Frostburn: Buying?

[Aeolius]

If only I had Frostburn when I ran my "Into the Land of Black Ice" campaign. Granted, that was 1995-1998 and used the 1e AD&D rule set, but other than those minor details it would have been useful.

While my undersea campaign uses neither arctic nor desert materials, I will also be picking up Sandstorm, in the hopes that the sales of such materials will spur WotC to produce more environmental supplements. I will buy 20 copies of "Crosstides", or whatever WotC labels a seafaring/subaqueous supplement.

 

[Hand of Evil]

Got it!

 

[Zander]

I bought it yesterday shrink-wrapped - so I got it pig-in-a-poke. I've had a flip through it now and I like what I've seen so far.

It includes detailed rules for various cold hazards/regions, two 'new' PC races (including, I'm pleased to say, neanderthals), spells, equipment, monsters, prestige classes, locations and encounter tables.

The races, magic, equipment and monsters are, for the most part, balanced and imaginative without being wacky.

I'm not keen on prestige classes generally, so I haven't looked at these carefully and therefore can't comment on them yet.

I feel that the locations could have been sold as a separate supplement, possibly a campaign box set or module.

The most disappointing aspect are the encounter tables. The 25 pages dedicated to them could have been put to better use.

Overall, however, I recommend Frostburn. If you have any interest in a cold-climate setting, you'll find plenty of crunchy bits and ideas within.

My grade: 80% or A-.

 

[Greylock]

Looked at it, liked it. Then said to myself, 'What on earth would I be able to do with this nifty new product?' Answer is, very little. So many of the books that get bally-hooed are pretty much useful only to DMs, which I will likely never be. I'm just a happy player. Seems at least 3/4ths of the books out there are unessential to me. Nice, but not necessary.

The Draconomicon is a case in point. It is a great looking book, with a ton of neat ideas. But if you are a player, it is just a coffee table book. No more useful than your mothers Gnome book from twenty years ago.

Guess I'll just have to wait for more 'Complete' books.

 

[MonsterMash]

If I can get the cash togther (and can find a store with it) I'm buying Frost and Fur as comparing the content I think it matches my requirements far better.

 

[Darth K'Trava]

Don't know yet. I'd like to thumb through a copy first and then, if funds are available, go from there.

 

[Pbartender]

Looked at it, liked it. Then said to myself, 'What on earth would I be able to do with this nifty new product?' Answer is, very little.

That's pretty much how I look at it too... I haven't much spare cash to spend on RPG books, so I pick them carefully. They have to be well-written, interesting to me, and useful in my game.

As far as Frostburn goes, I don't need it. The environmental rules in the DMG, and the monsters in the MM are enough for any cold-based adventure I want to run.

I'll save my money for another book...

Guess I'll just have to wait for more 'Complete' books.

...like Complete Arcane in November and Complete Adventurer in January.

 

[DragonLancer]

So many of the books that get bally-hooed are pretty much useful only to DMs, which I will likely never be. I'm just a happy player. Seems at least 3/4ths of the books out there are unessential to me.

True, but then as a DM I would prefer that sourcebooks were either for DM's or for players. Books should never really be both IMO. Theres where I think WotC went wrong.

 

[Greylock]

True, but then as a DM I would prefer that sourcebooks were either for DM's or for players. Books should never really be both IMO. Theres where I think WotC went wrong.

I agree completely. Each book like this should be broken into two books, and each beefed up just a tad. Not all that much more effort for WotC, and just take the hardcover off and the costs should be similar. I know they are trying to make the 'splatbooks' more respectable and everything, but I couldn't be the only player out there who finds Frostburn a 'dunno, maybe it'll come at Christmas', instead of snatching it up right away.

Speaking of hardcovers, why are the Complete Guides sold that way? They really are good, but they don't seem to qualify for the HC treatment. I wouldn't hesitate to buy them w/o HC priced 19.99 or less, and the color glossies don't make the sale for me.

 

[Sunderstone]

Bought it. Excellent is the word I'd use.
I like to add atmosphere like this to any campaign I run. The FR "Underdark" should have been this well detailed. Ill definately buy "Sandstorm" and I also would love to see an Undersea/Seafaring book along these lines.