Best OGL Monster Books

[Shroomy]

After 13 years, I returned to 3.5e D&D relatively late (mid-2005) and I only really began to explore the OGL late this year, spurred on mostly by Paizo's Pathfinder series. I'm an aspiring freelance writer and while I'm looking forward to 4e, I really do love 3.5e, and if the market would support an actual freelance market for it, I would like to support both editions. That said, all of my WoTC monster books are nearly worthless to support 3.5e OGL, so I'm looking to invest (cheaply, I'm being realistic here) in some of the best 3.5e OGL monster books. I already know about Necromancer's Tome of Horrors, Green Ronin's Advanced Bestiary, and Pathfinder's OGL monsters, but what are some of the best books and resources containing open content monsters?

 

[the Jester]

After 13 years, I returned to 3.5e D&D relatively late (mid-2005) and I only really began to explore the OGL late this year, spurred on mostly by Paizo's Pathfinder series. I'm an aspiring freelance writer and while I'm looking forward to 4e, I really do love 3.5e, and if the market would support an actual freelance market for it, I would like to support both editions. That said, all of my WoTC monster books are nearly worthless to support 3.5e OGL, so I'm looking to invest (cheaply, I'm being realistic here) in some of the best 3.5e OGL monster books. I already know about Necromancer's Tome of Horrors, Green Ronin's Advanced Bestiary, and Pathfinder's OGL monsters, but what are some of the best books and resources containing open content monsters?

Monsternomicon is great.

The Creature Collections are fairly good, too.

 

[Aus_Snow]

Other than things already listed, the Book of Fiends (Green Ronin) is excellent. Denizens of Avadnu (The Inner Circle) is great. Both are full of OGC monstery goodness.

If you're after templates too (a la Advanced Bestiary, which you mentioned) then check out the Book of Templates, deluxe edition (Silverthorne Games, printed courtesy of Goodman Games) as well - fantastic, and all OGC.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Creatures of Freeport is everything Monsternomicon is purported to be, but actually has more useful monsters per page, IMO. Same solid fluff and supporting crunch as Monsternomicon has. And, of course, it's got a nautical focus.

 

[DMH]

Bastion's Complete Minions is my favorite- all kinds of weird and wonderous critters. Minions, the 3.0 version is in print and Complete Minions is a pdf.

 

[Aus_Snow]

Bastion's Complete Minions is my favorite- all kinds of weird and wonderous critters. Minions, the 3.0 version is in print and Complete Minions is a pdf.

What does Complete Minions add, if anything? Or is it just a 3.5 update, digital only?

 

[freyar]

After 13 years, I returned to 3.5e D&D relatively late (mid-2005) and I only really began to explore the OGL late this year, spurred on mostly by Paizo's Pathfinder series. I'm an aspiring freelance writer and while I'm looking forward to 4e, I really do love 3.5e, and if the market would support an actual freelance market for it, I would like to support both editions. That said, all of my WoTC monster books are nearly worthless to support 3.5e OGL, so I'm looking to invest (cheaply, I'm being realistic here) in some of the best 3.5e OGL monster books. I already know about Necromancer's Tome of Horrors, Green Ronin's Advanced Bestiary, and Pathfinder's OGL monsters, but what are some of the best books and resources containing open content monsters?

Shroomy, I'm in essentially the same boat (returned in mid-2005 after 11 years off). I'd also suggest looking for free material on the web; there is some boring stuff, but there are also some real gems available. You already know about the Creature Catalog since you pop up in the forums there, but you might google for the Book of Beasts and the old Fan Community Council Netbook of Creatures (and Netbook of Races) for starters. A number of setting web pages have conversions and new monsters, too, and my page of links (see my sig) has some of those, too.

 

[Glyfair]

Creatures of Freeport is everything Monsternomicon is purported to be, but actually has more useful monsters per page, IMO. Same solid fluff and supporting crunch as Monsternomicon has. And, of course, it's got a nautical focus.

I second the recommendation for Creatures of Freeport. Good solid monsters. Nothing too far out, but everything has a niche where it would be likely to be used.

 

[Aus_Snow]

I second the recommendation for Creatures of Freeport. Good solid monsters. Nothing too far out, but everything has a niche where it would be likely to be used.

I'm looking forward to that one arriving on my doorstep (well, at the post office) with a bunch of other things in my second Paizo shipment (got the first already). . . any day now. . . I hope.

 

[catsclaw227]

I'll second Creatures of Freeport, Complete Minions (3.5) from Bastion, Denizen's of Avadnu (full color), the Creature Collection series (make sure you get CC I-Revised, not the original).