I currently play x edition and I do or don't buy 3pp stuff. A POLL

[Wombat]

My favourite material for 3e came from third parties -- Arcana Evolved, Book of the Righteous, the Mythic Vista series, Thieves World, True20, Complete Book of Eldritch Might, Ptolus, etc. While there were multiple WotC books I could well do without, I simply couldn't run games in the style I desired without the third parties, especially Green Ronin and Malhavoc Press.

 

[BryonD]

I believe that "easy to DM" and "buy lots of 3PP stuff" are at odds in terms of target audience.
That is not remotely to claim that 4E is not 100% compatible with vast amounts of 3PP stuff, nor to claim that 3PP will make 4E one tiny drop less easy to DM.
I just believe that, taken as a whole, groups who specifically want easy, will be less inclined to increase the number of variables.

I also think this is one of those areas where ENWorld is a particularly poor representation of the full market. ENWorlds, pretty much by definition, seek out more gaming resources. I'm actually suprised "play 4E and allow 3PP" is not doing better, though the relatively limited amount may be a factor there.

 

[Korgoth]

You know... there are "3rd party publishers" (like Brave Halfling) who produce stuff for earlier editions.

A lot of people who play D&D don't play 3rd or 4th edition, and still buy stuff from 3pps.

 

[Dragonhelm]

Third party products bring one very important idea to the table - ideas. While WotC produces a great baseline, some of the more imaginative ideas come from third party publishers. They also have great flavor. Combine those ideas with the baseline WotC provides, and you have a great combo.

Granted, the quality of the product will vary, so buyer beware. I highly recommend Paizo's work.

Do whatever it takes to make the game as fun as it can be. Use what intrigues you. That's what's important.

 

[Altamont Ravenard]

I'm a purist. Currently playing 3e and 4e, but only with WotC stuff.

AR

 

[Greg K]

I definitely allow third party in my 3e game. Without several of them (and WOTC's Unearthed Arcana), I would not run or play DND. Then again,i n general, I prefer 3rd party stuff to WOTC material including authors whose work I like on non-WOTC products. When I run, I use very few WOTC supplements, outside of Unearthed Arcana, Heroes of Horror, Stormwrack and specific monster books, little WOTC (I say little, because I do allow select class variants, feats, spells, new skill uses, and equipment from various books)

Along those lines, I have a lot of third party material with all, but one of the following being bought within the last year (primarily between May and early December taking advantage of sales)
Note: Bold indicates in use. * indicates books bought as gifts for players as I already a copy

• d20 Status Cards
• Advanced Bestiary (Green Ronin)
• Advanced Rules for Beginners (Adamant)
• 40 Alchemical Items (Adamant)
• Adventure Generator (Adamant)
• Book of Templates (Silverthorne/Goodman Games)
• Blackdyrge's Templates (Blackdirge) /b
• Book of Experimental Might (Malhavoc): Not using Chapter 1, but using various other elements throughout
• Book of Fiends 1: Armies of the Abyss (Ronin)
• Book of Fiends 2: Legions of Hell (Green Ronin)
• Book of Iron Might (Malhavoc): for maneuvers: Using for the combat maneuvers
• Book of the Righteous (Green Ronin): will be using for the Holy Warrior should anyone be interested.
• Cavalier's Handbook (Green Ronin) (extra copies also bought for friends)
• Character Drawbacks (Adamant)
• Corsair's (Adamant)
• Dread Codex (Adamant)
• Elements of Magic:Revised (EN Publishing): I want to include this in a campaign
• Elements of Magic: Lyceian Arcana (EN Publishing): I want to include this in a campaign
• EN Treasure Troves: Figurines of Wondrous Power (EN Publishing)
• Experts 3.5 (Skirmisher)
• Expert Feats (Adamant)
• Fantasy Occupations (Adamant)
• From Stone To Steel (Monkey God/ Highmoon):
• Hot Pursuit: Definitive Guide to d20 Chases (Adamant)
• Hot Pursuit: On Foot (Adamant)
• Iconic Bestiary vol.1 (Lion's Den Press/Ronin Arts)
• Librus Equitus v1 and v2 (EN Publishing)
• Monster Modifier (Adamant)
• Noble Steeds (Avalanche)
• Psychic's Handbook (Green Ronin)*
• Secrets of Theurgy (EN Publishing)
• Shaman's Handbook (Green Ronin)*
• Sharper Edge: Knives (Adamant)
• Sharper Edge: Swords (Adamant)
• Skillfulll Stunts (Adamant)
• Steam and Steel (EN Publishing)
• Tournaments, Taverns and Fairs (EN World)
• Unorthodox Bards (The Le)
• Unorthodox Figthers (The Le)
• Unorthodox Clerics (The Le)
• Unholy Warrior's Handbook (Green Ronin)
• Witch's Handbook (Green Ronin)*

