Have you bought a second copy of a book for table use?

[bubbalin]

Okay, I have a question here.

If you had players who were either not really into RPGs (say they just started or are casual players), too poor (students, unemployed) or just too cheap to buy books, would you buy another copy of the core books for them to use during and between games.

I'm considering doing this, because the lack of knowledge of the rules is just bogging my games down.

What do you think?

 

[the Jester]

I would, and have, bought books for my broke friends before. Not exactly what you're asking- you don't really have a good answer up there for me.

 

[Vraille Darkfang]

I have 2 copies of the 3.0 Player's Handbook. 1 for me, one for my wife (Her's was the 2nd, revised printing).

But when we switched over to 3.5, I only got 1 copy of the 3.5 Player's Handbook. I've been tempted to buy another 3.5 PHB, but never have.

However, now that I have a 30 minute commute to my Wed Game, the Mini-PHB put out by Mongoose is looking pretty good.

But no, in general, I have better things to spend my money on than a copy of something I already own.

 

[Darkness]

Maybe a single core rulebook (or PHB in the case of D&D) if it'd be really helpful.

 

[Kanegrundar]

I bought another copy of the SWCR. We had a lot of player for that campaign, and another rulebook made a lot of sense.

Kane

 

[philreed]

See, if you had PDFs you could just print extras of the necessary sections.

As for doubles, I tend to collect doubles of some books -- and don't know why. The worst possible example I've ever encountered was about twenty years ago when our group somehow had more Monster Manual IIs than players. I swear the damned things were spawning.

 

[sckeener]

PDFs

Not quite the same issue, but I have bought a book for me and a PDF for the group. Whenever someone needs a rule, I just print it out for them. I usually only print out the sections the players need.

They add it to their character sheets and I never have to worry about it. Of course we also keep a word document of all the rulings or changes we have made to the site so that it can be printed out when needed.

our current game: http://www.mulhorand.net

 

[William_2]

Printing out parts of the SRD to seve this purpose seems like a viable option to me. Different sections could then be read by different people as well. I'm not sure one extra book will speed things up too much, and I would say the cost makes it quite a luxury to do that. It is certainly a kind thought.

 

[bubbalin]

I guess the problem is that I pretty much started most of the people gaming with me, and so I'm the one who's really into the games. I'm the one whotends togt the books.
In fact, it's quite amazing that some of the others have actually bought the core bookfor our latest game. Maybe I'm rubbing off. But I also keep losing players, because most of my friends are just getting out of university and finding jobs all over the place. Even if they get jobs nearby, I'm losing some to just being busy.
Basically, I keep getting in new players, most of whom are a few years younger and still struggling students with time, but no money.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

No, I wouldn't buy a copy for someone else (unless it was the significant other), mainly because I don't have money to throw out of the window.

They can always borrow a book, and the SRD is free on the web.

About the reason for said lack of books:
New Players: You can always lend them the book, and of course you can sit down and explain. If they are interested in the game, they might pick up their own copy
Casual Players: Waste of money, they won't read it, anyway.
Too poor (students, unemployed): I'd consider that the only reason to buy a book for someone that isn't a close relative or loved one. If you have the money, It's OK I think. I would limit this to the PHB, though. That's all you really need, the rest they can borrow.
Just too cheap to buy books: No way in all the hells. If they're too cheap to buy the book, their interest in the hobby is obviously not that great. The excuse "but this costs me 30 bucks" doesn't really count. After all, roleplaying will grant you countless hours of fun, a single night out might come more expansive!