Core Books vs SRD

[yongi]

OK, folks, I'm thinking about selling off my core books (PHB, DMG, MM) and just getting by using the SRD for the basics that those books cover.

My big question is, what am I likely to wind up missing? I'm looking at the SRD (including the "gentlemen's agreement" monsters and such - this is for playing, not publishing) and thinking that I really can get by with just the SRD. I've been playing since '81, so I don't really need to know how to roll up stats, and I tend to be more freeform with EXP, so that particular table doesn't concern me much.

However, I'm more than willing to admit that I may have overlooked something and I thought I'd see what kind of unput I could get from the EnWorld crowd.

Any and all feedback is appreciated.

-y-

 

[Mark]

If you DM, the DMG cannot be replaced by the SRD, IMO, for ideas and help in creating material for your game. If you ever need to teach someone else the game, the PHB is a huge assest. The MM might be the least likely of the three to be missed, but aren't the pictures useful when describing the monsters for the first time? Bottom line, for me, is that the SRD is useful to be sure that I wouldn't grab something for creating a download (under the license) that I shouldn't, but I wouldn't give up the books for use during play.

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

Well, for one thing you'll have to print and carry 300-odd pages of looseleaf paper. (Even if just occasionally, you'll want a hard copy.)

Or you can keep the reasonably priced, beautifully illustrated, and conveniently bound core books.


Wulf

 

[HellHound]

Skill resolution and so on... and the combat rules.

That's all you'll REALLY be missing, especially if you aren't going to be running the games in question.

 

[Henry]

I am curious to know why you consider selling books that you've already purchased, and already have, knowing that the second hand market is pretty poor at return-on-investment... unless it is a strictly financial issue.

If it's financial, then I suggest by all means doing what benefits you real-life most. But if it's strictly for utilitarian purposes, I say keep your core books. In truth, there is nothing like having the real thing to refer to, conveniently organized and designed for reader consumption.

 

[yongi]

thanks for the input everyone

And the crowd voices heavily in favor of keeping the books! Anyone out there disagree, or at least have something to say in favor of dumping the books for the SRD?

Henry: It's not (quite) financial. At least, my finances aren't bad enough that the relatively meager sum I could get for the books would make a difference (yet - yikes!). It's really more one of those "time to clean out the place a little" things, and it occurred to me that this might be an option. But obviously not something I decided to rush into - hence the thread.

I'm still undecided, but all you folks who've responded so far definitely have solid points. Thanks again!

 

[KingOfChaos]

The SRD is good for a quick reference on a rule if you're in an online game, but otherwise it can't complete with the actual books. Too much if left out..including all the rules for character creation and core cass descriptions.

 

[MerricB]

Rulebooks every time.

I was thinking about printing out a copy of the SRD for reference when doing some of my d20 designs, and then realised how much time it'd take me to get it in a managable for. Quite simply, the cost of the official rulebooks is less than the time taken to organise the SRD!

Cheers!

 

[Drawmack]

A few points:
1) I'm sure there are things you can dump that will save as much space as your core rulebooks.

2) You already own them, what's the point of dumping something you may have to purchase again especially when you'll get a crappy return on investment.

3) You'll be missing nearly everything from the DMG, the monsters by CR from the MM, the combat rules & the level benefits chart.

3) You'll have to print out the SRD, which is a major investment probably costing more then you'll get for the core books.

4) You alrady have both and both is better then any one individually.

Any points that I missed?

 

[Taluron]

5) The printed out version of the SRD will likely take up MORE room than the books themselves.




>edit: spelling.