With a subscription to DDi Character Builder, buying a PHB2 isn't necessary.

[Daniel D. Fox]

Like, seriously.

Isn't the PHB2 going to be appended to the DDi Character Builder shortly after release? We keep all of the characters in digital format, and print out sheets + cards and any additional information necessary from the DDi app when needed.

 

[Scott_Rouse]

You just killed a little piece of me.

Like, seriously.

 

[Agamon]

No less so than other crunch books like AV and MP. But I do plan on getting a copy of PHB2, unlike the other two. You might also see problems like the Figurines of Wonderous Power from AV (which tell you to see their stats "below", but shows you nothing below on the CB).

 

[Daniel D. Fox]

You just killed a little piece of me.

Like, seriously.

Bree yark!

I assumed this wasn't an oversight, but working as intended.

The benefit of releasing the core books without the DDi application released is that folks would need to purchase the core books. Now, it's not even necessary to do so with a subscription.

 

[Fallen Seraph]

While I am sure lots of stuff will be covered in the Compendium I bet you will miss out on stuff too. I am sure there will be some rule stuff, etc.

 

[OchreJelly]

Yes new rules, fluff, artwork etc. are all absent from the DDI. If you can live without that then yes, you don't need the physical book.

 

[Cadfan]

Yeah, I figured this was a feature, not a bug. I haven't bought a D&D book since the core three, and I'm not going to. Well, I buy adventure modules because my wife loves dungeon bashing, but other than that, nada.

I figured that was the business plan. If a typical player buys X books per year for Y dollars each and creates Z profit for WOTC, and a subscription costs A dollars per year and obviates the need for books, then etc etc etc.

 

[renau1g]

Personally, I love the feeling of a book in my hands. I can't read off a computer screen, and I love reading through a new source book from start to finish and see if any new PC ideas come out of it.

 

[Rechan]

I'm buying a copy. Why?

No one else in my group has a DDI subscription. Therefore, someone needs the paper copy in order to let them look at it and offer the option for the classes.

Also, having to go through all those computerized steps just to get to the information you need is a bit of a buzzkill. Especially if you need to reference it.

 

[kenmarable]

You just killed a little piece of me.

Like, seriously.

If it makes you feel better, the Character Builder demo sold me on 4e. I was iffy on it until I started playing with the demo and building PCs. And I am certainly planning on buying all of the core books as well as maintaining my subscription - because there's a heck of a lot more to the books than just stats and powers for PCs.

Besides, my 9 year old daughter can't wait to sit and look at the full druid section, so I don't really have a choice anyway.