yet, if I really like the FrCS I might run a campaign in the Realms (good chance of this really, as I'll get a bunch of new players soon, that's not quite ready to be dumped on the planes ;), but otherwise I'll drag it into my own world (which was the reason I originally bought Underdark, but all the locations and stuff there, fascinated me) I need to read more in the UE to form an opinion on it of course, but I like it better now then I first did when I looked at it (as I got it today, I really haven't read a lot, just a bit here and there)
Cunning Linguist 06-26-04, 02:27 PM	If its the flavor of the realms you like, then FRCS is a great book. (The best book I'd say) It has far less rules and such then other books and I think you would really love it.
Monsoon28 06-26-04, 02:38 PM	The FRCS has a player's section for PrC's and Feats, but most of the book deals on the races, Regions/History and Gods. It's an important book to get if you want to know about the greater picture of the continent. PGtF only deals on crunch and alot of that is updates from previous 3.0 FR books, but it re-introduces regional feats and the new initiate feats (both were great ideas IMO). Alot of people on this board have really loved the Silver Marches book, and you might consider getting this one too. If you decide to get with the setting than you might also want to pick-up Faiths & Pantheons for more indepth writing on the Gods, as well Lords of Darkness is a great source on some of the top evil organizations in Faerun. Should you buy into this setting? Well that's pointless for me to say, since i'm a fan like most people here, and we'll all say yes. :D There is alot of history to work with, tons of modules and books to work with, and it's a magic rich environment, so mages and treasure hunters will be pleased. If you like Psionics than this setting officially supports them as well. Good luck on your decision, and hopefully it's the right one for you. :thumbsup:
Jecca-neko 06-27-04, 08:21 PM	Buy the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting. It's pretty much mandatory so you can get a feel of whether you like the Realms or not. If you do there's a TON of books that go into a lot more depth. If not, then you aren't losing out that much. other Forgotten Realms books: Player's Guide to Faerun (3.5 update to a lot of stuff in the FRCS) Underdark (location book - goes into more detail than FRCS does) Unapproachable East (location book) Silver Marches (location book) Races of Faerun (takes the races from FRCS, expands on them, and adds more) Magic of Faerun (spells, magic items, magic in Faerun) Lords of Darkness (covers the evil organizations) Faiths and Pantheons (more indepth with the gods from FRCS, adds more) Monster Compedium: Monsters of Faerun (like a tiny Monster Manual for FR) There's also The Shining South and Serpent Kingdoms coming out later this year.
Lashan 06-28-04, 08:27 AM	What I recommend is to try looking at a lot of the old 1E and 2E supplements that are there for free download. If you think you like the FR setting, then I recommend getting the FRCS. I would say that it is incredibly to have the FRCS to run a 3E game in. If you are new to FR and want 3E stuff, then I recommend Races of Faerun. It has a lot of history of all the races and also enough crunch for all the various races to make it interesting. The Player's Guide has an extensive system for starting character races and new regional feats that they can gain. It also has feats redone and PrC's. It is a crunch heavy book, yet good for getting things up to 3.5E.
Mystery Man 06-28-04, 01:54 PM	Originally posted by Lashan What I recommend is to try looking at a lot of the old 1E and 2E supplements that are there for free download. If you think you like the FR setting, then I recommend getting the FRCS. I would say that it is incredibly to have the FRCS to run a 3E game in. Exactly, I was going to say take a look at the Volo's Guides for flavah.
Sarig the Genie 06-29-04, 12:37 PM	Had totally forgotten to check the downloads page actually (: Today I got the FRCS (and because when I've asked before, it was said it contained mostly flavour) I got Races of Faerun too. Have read quite a bit in the FRCS now, and I'm fairly impressed (: Seems really good!
Lashan 06-29-04, 01:50 PM	Glad you like it. I don't want to give advice to help cause people to spend money on something they didn't like. If you don't have all the other FR stuff, I have found that Races of Faerun is a really great place to sum everything up. Personally, I think the book is worth it just for the details it goes into on human ethnicity.