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

[bubbalin]

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.

That's all fine and good, if all you play is D&D... Which is not the case.
We rotate games.

 

[Jdvn1]

I do that with books from places like Half-Price Books. If I find an excellent deal, I'll buy it for table use.

 

[evildmguy]

Yes I have.

When my group switched to Alternity, I bought enough PHs so everyone could have one.

Then, when we decided to try Exalted, I bought an extra book of that for the players to reference at the table.

Have a good one! Take care!

edg

 

[diaglo]

i have for systems which use books for the players.

 

[sniffles]

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.

My fiancee and I did the same thing. But it's not in the budget anymore. I'd love to have a copy of everything but it's just too expensive.

 

[bubbalin]

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!

I don't think I'm generous enough to give them the book, but a copy to lend out to players in turn and pass around the table. I figure if they learn the rules, they might get more interested, which can happen.
Basically when you GM/DM a game, you can't lend out your book otherwise what do you use to prepare? Hence you need another copy.

Lastly, the stupid cost of shipping things out here means that a game book tends to cost a little more than it costs most of you. ie for the cost of the PHB I can probably take my wife out to dinner quite comfortably. Which in a sense is two nights out.

 

[Gothmog]

Yep, I've done this quite a bit. Back in 2e when a new player joined the group, if their birthday rolled around and they didn't have a PHB, I'd buy them one. I've done this a few times since we started playing 3.x, but not as much since most of the players since then already had books.

I'm also one to have an extra copy or two of a book around for a game system people aren't as familiar with if we start playing it. I have two copies of the 3.5 PHB, two d20 Modern books (not used much, but oh well), three copies of the Classic Deadlands Players Guide for when we play that (which is becoming more frequent), two copies of BRP CoC, two copies of Kult, two sets of Alternity books, and two copies of the WFRP rules for when we start that campaign in a week or so. It just speeds up things at the table, and allows for more fluid play since we don't constantly have to pass books around.

 

[Ace]

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?

We might buy a Players Handbook or a Mongoose Pocket Players Guide for the table

 

[Crothian]

I have but not for those reasons. I buy a second of books becasue I want a second copy. Sometimes it is becasue I'm starting a new setting and not sure how it will work so I'll buy two copies of say Oathbound becasue I can't expect the palyers to all buy the book if the campaign is going to tank in a month.

THe other reason I do it is to get people to play it. If I have the materials all on hand for a game or setting the players might not want to play it help me convince them. since more then one person can now look at a copy of the book.

Actuyally, I can think of a third reason I qwould: if I get one as a good trade or a heavy discount.

But I never do it becasue the players are too cheap to buy their own. I'm not made of money either and I cannot be expected to get copies of books for them to uswe.

 

[mcrow]

I have been known to buy core rule books and novels for kids who parents can't afford them. I always do my best to help any kid who loves RPGs get a chance to play and have a book of their own. My family was poor growing up so I can relate. I was lucky to have a good friend whos parents were nice enough to buy me some of things I wanted when I was a kid knowing that my single mother could never afford them. I worked my way through school and now have a fairly good paying job that allows me to buy a needy RPGer a book every now and then. My way of giving back.


As for adult gamers. I only but books for friends as gifts, not just to get them to play. Some times I will buy an extra rule book for demoing purposes and if one of my players wants a copy I might sell them my extra one @ a discount.