Which Books? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Which Books? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Thenger
12-29-03, 04:07 PM Hello All,

I am really thinking of starting to play D&D again and give White-Wolf stuff a rest for a while, really think they are screwing things up.

I am posting this because I am hopeing that some people may give me an idea on what books I should get besides the DMG, Players Guide, and Monster Manual.

In what order are the Forgetting Realms books from best to worst going; in the order I should buy them?

Thank you all in advance.
Kezghan
12-30-03, 02:46 AM The Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting first and foremost.

Then id say, Races of Faerun then Magic of Faerun.

After that id say it dont matter a whole lot, Lords of Darkness is nice and Silver Marches is wonderful if you intend to play in that region.

The upcoming Players Guide to Faerun is sounding indispensable as well.
Lord Karsus
12-31-03, 11:03 PM Don't forget Faiths and Avatars. It is an almost complete guide to every single god/goddess in the Realms.
Kuje31
12-31-03, 11:16 PM Originally posted by Lord Karsus
Don't forget Faiths and Avatars. It is an almost complete guide to every single god/goddess in the Realms.

Ah, well I'd add in Demihuman Deities and Power & Pantheons for the rest of Faerun's human pantheon......
Bazcasta
01-08-04, 02:45 PM i like Faiths and Pantheons its nice
Alkazhar_Ramierez
01-18-04, 06:29 PM Monsters of Faerun is also a good one for a DM.
williamjr85374
01-22-04, 07:25 AM While any book can be usefull, it is going to depend primarily on two things, 1. are you just playing a character -getting back into it? or are you DM ing a Campain? and 2 What "Edition" is the group you are gamming with going to be useing?

If your just playing, get the proper edition DMG PH and MM then pick were you are going to be adventureing and get some info on that area. You now have everything you need-have fun.

If you are going to DM, You need to decide where you want the party to adventure-then get detailed info on that area, determine what time period you are in and set the world accordingly.

MM2 is nice
unearthed Arcana
Psionics handbook
Oriental Adventures

Make shure you check the "to be published" product list. If you are going to use 3.5 don't buy the older edition PsH or OA as new stuff is on the way. If you useing the old stuff anyway find it on sale and ignore 3.5

Option two may be to get the old stuff cheap, and then "convert" to 3E or 3.5 more work but if your DM your used to it.

William the "wondering" Monk
Autosponge
01-30-04, 10:05 PM Don't ignore all the great 2nd ed stuff you can download for free from WOTC. Some of it has some great background for your campaigns and it doesn't cost anything.
JemyM
02-07-04, 03:04 PM Being here I guess you wish to go for Forgotten Realms over other books.

IMO, this is a good choice, since FR offers a thick and detailed world to create numerous adventures in, and lots of inspiration to make a unique campaign.

Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting
This should be considered as a core book. It contains bits and pieces to start to play anywhere. If you prefer to write adventures instead of areas, then consider to use Dalelands as your choice, as its the only place that is very detailed in FRCS.

Races of Faerūn
I deeply reccomend this book, as its the one that offers most CULTURE to a campaign. I have learnt that common things like celebrations, food, every day living etc gives any campaign much more life, and no book offers more of it than RoF. It also gives a detailed descriptions of the many human races, something FRCS does not.

Magic of Faerūn
I cannot wholeheartily reccomend this book to a beginner that isnt truthfully interested in magic as it only offers 'meat' to Wizards and magic-focused campaigns. If magic is for you, then consider to grab this book, since its really a "complete guide to magic". If magic doesnt play a major role in your campaign, and you have only have one or no arcane spellcaster, skip it.

Lords of Darkness
If you need a villian, here you go. No book (including Monsters Manual) offers more detailed villians than this book. You should pick it up as soon as you need a villian.

