AEG's Toolbox
- Thread starter John Crichton
- Start date
John Crichton
First Post
Heheh. I was actually going to ask that because I want to own both (actually, I own GGWB). Sounds like the Toolbox is better for randomly generating stuff on the fly and GGWB has just tons and tons of info on all types of mundane things like coinage, flora, land types, wood types, government positions, etc.kenjib said:
GGWB is all about reference material. Need a medieval name for a judge, it's there. Want to have some different trees in your game, it's there. I have not found it helpful for on the fly use but it has helped me in the planning stages of my game.
Iron_Chef
First Post
My game store has had a ton of copies of AEG's Toolkbox in for at least a month now and they aren't selling well at all, which dumbfounded the owner. Frankly, I was a bit surprised as well. However, I flipped through it and it's just a bunch of tables of random generators that looks quite boring. Most of the book seems pretty useless to an experienced DM capable of improvising on the fly.
Frankly, I'm not sure something as "1e DMG" as this is even a good thing for an inexperienced DM to have as it could stunt their imagination and ability to improvise, LOL. Then again, I wouldn't mind having a copy but how much use it would get is the big question preventing my purchase thus far. Toolbox is very good for what it is, but what it is IS the reason I'm not buying it... YMMV.
Frankly, I'm not sure something as "1e DMG" as this is even a good thing for an inexperienced DM to have as it could stunt their imagination and ability to improvise, LOL. Then again, I wouldn't mind having a copy but how much use it would get is the big question preventing my purchase thus far. Toolbox is very good for what it is, but what it is IS the reason I'm not buying it... YMMV.
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I love Toolbox for what it is a tool. Doesn't have pictures of bikini clad bastard sword babes, but those illustrations aren't all that helpful in preparing games.
I don't use it at the table, but I do give it a looksy when I need some inspiration in scenario setting design. I don't think imagination stunting is a process of this book, more the mind.
I don't use it at the table, but I do give it a looksy when I need some inspiration in scenario setting design. I don't think imagination stunting is a process of this book, more the mind.
Shadowdancer
First Post
I bought it this weekend in Dallas at the Game Chest. Haven't had a chance to go through it in depth yet, but I have glanced through it. It's got tons of usable stuff in it.
Psion
Adventurer
Iron_Chef said:
I consider myself an experienced DM (20 years and counting.) And I often run on the fly. My success at running on the fly, I think, stems from the fact I invest a lot of time working out the details of my major world powers, their motivations, and their resources, since from that I can decide who is doing what.
But I very often simply do not have the time to make up every little detail, or are a little strapped for background details and setting garnish. That's where this book comes in handy.
The first week I had Toolbox I used it multiple times, and it has quickly worked its way into my "tableside box" with the few books that I use every game.
John Crichton
First Post
I think it's great that you mention it being a handy resource despite your multiple years of DM experience. I think many folks loose sight of things like lack of time or just a stale night or any of the other things that can pop up during either planning stages or playing stages of the game. I mean honestly, I buy a good deal of RPG books and they are all for inspiration of some sort. Only a small number are for things like statistics and numbers (PrC's, feats, etc.). So a resource like this I think is perfect for both fledgeling DM's and ones who harken back to 1e. If for nothing else than to kick-start an idea for that night's run.Psion said:
And considering that I'm only going off of what others have said of this book I shall now stop typing as to prevent a rant.
francisca
I got dice older than you.
Yep. Exactly what he said, except I have half the experience.Psion said:
Toolbox is at my right hand with my world bible. I find that it is very handy in game. World Builder by Gygax/Cross has been handier when I prep for gaming sessions.
Just a tip: never underestimate how handy it is to jot down a few sentences about motivations and tendencies of major and minor world powers and organizations. When you do so, it makes it much easier to wing it while keeping a consistent feel to the game world. Oh, and if you do use something like Toolbox, make sure you roll your dice and look something up when you hit your planned encounters anyway. My group started yawning through some of the random stuff, then paying close attention when they encounted something, and I didn't roll. Gotta keep them honest....
Buttercup
Princess of Florin
I love this book. It is so filled with useful tidbits, that since I bought it two or three weeks ago, I've used it several times each week. It makes game prep much easier if you're strapped for time, as others have mentioned.
True, it's just a bunch of tables. But looking at any one of them gives me all sorts of ideas I might not have had. I love the pickpocketing table. I've already come up with some adventure ideas based on the contents of the hit's pockets, just as one example.
It's among the 10 best D20 purchases I've made in the last 12 months.
True, it's just a bunch of tables. But looking at any one of them gives me all sorts of ideas I might not have had. I love the pickpocketing table. I've already come up with some adventure ideas based on the contents of the hit's pockets, just as one example.
It's among the 10 best D20 purchases I've made in the last 12 months.
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