Books, how many is too many? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Books, how many is too many? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Luega
10-05-05, 04:47 AM So, I just counted my D&D books and I came to 40 (not including the ones my friends are borrowing, so the total is probably around 45 or so). All WotC products, I keep away from those shoddy 3rd party books. I even have books I haven't yet read. No wonder I never have any money.

But when is it too much? I'm about to start a new campaign and I'm seriously considering to use only core material, plus Forgotten Realms since that's where the campaign will take place. If I'd allowed all my books to be used, the sheer number of options would be overwhelming. Not even I have a complete overview. But some of my players will probably not be too happy with this (mainly you Shake, I know you're out there. There's a very real possibility that your gnome warlock will have to settle for wiz or sor). Besides, there are some non-core things that I would like to include in the game too. We all have our favourites.

Any thoughts on this subject, anyone? What resources do you allow in your games. Are you one of those Core only purists, or do you live your life by the more is better credo?
weasel fierce
10-05-05, 04:51 AM Material isnt bad just because its 3rd party, but generally, only use a book if it actually adds something significant to your game.
IMO, at least 75% of all RPG supplements are junk, regardless of system
Flushpuppie
10-05-05, 05:03 AM I'm satisfied with the three core books, plus the complete series
Silais
10-05-05, 05:07 AM Too many books? Such a number does not exist!

Just kidding I would say that it is around the point that you need 2 supperstore bins just to transport the things...

But then again, I buy the extra books just for the value of reading them, even if I never use them... Damn, I am a nerd.

Ah well, at least I can take soulace in my collection of tomes that describe the core fabrics of universes that don't exist.
yellowdingo
10-05-05, 05:15 AM I have two such storage containers of D&D...and two for dragon and dungeon magazines with good articles and adventures.

Oh no, I have two boxes too many. Now I'm gonna have to go through them and photocopy and bind the critical articles into their own hardbacked volumes just to make room.
amethal
10-05-05, 08:13 AM I keep away from those shoddy 3rd party books.And you also keep away from all the excellent 3rd party books as well.

As this is (kind of) on topic, Wizards products are not perfect either.

How would you describe a product that conveniently statted out for you the various summoned monsters, normal and augmented versions, and then consistently got those stat blocks wrong? (see the review of Eberron Delux Character Sheets, as for some reason it won't let me link directly)

http://www.enworld.org/reviews.php?do=review&reviewid=2608628

I love books, there's no such thing as too many books, just not enough money and / or shelf space. If you've got them then use them.

However, it might be an idea to read the books you have before buying any more new ones!
Luega
10-05-05, 08:33 AM And again my refusing to use smileys to show my face's expression has completly slaugthered my point. That, or my complete inability to communicate properly. I hate communicating. Heh.

Nah, I don't think that 3rd party products are useless. Neither do I think that WotC's products are flawless. I just prefer Wizard's products over those of other publishers. Some people like fish, some don't.
Illion the Red
10-05-05, 08:42 AM I have two "20-gallon" bins filled with Basic, Expert, AD&D, 2nd Edition, and now 3rd Edition stuff. Most of it is all but useless since I'm fully 3.5 now. I'd say they are all books that fit into the category of "too many books." The major problem for me is not having too many books to choose from (especially since I control my "gotta have it" urges nowadays), but rather the problem is obsolescence. Although there is a continual denial of 4th Edition, I still maintain my healthy skepticism and reluctance to buy too heavily just yet.
Millennium
10-05-05, 08:45 AM The only book you absolutely, positively need and cannot get by without is the PHB. You need this book, hands down and bar none. The SRD alone is not enough, because it lacks some critical information (most notably the XP table). If you don't have this then you are not playing D&D: you're playing something else. That's not necessarily a Bad Thing by any means -there are many good role-playing systems out there- but be aware of it.

DMG and the first Monster Manual come very highly recommended, but you can get by with the SRD in a pinch or even toss them completely out the window and go all-homebrew. If you use a premade campaign setting, then its core book is on the same level: very highly recommended, but if you can get information from other sources then not strictly needed.

