Why did this board hate the Players Guide to Eberron book so much? - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Why did this board hate the Players Guide to Eberron book so much?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
zombiegleemax
Aug 28, 2008 10:37:09 It was a great little resource, but I remember there was a lot of controversy over it...why?
#2
ieattrollsforbreakfast
Aug 28, 2008 11:34:48 I don't think people hate it, far from it in fact. PGtE often comes fairly high in people's lists of which Eberron books to buy first.

There is a bit of controversy associated with the book's placement of fluff regarding the many races and new classes. Rather than presenting options for some of the more unusual races in sidebars, divided from the canon, it mixes it up with the rest of the setting fluff. I don't think anyone sees it as a major issue, though.

Or maybe you're thinking of Races of Eberron? That one is certainly controversial.
#3
Magicstar1
Aug 28, 2008 12:08:49 Biggest problem for most in PGtE were the ridiculous sidebars. Most of the feats in there we're either to powerful or too weak. Often heard comment: "If you tape down the sidebars it's a great book."
#4
ninjaarthiddenjutsu_dup
Aug 28, 2008 12:39:40 I M O it was the sidebars that made the book worthwhile.
#5
dragonflame
Aug 28, 2008 12:40:24
It was a great little resource, but I remember there was a lot of controversy over it...why?

For starters, the font is too small, the Toc and Index are insufficient as a reference work for Eberron Characters. The references to other splatbooks unnecessary. Better a couple of whole pages of ads in the book in various places then one line references throughout, as the one-liners are distracting the discerning GM or player.

That said, the What do you Know? sidebars about each geographical area or race are really good, and overall, it's a really good reference for starting new Eberron campaigns.
#6
orion_polaris
Aug 28, 2008 13:37:59 TBH it was only a few people overreacting. The majority of this board liked the book.
#7
Nived
Aug 28, 2008 16:41:02 Yes there were a couple of very vocal very active board members that never hesitated to snipe at the book. Anytime anyone referanced it in a dicussion or answered someone's question with material presented in the sidebars... however most of those people have bailed with 4th Edition anyway.

On a more valid complaint side, some took umbridge with what they considered DM material about the Blood of Vol, Kaius, The Dreaming Dark, and other villainous organizations in the book. Things the characters shouldn't know in the 'Players Guide'.

Still it is a solid book.
#8
Arcane_Guyver
Aug 29, 2008 13:33:06 Some (initially even me) thought that the book took some power away from the DM, as it basically told the player that anything from any D&D reference book could be found in Eberron. Sure, they sort of said that in the ECS, but this was pretty explicit, "if you want to play a skarn incarnate, this is where you probably come from" type stuff (not just limited to sidebars, either!). Took me a awhile to realize it's not that big of a deal.

Other concerns were how the book sort of hints at details of various topics, but doesn't quite give enough information to sate a voracious Eberronite's fluff appetite. Thankfully, Faiths of Eberron and other books that came out later filled in more details.

I find the most vexing part of the book is the strangely potent Valenar PrC...

Edit: Oh yeah, I remember there was a bit of a stir about the 'Rogue Dragons' sidebar. Some people hated that sidebar with a passion. Now that we have Dragons of Eberron, we have some better perspective, but at the time it was tantamount to killing Elminster, inspiring lots of nerdrage.
#9
androkguz
Aug 30, 2008 19:08:07 Personally, I love that book.
#10
rauric
Aug 31, 2008 8:10:27 I used it to get a better reference to EB when I was still a newb to the setting. I had no problems with it and still don't.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 zombiegleemax Aug 28, 2008 10:37:09	It was a great little resource, but I remember there was a lot of controversy over it...why?
#2 ieattrollsforbreakfast Aug 28, 2008 11:34:48	I don't think people hate it, far from it in fact. PGtE often comes fairly high in people's lists of which Eberron books to buy first. There is a bit of controversy associated with the book's placement of fluff regarding the many races and new classes. Rather than presenting options for some of the more unusual races in sidebars, divided from the canon, it mixes it up with the rest of the setting fluff. I don't think anyone sees it as a major issue, though. Or maybe you're thinking of Races of Eberron? That one is certainly controversial.
#3 Magicstar1 Aug 28, 2008 12:08:49	Biggest problem for most in PGtE were the ridiculous sidebars. Most of the feats in there we're either to powerful or too weak. Often heard comment: "If you tape down the sidebars it's a great book."
#4 ninjaarthiddenjutsu_dup Aug 28, 2008 12:39:40	I M O it was the sidebars that made the book worthwhile.
#5 dragonflame Aug 28, 2008 12:40:24	It was a great little resource, but I remember there was a lot of controversy over it...why? For starters, the font is too small, the Toc and Index are insufficient as a reference work for Eberron Characters. The references to other splatbooks unnecessary. Better a couple of whole pages of ads in the book in various places then one line references throughout, as the one-liners are distracting the discerning GM or player. That said, the What do you Know? sidebars about each geographical area or race are really good, and overall, it's a really good reference for starting new Eberron campaigns.
#6 orion_polaris Aug 28, 2008 13:37:59	TBH it was only a few people overreacting. The majority of this board liked the book.
#7 Nived Aug 28, 2008 16:41:02	Yes there were a couple of very vocal very active board members that never hesitated to snipe at the book. Anytime anyone referanced it in a dicussion or answered someone's question with material presented in the sidebars... however most of those people have bailed with 4th Edition anyway. On a more valid complaint side, some took umbridge with what they considered DM material about the Blood of Vol, Kaius, The Dreaming Dark, and other villainous organizations in the book. Things the characters shouldn't know in the 'Players Guide'. Still it is a solid book.
#8 Arcane_Guyver Aug 29, 2008 13:33:06	Some (initially even me) thought that the book took some power away from the DM, as it basically told the player that anything from any D&D reference book could be found in Eberron. Sure, they sort of said that in the ECS, but this was pretty explicit, "if you want to play a skarn incarnate, this is where you probably come from" type stuff (not just limited to sidebars, either!). Took me a awhile to realize it's not that big of a deal. Other concerns were how the book sort of hints at details of various topics, but doesn't quite give enough information to sate a voracious Eberronite's fluff appetite. Thankfully, Faiths of Eberron and other books that came out later filled in more details. I find the most vexing part of the book is the strangely potent Valenar PrC... Edit: Oh yeah, I remember there was a bit of a stir about the 'Rogue Dragons' sidebar. Some people hated that sidebar with a passion. Now that we have Dragons of Eberron, we have some better perspective, but at the time it was tantamount to killing Elminster, inspiring lots of nerdrage.
#9 androkguz Aug 30, 2008 19:08:07	Personally, I love that book.
#10 rauric Aug 31, 2008 8:10:27	I used it to get a better reference to EB when I was still a newb to the setting. I had no problems with it and still don't.