Book of Hell: Any thoughts?

[Psion]

The Books of Planes and of Hell aren't in the review database...

Anyone can submit them...

 

[Toll Carom]

I have BoF and it's very nice, but really has very little to do with whether or not BoH will be useful to me.

Allright, then.

What is everyone's impressions of it?

My impression of it is that you don't need it, especially with Green Ronin's Book of Fiends out there. Better?

--
CAS

 

[Psion]

My impression of it is that you don't need it, especially with Green Ronin's Book of Fiends out there. Better?

Book of Fiends is a monster book. Book of Hell is a location book. Big difference in my book. I'm stocked with fiendish monsters, no doubt. Hellish locales and situations, on the other hand, is another matter entirely.

 

[Arravis]

You may find this useful... let me know what you think:
A DM's Guide to the Nine Hells pdf

 

[Toll Carom]

Book of Fiends is a monster book. Book of Hell is a location book. Big difference in my book.

I know exactly what each book tries to accomplish, and how they both succeed or fail. Book of Fiends (beyond being a great deal more than "a monster book") is a success, in my "book." Book of Hell is not.

That's the impression of a full-time game designer, and the impression of those with whom he games. Take it for what it's worth to you.

--
CAS

 

[Psion]

I know exactly what each book tries to accomplish, and how they both succeed or fail. Book of Fiends (beyond being a great deal more than "a monster book") is a success, in my "book." Book of Hell is not.

What do you know about book of hell? Do you own it? Why does it fail?

I don't know what's important too you. Telling me that the book won't fulfil my needs, not knowing what I find useful and what I don't, is meaningless. Tell me what you know and let ME decide whether it's pertinent.

 

[Toll Carom]

Do you own it? Why does it fail?

I've read it, but I do not own it. (I don't feel it's worth the cover price.) It fails because the writing and design are sub-standard, in my opinion, and because it suffers from the usual Mongoose production philosophy. The creature-oriented material doesn't hold a candle to that presented in the Book of Fiends, and moreover, it's even more of a let down as "a location book" because it doesn't provide users -- or at least this user -- with what they'd need to run a good Hell game solely with the product. Hence my suggestion that you'd do just as well by using only the Book of Fiends and whatever WotC material on the subject is available.

I don't know what's important too (sic) you. Telling me that the book won't fulfil my needs, not knowing what I find useful and what I don't, is meaningless.

Nor do I know what's important to you. And I never said the book won't fulfill your needs. You asked for impressions, and I gave you mine and those of my troupe. I'd just as soon you said, "Thanks" and went on your way.

--
CAS

 

[MongooseMatt]

That's the impression of a full-time game designer, and the impression of those with whom he games. Take it for what it's worth to you.

CAS

I have just twigged - you are Colin A. Suleiman, aren't you?

For the benefit of those who don't know, this guy has a massive problem with Mongoose. He is apt to post snide comments on industry lists and send abusive replies to emails. The thing is, we have no idea _why_

However, it is a bit much when he chooses to go to a public forum and start making comments about us as a 'full-time' games designer. It would be like me slagging off his work - it just isn't the done thing, you know?

 

[JoeGKushner]

Well Moongoose Matt, you've got at least two En World reviewers here interested in the book. Send it out for review so that others can see the glories of it.

 

[Desdichado]

Nor do I know what's important to you. And I never said the book won't fulfill your needs. You asked for impressions, and I gave you mine and those of my troupe. I'd just as soon you said, "Thanks" and went on your way.

Maybe if you told us something useful, we'd thank you?

Without any details about why you liked or didn't like a product, simply knowing that you liked or didn't like it is not of much value.