The Expanded Psionics Handbook, Magic of Incarnum, and Ghostwalk make up the next level. I highly recommend them, but they're only really necessary if you use the systems which they describe: psionics, incarnum, and adventuring as ghosts. You definitely don't have to use these systems, and many DMs don't (especially not Ghostwalk), but they can be a lot of fun.

On the next tier are Dungeon Master's Guide II and the Complete _____ series. I recommended them, because they can add a lot of depth to your games, but they are not strictly necessary.

After that, the rest is all strictly optional. I would suggest as a rule of thumb that if you cannot carry all of your books at the same time without the assistance of anyone else, then you are probably using too many.
Luega
10-05-05, 08:52 AM After that, the rest is all strictly optional. I would suggest as a rule of thumb that if you cannot carry all of your books at the same time without the assistance of anyone else, then you are probably using too many.Aww, man. It just so happens that I'm the DM in my group. However, we rarely play at my place, so I have to lug around 100 lb. of books whenever we play. It's exhausting at times. My biceps are shaping up nicely, though.

Edit: It seems I exagerated a bit. I tend to do that. It only wheighs 77.19 lb. I appologize.
CzarGarrett
10-05-05, 09:13 AM Too many books would be one or more than you need.
SwiftFox
10-05-05, 09:14 AM It doesnt matter how many books you want to use, as long as you, the DM, are familliar with the contents of each and every one of them.
You should never allow a player to use something, be it a feat or a class or a race if it comes from a book you have not read thoroughly and whose potential you fully understand.
I stopped using dead-tree source books long ago, as are now most of my player group. PDF books are a much more conveniant and portable reference than printed ones (assuming you have a laptop), though I still bring my leather-bound PHB to sessions for player-use.

Oh, and I suggest you dissalow anything published before 3.5th ed, and you might want to think long and hard about allowing the Book of Exalted deeds and Unearthed Arcana... they seriously complicate things.
Sulaco
10-05-05, 09:16 AM Too...many...books...

I know those words but together they make no sense. :confused:
cmrscorpio
10-05-05, 09:19 AM I, too, am getting to the point with my books collection where the options available are becoming too daunting for me to keep up with.

As far as what books you should actually use for the campaign, it all comes down to your motives for narrowing the selection.

If you want to allow your players the option of using the plethora of books you have available, but you are daunted by the amount of info you'd have to read in order to provide that, then I suggest that you allow the PCs to use the books (I personally recommend keep campaign-specific material seperate, like Eberron books off-limits during Forgotten Realms) but institute a house rule that the players must give you one week's notice before they use material from anything besides the PHB and the Campaign Setting book. This allows you to look up the relevant material before hand, discuss it on these forums if you have any questions, and make an informed ruling as to whether the material has too great of a potential to be unbalancing.

If, however, you don't want to allow access to all those books simply because of the clutter that they make at the gaming table, or just because you want to keep things simpler, or for any other reason, then go ahead and restrict what books are allowed. You're the DM and that is your perogative.
Millennium
10-05-05, 10:21 AM Aww, man. It just so happens that I'm the DM in my group. However, we rarely play at my place, so I have to lug around 100 lb. of books whenever we play. It's exhausting at times. My biceps are shaping up nicely, though.

Edit: It seems I exagerated a bit. I tend to do that. It only wheighs 77.19 lb. I appologize.
I did say probably, after all. I don't know how you manage to use that many books and still make sense of everything, but some GMs do, I guess.

But 77.19 pounds?! Good gravy; how many books is that?
bob_the_great
10-05-05, 10:39 AM my dm won't switch from 2e in part because he probably has every single 2e book in triplicate. its nice though when someone else has "the complete book of elves," you ask to see it when they're done, and the dm chimes in that he has another one in his closet.
imperialjunkie
10-05-05, 10:41 AM I buy/use books that my players could use and those that fit with my campaign. Core obviously. Compete series is all in. DMG2 is very helpful for me in many ways. Libris Mortis because my campaign will be undead heavy. BoVD and BoED because I like them. That's about it. It's hard for me to decide on other stuff to buy. I don't need premade campaign setting stuff. I've thought about the 'weather' books but not enough to fork over the cash. Don't need the 'Races' books at all. So I'm happy with what I have for the most part.

