Has anyone USED these books in their campaigns?

[thundershot]

I've read the reviews, and they're generally positive, but I haven't heard anyone talk about actually USING the Bastion Press Spells & Magic book in their campaign. I'm finally going to pick it up, but I was curious as to how it's worked out.

Similarly, has anyone had a chance to integrate Dragonstar Imperial Supply yet? I realize it's just a book of weapons, but does it add anything significant to the player's options?


Thanks!
Chris

 

[Nellisir]

I've used some of the spells from Spells & Magic, and some of the items from Arms & Armor. Ultimately, there's only so much one character or DM can use, so I'm not sure what else to say. I like both books.

Don't know nuthin' 'bout Dragonstar, though.


Nell.

 

[thundershot]

Well... I'm mostly looking for responses from DMs who used these books in their campaigns, or players who use prestige classes or new rules from them. The Spells & Magic book LOOKS good, but how much will actually get used? Hm...


Chris

 

[HellHound]

I am using the Blood Mage rules in my current game actually (from Spells & Magic).

On the other hand, I've tried implementing material from Arms & Armor, but some of it was out of balance (the stunning ability as a +1 enhancement - we had it on a keen scimitar with a character with improved critical, and it meant BBEG's spent most of the combat standing there, looking dumb).

 

[Kyramus]

One of my players bought it and i'm skimming through it. It gives quite an impression.

a spell that makes you glow when you become a target of a spell. a lower level dispel magic. things that will enhance a character's view of themselves.

 

[Apok]

As with most third party suppliments, be very careful what you allow from those books. Normally I would consider this a truism, but it especially applies to books with new feats and spells like Spells & Magic. There are at least a couple of spells in that book that I know to be far too powerful (Ultimate Invisibility springs to mind immediately, which is listed as a 6th level spell and is probably too strong for a 9th level spell). I haven't had a chance to take a good look at Imperial Supply so I can't really comment on it. However, I can recommend the Arsenal book by Perpetrated Press. An excellent addition to any Dragonstar game.

 

[Darrin Drader]

As with most third party suppliments, be very careful what you allow from those books.

I thihnk in fairness this should be applied to any supplements period. There are a lot of WotC non-open stuff that's pretty unballancing as well if introduced to the wrong game, or during the wrong time in a campaign.

Keep in mind that the Spells and Magic is a Bastion Press product, and Jim Butler, the company's president, was a part of WotC R&D through and slightly beyond the period when WotC was designing 3rd edition. He has an insight many of us don't, so this means that the quality of the stuff turned out by Bastion is probably going to be closely on-par with WotC stuff.

I admit to being biased because I do a lot of work with them however.

 

[Nightfall]

Yes but we know you're biased in a good way Darrin.

 

[Psion]

I plan on using a gem mage as a villain -- they have a lot of neat plot potential, and are a nice break from the string of necromantic and conjurer villains I have been using.

In arms & armor, my players were really inspired/intrigued by the book, but I had to fix a few costs. But we do have a few items in the campaign from it. A lot of the concepts are really cool.

I've not played DS since imperial supply came out, sorry.

 

[FungiMuncher]

In my previous campaign, I had a villain group who used the Jewel Mage class. The party found some evidence of their existance, but never directly interacted with them. They chose to restart with a new party at first level.

In the new incarnation of the campaign, I've eliminated wizards, and replaced them with a home brew alchemist class and Rune Mages from that book . Dwarven spellcasters will be Rune Mages (they have no gods to worship). None of the party members chose to dwarven, however.

FM