Just wondering if a Players Handbook 2 for 5th Edition will be released??
I'm hoping they are.. what do you think?
I'm more curious about when the 6th edition will be released.
Judou_Hanabi wrote:
tirisilex wrote:
The_Jester wrote:
The_Jester wrote:
I for one wasn't a fan of the multiple PHB, multiple DMG marketing plan A 5e Unearthed Arcana for alternate rules or books for specific modular rules would be a better way to go, imo. Given the inclusion of all the major classes as well as more second tier races like Tieflings and Dragonborn in the PHB, I'm assuming annual corebook sets are not in their plans either.
While the PHB is an excellent start, many of us would love to see more options. I'd especially like more classes and archetypes.
Whether they call such a supplement PHB2, "Heroes of <insert descriptor>", or whatever, I'm in favor of additional content. I hope they don't stick to this idea of tying everything to adventure paths. The first one scheduled for Spring 2015 does not sound like a theme in which I'll be interested, and I could see that being a potentially recurring thing. At least more generic supplements are likely to have a bit of something for everyone.
We will see. Hopefully, I will find enjoyable bits in whatever is published. The strongly themed releases could be an amazing boon if you are excited about the theme being offered, so it goes both ways, I guess.
I'm okay with more thematic releases rather than a PHB2.
You don't know what to expect with a PHB2. The content isn't obvious. If you're a new player it sounds almost mandatory. And if you're an experienced player looking for content, the name isn't a clue to the options inside. If you're looking for a pyromancer wizard nothing in the name "Player's Handbook 2" tells you if that content will be there.
Really, 3e and 4e had a PHB2 for one reason only: because they expected it to sell better than a generic splatbook, as the name made it sound more impressive. Which is really a form of trick.
Now, if the PHB2 actually expanded the rules, being a true second PHB then the name might be more apt. Or if they book did something to help someone learn to be a gamer.
While the Elemental Evil Adventurer's Handbook may not appeal to everyone (likely with elemental and primordial themed options), it's a fairly valid choice for an expansion. It provides an easy theme so you know if you want to make a pyromancer, this is the key place to look. While a "Heroes of the Elemental Chaos 2" won't appeal to everyone, the same could be said for almost any splatbook.
I'm hoping for a supplemental series like the PHBS "Complete" series from 2nd Edition. I think that format gives them greater opportunity to include more options (sub-classes, feats, backgrounds, etc.) tailored for each class; even though feats and backgrounds aren't limited to specific classes.
Judou_Hanabi wrote:
The_Jester wrote:
tirisilex wrote:
lawrencehoy wrote:
Jaden.Shadowcraft wrote:
Things needed for phb 2
Mundane crafting system, preferably feat based
Themes for 5e (i'm hoping for were beasts, half-XXXXs, chosen ones, stuff like that)
Crafting systems for magic stuff, preferably feat based
PEt rules
Companion rules
hireling rules
Running an organization/town/keep/shrine/army/country/lab/necropolis/pirate ship for PCs
Jaden.Shadowcraft wrote:
wow I am pretty sure this players handbook offeres the most variety of any prior edition right at launch and so many people thinks its not enough options?
It's a marketing thing too. If you put one class in a splat book, you'll sell a more limited number of that book because only certain players are interested in a specific class. If they were to release a PHB2, and include new options for every class presented in the PHB1... then 'everyone' will need?, be tempted?, be interested?, in buying the book.
Now, that said... if you produce 15 'complete X' books covering every class, you may well sell just as many or more books in total, but the sales per book will be lower.
Let's say there are 100 people who play 5th and are die-hard fans...
All 100 have purchased the PHB and will purchase a PHB2 if one becomes available... total sales... 200 books.
On the other hand....
100 die hard fans buy the PHB.
Now the 'Complete X' line comes out...
If we assume that each die-hard has at least 2 classes that they play... then the total book sales are 300... 100 PHB's and 200 various 'Complete X' books. But if you have to actually print and distribute these 'Complete' books, it becomes a problem... How many of each book to print? (I know, in this day and age it can be done with pdf's and POD) but still, you might be putting in alot of work to produce a 'Complete Avenger' book that only sells 10 copies... Where as the 'Complete Wizard' book might sell 100 copies - one for each of the postulated 'die hards'.
Another thing to consider... The 'Complete X' concept books can only logically come near the end of the development of the system. Once all the options have been presented in other books (Campaign Manuals, Magazines, PHB'x' books...etc) then there's a need/excuse to consolidate all that information into one place.
(4e is ripe for this... hint-hint)
Kazadvorn wrote:
sleypy wrote:
rampant wrote:
Brock_Landers wrote:
For PH 2 5th Ed I would like lots of classes and races.
Classes:
Psionics (Psion, Wilder, Pshychic Warrior/Soulknife, ardent).
Shaman,
Hexblade/duskblade,
Shadow assasin (stealth + magic)
Avenger/Inquisitor/Witch Hunter.
Knight
Swashbuckler/swordsage.
Factotum (divine + stealth).
Alchemist
Races:
Shifters, deva/aasimar, raptoran, githzerai, blue goblin, fraal, minotaur.
---
Power sources with some special gameplay (shadow mysteries, truename, ki maneuvers, pact vestiges, incarnum soulmelds).
DemoMonkey wrote:
edwin_su wrote:
I'm excited for some settings books, especially an updated Forgotten Realms for 5e, as well as some of the more niche settings for fans. 
