Complete Arcane vs. CBoEM?

[Ragnar_Deerslayer]

I'm looking to get a crunchy arcane supplement for my campaign, primarily for providing more options for my players. Right now, I'm using Complete Warrior, Draconomicon, Artificer's Handbook, and Book of the Righteous. I do not own any of the 3.0 Books of Eldritch Might.

I've read the reviews on this site, but I'm wondering how they stack up against each other. Which is better balanced? Which is more innovative? Which is more useful? Which would fit with Artificer's Handbook better?

Right now, I'm running Lost City of Barakus. I'm thinking I might run Banewarrens next, so I'm leaning a little to the Complete Book of Eldritch Might, but if Complete Arcane is better, I don't think it'd be too much of a problem to convert the variant bards and sorcerers in Banewarrens to standard 3.5 rules. After Banewarrens, I'm thinking about running Necropolis (but that's a long time in the future).

Assume I can't get both.

Thanks,
Ragnar

 

[Crothian]

CBOEm changes more rules then CAr so CAr is easier tyo use in normal D&D game. However, CBoEM is more innovative and creative.

Neither fits really well with the Artificiers handbook since that rewrites the magical item crafting rules.

 

[Voadam]

I own CBOEM, my brother has CA. I like the variant bard in CBOEM with its distinct musical non spell magic, I dislike the variant sorcerer it is a strong blaster mage with an odd spell list that does not adapt well in 3.5 IMO. The warlock sounds cool, but the wu jen sounded like it should have been a simple new specialist and not a separate core class.

The spells in CBOEM are pretty cool with stuff to protect against scrying and set up all sorts of wierd defenses and attacks including a bunch of tattoo spells.

CBOEM has a bunch of dimensional setting stuff as well that can be neat little planar trips.

CBOEM also has minor weapon and armor enchantments that are half plusses worth, so you can get two for a +1 equivalent enhancement.

 

[der_kluge]

Artificer's Handbook is kind of *out there* from a rules perspective. I should know, I wrote most of it.

What kind of supplemental information are you looking for in terms of expanded arcane rules?

Artificer's Handbook specifically takes the magic item creation rules, dumps them on their head, shakes them up, throws them in the trash, and then creates new rules (the first few steps are there just to be spiteful). But, bottom line is that you end up with a couple of new feats to replace the PHB item creation feats. Artificer's Handbook still works with (indeed is based on the premise of ) new spells (especially balanced(!)) spells from any sourcebook you find. Beyond that, there really shouldn't be any compatability issues.