It is fun to buy stuff though. ;)
Xaktsaroth
10-05-05, 10:45 AM I did say probably, after all. I don't know how you manage to use that many books and still make sense of everything, but some GMs do, I guess.

But 77.19 pounds?! Good gravy; how many books is that?

Ugh. I just photocopy the pages I need and leave the book at home, 2 lbs is much better then 77.19. :P
amethal
10-05-05, 10:59 AM And again my refusing to use smileys to show my face's expression has completly slaugthered my point. That, or my complete inability to communicate properly. I hate communicating. Heh.

Nah, I don't think that 3rd party products are useless. Neither do I think that WotC's products are flawless. I just prefer Wizard's products over those of other publishers. Some people like fish, some don't.Sorry, should have given you the benefit of the doubt.

Unfortunately, there are people who consider all 3rd party books to be shoddy so I took your post at face value.
Draco Strang
10-05-05, 11:14 AM Too...many...books...

I know those words but together they make no sense. :confused:
Word. At last count I've got over 120 with 2nd ed. and other systems, all told.

I need more. Lots more.
wayward1348
10-05-05, 11:34 AM sadly i dont have time to read all the newer books, i have some players who say..."hey can i have this and this and this and this" so my answer is no until i have had time to adequately go over the book. so i use the core books, and working the complete ones and depending on the setting of the game different ones outside of that. but having too many? no way, it's a great way to impress girls and other people who don't game if you have like 100 books covering a bookshelf, your floor, bedside etc. they love it ;)
Draco Strang
10-05-05, 11:42 AM but having too many? no way, it's a great way to impress girls and other people who don't game if you have like 100 books covering a bookshelf, your floor, bedside etc. they love it ;)
Yea, until they realize that every last one is a fantasy gaming supplement. Believe me when I say that girls are not impressed byDraconomicon and Underdark. I had a ton of fantasy/history on my shelves in my dorm last year, and I was ridiculed thoroughly by a number of hot girls and fraternity boys. It was only when I hung a sheet over that bookshelf and displayed my vast collection of car books that I was getting high-fives and "sweet, dude!"

Of course, if you're relying on your book collection to impress girls, then it's time to re-evaluate your game my man. Everyone knows that girls dig minis! :dancin:
JamesDruidDM
10-05-05, 11:50 AM I just went through and counted my books,...all of them, from 1st ed to now, and I am at about 120 books (I am missing so much, like my unearthed arcana (1st ed) cause the dog thought it was a tasty treat :raincloud )

but to many? mo such thing, everythign is useful at some point, and if it isnt you can make it use ful :)
NiQil
10-05-05, 11:59 AM Yea, until they realize that every last one is a fantasy gaming supplement. Believe me when I say that girls are not impressed byDraconomicon and Underdark. I had a ton of fantasy/history on my shelves in my dorm last year, and I was ridiculed thoroughly by a number of hot girls and fraternity boys. It was only when I hung a sheet over that bookshelf and displayed my vast collection of car books that I was getting high-fives and "sweet, dude!"

Of course, if you're relying on your book collection to impress girls, then it's time to re-evaluate your game my man. Everyone knows that girls dig minis! :dancin:

And they say size doesn't matter....
KJW
10-05-05, 12:00 PM 250+ counting 2nd Ed and other systems...two complete bookshelves! One reason we can't move, last time my gaming boxes nearly crippled me. :) While I rarely use the vast majority of them, every now and then I will use one of my old books for game design, heck I use the 2nd Ed. 'Complete Book of' series for demihumans instead of the 'Races of' series, I just like the older fluff sometimes. Sometimes I just sit and look at all the books and say "ain't that pretty."

Yeah most people ignore the shelves, when we have visitors, of course our house is cluttered with books so they probably don't even register that it's roleplaying books.

