Draconomicon. Worth Buying?

[Gothmog]

Draconomicon is ok, but its mostly eye candy from what I have read (about 80% through now). Some of the new feats and tactics are interesting, but they wasted a ton of space with sample lairs. Things that would be really interesting, like dragon cosmology, psychology, creation myths, legends, relations with other races, etc- are glossed over with just a few pages devoted to them. Instead, Draconomicon falls to the standard WotC "more crunch, less fluff" demon, and winds up severely lacking. If you love dragons and use them a lot, you might find some use in it. I never use dragons, and got it at 40% off more out of curiousity. I don't feel like I wasted my money, but I sure would if i had paid over $30 for it.

 

[Psion]

Some of the new feats and tactics are interesting, but they wasted a ton of space with sample lairs.

Some of us don't happen to think that is a waste of space at all. That is ready to use game material. Ergo good, IMO.

Things that would be really interesting, like dragon cosmology, psychology, creation myths, legends, relations with other races, etc- are glossed over with just a few pages devoted to them. Instead, Draconomicon falls to the standard WotC "more crunch, less fluff" demon, and winds up severely lacking.

The problem with this sort of material is that the deeper you get into it, the more material you make that will not be consistent with a given campaign's cosmology or history and will be essentially useless.

IMO, it strikes the right balance between fluff and crunch.

 

[Greyhawk_DM]

I have it. It's worth buying.

 

[mythusmage]

Worth buying?

Let's see...

New dragons.
New dragonlike monsters.
Dragons as familiars.
Dragons as transport.
Dragon personality.
Dragon combat.
Dragon characters.
Dragon fighting characters.
Example dragon lairs.
Dragon anatomy.
Dragon physiology.
Dragon pictures.

In a well written package.

Yeah, I'd say it's worth it.

(Even better, you can order through my Table of Co...) "That's spamming, cut it out!" Buccaneer Bunny

I think I'll leave it at that.

 

[KenM]

IMO if the book does not have Trogdor, its not a complete book about dragons.

 

[Mystery Man]

My favorite part of the book is the section describing a dragon for each color at each stage of its life. Very, very cool.

 

[MrFilthyIke]

I'll chime in and say "Great Book".

Even better when bought at Walmart for 37-40% off cover price!

 

[JoeGKushner]

I don't have the time I used to in setting up my games. I actually find that I get some use out of the sample dragons and the sample lairs.

The new dragons, feats, spells, and prestige classes are decent but require some time to use 'em. The new magic items that can be made out of dragons are interesting. Gets me wondering what can be made out of an outsider!

The player material is cool as it provides uses both for working with dragons and working against them.

The art in the book is top notch. I know, some don't care but some, like myself do. Reminds me in many ways of the Monstrous Arcana series (Sea Devils, Behlolders and Mind Flayers I believe) and I hope it's the first in it's type to do this.

 

[Tzarevitch]

I read through it at the bookstore. It is worth buying if you are fond of dragons and run them a LOT. I personally don't like dragons much so it was of little use or interest to me.

Personally I found it amusing that it was necessary to produce a whole book or tactics, special feats and spells for dragons just to beef them up and make them effective. That being said, it is a well-made, well-thought-out book, it is just that its utility value varies depending on how often you actually use dragons.


Tzarevitch

 

[Arnwyn]

Boring as hell, but very useful in a game if you happen to be a DM who likes using dragons.