Favorite Wizard/Sorcerer/Arcane Magic Sourcebook?

[bloodymage]

Since you're willing to consider "The Complete Wizards Handbook" I'll add KenzerCo's HM "The Spellslinger's Guide to Wurld Domination: Crushing Empires for Fun and Profit". How can one resist a title like that? Haven't read it yet, but I'm looking forward to it.

 

[Nightfall]

Well, Nightfall, you must admit that you are just a teensy bit unobjective where Scarred Lands products are concerned, yes?

Okay mmmmaaaaayyyybbbbeeee just a little.

I didn't say it was bad.

I know that but I think it's just better than "marginal".

But there are what, 20 magic books out there?

Probably not twenty. 15 perhaps not 20.

Few of us can afford to buy them all.

Not asking you to buy them all. I'm not. I just think R&R2 is a good purchase, even if it's a little more Scarred Lands specific.

If you aren't playing in the Scarred Lands, then I really don't think RR2 is essential.

Maybe, maybe not. Depends on what you use it for. Example: The Tome section can easily be redone to fit any ongoing campaign. Or the Psionic section, perhaps you want a few new powers or you want an alternative to the Slayer Pr-class.

I should note, probably, that I have no interest in prestige classes, so telling me a book has cool ones leaves me, well, cold.

Ah well, even so, the feats section SHOULD be of interest, especially if you want an astrological based campaign. Something that I think other settings don't take into consideration.

 

[johnsemlak]

Since you're willing to consider "The Complete Wizards Handbook" I'll add KenzerCo's HM "The Spellslinger's Guide to Wurld Domination: Crushing Empires for Fun and Profit". How can one resist a title like that? Haven't read it yet, but I'm looking forward to it.

No reason why we can't include that. Consider it duly added to the original list. Hope it turns out to be useful, and thanks.

If you can find this thread when you buy it consider adding your comments.

 

[Synicism]

Mine is probably Path of Magic. Fantasy Flight seems to have a better grasp of game balance than Sword and Sorcery or Mongoose do, and it's a lot meatier than Tome & Blood. Plus, I get a hardcover for $25, which rocks, and I REALLY like the alternative classes and the cool special skills you can learn by spending XP. I'm about to start an Oathbound campaign, and Path of Magic and Path of the Sword may become my default "stuff" books.

So, whoever brought it up first, see? We do use non-WotC stuff, especially when it's better! <g>

 

[bloodymage]

No reason why we can't include that. Consider it duly added to the original list. Hope it turns out to be useful, and thanks.

If you can find this thread when you buy it consider adding your comments.

Oh, I've bought it. Just haven't read it yet! I've a ton of stuff to get thru and haven't made to that particular tome yet. I'll post when I do tho.

 

[Zaukrie]

I really like Occult Lore for the ideas and alternate systems of magic. But, if you are looking for a book that helps more with more traditional systems of magic, then I'd say you can't go wrong with either Path of Magic or Quintessential Wizard. They both have ideas in them that are no brainer additions to the rules. I also believe that Wild Spellcraft is a great book/.pdf. Of course, as someone who is primarily a DM, I'd have to suggest Necromancy by Green Ronin. I am partial to Green Ronin's books, and this is a really good one for building evil for your good PCs to fight (no, I'm not trying to bring the BoVD discussin in here).

 

[Psion]

Mine is probably Path of Magic. Fantasy Flight seems to have a better grasp of game balance than Sword and Sorcery or Mongoose do

Mongoose, perhaps.

Sword & Sorcery, no.

Every last regular prestige class in POM allows full spell advancement, despite some pretty potent class abilities.

OTOH, many legendary classes totally lack legendary classes... which make them rather unappealing compared to sticking with the core class in most cases.

 

[KDLadage]

I am partial to UMBRAGIA: Volume III - Liber Veneficium.

I am, admittedly, biased, however.

 

[applenerd]

I can't believe nobody has mentioned Pocket Grimoire Arcana by Green Ronin! Why have only one book's worth of stuff when you can have the open gaming content from not only multiple works but multiple publishers! I find it quite helpful to have all my spells in one place! Also there is a devine version as well which is equally rockin.

applenerd

 

[Kichwas]

I can't believe nobody has mentioned Pocket Grimoire Arcana by Green Ronin! Why have only one book's worth of stuff when you can have the open gaming content from not only multiple works but multiple publishers!

Those books are very selective in what hey include though.

You can get everything in them and more simply by owning the PHB, Relics and Rituals, and welll.... that's about it. Maybe They have a few spells copied from one or two Green Ronin books as well.

I loked at them, and couldn't find any reason to repurchase the two books I already had.

I'm suprised as well at the one person who felt Occult Lore took a lot of work to integrate. From my read, the book pulls in very smoothly. I haven't checked on the power level concern they raised though. That may alter my opinions if I find I agree with the poster later on.