I prefer to DM at my house, understandably, but when I must travel, usually all I need is the three core books and some notes. Really, less is more when in a gaming session.
Draco Strang
10-05-05, 12:11 PM And they say size doesn't matter....
That's why I only show them my Giant of Legend.........collection.

Ok, if we don't stop this'll get locked. Back on track now.
The nameles one
10-05-05, 12:17 PM I have like 11 books. Core, DMG 2, UA and Realms books. And then I have a truckload of Dragon magazines. :cool:

All I need, really.
Bill Bisco: Average Adventurer
10-05-05, 12:21 PM Don't be scared of options. Options aren't bad. They're only bad if someone abuses them. If a player makes something that's way too powerful then tell him the combination he's using won't work.
The Almighty Dru
10-05-05, 01:36 PM Word. At last count I've got over 120 with 2nd ed. and other systems, all told.

I need more. Lots more.
You are my hero.

I've got the most number of books in my gaming bunch. All meticulously organized on my shelves. And the number would be more if I had the Races, environment, and any number of FR books.

Generally, I will allow anything from any of the books I have unless I really don't like it (spellthief) or if its flavor doesn't fit (ninja or samaurai). It can be a hassle juggling through so many books though. I think I may make some compiled lists of classes, feats, etc, so that it will be a lot easier to choose.
pwatson1974
10-05-05, 03:39 PM I think I may make some compiled lists of classes, feats, etc, so that it will be a lot easier to choose.

I've done this. And it gets updated regularly, i.e. whenever I get a cool new book or Dragon turns up. The Prestige Class list is ridicuous (329 A4 pages of stuff!)
Most of this is Name, Source, Quick Description, but it still adds up.
Although one player on seeing the 30 or so pages of feats said 'Too much choice! Brain hurt!'. Most of them did choose fairly standard featsbecause they already knew what they were doing. But the options were there if they wanted them.
And I only carry the books I need. I'll take my summary pages and if they need full detail, I'll bring that book along as well.
cmrscorpio
10-05-05, 06:05 PM I've done this. And it gets updated regularly, i.e. whenever I get a cool new book or Dragon turns up. The Prestige Class list is ridicuous (329 A4 pages of stuff!)
Most of this is Name, Source, Quick Description, but it still adds up.
Although one player on seeing the 30 or so pages of feats said 'Too much choice! Brain hurt!'. Most of them did choose fairly standard featsbecause they already knew what they were doing. But the options were there if they wanted them.
And I only carry the books I need. I'll take my summary pages and if they need full detail, I'll bring that book along as well.

Ya, I, too, have tried to do this. And then when I started showing them to my players, their eyes glazed over and they looked like deer caught in headlights. Then the worst part was that they barely used those resources I put so much time and energy into.

Now, I only make master lists of things that I know *I* will use *during a session*. So far, I have an up-to-date excel document with a master list of all magical items from my books and my Dungeon and Dragon mags sorted by and terrain and CR, and a similar master list of magical/psionic items sorted by item type and price.
rbrt_Spade
10-05-05, 07:12 PM i guess im the guy with little books-250+ you could sell that on ebay for at least $1000

i own
players handbook
dungeon masters guide
monster manual
tome and blood
sword and fist
psionics handbook
buying
defenders of the faith
living greyhawk gaz.

you guys like rules....

but everyone uses my books in my group
UltimateReality
10-05-05, 07:56 PM Believe me when I say that girls are not impressed byDraconomicon and Underdark.Hey, I love the Draconomicon, and so does at least one other chick in my group. :P

I had a ton of fantasy/history on my shelves in my dorm last year, and I was ridiculed thoroughly by a number of hot girls and fraternity boys.That's because those people were stupid. Duh.

Everyone knows that girls dig minis! :dancin:Coincidentally enough, TPK and I have just started getting into minis painting...

Edit: Oh, OP: we've usually used most supplements available (around a dozen for a campaign), but lately we've started a core only game for the newbs. MUCH EASIER. We like so far. :)
Didge
10-05-05, 10:03 PM For those looking for all the feats, spells, etc. published by different magazines, and books, and whatnot...

