DM Product Review and Advice

[lonesoldier]

Good and Evil

I bought the Book of Exalted Deeds and Book of Vile Darkness last week. I'll review them together.

Both introduce interesting ideas on the nature of good and evil (I like the Vile Darkness' relative alignment varient), as well as have several paragraphs explaining such ideals. Redemption, the nature of evil, sacrifice, martyerdom (sp?) are all discussed.

As might be expected, there are many new Prestige classes. I like the series of 'followers of ---'. Where --- is a companion or one of the seven/nine lords of Hell. All in all, very good.

The equipment is cool. Vile Darkness gives us torture equipment and all manner of fun DM toys ( ^_^;; ) while Exalted Deeds has kewl new weapons. Exalted Deeds also has some new diseases (Oh happy day!) and of course both have the properly aligned relics.

Feats! The two new types are Vile feats and Exalted Feats. I'm sure they are mutually exclusive. These feats show that you are blessed (or cursed, some BOVD feats scare me) by the gods.

Magic-> Meh...
They explain how to redeem magic items, that's cool.

Celestial Paragons/Lords of Evil:
Lots of background and stat blocks for the good guys and evil guys. These are like super-angels and lords of hell and the abyss. Not someone you want to get into a bar-fight with. This chapter also explains some planes, like the Abyss and Celestial, and whatnot.

Monsters:
Good selection of Challege Ratings. Good ideas, I liked BOVD's more, but thats's just me. Oh and reading the Book of Vile Darkness does make you evil.

(Wanders off to sacrifice virgins for a +6 to his sacrifice check. ^_^ )

 

[Morbog of Ghetto D]

B.o.v.d

Actually, sleeping with the book of vile darkness under your pillow, will slowly transition your alignment to Chaotic Evil, unless its there already...

thanks for posting your opinions....They are both definately worth their cover price

 

[lonesoldier]

phear indeed...

I was thinking of reviewing the Complete Books, but those have been out long enough for everyone to know that they are worth their weight in silver.

I'll review Races of Destiny tommorrow. Unless I get waylaid by the IB Exams (Phear!).

 

[Evilhalfling]

Im looking at either Lords of Maddness, Complete Adventurer or Complete Warrior.
for a campaign I am running. The characters are already built, while the list of their enemies is evergrowing - Dragons, Derro, Evil psionic halflings, Undead, Priest/Monks, an Aboleth and possibly whatever is in the mages pockets (dagger, string, coins, glowing rock etc.)


Any suggestions or should I save my money?

 

[capnfro]

Both Complete Adventurer and Complete Warrior have some really good stuff in them. Most notably from the top of my head is the hexblade from Complete Warrior and the shadowmind from Complete Adventurer. If you have evil psionic halflings you may want to look at the shadowmind class more closely. Psionic rogues with some neat abilities. They both also have really good feats in them.

I haven't read Lords of Madness so I can't say much about that.

 

[lonesoldier]

I would say go for Complete Adventurer (over Complete Warrior) I have yet to read Lords of Madness.

As for that review of Races of Destiny: I'm busy with IB exams. Yeargh!

 

[DarrenGMiller]

As for that review of Races of Destiny: I'm busy with IB exams. Yeargh!

Good luck with the IB Exams! I teach IB and know how it is.

DM

 

[Nightcloak]

Good luck with the IB Exams! I teach IB and know how it is.

DM

Silly question. What is "IB"?

 

[DarrenGMiller]

Silly question. What is "IB"?

IB = International Baccalaureate

It is a high school diploma program based on European models. It is an intensive and grueling program that is internationally based and recognized and carries the potential of college credit. It is rigorous and involves a core curriculum and electives above and beyond a standard high school diploma.

DM

 

[SyrinxNymph]

So....it's like AP credit, except better?