Arcana Unearthed PDFs vs. Printed Book

[Voadam]

I'm torn between which one I want to get. I've already got 3.5, and I'm planning on adopting it as the core of my system so I'm not interesting in Monte's little tweaks to the d20 system.

However, I am VERY interested in the new races, classes, feats and especially the spell system.

So, my question is, which should I get? The fact that one is a PDF doesn't bother me. Thats what laser printers are for.

What does the printed book have that I may be missing if I only get the PDFs?

If you just want the races, classes and feats get the pdfs, you'll skip a lot of core rule reprint and tweaks. Get the value pack for a slightly reduced price and you will need the grimoire to fully use the other two class and race books anyway.

 

[Pevishan]

By placing those classes the way that he did, you are forced to buy the other product if you want to use them. Money makes the world go 'round, even the d20 world.

I would say that out of all the classes, the mageblade would probably be the most easy to convert to D&D, if just because IIRC none of it's abilites are based off AU spells, so all you really need to do is give it a spell list.

And part of the reason why the PDFs are the way they are is who wants to download a 200pg PDF?

 

[JoeGKushner]

If you're going PDF, get the bundle. You could probably use the Way of the Sword without the other two, but the other two are basically one product in my opinion. You aren't playing a Magister without the Grimoire.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

By placing those classes the way that he did, you are forced to buy the other product if you want to use them. Money makes the world go 'round, even the d20 world.

This might be possible, but I see another reason: Ever checked the Hit Die of the Akashic? It is a d6, like the HD of the other spellcasting classes in UA - maybe this "brandmarks" it as a spellcaster class

And since the Mageblade is called MageBLADE, it makes sense to put him into a PDF called "Way of the Sword", right?

Mustrum Ridcully

 

[Voadam]

If you're going PDF, get the bundle. You could probably use the Way of the Sword without the other two, but the other two are basically one product in my opinion. You aren't playing a Magister without the Grimoire.

I agree about the magic and magic class books. the magister is like a wizard with as many spells per day but more flexibility in casting and four more class powers over 20 levels, the power difference is balanced by the spell list which is not included with the class. The decision to split the feats that grant you a spell template into a separate product from the spell templates themselves was also a poor choice for making individual books.

 

[satori01]

I really dont think there is any price gouging on the PDF version, despite claims made on this board. The PDF bundle is $18 for over 200 pages of crounchy goodness roughly breaking down to 11 cents a page.
Alas because PDFs are virtual pages, transmited over an internet medium, I think people underestimate how dense the AU download is.

The AU PDFs are basicaly there to allow people to buy the most portable aspects of the game, new races, classes and spells.
The bundle is a good value, the cheapest I have seen the hardbound AU for is $22 online at Barnes and Nobles, this of course does not include shipping.

Having the three components of the AU PDF bundle be available ala carte is not "gouging" but instead allows a person to buy only what they think they are going to use.

If you just want combat classes, buy the Sword PDF.

If you just want the AU spell classes w/o the AU spells,(easiest way is have the classes be spontaneous casters exactly like sorcerers and using the charts provided) then buy the Staff PDF.

If you want just the spells from AU then buy only the Grimoire PDF.

Monte wasnt trying to "gouge" people or force sales of unneeded elements, quite the opposite.

To offer some price comparisons:

The 1986 Queen of the Spiders,(the consolidated version of G1-3,D1-2, D3 and Q1) was $15 1986 dollars for 128 pages.

That Translates into $24.47 in 2002 dollar terms or around 18cents a page.

Older Modules were even worse for price per page, The Lost Caverns of Tsjocanth was around $8 dollars for 32 pages in 1982.
Today that would be $14.26 for 2002 dollars or about 44 cents a page.

 

[Nightfall]

I say get the book and you'll be happier for it. But then I'm a fan of print on most occasions.

 

[Kesh]

The best part of the PDFs is that you can copy & paste the information from them. Thus, I can use the d20 SRD, d20 Modern SRD, AU PDFs and hand-type in OGL material from other sources. Then print out the Frankenstien's monster d20 rulebook I'll be using for my campaign.

 

[Nightfall]

Only you, mister Iconic Gnoll Pimp would think up that...

 

[Staffan]

Only you, mister Iconic Gnoll Pimp would think up that...

I did something like that too, but only with feats and skills.