Behold...Crystal Keep (http://www.crystalkeep.com/d20/index.php). It is useful, and my kung-fu is strong. :D

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Luega 10-05-05, 04:47 AM	So, I just counted my D&D books and I came to 40 (not including the ones my friends are borrowing, so the total is probably around 45 or so). All WotC products, I keep away from those shoddy 3rd party books. I even have books I haven't yet read. No wonder I never have any money. But when is it too much? I'm about to start a new campaign and I'm seriously considering to use only core material, plus Forgotten Realms since that's where the campaign will take place. If I'd allowed all my books to be used, the sheer number of options would be overwhelming. Not even I have a complete overview. But some of my players will probably not be too happy with this (mainly you Shake, I know you're out there. There's a very real possibility that your gnome warlock will have to settle for wiz or sor). Besides, there are some non-core things that I would like to include in the game too. We all have our favourites. Any thoughts on this subject, anyone? What resources do you allow in your games. Are you one of those Core only purists, or do you live your life by the more is better credo?
weasel fierce 10-05-05, 04:51 AM	Material isnt bad just because its 3rd party, but generally, only use a book if it actually adds something significant to your game. IMO, at least 75% of all RPG supplements are junk, regardless of system
Flushpuppie 10-05-05, 05:03 AM	I'm satisfied with the three core books, plus the complete series
Silais 10-05-05, 05:07 AM	Too many books? Such a number does not exist! Just kidding I would say that it is around the point that you need 2 supperstore bins just to transport the things... But then again, I buy the extra books just for the value of reading them, even if I never use them... Damn, I am a nerd. Ah well, at least I can take soulace in my collection of tomes that describe the core fabrics of universes that don't exist.
yellowdingo 10-05-05, 05:15 AM	I have two such storage containers of D&D...and two for dragon and dungeon magazines with good articles and adventures. Oh no, I have two boxes too many. Now I'm gonna have to go through them and photocopy and bind the critical articles into their own hardbacked volumes just to make room.
amethal 10-05-05, 08:13 AM	I keep away from those shoddy 3rd party books.And you also keep away from all the excellent 3rd party books as well. As this is (kind of) on topic, Wizards products are not perfect either. How would you describe a product that conveniently statted out for you the various summoned monsters, normal and augmented versions, and then consistently got those stat blocks wrong? (see the review of Eberron Delux Character Sheets, as for some reason it won't let me link directly) http://www.enworld.org/reviews.php?do=review&reviewid=2608628 I love books, there's no such thing as too many books, just not enough money and / or shelf space. If you've got them then use them. However, it might be an idea to read the books you have before buying any more new ones!
Luega 10-05-05, 08:33 AM	And again my refusing to use smileys to show my face's expression has completly slaugthered my point. That, or my complete inability to communicate properly. I hate communicating. Heh. Nah, I don't think that 3rd party products are useless. Neither do I think that WotC's products are flawless. I just prefer Wizard's products over those of other publishers. Some people like fish, some don't.
Illion the Red 10-05-05, 08:42 AM	I have two "20-gallon" bins filled with Basic, Expert, AD&D, 2nd Edition, and now 3rd Edition stuff. Most of it is all but useless since I'm fully 3.5 now. I'd say they are all books that fit into the category of "too many books." The major problem for me is not having too many books to choose from (especially since I control my "gotta have it" urges nowadays), but rather the problem is obsolescence. Although there is a continual denial of 4th Edition, I still maintain my healthy skepticism and reluctance to buy too heavily just yet.
