3.5 vs. Arcana Unearthed: Which One are You More Excited About?

[danzig138]

3.5. I'm not particularly excited about the revised edition. I'll work from the SRD until I have to buy new books, which I won't do until mine are worn out. AU, on the other hand , simply does not appeal to me in any way. The biggest selling point for it seems to be a different magic system...I've already got one that I like, so i don't need that. I don't need a whole lot else. The fantasy campaigns I run are Greyhawk, OA, and Ravenloft, so I"m covered there.

 

[Hygric]

I noticed that the poll was multiple choice, so I voted for both of them, because I am equally excited about both of them.

3.5: includes eratta, better monster write ups, a improved DR system that I am quite looking forward to etc etc etc... two thumbs up.

AU: new ways of doing things, new bits to liberate for my own campaigns etc etc etc... two thumbs up.

It's all good to me.

As for which I will get first, well, that will be a cash / time based decission. Whichever one is out first I will get first, but I might be tempted to wait for the 3.5 gift box thingie with all three books in it. Maybe torture my players into buying it for me as a christmas present (hah!).

 

[Victim]

Most of the changes seem to be stuff I've already fixed (harm, bard skill points), or pretty weak (DR). Plus I already own half the material anyway. I plan on looting the SRD right away, and assessing the value of each change. However, I don't plan on buying it. Also, I think some of the changes like DR, and core Archmages and Redwizards, seem like steps backwards.

AU at least looks interesting. Some ideas seem pretty good, while others appear okay at best. But even if 1/2 of AU is crap, and the rest good, you'd still probably get more good, new material from it as opposed to 3.5. The new fighting classes look like good ideas, although I don't think that akashi thing is a good replacement for a rogue.

EDIT:

I also don't like 3.5 because from the posted changes, it seems like the scope of the alterations vastly exceeds the promised extent of revision. Minor changes to clean things up and very few compatibility issues. Yeah, right.

 

[John Crichton]

I have already ordered 3.5 and the nanosecond AU is available I will be buying that. AU not being "d20" is inconsequential to me. The design diaries have been inspiring enough for me. I am sold. Doesn't mean I'll be using it in all my games, just means that I am looking forward to some new material.

 

[A'koss]

I'm looking forward to both actually, but I can't say that either has me really excited per se.

I voted AU however... Monte's been making all the right noises in regards to his revamped magic system and it'll have the largest impact on our game if we decide to incorporate it. 3.5e will bring a lot of little, but good tweaks to the game. Though I will add I'm not sold on the two weapon style ranger or solving multiclassed spellcaster inadequecies with a prestige class, but hey, that's why we have house rules.


Cheers,

A'koss.

 

[CRGreathouse]

I look forward to the revised edition because it is cleaning up the rules. I'll use this in my gaming group.

AU is much more imaginative and better in many ways. I'm not sure if I'll be able to get a group together for it, though, so I'm not sure how excited I'll be.

 

[Old Fezziwig]

Originally posted by CRGreathouse
AU is much more imaginative and better in many ways. I'm not sure if I'll be able to get a group together for it, though, so I'm not sure how excited I'll be.

This pretty much nails it for me. Right now I don't have the cash to worry about buying either, so I'll be waiting and seeing, reading reviews and all that. I think that the way I'm leaning is, if and when I do buy them, going in this order: 3.5 PHB, AU, 3.5 MM, 3.5 DMG. Just my opinion.

I've only recently become interested in AU at all, which is funny, because I buy most Malhavoc products the day they come out in .pdf (the only exceptions being the two books by SKR and Mindscapes, vol. 2, mostly because none of them sparked my interest).

Best,
tKL

 

[TalonComics]

I'll be getting both (or all four books to be more specific) but I doubt there will be anyone local beating down the door to play AU. I'm sure if I want to play it I'll have to offer to run it. Most of my gaming friends already play in a ba-zillion games as it is so it might take some convincing.

To be quite honest I'm looking forward to Fantasy Hero from Hero Games more than anything.

~D

 

[bwgwl]

To be quite honest I'm looking forward to Fantasy Hero from Hero Games more than anything.

as long as it has a good, long, non-rules-specific chapter on "how to design and run a fantasy campaign," i'll be picking that one up too.

(same reason i've been waiting for GURPS Fantasy Campaigns all these years...)

 

[thundershot]

Like I mentioned in another thread, AU is something I was initially interested in, but the more I read about it, the less it seemed to be for me.

I don't want a new magic system. I'm perfectly happy with the one I have. I don't want new rules for doing things. I don't want revamped versions of feats.

All of the above would require me to change the way I do things now, and alter the standard system that d20 is known for. The only benefits I would get out of this book are a few new classes and races, and I'd have to pick through the feats, tweak spells, or whatnot.

I like Monte, and I like most of his products, but this book simply isn't for me. Of course, I will flip through it when I see it.

I've learned lately (especially with Bastion's books going black & white) that I need to be more picky in choosing my d20 books.



Chris