AU vs PHB3.5

[Desdichado]

I made a point in the "Say no to 3.5" thread before it got closed that I really hoped I would get some commentary on. Never happened, though, and the thread closed down, so let me try to start a new thread with that tangent.

I don't understand, I guess, exactly how the 3.5 PHB and the AU compete with each other head to head. Are there really people out there who would buy AU but now won't because of the revised PHB? It seems to me these two products serve a completely different market niche. AU caters to folks who either 1) love Monte Cook and want to buy whatever he writes because they think it'll be good, 2) buy stuff all the time because they're obsessive compulsive about their gaming purchases , or 3) are looking for something that has a noticably different feel to it than standard D&D.

The 3.5 PHB doesn't offer any of that. It's simply an update of the same D&D we've been playing for three years. What am I missing?

 

[spunky_mutters]

People who have limited gaming dollars and must choost how to spend them. If their group goes 3.5, they may prioritize the PHB over AU. But otherwise, you're right.

 

[physicscarp]

I agree. There are people who will buy and use both books. I am looking forward to Unearthed Arcana for a different take on the spellcasting system and for providing me with new ideas. D&D 3.5 will not change the spellcasting system (which I despise), nor will it provide new character races or classes. I have a ruleset that I'm happy with so I'll probably just download the SRD and look at the changes before I go and purchase the new handbooks.

Carp

 

[nikolai]

I was going to post the same point. But also thought of a query I would like clearing up.

AU is a varient player's handbook. So presumably you need the DMG and MM? But aren't the contents of these not going to be compatible with the alterations in AU? But you can't put monsters and magic items etc. in a player's handbook?!? What's going on?

Back to the original point. No there won't be any confusion or competition. Would Wizards have licenced it if there was? The PHB has Dungeons & Dragons stamped all over it, AU has varient player's handbook. Even the most clueless newbie will know which is the right one. Besides, if you were that clueless there's lots of other books with words like "players" and "handbook" and "core rules" on the front for you to buy in error.

Also the style of fantasy in AU seems totally different to D&D's (which is why I probably won't be getting it). They're clearly aimed at different markets.

nikolai.

 

[Camarath]

2) buy stuff all the time because they're obsessive compulsive about their gaming purchases

That pretty much pegs me. I can see that for some people the 3.5 change to the rule set might dampen thier fervor for an alternate rule set which is part of what AU is purported to be.

 

[Breezly]

The 3.5 PHB doesn't offer any of that. It's simply an update of the same D&D we've been playing for three years. What am I missing?

I many cases it is a money issue. Believe me, I consider myself one of the sheep, and I usually buy everything that WotC puts out. What this does is take money away from the AEG's, FFG's, Malhovic's and Necromancer's of the world. I will buy a WotC book first, if I am interested in it. I will buy good third party stuff too, but only when the funds allow. The two books do not compete at the game level, but they do at a financial level.

That said, I am interested in BOTH AU and 3.5e. Given current economic conditions I do not think I am going to buy both right no, so I will likely buy 3.5e first. Both are going to offer differences to my current game, but I would say that many more people are going to play 3.5 than AU. AU seems to make quite a number of drastic changes to the game. This is not a review, just my limited impression. I am not interested in making these changes to my game right now. 3.5e seems to also make changes, but despite the reviews and impressions, from what I have heard, it is not that bad. And, from what I have heard, I like what 3.5e has to offer. I like what AU has to offer as well, but I would only use it as a house rules type thing.

Therefore, they are competing for my money and frankly, 3.5e is going to win my money. At least for now.

Breezly

 

[Desdichado]

I can see the budgetary concern, although that's probably not a really significant fraction of the potential market.

 

[Utrecht]

Joshua,

From where I am sitting, the part that you are missing is how the book is being marketed.

As soon as you stamp the world Variant in the marketing message, there is an implied choice.

1) You can go with Official PHB
2) YOu can go with the Variant
3) YOu can mix and match

Now I agree with you in the content, the focus of the book is clearly towards option 3. (Although number 2 is certainly viable - especially if you play in the Diamond Throne Campaign world).

But given the marketing, they are being set up as competitors.

 

[LGodamus]

I have budgetary concerns and I am getting both!



of course I am a RPG ho..

 

[Breezly]

I can see the budgetary concern, although that's probably not a really significant fraction of the potential market.

Perhaps yes, perhaps no. It is difficult to say. I know for me, and as I said I tend to be a big spender, I have browsed the stuff that is out there and I have held off on a purchase or two knowing that a WotC book is coming out, or that 3.5e is on the horizon and I don't have time to read other stuff.

There are those that will be on the other side of the fence and will buy the AU stuff first, but the majority of the players are going to stick with the 3.5 stuff and that will take some bite away from Monte's sales.

Breezly