Millennium 10-05-05, 08:45 AM	The only book you absolutely, positively need and cannot get by without is the PHB. You need this book, hands down and bar none. The SRD alone is not enough, because it lacks some critical information (most notably the XP table). If you don't have this then you are not playing D&D: you're playing something else. That's not necessarily a Bad Thing by any means -there are many good role-playing systems out there- but be aware of it. DMG and the first Monster Manual come very highly recommended, but you can get by with the SRD in a pinch or even toss them completely out the window and go all-homebrew. If you use a premade campaign setting, then its core book is on the same level: very highly recommended, but if you can get information from other sources then not strictly needed. The Expanded Psionics Handbook, Magic of Incarnum, and Ghostwalk make up the next level. I highly recommend them, but they're only really necessary if you use the systems which they describe: psionics, incarnum, and adventuring as ghosts. You definitely don't have to use these systems, and many DMs don't (especially not Ghostwalk), but they can be a lot of fun. On the next tier are Dungeon Master's Guide II and the Complete _____ series. I recommended them, because they can add a lot of depth to your games, but they are not strictly necessary. After that, the rest is all strictly optional. I would suggest as a rule of thumb that if you cannot carry all of your books at the same time without the assistance of anyone else, then you are probably using too many.
Luega 10-05-05, 08:52 AM	After that, the rest is all strictly optional. I would suggest as a rule of thumb that if you cannot carry all of your books at the same time without the assistance of anyone else, then you are probably using too many.Aww, man. It just so happens that I'm the DM in my group. However, we rarely play at my place, so I have to lug around 100 lb. of books whenever we play. It's exhausting at times. My biceps are shaping up nicely, though. Edit: It seems I exagerated a bit. I tend to do that. It only wheighs 77.19 lb. I appologize.
CzarGarrett 10-05-05, 09:13 AM	Too many books would be one or more than you need.
SwiftFox 10-05-05, 09:14 AM	It doesnt matter how many books you want to use, as long as you, the DM, are familliar with the contents of each and every one of them. You should never allow a player to use something, be it a feat or a class or a race if it comes from a book you have not read thoroughly and whose potential you fully understand. I stopped using dead-tree source books long ago, as are now most of my player group. PDF books are a much more conveniant and portable reference than printed ones (assuming you have a laptop), though I still bring my leather-bound PHB to sessions for player-use. Oh, and I suggest you dissalow anything published before 3.5th ed, and you might want to think long and hard about allowing the Book of Exalted deeds and Unearthed Arcana... they seriously complicate things.
Sulaco 10-05-05, 09:16 AM	Too...many...books... I know those words but together they make no sense. :confused:
cmrscorpio 10-05-05, 09:19 AM	I, too, am getting to the point with my books collection where the options available are becoming too daunting for me to keep up with. As far as what books you should actually use for the campaign, it all comes down to your motives for narrowing the selection. If you want to allow your players the option of using the plethora of books you have available, but you are daunted by the amount of info you'd have to read in order to provide that, then I suggest that you allow the PCs to use the books (I personally recommend keep campaign-specific material seperate, like Eberron books off-limits during Forgotten Realms) but institute a house rule that the players must give you one week's notice before they use material from anything besides the PHB and the Campaign Setting book. This allows you to look up the relevant material before hand, discuss it on these forums if you have any questions, and make an informed ruling as to whether the material has too great of a potential to be unbalancing. If, however, you don't want to allow access to all those books simply because of the clutter that they make at the gaming table, or just because you want to keep things simpler, or for any other reason, then go ahead and restrict what books are allowed. You're the DM and that is your perogative.
Millennium 10-05-05, 10:21 AM	Aww, man. It just so happens that I'm the DM in my group. However, we rarely play at my place, so I have to lug around 100 lb. of books whenever we play. It's exhausting at times. My biceps are shaping up nicely, though. Edit: It seems I exagerated a bit. I tend to do that. It only wheighs 77.19 lb. I appologize. I did say probably, after all. I don't know how you manage to use that many books and still make sense of everything, but some GMs do, I guess. But 77.19 pounds?! Good gravy; how many books is that?
bob_the_great 10-05-05, 10:39 AM	my dm won't switch from 2e in part because he probably has every single 2e book in triplicate. its nice though when someone else has "the complete book of elves," you ask to see it when they're done, and the dm chimes in that he has another one in his closet.
