Gotta Have Them All Gamers -- a problem?

[Hussar]

I too got over my GHTA habit in 3e.

When 3e came out, I was buying books as fast as I could. Then just before 3.5 came around, I slowed down and took a look at my groaning bookshelves. I realized I wasn't using more than a tiny fraction of what I'd bought. And, it all came to a screeching halt.

Never did buy a 3.5 DMG.

In the last few years of 3.5, the only books I bought were ones that had a direct impact on my game. When running a desert based campaign, I bought Sandstorm. World's Largest Dungeon got run through because I loved the concept.

Let's see. I got the Savage Tide AP from a 1 year sub to Dungeon, bought Savage World Explorer Edition and 4e D&D in the past couple of years and that is the sum total of my gaming expenses.

I'm definitely fitting the WOTC demographic studies.

 

[DaveMage]

Query: Is there anyone who actually has ALL of the 2e books?

I think I do...

Edit - I am missing the "Player Pack" cases that were made as well as "Wizard Spell Cards".

I think I have everything else....

 

[AllisterH]

I think I do...

Edit - I am missing the "Player Pack" cases that were made as well as "Wizard Spell Cards".

I think I have everything else....

Wow...

Was this as they came out or did you complete it in later years slowly...

 

[Belen]

I like to collect books that interest me, but I tend to weed them once per year and either give away ones I have never used or sell them at a used book store.

Once reason I stayed away from 4e is because of all the churn. The 4e schedule is just too ambitious for me.

I mostly GM, though, so I keep a huge game library. If I am a player, then I almost always stick to core.

 

[Minicol]

Wow...

Was this as they came out or did you complete it in later years slowly...

I am in the same case, and i bought them all at the time. I used them all too, to various extents. Say for instance, I never could run all the adventures from that time, but that was Okay. I always had something on hand pertinent to the story.

Now, I don't think this is a problem at all, I think this is all a problem of weak willed GMs who are afraid to talk to their players. Say, one of my players wanted to play a warlock, and I hate that class, so i just told him no, and argued why. And everything went fine.

Just talk to your players about the choice of books, after all, they you should be your friends first, and gamers second.

 

[Vyvyan Basterd]

Now, I don't think this is a problem at all, I think this is all a problem of weak willed GMs who are afraid to talk to their players. Say, one of my players wanted to play a warlock, and I hate that class, so i just told him no, and argued why. And everything went fine.

Just talk to your players about the choice of books, after all, they you should be your friends first, and gamers second.

On the other hand, why are players looked down upon in these forums when they love a class, ask to play it, and argue why? By your reckoning wouldn't a player who didn't do this be a "weak-willed" player?

I agree with talking things over. I just don't think the line of communication should be a one-way street just because a person DMs. (And if you're keeping tabs on my perspective I mostly DM.)

 

[ExploderWizard]

On the other hand, why are players looked down upon in these forums when they love a class, ask to play it, and argue why? By your reckoning wouldn't a player who didn't do this be a "weak-willed" player?

I agree with talking things over. I just don't think the line of communication should be a one-way street just because a person DMs. (And if you're keeping tabs on my perspective I mostly DM.)

It shouldn't be one way. If someone always insists on ordering off-menu items and never offers to cook that is fairly one way too.

 

[Vyvyan Basterd]

It shouldn't be one way. If someone always insists on ordering off-menu items and never offers to cook that is fairly one way too.

When I have a player that always insists on "ordering off-menu" I ask them to help me "cook." There is a reality somewhere between these extremes presented that player and DM can compromise upon.

 

[catsclaw227]

And I have far more products than I will ever use.

Me too.

My 3.x library is disgusting and I don't really even play 3.5/OGL much these days. I think this is the reason why I am not acting on my urge to have it all for 4e.

Also, the 3PP market for 3.x was sooooo good , that I bought a lot of that stuff too. Don't get me wrong, sadly there was some crap that I spent money on as well. But with the CB and DDI, I don't really use much 3PP products anymore.

It;s a shame, really. But, if/when WOTC opens up the customization on CB, or allow 3PP modules, there won't be much traction for other companies' products.

Unless it's a great adventure, "encounter areas" book or campaign setting.

 

[Arashi Ravenblade]

I gotta have them all. Im a collector. Though I end up using something from everything, and I have time to read them all. Even if its not cover to cover, I read the part I find interesting.

I only lobby to get them included, if there is no campaign reason not to have them. For instance, ive often heard there is no Psionics in Dragonlance, thats fine, but i'll be darned if you deny me psionics in Eberron. But most of the time im the DM, so its not really and issue.