Adventures that I run: always.
Adventures that I read for fun: often.
Everything else: nope.
Adventures that I read for fun: often.
Everything else: nope.
Do you read RPG books all the way through?
- Thread starter Voadam
- Start date
The Green Adam
First Post
Yes-ish
Mostly, Kinda, Sorta
I usually read the ones I really like and intend to use all the way through...eventually. I normally start by reading through the basic mechanics and character creation, skills, then combat. I skip around looking for cool ideas, nice art or other elements to inspire me to run the thing and then after a month or so has gone by I either read it all the way through or have essentially done so in a piece meal fashion.
AD
"This is great. Usually it's just cardboard walls in a garage."
Mostly, Kinda, Sorta
I usually read the ones I really like and intend to use all the way through...eventually. I normally start by reading through the basic mechanics and character creation, skills, then combat. I skip around looking for cool ideas, nice art or other elements to inspire me to run the thing and then after a month or so has gone by I either read it all the way through or have essentially done so in a piece meal fashion.
AD
"This is great. Usually it's just cardboard walls in a garage."
Angel Tarragon
Dawn Dragon
Usually no. I just read choice bits that catch my eye. And usually I'm all over, jumping from the back to the front then near to the middle.
FATDRAGONGAMES
First Post
With the exception of the core books which I read 80-90% of, no. I pretty much just reference what I need. I think the only two I have ever read 100% cover to cover is the AD&D DMG and PHB.
Yes. My mastery of the game comes from reading the books through. I learned that lesson from 2e and applied it to 3e. Unfortunately, I don't have that kind of time or drive anymore; so new games have to be less verbose to capture my interest.
Some good books hide the good stuff throughout, too. Alternity Gamma World was like that. I had to read it cover-to-cover to understand what was going on with the setting presented. It was very cool and rewarding.
I really miss the days when I used to read Dungeon through, too.
Interesting thread, btw. Really makes me realize that games I don't read through are probably not going to be played by me. Thanks.
Some good books hide the good stuff throughout, too. Alternity Gamma World was like that. I had to read it cover-to-cover to understand what was going on with the setting presented. It was very cool and rewarding.
I really miss the days when I used to read Dungeon through, too.
Interesting thread, btw. Really makes me realize that games I don't read through are probably not going to be played by me. Thanks.
Off the top of my head the only ones I can remember managing to read cover to cover were the Knights of the Old Republic Campaign Guide, the Star Wars Saga Edition core book, and the 3E FRCS.
I recall trying at various times to read the Player's Handbooks cover to cover for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Edition D&D, and not managing it for any of them. Although for 2nd Edition I remember getting through everything except the spells.
I recall trying at various times to read the Player's Handbooks cover to cover for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Edition D&D, and not managing it for any of them. Although for 2nd Edition I remember getting through everything except the spells.
Wombat
First Post
There are a few books that I have read cover-to-cover at a go.
RuneQuest's Cults of Terror was probably the first one that I read that way. Green Ronin's The Book of the Righteous was another cover-to-cover read. There are several others where I went back and read it cover to cover, but these started on this footing.
Most books I read in a piecemeal manner, although I eventually read most books all the way through, if that is the point of the question.
RuneQuest's Cults of Terror was probably the first one that I read that way. Green Ronin's The Book of the Righteous was another cover-to-cover read. There are several others where I went back and read it cover to cover, but these started on this footing.
Most books I read in a piecemeal manner, although I eventually read most books all the way through, if that is the point of the question.
Obryn
Hero
My wife's not a gamer, so I used the analogy that D&D books are my magazines.
They're good for short bursts of reading, "threaded" like I mentioned before.
I think it's probably true that, over time, I most every word of my more interesting books. But never like a novel - I skip around too much.
I also didn't mention adventures; I kinda disregarded them. Yes, I generally read modules through cover-to-cover, though I just skim sections before my players get anywhere near them.
-O
They're good for short bursts of reading, "threaded" like I mentioned before.
I think it's probably true that, over time, I most every word of my more interesting books. But never like a novel - I skip around too much.
I also didn't mention adventures; I kinda disregarded them. Yes, I generally read modules through cover-to-cover, though I just skim sections before my players get anywhere near them.
-O
Calico_Jack73
First Post
To tell the truth the only RPG book that I ever read cover to cover was the original Nosferatu Clanbook for Vampire the Masquerade.
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