imperialjunkie 10-05-05, 10:41 AM	I buy/use books that my players could use and those that fit with my campaign. Core obviously. Compete series is all in. DMG2 is very helpful for me in many ways. Libris Mortis because my campaign will be undead heavy. BoVD and BoED because I like them. That's about it. It's hard for me to decide on other stuff to buy. I don't need premade campaign setting stuff. I've thought about the 'weather' books but not enough to fork over the cash. Don't need the 'Races' books at all. So I'm happy with what I have for the most part. It is fun to buy stuff though. ;)
Xaktsaroth 10-05-05, 10:45 AM	I did say probably, after all. I don't know how you manage to use that many books and still make sense of everything, but some GMs do, I guess. But 77.19 pounds?! Good gravy; how many books is that? Ugh. I just photocopy the pages I need and leave the book at home, 2 lbs is much better then 77.19. :P
amethal 10-05-05, 10:59 AM	And again my refusing to use smileys to show my face's expression has completly slaugthered my point. That, or my complete inability to communicate properly. I hate communicating. Heh. Nah, I don't think that 3rd party products are useless. Neither do I think that WotC's products are flawless. I just prefer Wizard's products over those of other publishers. Some people like fish, some don't.Sorry, should have given you the benefit of the doubt. Unfortunately, there are people who consider all 3rd party books to be shoddy so I took your post at face value.
Draco Strang 10-05-05, 11:14 AM	Too...many...books... I know those words but together they make no sense. :confused: Word. At last count I've got over 120 with 2nd ed. and other systems, all told. I need more. Lots more.
wayward1348 10-05-05, 11:34 AM	sadly i dont have time to read all the newer books, i have some players who say..."hey can i have this and this and this and this" so my answer is no until i have had time to adequately go over the book. so i use the core books, and working the complete ones and depending on the setting of the game different ones outside of that. but having too many? no way, it's a great way to impress girls and other people who don't game if you have like 100 books covering a bookshelf, your floor, bedside etc. they love it ;)
Draco Strang 10-05-05, 11:42 AM	but having too many? no way, it's a great way to impress girls and other people who don't game if you have like 100 books covering a bookshelf, your floor, bedside etc. they love it ;) Yea, until they realize that every last one is a fantasy gaming supplement. Believe me when I say that girls are not impressed byDraconomicon and Underdark. I had a ton of fantasy/history on my shelves in my dorm last year, and I was ridiculed thoroughly by a number of hot girls and fraternity boys. It was only when I hung a sheet over that bookshelf and displayed my vast collection of car books that I was getting high-fives and "sweet, dude!" Of course, if you're relying on your book collection to impress girls, then it's time to re-evaluate your game my man. Everyone knows that girls dig minis! :dancin:
JamesDruidDM 10-05-05, 11:50 AM	I just went through and counted my books,...all of them, from 1st ed to now, and I am at about 120 books (I am missing so much, like my unearthed arcana (1st ed) cause the dog thought it was a tasty treat :raincloud ) but to many? mo such thing, everythign is useful at some point, and if it isnt you can make it use ful :)
NiQil 10-05-05, 11:59 AM	Yea, until they realize that every last one is a fantasy gaming supplement. Believe me when I say that girls are not impressed byDraconomicon and Underdark. I had a ton of fantasy/history on my shelves in my dorm last year, and I was ridiculed thoroughly by a number of hot girls and fraternity boys. It was only when I hung a sheet over that bookshelf and displayed my vast collection of car books that I was getting high-fives and "sweet, dude!" Of course, if you're relying on your book collection to impress girls, then it's time to re-evaluate your game my man. Everyone knows that girls dig minis! :dancin: And they say size doesn't matter....
KJW 10-05-05, 12:00 PM	250+ counting 2nd Ed and other systems...two complete bookshelves! One reason we can't move, last time my gaming boxes nearly crippled me. :) While I rarely use the vast majority of them, every now and then I will use one of my old books for game design, heck I use the 2nd Ed. 'Complete Book of' series for demihumans instead of the 'Races of' series, I just like the older fluff sometimes. Sometimes I just sit and look at all the books and say "ain't that pretty." Yeah most people ignore the shelves, when we have visitors, of course our house is cluttered with books so they probably don't even register that it's roleplaying books. I prefer to DM at my house, understandably, but when I must travel, usually all I need is the three core books and some notes. Really, less is more when in a gaming session.