I didn't list free pdfs including both Artificer's Handbook (Mystic Eye Games) and Poisoncraft (Blue Devil Games) both were given to me as opposed to me buying (they were on my to buy list) and only Poisoncraft was acquired recently. Both are welcome additons to my game. I also use Sean Reynold's Fewer Absolutes web article and Hong's Knight variant of the OA Samurai (both available for free on the web)


If the above is not enought, I am looking to aquire more. The following is my eventual to buy list (once my finances free up):

• Airships! (Bastion Press/ Dragonwing)
• Alchemy and Herbalists (Bastion Press/ Dragonwing)
• All Hazards Great and Small (Silverthorn)
• Arcane Arsenal: Buildup Spells (ST Cooley)
• Arcane Arsenal: Jet Spells (ST Cooley)
• Behind the Spells: Compendium (Tricky Owlbear)
• Bestiaryredators (Betabunny)
• Betabunny's Guide to Famiiars (Betabunny)
• Beyond Countless Doorways (Malhavoc)
• Book of Roguish Luck (Malhavoc)
• Celtic Age (Avalanche Press)
• Celtic Age: Little People (Avalanche Press)
• Crime and Punishment (Atlas)
• Dark Ladies: Book of Enchantresses (0one)
• Druids and Druidism (Bastion Press/ Dragonwing)
• Fantasy Fiends: Kobolds (Mythic Merchant)
• Fairies (Bastion Press/ Dragonwing)
• Guildcraft (Bastion Press/Dragonwing)
• Into the Black (Bastion Press/ Dragonwing)
• Libem Liboriam: d20 Guide to Book (12 to Midnight/Silven Publishing)
• Love and War (Atlas Games)
• Magic (AEG)
• Magical Medieval Society: Western Europe (Expeditious Retreat)
• Mercenaries (AEG)
• Minor Magicks (Silverthorne)
• Mythic Vista: Medieval Player's Manual (Green Ronin)
• Pale Designs (Bastion Press/ Dragonwing)
• Redhurst Academy (Human Head)
• Seafarer's Handbook (Fantasy Flight)
• Sharks! (Bards and Sages)
• Snakes! (Bards and Sages)
• Spiders! (Bards and Sages)
• Torn Asunder (Bastion Press/ Dragonwing)
• Trailblazer (Bad Axe Games)
• Unusual Classes: The Spellweaver (Misfit Studios)

 

[Aberzanzorax]

You know... there are "3rd party publishers" (like Brave Halfling) who produce stuff for earlier editions.

A lot of people who play D&D don't play 3rd or 4th edition, and still buy stuff from 3pps.

Thanks Korgoth! I had no idea that 3pp existed for earlier editions! The only publisher I was aware of was Judge's Guild.

 

[Storminator]

We're playing 4e, with no 3pp support. I don't think there's an aversion to it, but none of us are rushing out to spend the money we did in the 3e days.

I'm pretty sure the DM hasn't seen anything from Dragon, and I don't think anyone is using it. I know I didn't pick any feats or powers from Dragons because I like my DM to be able to read all my stuff, and he doesn't have ddi.

In 3e days we pretty much used anything at all. I remember taking a look at my 3e collection when 4e came out and I had 19 books I'd never used a single element from. Not going there again!

PS

 

[Oryan77]

I don't allow 3pp because I own all of the WotC 3e books and I don't see any need to throw in even more rules to the mix.

But I would allow people to use 3pp for the fluff if I thought it could fit into the campaign.

 

[Greg K]

Thanks Korgoth! I had no idea that 3pp existed for earlier editions! The only publisher I was aware of was Judge's Guild.

Mayfair Games used to put out some really good stuff for pre-3e. I really liked their book, Witches,which included a section on Katherine Kurtz's Deryni for AD&D.