Got Practical Guide to Monsters...

[Dark Psion]

...at Wal Mart!

I was not even considering this book till I had it in my hands. It is released under their Mirrorstone line and the words "Dungeon" and "Dragon" are conspiciously missing from the book. I hate to say it, but the art here is better than in many of the recently released D&D books, although there is a little recycled art (Yuan-Ti, Doppleganger, weapons and armor) but most of it is new and yes, the Rakshasa's thumbs are on the outside of the hands.

It is written like a guide book for a beginer adventuerer, but with notations by a wizard named Zendric. Most monsters get a single page, a few iconic monsters (Griffon, Medusa, and Goblins) get two pages and a couple get more (Vampire, Werewolf and Beholder). Most of the expanded entries show a sample lair (A gypsy wagon for the Werewolf for example).

Overall a very nice book for someone new to the game. It explains everything with "in-game" descriptions, how the PCs would see and describe it. Nothing too graphic for kids either, the Harpy is dressed and the Ghoul took a bath before his picture was taken.

I sure hope those other "end-table" books don't show up at Wally World or I might have to buy them too.

 

[JoeGKushner]

M'eh.

This was one of the 'predictors' of 4th ed for me.

If I see it cheap it might be worth looking into.

 

[EyeontheMountain]

I agree, looking at September to next April, there is nothing but Dungeon Tiles to buy. Some of the weirdest books coming out, too. What is WOTC thinking iwth their fall lineup??

Congradulations on the purchase, though Dark.

 

[Dire Bare]

M'eh.

This was one of the 'predictors' of 4th ed for me.

If I see it cheap it might be worth looking into.

While the news is out of the bag that 4e is on the way and has been in the works for two years or so, this book isn't (wasn't?) a "predictor" for 4e. It's a sequel, or rather follow-up, to the "Practical Guide to Dragons". These books aren't filler between 3e and 4e but rather they are targeting a different demographic and aren't even gamebooks at all. They go along with the "Knights of the Silver Dragon" and "Dragonlance New Adventure" novels for young adults. Wizards is aiming for what I call the "Harry Potter" market, fantasy novels and art books aimed at kids. Go into your local B&N or Borders and take a look thru the YA section and gander at the dragon and other fantasy art/story books by various publishers, this is what the "Practical Guide" series is shooting for.

Absolutely nothing to do with 4e. Or 3e.

Now, the "Wizards Presents" line slated for later this year, that is definitely a 4e "predictor"!

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

If you like the Practical Guides, Tony DiTerlizzi put out a GREAT book along these lines, Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide, which is nominally about faeries (and is great, and can be used to swap in descriptions and fluff for sprites and the like) but which also covers elves, dwarves, griffons, dragons and trolls. I used his troll in my Midwood campaign, and loved it.

WotC is apparently going to do more of these, and I can't wait to hear what they are.

 

[TarionzCousin]

This book looks like fun to me.

The other book in this series (so far?), the
Practical Guide to Dragons, is getting good feedback at Amazon. Anyone have that book?

 

[Voadam]

What ages would you say its appropriate for? I've got a bunch of nieces and nephews these might make good gifts for.

 

[JustKim]

WotC is apparently going to do more of these, and I can't wait to hear what they are.

That's great, I love them!

What ages would you say its appropriate for? I've got a bunch of nieces and nephews these might make good gifts for.

Around 8-80, Lego age. The reading is a couple of paragraphs per page, but it's Young Reader level, not too complex. Illustrations abound.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

What ages would you say its appropriate for? I've got a bunch of nieces and nephews these might make good gifts for.

The Spiderwick books, including Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide (not to be confused with the mini-novel just called The Field Guide, about the discovery of Arthur's book), are for about ages 10 and up.

It looks like the movie coming out in January will have tie-in books (not by Terlizzi) skewing even younger, though.

 

[Ulric]

This book looks like fun to me.

The other book in this series (so far?), the
Practical Guide to Dragons, is getting good feedback at Amazon. Anyone have that book?

Good book. It is aimed at the child/adolesant market, but I enjoyed it. I read the whole thing in about twenty minutes. It is kind of like an intro version of the Dragonomicon, without any of the game stats. Also, it isn't written like it is for kids. It isn't condesending in its language or presentation. Worth getting. Inexpensive too.