As for feats, I'd be just as happy if they keep to these super-feats, rather than the feat bloat we've had from the more recent editions. Having a million feats that are so incredibly specific that they only have value in limited situations was far less fun, imo. I also don't miss the overly strict feat requirements and feat chains. Spending half your career to do a spring attack = no fun.
My fingers are crossed for more fluff and more setting material. Maybe some monster splats that deal with specific types. eg: undead, demons, devils, fey, etc.
Less rules bloat and more lore.
Kazadvorn wrote:
Shasarak wrote:
Zardnaar wrote:
Shasarak wrote:
Shasarak wrote:
Zardnaar wrote:
Shasarak wrote:
Zardnaar wrote:
Chakravant wrote:
arnwolf666 wrote:
lawrencehoy wrote:
I like the way they seem to be going with having a rules options/modules themed to the adventure paths they put out, as shown by the upcoming Elemental Evil tie-in. At least with this one we know the theme of the player options in it will be based around the elemental planes and creatures so will likely see now element-based spells, items, subclasses, and hopefully races (genasi return). Depending on the rest of the adventure paths (think it's supposed to be around 2 per year) that can give us a nice variety of new player content each year without a PHB# method and each book will likely be tied together with a theme of some kind. They sort of did this in 4e both with the PHB2 and 3 and the Heroes of the X books (the non-Essenticals ones) but if you didn't read the subtext on each of them you wouldn't know that (and most webstores didn't list those, just the main title).
I don't think we'll see specific power sources being called out specifically and that magic will remain as divine and arcane with primal magic being part of divine again with primal spirits considered "divine" even if not deities (and let's face it even powerful fiends and fey can grant divine and arcane spells so divine isn't strictly gods). The power sources are still kind of there in the background but they're not called out as a mechanical hook to tie interactions to. 5e seems to be going a route of only labelling something if it has a game mechanic use (like monster categories are used by various class abilities, magic items, and spells). Just as they've dropped the labelling of roles (for PC's and monsters), not labelling the power sources allows more flexibility in character and monster play and utilitization (a generic satyr can be any 4e role that the DM needs it to be without having to modify stats and abilities that in 4e were tied to their stated role, a wizard is once more a striker or controller, or hybrid rather than relegated to mostly controller role).
I would love to see less rule books ( I am so sick of all the rule books put out by Wizards of the Coast with 3.5 and 4E) No Psionics!! I want campaign setting books and only ONE Setting. Forgotten Realms ONLY!!.
Psionics are way to overpowered and so so many rule books put out as fast as they did with the last two editions cause confusion, rules bloat and poor editing and lack of play-testing which makes for por rules integration. The Players Handbook already has a lot of rule ambiguity!
TSRO_Kip wrote:
A couple of nights ago my co-DM and I were discussing options (I run the Grim North, he runs the Silly South), and we both tend towards the "added options should be setting-specific" mindset. I see it as a way to reduce 1,001 options for everything everywhere to where they make sense. I really don't need Scarlet Brotherhood-related backgrounds or archetypes for a Dark Sun game. I don't need Wu Jen and Ghost Faced Killers in Dragonlance. My preference is setting-specific content, or The Big Book of Theme X Which Has Examples on Multiple Worlds (Psionics, "Oriental Adventures" with notes on Kara-Tur, Shou, etc., "Oceanic Adventures" because Pirates, and so on) But Is Not Necessary For Every Game.
That said, it's a more concise system for people who run in published settings, but kind of sucks as a world-building tool. You may want to pick up a little from here, a little from there for your world, and bring in the archetypes, classes, etc. from multiple settings. So you need to purchase all those setting blocks? Oy. A world-building catalog of published options would be an interesting way to approach this... as well as be a way to show off the cool things from different settings. But this is not PHB2 material. This is DMG2 material - or some other class of supplement all together. Unearthed Arcana as an annual. The Worldforger's Almanac. Dragon Magazine. Something.
Now given the sales of PH1, the odds something will come out is near certain. And WOTC is most familiar with the PH2 model. & it is a safe model. There is always demand for new races/classes. So the odds are pretty good we will be looking at PH2 next Fall. An adventure with a new class or race? Possible, but in a couple of years, it would be about impossible to find the catman hunter article. It will be hard enough looking thru PH 1-4. Thru 50 adventures? No. Now we can hope for the computer to do the indexing, but WOTC has been less than perfect with technology. And even if they do their job, the mix is poor. Those wanting the new class deem the adventure just padding. and adventure buyers are doubtful buyers of the new class. We can note that Pathfinder too is using the race-class model for many of its books.
Setting books are possible, but they compete with each other, They are also something of a DM aid, meaning a smaller market yet again. In 15, we can expect FR, but it will be 16 before we see any others.
I hope so too O.p. Though I like the simplified mechanics of the 5e. game, I am seriously longing for more Class arch types, more meaningful choices through out the level system for classes, and a way to further customize characters beyond the PHB. I am wondering if the game can hold my interest "as is" for more than the upcoming year. I may actually return to 3.5 if things fail to develop in a way that allows more substance. Thus far I personally feel restricted and pigeon holed into some predetermined concept. Here's hoping eh?
I'd much rather see setting material, and good adventure material, than splats for the sake of splats. A PHB2 is a 'maybe, but highly unlikely' purchase. Something like Races of Stone or Sandstorm, I'll not even give a second thought. I didn't pick those up in 3.5, I don't think I'd do it here. I picked those up in 2E, the 'Complete Book Of' series. I loved those, but those were higher on fluff vs. crunch, and they were a bit cheaper.
Also back in 2E, I loved the settings. Reprint Birthright, Dark Sun, and Planescape (and get DiTerlizzi involved in the design again) and take my money.