Do I need to get both for the updated essential rules, or will the Rules Compendioum on its own suffice?
Also, the Compendium is for rules, not player options. I wouldn't expect to see lists of power, feats, and magic items. Note that it is a paperback volume, and according to the product description, it's nothing more than "a quick and handy rules reference."
Expect to see sections on combat, skills, equipment, treasure options (but not specific magic items), and character advancment (but not specific options).
So really you just need the RC.
If I want up-to-date character classes, powers, magic items etc what would I need to buy? Do I really need to go through my books and change everything by hand?!?
Thanks for the replies. What I want is to have all my books updated, so i don't have to do it by hand. I presume the DMG in the tool kit is updated with the recent changes, as would be the rules compendium?
Should be.
If I want up-to-date character classes, powers, magic items etc what would I need to buy? Do I really need to go through my books and change everything by hand?!?
Most of these things will not be updated in the Essentials books. WotC has said that if they sell all of their current stock of PHB/MM/DMG 1's they will consider reprinting them fully updated.
If I want up-to-date character classes, powers, magic items etc what would I need to buy? Do I really need to go through my books and change everything by hand?!?
What you might want to do is just go through and put an asterisk by any power or item that has been updated, and keep a hard copy of the errata tucked into the back of the book. That way you can cross-reference as needed.
Maybe you'd actually want to cut and paste frequently used passages. Depends how much time you want to put into it, I guess. But the short answer is yes, you'll have to do it manually.
The DM kit is mostly a reprint of the current DMG1/2, along with tokens, a few maps and adventures. Only really usefull for new DM's.
So really you just need the RC.
Thats all Im really planning on getting. More as a handy reference source than anything. I already have the DMG 1 & 2, so I dont really need to pick up the DM's Kit. I will however, pick up the updated delux screen when it comes out.
i will also be getting the dungeon tiles. i have one or two copies of all the previous, and it doesnt look like any of the larger tile kits will have anything new, but it is so easy to flap down a large outdoor encounter area, or a large city area with tiles.
i will prolly get the rules compendium at some point, as well as the monster kit (once again, for the tokens)
so, i will only be getting about 2/3rds of the esentials products.
