Which of the following 3PP v.3.5 products should I buy?

[Aus_Snow]

Seriously, I have a lot of d20 books and I don't feel I need to buy a whole lot more. I'm only interested in getting the really "good" stuff. The books that are A++.

*shrug* Could be that Treebore considers all or most of them to be 'A++', or even better I suppose.

Me personally, I'd say several of them are around that mark, or maybe 'A' anyhow. But not all, or even most. And there are a few I've not even seen.

It's a pretty subjective thing, naturally.


edit --- and now for my unsolicited advice for the day - *buy Ptolus*. . . *now*. Even if you just want to sell it and make some easy money. Here's what I mean:

[ame]http://www.amazon.com/Ptolus-City-Spire-Malhavoc/dp/1588467899/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228348723&sr=8-7[/ame]

 

[Knightfall]

Ptolus might be the single most impressive book in RP history. But, I have not bought it yet. I've come close twice, including in pdf last night. I've read parts of other peoples' copies. It is comprehensive, it is well written, it is well illustrated. I think you could use this forever and not use half of it.

I've considered Ptolus several times. A local store that mainly sells used RPG books has a copy, but it's not at a discounted price. (I wish.) It's the price that has kept me from buying it and other 3PP v.3.5 boxed references. The only v.3.5 boxed set I " had to have" was City of Brass.

 

[Treebore]

*shrug* Could be that Treebore considers all or most of them to be 'A++', or even better I suppose.

Essentially. I don't even play 3E, or 4E for that matter, but there are several products in that list I am very glad I have and won't get rid of. So by limiting himself he is missing out on stuff worth having.

My recommendations:

Wilderlands boxed set
Book of the Righteous
Lost City of BArakus (despite layout/editing issues just packed with good adventure ideas!)

If you don't have an Arms and Armor type book your already happy with its an excellent one to get.

I also enjoyed the ideas in the Roman and Trojan books. I think GR is sold out though. IF not they are $5 or less. Get Hamanaptra too if you haven't already.

 

[freyar]

Since it's on topic, I'm seriously considering picking up Book of the Righteous before it disappears (just got Book of Fiends at my FLGS, which I've enjoyed a lot). BUT I don't really have a lot of use for an extra pantheon minus setting (don't have the time or opportunity for a lot of homebrewing) and also really don't have much shelf space. Is it still worth it anyway? How would people rate it vs Book of Fiends (yeah, I know, they're different kinds of books, but is it as good of a read and as inspiring)?

 

[jaycrockett]

Ptolus

I voted Ptolus. It has the highest production value of any RPG book I've ever seen. The art, the cartography, the layout, the editing, all is top notch. A monumental achievement and the pinnacle of the 3rd edition era of RPGs.

Also it has Chaoitech included on CD, so that's like two of the entries in one.

 

[Treebore]

Since it's on topic, I'm seriously considering picking up Book of the Righteous before it disappears (just got Book of Fiends at my FLGS, which I've enjoyed a lot). BUT I don't really have a lot of use for an extra pantheon minus setting (don't have the time or opportunity for a lot of homebrewing) and also really don't have much shelf space. Is it still worth it anyway? How would people rate it vs Book of Fiends (yeah, I know, they're different kinds of books, but is it as good of a read and as inspiring)?

What really makes Book of the Righteous shine is how the religions are written up. You will not necessarily want to use the religions as written up, what you will want is the rich write ups of those religions, or at the very least use them as templates for filling out what you do use.

 

[Darrin Drader]

Too many good options there to pick just one, so here's my picks:

ToH III
Ptolus
Arms and Armor 3.5
Chaositech
Eternal Rome
Trojan War
Wilderlands of High Fantasy

All are among the best of the best.

 

[Knightfall]

I voted Ptolus. It has the highest production value of any RPG book I've ever seen. The art, the cartography, the layout, the editing, all is top notch. A monumental achievement and the pinnacle of the 3rd edition era of RPGs.

Also it has Chaoitech included on CD, so that's like two of the entries in one.

Hmm, I'd forgotten that Ptolus included Chaositech on the CD. Hmm...

 

[Nylanfs]

I voted for Arms and Armor, although I would definitely reccomend any of the Bastion Press/Dragonwing books. Torn Asunder is just DM goodness, a bit klunky to use till you get the hang of it though.

Also I recommend ANY of the Oathbound books, that setting just rocks. I'm just sad that Wildwood is the last we're likely to see.

 

[Dagredhel]

The Black Company Campaign Setting is wonderful.

Glen Cook's fictional world is rendered faithfully and well. Fans of the books should be pleased, and a reader unfamiliar with the setting should find it a fascinating introduction. Moreover, there are a ton of interesting game mechanics that could easily be ported to other imagined worlds. For fans of "grim and gritty" this is a *must have* resource.

I would have liked to cast a second vote for grim tales, too. Another great product that delivers on both "fluff" and "crunch".