3.5 Books

[Sanackranib]

I may be in the minority here but I still havn't converted to the 3.5 books. I just started a new job (commission only) and havnt had the extra funds to spend on books lately. Since I usuall run the game its a larger investment because I would have to get them all and look them over to see what makes the most sence for my game.

So I pose these questions:
1] what is the most usefull 3.5 book?
2] If I were to get the 3.5 books one at a time what is the most usefull order to get them in?

thanks,
Joe

 

[gfunk]

1] what is the most usefull 3.5 book?
2] If I were to get the 3.5 books one at a time what is the most usefull order to get them in?

1) IMO, the most useful book is probably the PHB. It has undergone the most extensive revision IMO.

2) For order I would get the PHB, MM, then the DMG. The new MM is my favorite book, I love what they've done with Outsiders in 3.5! The DMG, unfortunately, appears to be largely a waste of money for me. The caveat is that I'm not the DM IMC, but a lot of the text seems to be the same. Most of the prestige classes were crappily done and a lot of the magic item stuff is the same (esp. as far as prices are concerned).

 

[DragonLancer]

I agree with Gfunk here. The PHB is the must have followed by the MM. The DMG really isn't very good (But then apart from when we I started D&D it always has been the least referenced book) and your 3.0 edition will serve just as well until (if) you decide to get the 3.5 version.

 

[Zulithe]

I'm also working on a switch-over. My situation is a tad different though. In my group of players *I* am the one who has to watch his funds, the other players already own the 3.5 books!! (or, at least a PHB each) so I'm in a situation where I kinda need to get them (especially since I DM, and my new campaign starts this fall)

You both agree that you weren't very impressed with the 3.5 DMG. Would you say that it is (at least) an improvement over the 3.0 DMG? Worse in some areas? Please fill me in.

We are also just now beginning to use miniatures heavily in our campaigns. Flipping through the 3.5 books, they seem to be more "miniature-friendly" I guess, referencing them more and giving more artwork depicting miniature positions, etc. This paired with WotC new pre-painted plastic miniature line coming up, I think I will be pleased. But it's still a difficult sell to me.

And if anyone can answer this... being that it is a little off topic in this thread, the upcoming plastic minis line, are they to the same scale as the miniature line that launched with 3.0 edition?

 

[MerricB]

Conversely, I really love the 3.5E DMG. It gathers a whole of lot of information I need together in one place, and adds a lot of clarification to the existing information.

The section on designing dungeons has been expanded with regard to dungeon features, and it is excellent now.

Having a section on Wilderness and Urban adventures also is great.

Cheers!

 

[Steverooo]

You both agree that you weren't very impressed with the 3.5 DMG. Would you say that it is (at least) an improvement over the 3.0 DMG? Worse in some areas? Please fill me in.

I haven't gone through the PHB all the way, yet, so I've only skimmed the DMG, but I (like Merric, apparently) found the sections on different environments very interesting and useful. A lot of magic item prices HAVE changed, as the costs of "Skill Adders" has gone up (and the power of items of Elvenkind taken a cut... again!...)

 

[Imhotepthewise]

One more pimp for the new DMG. I am reading it more closely having taken a few weeks to absorb the revised PHB. There is a lot of new, very useful stuff there. It does not just leap out at you, though.

 

[Psion]

You both agree that you weren't very impressed with the 3.5 DMG. Would you say that it is (at least) an improvement over the 3.0 DMG? Worse in some areas? Please fill me in.

Speaking for myself:

1) Much of the "new" material is almost straight out of the ELH and MoP; while this material is certainly useful to those who don't have those books, it's not so useful if you do.
2) Some things really were not improved or took a step back, like NPC stats.

 

[Garmorn]

Speaking for myself:

1) Much of the "new" material is almost straight out of the ELH and MoP; while this material is certainly useful to those who don't have those books, it's not so useful if you do.
2) Some things really were not improved or took a step back, like NPC stats.

You must have missed lots of the new material in the out door section. Stuff like the effects on movement, cover and concealment of different types of terran. Natural hazards that are common in each section and their in game effects on characters and equipment. The expanded (but not quite complete) section on giving out treasure and how it fits CR and power levels. Expanded sections on running a campaign and other stuff.

I have found this is the first DMG that I use for any thing besides magic items on a regular bases.

Back on topic: The PHB should be first. It is the one with the greatest direct impact on the game and the one that everyone needs to look at. The other two can be down loaded from the SRD and used that way until you can afford the actual books.

 

[MojoGM]

I have the books, but have not converted my campaign yet.

I'm kinda waiting for E-Tools to handle 3.5. I've come to use it so much prepping for the game, I'd really hate to have to manually convert everything.