D&D Must Buys

[DralonXitz]

Hey, im a DM running a few campaings(Star Wars, d20 Modern) and I wanted to pick back up my old DnD books and try a campaign. Right now I own Players Manual, Monster Manual, and DM Guide 3.0(Dont care about 3.5) and I was wondering, what are a few MUST have books out there to run a good campaign. I see theres a ton of books, but Im not exactly loaded with cash. Thanks.

 

[Crothian]

There are many really great books, but one of things that make them great is that they are a bit specialized. For instance while I love the Draconomicon, if my campaign did not have a heavy Dragon background it would not be nearly as useful.

So, what type of game do you want?

 

[DralonXitz]

There are many really great books, but one of things that make them great is that they are a bit specialized. For instance while I love the Draconomicon, if my campaign did not have a heavy Dragon background it would not be nearly as useful.

So, what type of game do you want?

Draconomicon, thats one Ive been intrigued by, but havent heard much on. I know my players well from Star Wars, and they seem to like to be Outlaws, you know, men always on the run, hiding in seedy taverns and stealing from the local nobleman. What would work well for this?

 

[Thanee]

I, personally, consider the following books as must-haves:

Player's Handbook 3.5
Dungeon Master's Guide 3.5
Monster Manual 3.5
Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting
Player's Guide to Faerûn

Of course, if you do not want to play in the Forgotten Realms, the latter two should be replaced by the campaign setting of choice (i.e. Eberron Campaign Setting or any of those awesome 3rd party settings (Kingdoms of Kalamar, Midnight, Scarred Lands, etc)).

Beyond that, well, you don't really need anything else.

The Complete series (Complete Warrior, Complete Divine, Complete Arcane, etc) is a good rules addition.

For the Forgotten Realms, the sourcebooks (Silver Marches, Unapproachable East, Underdark, etc, but also Magic of Faerûn, Races of Faerûn, etc) are very good.

And then there are those thousands (or so) of other great (or not so) books out there...

Bye
Thanee

 

[Crothian]

Freeport...It's a city setting by Green Ronin. It has great character and is well put together. There are a few expansion books for it as well, inlcuding some great modules.

If you want class books it sounds like they like Rogues and Mongoose's Quint Rogue by Mike Mearls has some great options for that class.

For the taverns, I highly suggest Necromancer Games Book of Taverns. It has about a dozen fully defined taverns from the gritty sailor places, to the high scale yuppies to even an cool Planar Tavern.

 

[Pants]

Fiend Folio, Tome of Horrors 1 and 2 for monsters
Traps and Treachery for those seedy, trap-filled, and dangerous places.

 

[Sir Whiskers]

Hey, im a DM running a few campaings(Star Wars, d20 Modern) and I wanted to pick back up my old DnD books and try a campaign. Right now I own Players Manual, Monster Manual, and DM Guide 3.0(Dont care about 3.5) and I was wondering, what are a few MUST have books out there to run a good campaign. I see theres a ton of books, but Im not exactly loaded with cash. Thanks.

There are so many good products available, I suggest narrowing this down a bit. The rule of thumb for me is that a "must buy" is something that covers my weaknesses. I have trouble making my npc's distinctive, so a couple books with pre-made npc's plus GM Mastery: NPC Essentials were must haves. I almost never run dragons, so (despite the great reviews) Draconomicon isn't a good value for me.

My recommendation: Identify your weaknesses, or just the kind of material you'll get the most use out of, then let us know. You'll get a ton of recommendations.

 

[scourger]

I wouldn't buy any other books. In fact, I run a core game and use very little beyond the 3 core books: PHB, DMG & MM. I do recommend Dungeon Magazine for adventures.

 

[babomb]

A Magical Medieval Society: Western Europe and A Magical Society: Ecology and Culture from Expeditious Retreat.

 

[diaglo]

Must haves:

Booklet I Men & Magic
Booklet II Monsters & Treasure
Booklet III The Underworld & Wilderness Adventures


added extras but not necessary the Reference Sheets that came with the above Booklets in the Boxed Set.