Best RPG books any system, any publisher

[Arcane Runes Press]

The Summerlands - My game will own you! Seriously though, based on the work I've seen from my freelancers so far, and based on the extraordinarily beautiful work Stephanie Law has done, I think the Summerlands could really be something special. Just so long as I don't completely bollox up my end of the deal, that is.

Nobilis 2nd Ed - Just beautiful and classy.

Dynasties & Demagogues - a supplement that, given the chance, will change the face of D&D adventuring

Legend of 5 Rings Core Book - an absolutely, smashingly, rippingly, wonderful(ingly) terrific setting.

Mage: The Ascention core rules revised - just a beautiful game, with endless opportunity for great gaming.

Return to the Tomb of Horrors: To me, this module is everything a classic D&D adventure should be. Oh, so lovely.

Pendragon:Truly different, and truly evocative of it's subject.

Exalted: 15 years from now, people will still talk about how much of a kick in the pants Exalted was to the fantasy side of rpgs.


Patrick Y.

 

[Yokiboy]

Unknown Armies (second edition) and Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay are perhaps my favorite standalone RPG core books -- both are fantastic.

I'm with you Haiiro, I love both of the books you mention, they're definitely on the top of my list!

I also enjoy Over the Edge, and FUDGE opened up my eyes to the makings of an RPG.

TTFN,

Yokiboy

 

[jrients]

Basic Dungeons & Dragons. The Moldvay edit. Best organized & written gaming book I've ever seen.

A-MEN!

For boxed sets I'd add the Call of Cthulhu 3rd edition boxed set and the original Traveller boxed sets. For supplements no one beats Aaron Allston's Strike Force or Ron Edwards' Sorcerer & Sword. Best single book RPG is a toughie, either Adventure! by White Wolf or the D&D Cyclopedia.

 

[mythusmage]

Mythus Magick: Tons of spells. Plus guide lines for creating pyramids and reservoirs and a set of charts in the back for determining what Phæree is like that day.

The World Builder's Guidebook: By itself a dang good book for creating fantasy worlds. Combined with the books below, fantastic.

Aria: Roleplaying and Aria: Worlds: A game design kit in two books.

And as a counter...

Worlds of Synnibar: How not to put a game setting together.
Gonzo, but in a bad way.

 

[shadowlight]

I like old boxed sets:

Third Edition Gamma World Boxed Set.
Basic D&D Red Box
Star Frontiers (Alpha Dawn and Knight Hawks) Boxed Sets

If only there were a Dark*Matter Boxed Set!!

 

[The_Universe]

Fragments from the Rim (Galaxy Guide 8, if memory serves). Star Wars RPG by West End games in their D6 system. I still read this book through cover to cover whenever it catches my eye...

mmmmm...universal cutting tool.......

 

[Leopold]

Gdq

 

[pogre]

WFRP's Shadows Over Bogenhafen = Best RPG Adventure

 

[Wraith Form]

Delta Green - Chaosium - possibly the single best RPG setting/campaign book period. It's for "Call of Cuthullu". The nitty-gritty is coverd, such as what gear agents carry into the field. The purpose of the campaign is convyed (hold off the dark gods, even if only for a day). And the overwhelming tone of the campaign is clearly and eloquently conveyed.

Sorry, quick correction: DG was by Pagan Publishing. If there was something better than Chaosium for chocolatey Chthulhu goodness, it had to have been Pagan.

And let me add my HELL YEAH to Delta Green & DG: Countdown. Amazing, amazing, awe-inspiring stuff, like X-Files on crystal meth.

 

[buzzard]

Don't Ask- the Ambush Bug module for DC Heroes RPG from Mayfair Games. This is probably the only RPG publication where just reading it has made me laugh a hell of a lot.

buzzard