Help with book selections(now with Dawnforge mini-review!)

[Gothmog]

Well, I ended up picking up Dawnforge. It's excellent. Like, get me off my lazy Irish-American arse to write a review excellent. I haven't even left the mall(I'm waiting for it to relent at EB so I can go in for my interview) and I've already devoured the book. Now I'm trying to decide between Draconomicon, Complete Warrior, Book of Exalted Deeds, Creature Collection 3, and a few GR paperbacks(like Unholy Warrior's Handbook, which could come in very handy, hehehe, and Bow and Blade).

I recommend Dawnforge to everyone.

Agreed, Dawnforge is excellent- and I don't usually care much for high-fantasy settings. Its almost to the same pinnacle of perfection as Midnight (which if you haven't got it- RUN and buy it!). I just got Dawnforge for Christmas, so I am not all the way through it yet, but its got some great aspects and given me tons of scenario ideas. With this, FFG has proven to me they are the undisputed kings of world-building.

That said, of all the other books you listed, I'd definitely shoot for the Unholy Warrior's Handbook first- I use it quite a bit, and it makes for some great villians. Bow & Blade and Plot & Poison are ok if you use lots of elves, but I'd save my $ for GR's Book of Fiends, due out in January. