1e MM2 or Fiend Folio

[Jhaelen]

Fiend Folio all the way! It's cult!

 

[Thondor]

Thanks for all the responses.

So far it's hands down Fiend Folio.

Anyone want to wade in on behalf of the beleagured MM2?

What was so different about the FF charts?

 

[Riley]

MM2! (Ducks and runs....)

Actually, it depends on which question you want answered:

Which monsters book do you use more often? (if you have both)

When I cut my teeth as a DM, I used the MM2 a lot - much more than the FF. Thing is, the reason for that was mainly that my friends/players already owned, or at the very least had memorized, the Fiend Folio. So when the MM2 came out and it wasn't available at the library and my friends didn't buy it, I was actually able to surprise them.

Also, it is a very useful/functional book - that doesn't have the Flumph, but does have the Tarrasque.

However, getting back to your core question...

I found a copy of both for almost the same price (1$ difference) and am planning to pick up one at least.

So which do you prefer?

You've gotta get the FF.

Here's the thing:
The FF is whacked - but it's inspired in its whacked-ness. The monsters run the gamut from great to goofy to weird. And it has fantastic (if sometimes goofy) art.

If I'm looking for inspiration, this is a book I'll sometimes pull out and reread.

By comparison, the MM2 is a very pedestrian, useful monster book - that I never feel like reading.

 

[the Jester]

What was so different about the FF charts?

It had all the 1e monsters up to that part divided by monster level and by terrain. From page 100 to 119 were all random encounter charts- monsters level I through X, then different charts for arctic, subarctic, temperate, subtropical and tropical areas, separated into uninhabited/wilderness and inhabited/patrolled areas and then further divided by terrain type... tons of subtables... random encounters in "faerie and sylvan" settings...even astral and ethereal tables!

"Oh, I need a subarctic wilderness mountain encounter... roll d%!" (87) "ICE TROLLS!!'

 

[Orius]

Fiend Folio.

Flumphs FTW!

 

[Ariosto]

Do you have Deities & Demigods or Legends & Lore? If not, then MM2 will give you the tables for S, I, D and C (but not W or Ch) ability scores 19-25. Those could come in handy for some non-human or semi-human characters, for instance.

 

[Thondor]

Do you have Deities & Demigods or Legends & Lore? If not, then MM2 will give you the tables for S, I, D and C (but not W or Ch) ability scores 19-25. Those could come in handy for some non-human or semi-human characters, for instance.

I wonder why it doesn't include Wisdom or charisma. I guess its because no standard race gets a bonus to those stats.

 

[darjr]

Buy the MM2! Leave the FF on the shelf.

Uh... where did you see that FF?


I did use both quite a bit, but if I had to choose I'd get the FF.

 

[The Shaman]

Buy the MM2! Leave the FF on the shelf.

Uh... where did you see that FF?

I LOLd.

 

[grodog]

I normally favor the MM2, but then many of the monsters I liked in FF and MM2 were already published in modules, Dragon, and/or White Dwarf, so....

...if instead you're looking for monsters that'll surprise your players, that they will never have heard of or encountered before, I'll point you to Monsters of Myth from The First Edition Society