Silver Marches, Underdark, Unapproachable East
As I mentioned in FRCS, if you want to spend more time writing adventures, less time constructing an area, and if you do not like Dalelands, consider to buy one of theese books. If you dont intend to run your campaign in neither of theese areas, they are not for you. The exception is Underdark as most campaigns leads down to the Underdark sooner or later.
LupinKnight
02-07-04, 08:00 PM I would go:

Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting

Monsters of Faerūn

Races of Faerūn

Magic of Faerūn

Faiths and Pantheons

Lords of Darkness

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Thenger 12-29-03, 04:07 PM	Hello All, I am really thinking of starting to play D&D again and give White-Wolf stuff a rest for a while, really think they are screwing things up. I am posting this because I am hopeing that some people may give me an idea on what books I should get besides the DMG, Players Guide, and Monster Manual. In what order are the Forgetting Realms books from best to worst going; in the order I should buy them? Thank you all in advance.
Kezghan 12-30-03, 02:46 AM	The Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting first and foremost. Then id say, Races of Faerun then Magic of Faerun. After that id say it dont matter a whole lot, Lords of Darkness is nice and Silver Marches is wonderful if you intend to play in that region. The upcoming Players Guide to Faerun is sounding indispensable as well.
Lord Karsus 12-31-03, 11:03 PM	Don't forget Faiths and Avatars. It is an almost complete guide to every single god/goddess in the Realms.
Kuje31 12-31-03, 11:16 PM	Originally posted by Lord Karsus Don't forget Faiths and Avatars. It is an almost complete guide to every single god/goddess in the Realms. Ah, well I'd add in Demihuman Deities and Power & Pantheons for the rest of Faerun's human pantheon......
Bazcasta 01-08-04, 02:45 PM	i like Faiths and Pantheons its nice
Alkazhar_Ramierez 01-18-04, 06:29 PM	Monsters of Faerun is also a good one for a DM.
williamjr85374 01-22-04, 07:25 AM	While any book can be usefull, it is going to depend primarily on two things, 1. are you just playing a character -getting back into it? or are you DM ing a Campain? and 2 What "Edition" is the group you are gamming with going to be useing? If your just playing, get the proper edition DMG PH and MM then pick were you are going to be adventureing and get some info on that area. You now have everything you need-have fun. If you are going to DM, You need to decide where you want the party to adventure-then get detailed info on that area, determine what time period you are in and set the world accordingly. MM2 is nice unearthed Arcana Psionics handbook Oriental Adventures Make shure you check the "to be published" product list. If you are going to use 3.5 don't buy the older edition PsH or OA as new stuff is on the way. If you useing the old stuff anyway find it on sale and ignore 3.5 Option two may be to get the old stuff cheap, and then "convert" to 3E or 3.5 more work but if your DM your used to it. William the "wondering" Monk
Autosponge 01-30-04, 10:05 PM	Don't ignore all the great 2nd ed stuff you can download for free from WOTC. Some of it has some great background for your campaigns and it doesn't cost anything.
JemyM 02-07-04, 03:04 PM	Being here I guess you wish to go for Forgotten Realms over other books. IMO, this is a good choice, since FR offers a thick and detailed world to create numerous adventures in, and lots of inspiration to make a unique campaign. Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting This should be considered as a core book. It contains bits and pieces to start to play anywhere. If you prefer to write adventures instead of areas, then consider to use Dalelands as your choice, as its the only place that is very detailed in FRCS. Races of Faerūn I deeply reccomend this book, as its the one that offers most CULTURE to a campaign. I have learnt that common things like celebrations, food, every day living etc gives any campaign much more life, and no book offers more of it than RoF. It also gives a detailed descriptions of the many human races, something FRCS does not. Magic of Faerūn I cannot wholeheartily reccomend this book to a beginner that isnt truthfully interested in magic as it only offers 'meat' to Wizards and magic-focused campaigns. If magic is for you, then consider to grab this book, since its really a "complete guide to magic". If magic doesnt play a major role in your campaign, and you have only have one or no arcane spellcaster, skip it. Lords of Darkness If you need a villian, here you go. No book (including Monsters Manual) offers more detailed villians than this book. You should pick it up as soon as you need a villian. Silver Marches, Underdark, Unapproachable East As I mentioned in FRCS, if you want to spend more time writing adventures, less time constructing an area, and if you do not like Dalelands, consider to buy one of theese books. If you dont intend to run your campaign in neither of theese areas, they are not for you. The exception is Underdark as most campaigns leads down to the Underdark sooner or later.
LupinKnight 02-07-04, 08:00 PM	I would go: Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting Monsters of Faerūn Races of Faerūn Magic of Faerūn Faiths and Pantheons Lords of Darkness