D&D actual book or online book?

[Nivek]

Well this is my first time posting something up.

Two players want to have powers/feats and what not from the Martial Power Book. They don't want to pay for the book so they decided to get some online version on the computer. Two other players oppose this course of action. They felt like its unfair, like cheating the system. Unfortunately, I don't have all the details of this and I'm the person who has to decide what is going to happen. Either they can use the Martial Power Book or not.

So should I allow the use of this Online Book thing on the computer or just kill it and only allow books.

 

[Herremann the Wise]

Considering that the only place you can get a pdf of Martial Power at the moment is by illegally downloading it, I'm not sure whether this is something you would want to encourage. However, if they had a DDI subscription (which I would certainly recommend to anyone DMing or playing 4e), then their enquiry is valid but disadvantageous to all the guys that don't have access to this.

In this situation I would disallow it and stick with the stuff that you have or feel comfortable with. However, if you can get the DDI and access to the compendium and character builder, you will have a really nice resource that you can use to expand the options for the players at minimal cost. Something for the future perhaps if you're jiving 4e D&D.

Best Regards
Herremann the Wise

PS: Welcome Aboard EN World!

 

[fuzzlewump]

Hi Nivek,

I think it's more important that you have access to the book so that you can see if you want to allow whatever it is they want to take. I don't think anything in Martial Power is especially broken (after a bit of official errata, that is,) and it is a WotC product so I'd say yes, let them use it. At the end of the day, you have to decide whether you want to allow it and for that you'll need access.

 

[Dice4Hire]

As always, I enbcourage the DM strongly to choose what he/she will allow in the game and then stick to their guns about it. And if anything is objectionable in the rules you do allow, then disallow that also.

But, if the players walk after seeing yoru restrictions it is probably your own fault.

If we are talking about illegal downloads
Tell them they have to have the physical book or no go. Maybe not one per player, but one per gaming group.

If we are talking about DDI access or not
DDI is a big division in 4E. Lotta people love it, and it offers insane amount of feats, powers, and such for a very very low price. The bad side is it is Cherry-picking at its best. If you are DMing and do not have access to DDI, then I would tend to suggest not allowing it as there will likely be powers, feats and such from books you have never even heard about. Take a few of them out of context, and they can be pretty strong. Plus keeping up with them all is impossible. Over 4000 power so far.........

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Welcome to the boards!

My policy about books is this:

1) if one person can use it, everyone can use it...you, me (the DM) and the other players. If you don't want to share, you don't get to bring it to the table.

2) no illegal products at the table. Don't even ask.

 

[Nivek]

Thanks for the feedback guys
From what I know they don't have access to DDI.
I think I'm leaning a bit towards no online book, bring your books.