Essentials Rules Compendium preview copy in hand

[Jimwise]

There is no list of magic items in this book.

Poo. I guess those must be in the DMs Kit. Was really hoping to have all my treasure parcels and magic items in the RC!

 

[thalmin]

Poo. I guess those must be in the DMs Kit. Was really hoping to have all my treasure parcels and magic items in the RC!

Treasure parcels are here.

 

[Aegeri]

Coup de grace is covered.

Ah, the DM screen then might be a mistake because under helpless it doesn't list you as being a valid target of a coup de grace attack. I thought they had removed coup de grace.

 

[Reaper Steve]

How are the rules structured? Not looking for the full ToC, but just the order of the major sections.

For instance, a peeve of mine is how the PHB (and most every other RPG rules set) puts character generation first. Granted, it is the most important thing to a player, but I argue that the rules of the game should come first. It feels wierd every time I have to look up a game play rule all the way in the back of the PHB.

Also, is it really 300+ pages?

 

[thalmin]

Ah, the DM screen then might be a mistake because under helpless it doesn't list you as being a valid target of a coup de grace attack. I thought they had removed coup de grace.

The book says nothing about CDG under Helpless, but does mention Helpless under coup de grace.

 

[thalmin]

How are the rules structured? Not looking for the full ToC, but just the order of the major sections.

For instance, a peeve of mine is how the PHB (and most every other RPG rules set) puts character generation first. Granted, it is the most important thing to a player, but I argue that the rules of the game should come first. It feels wierd every time I have to look up a game play rule all the way in the back of the PHB.

TOC:
Introduction (pg 5)
Chapter 1 The Basics (pg19)
Chapter 2 Adventurers and Monsters (pg59) (on page 74 they start the character creation rules)
Chapter 3 Understanding Powers (pg 89)
Chapter 4 Skills (pg123) (this includes skill checks and skill challenges)
Chapter 5 Exploration and the Environment (pg165)
Chapter 6 Combat (pg187)
Chapter 7 Equipment (pg263)
Appendix 1 Building a Combat Encounter (pg285)
Appendix 2 Rewards (pg289)
Appendix 3 Terrain Features (pg303)
Glossary (pg308)
Index (pg318)

Also, is it really 300+ pages?

Last page of index is 319, advert for other Essentials on final pg 320. So, yes.

 

[fjw70]

How thick is the book?

 

[Reaper Steve]

Thanks, Curt! I owe you more XP after I spread the love.

 

[fullchromelogic]

This is the essentials product I have been waiting for and am most excited about. I've been resisting the urge to cut/paste errata into my core books, or carry print outs, so having an updated, portable reference is super exciting for me.

Does the book feature any cross-indexing or references to other books? Would love if it told me where in the DMG I can find disease tracks, or what chapter in PHB2 contains alchemy, or whatever.

 

[thalmin]

How thick is the book?

The book is about 5/8 inch thick. It measures 6x9 inches (convert to metric on your own)