Draco Strang 10-05-05, 12:11 PM	And they say size doesn't matter.... That's why I only show them my Giant of Legend.........collection. Ok, if we don't stop this'll get locked. Back on track now.
The nameles one 10-05-05, 12:17 PM	I have like 11 books. Core, DMG 2, UA and Realms books. And then I have a truckload of Dragon magazines. :cool: All I need, really.
Bill Bisco: Average Adventurer 10-05-05, 12:21 PM	Don't be scared of options. Options aren't bad. They're only bad if someone abuses them. If a player makes something that's way too powerful then tell him the combination he's using won't work.
The Almighty Dru 10-05-05, 01:36 PM	Word. At last count I've got over 120 with 2nd ed. and other systems, all told. I need more. Lots more. You are my hero. I've got the most number of books in my gaming bunch. All meticulously organized on my shelves. And the number would be more if I had the Races, environment, and any number of FR books. Generally, I will allow anything from any of the books I have unless I really don't like it (spellthief) or if its flavor doesn't fit (ninja or samaurai). It can be a hassle juggling through so many books though. I think I may make some compiled lists of classes, feats, etc, so that it will be a lot easier to choose.
pwatson1974 10-05-05, 03:39 PM	I think I may make some compiled lists of classes, feats, etc, so that it will be a lot easier to choose. I've done this. And it gets updated regularly, i.e. whenever I get a cool new book or Dragon turns up. The Prestige Class list is ridicuous (329 A4 pages of stuff!) Most of this is Name, Source, Quick Description, but it still adds up. Although one player on seeing the 30 or so pages of feats said 'Too much choice! Brain hurt!'. Most of them did choose fairly standard featsbecause they already knew what they were doing. But the options were there if they wanted them. And I only carry the books I need. I'll take my summary pages and if they need full detail, I'll bring that book along as well.
cmrscorpio 10-05-05, 06:05 PM	I've done this. And it gets updated regularly, i.e. whenever I get a cool new book or Dragon turns up. The Prestige Class list is ridicuous (329 A4 pages of stuff!) Most of this is Name, Source, Quick Description, but it still adds up. Although one player on seeing the 30 or so pages of feats said 'Too much choice! Brain hurt!'. Most of them did choose fairly standard featsbecause they already knew what they were doing. But the options were there if they wanted them. And I only carry the books I need. I'll take my summary pages and if they need full detail, I'll bring that book along as well. Ya, I, too, have tried to do this. And then when I started showing them to my players, their eyes glazed over and they looked like deer caught in headlights. Then the worst part was that they barely used those resources I put so much time and energy into. Now, I only make master lists of things that I know I will use during a session. So far, I have an up-to-date excel document with a master list of all magical items from my books and my Dungeon and Dragon mags sorted by and terrain and CR, and a similar master list of magical/psionic items sorted by item type and price.
rbrt_Spade 10-05-05, 07:12 PM	i guess im the guy with little books-250+ you could sell that on ebay for at least $1000 i own players handbook dungeon masters guide monster manual tome and blood sword and fist psionics handbook buying defenders of the faith living greyhawk gaz. you guys like rules.... but everyone uses my books in my group
UltimateReality 10-05-05, 07:56 PM	Believe me when I say that girls are not impressed byDraconomicon and Underdark.Hey, I love the Draconomicon, and so does at least one other chick in my group. :P I had a ton of fantasy/history on my shelves in my dorm last year, and I was ridiculed thoroughly by a number of hot girls and fraternity boys.That's because those people were stupid. Duh. Everyone knows that girls dig minis! :dancin:Coincidentally enough, TPK and I have just started getting into minis painting... Edit: Oh, OP: we've usually used most supplements available (around a dozen for a campaign), but lately we've started a core only game for the newbs. MUCH EASIER. We like so far. :)
Didge 10-05-05, 10:03 PM	For those looking for all the feats, spells, etc. published by different magazines, and books, and whatnot... Behold...Crystal Keep (http://www.crystalkeep.com/d20/index.php). It is useful, and my kung-fu is strong. :D