Core rules only for character designs?

[cybertalus]

"Core rules only" is my motto as both player and DM. Even when I'm playing and a DM offers the option of using stuff from non-core sources, I always take a pass.

 

[Buttercup]

When making NPCs I rarely stray outside the core rules, except for BBEGs. When making a character for me to run as a player, I can be and usually am entirely satisfied with core rules. About the only thing outside of core that I use frequently are spells.

I really don't care for prestige classes all that much, whether they're from the DMG or some other source.

Edit: Doh! Except that I use a custom sorcerer for my campaign, for PCs or NPCs.

 

[ivocaliban]

I don't think this poll really provides an answer that applies to me. I certainly can make characters merely from the core rule books, but the real pleasures of 3.0 or 3.5 editions are the plethora of character options. Considering my recent campaigns have been pirate heavy I often rely on Swashbuckling Adventures from AEG for interesting classes and feats. Is it necessary to have a good time? No. Do I like having the options available? Absolutely.

 

[Ironclad]

Core Rules for basic character. Other sources for Prestige Classes... with GM approval of course.

 

[Ibram]

As a DM my games use a custom list of classes, feats, and spells. That keeps my players and myself from creating characters using just the PHB.

As a player it is the setting that dictates the character I play. I've had DMs who use non core book (one of which was an Orential Campaing) and even had DM's who expressly forbid non core material.

For the most part I play two main character types; an religious warrior (Cleric or Paladin) and a more free form sword mystic type (rogue-ranger). In campaings that use only core material I use the religious warrior type (they fit rather well into the party makeup of a core game) while the sword mystics are reserved for the more expansive settings (which often have rules and feats that make the sword mystic a viable character).

 

[was]

We usually stay core and yes, I can develop satisfying pc's from it.

 

[Watchdog]

Sticking to the Core Rulebooks

I always found the core rulebooks to be a little limiting. The feats from just them don't cover enough stuff. No social, or background feats to speak of. Too much like making up a character for a computer game for my liking.

Also, the fact that the core rulebooks have no rules for any drawbacks or nagative feats for your character is a bit limiting.

Watchdog

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[diaglo]

But I haven't played NEARLY enough characters to yet exhaust my possibilities with the Basics.

me neither. Holmes or Moldvay versions?

 

[Li Shenron]

I voted that I use only core stuff, but that's untrue because I do use supplements for my PCs. Only that the other option in the poll was more untrue because I can definitely play in a core-only campaign without complaining.

IMHO the best in supplements is the feats, because even with the many core ones (how many are they, 100?), there are characters who may want to improve or expand their own abilities without resorting to combat feats, too generic feats, or stepping on the toes of other classes with metamagic (sorcerer's territory) or item creation (wizard's territory). Furthermore, the core feat chains are too much one-way, so much that basically all the strong melee characters have to go the Power Attack-Cleave route for example, without combat alternatives. New feats are almost always welcome.

OTOH Prestige Classes are cool but most of the time they fail to grant something really new, and instead they are a re-hash of features which are already available from core classes. Taking a PrCl only has the aim of getting those ability earlier or in a different order/combination without facing multiclassing penalties, or otherwise just because "you get more stuff" overall.
Furthermore, there's absolutely no need to take a PrCl for RP reason: it may be appropriate, but no one says you can't be part of the Red Wizards without entering the PrCl... it is actually the other way around!

The PrCl I really like are those which actually give you something unique and otherwise unavailable, and something which is not just a huge + on a common ability. The DMG's Shadowdancer is IMHO the perfect example of how a PrCl should be designed! It's not even more powerful than a core class...

 

[Barendd Nobeard]

I can, and have, stuck to only the core rules and had plenty of fun. I have also had characters that didn't stick to the core. Which is appropriate depends upon the campaign I'm in.

So, I don't always stick to the core, but neither do I always require non-core stuff. I cannot answer your all-or-nothing poll

Same here. I wish you had added some "in between" options.