Bad art is curing my Scarred Lands addiction!

[BigFreekinGoblinoid]

The best supported setting for 3.x has ubdoubtedly been the Sacrred Lands setting by SSS/WW. Even though WotC has changed policy for their FR books, I can still get decent doses of fluff with my crunch in SL sourcebooks. And I like that very much thank you.

So I have bought in, hook, line and sinker - I do indeed own most of the books for this line.

But with their recent Players Guide series, I am starting to lose the faith. These books are thick, but expensive softbound books - $24 bucks each or so. And the first two were pretty good.

But the art was terrible!

Considering how much setting material exists for the SL, these books are by no means essential - definitely more of a "luxury".

I just saw the newest book (Clerics etc... ) in the LGS the other day - Picked it up. Saw the same terrible art. Put it back on the shelf. Bought the Draconomicon.

So the question to myself is : Am I an art snob, or just over exposed to SL?

Anyone else feel the same way? Or not? Why?

 

[Gez]

I'm of a school of thought that prefers no art to bad art, so well, you're not the only one.

 

[Gregor]

I want my money's worth for the books that I buy. That means I not only want good reading material, but good art as well.

 

[Voadam]

has the editing improved? I remember it being atrocious in Hallowfaust.

 

[Ruined]

I'm used to it, being a fan of the old Wraith material. Great to read, not much to look at on the insides. If you're out for good artwork with your player options, I recommend the 'Path of' books from Fantasy Flight Games. The artwork is phenomenal.

As far as Players Guide to Clerics & Druids go, its a decent book. They work best if you're in a campaign using the material. Not as much material on Denev, the earth mother, as I would like (the druid sections primarily focus on druids of the other titans). There is a really good section on various religious tomes found in the lands, which I've already begun to use.

 

[RangerWickett]

One cannot be an art snob simply by expecting skilled illustrations for game books. If you were complaining that Cubism was underrepresented, I might call you an art snob, but now you are like me: you want your books to look good.

Unfortunately, good art costs a lot, usually. Fortunately, there are some supremely talented artists on this site who are willing to contribute to E.N. Publishing products for the modest amounts that we can afford.

 

[johnsemlak]

At the risk of sounding like a cliche product review, $24 for 160 or so pages nowadays is a pretty fair price for a product of this length and format.

I bought the Player's guide to Wizards, Bards and Socerors, and think it's ok. It's definitely not my be-all, end-all sourcebook for arcane spellcasting. I get more out of either of the Relics and Rituals books. Like most SL books, it's rich with flavor. PGfWBS also has a 'tomes' section, which I like. I also like the 'First Manifestations' blurb in the Sorcerors section. The "Epics of the Scarred Lands' section is interesting. The 'Arcane Motifs' sidebar, while short and very simple, is something I'm already using.

As for the art, I really don't know. I can't say I was struck by it. Didn't ruin it for me, I guess artwork isn't that critical for me.

 

[Teflon Billy]

has the editing improved? I remember it being atrocious in Hallowfaust.

Seriously? I think Hollowfaust is their best product to date, and I don't recall any huge editing gaffes.

 

[Ukyo the undead]

Hollowfaust and Mithril, I think

I wonder where´s Nightfall...

 

[Nightfall]

I was busy at my Hollowfaust "Day of the Dead" celebration.

I didn't MIND the art in the first two, but I will agree it's not the greatest. That being said, I do think the series is more about what's IN the books (the writing) than the art. But that's just me.

Biggie, sorry you feel that way. But I won't fault you for getting the Draconimicon. I want it too.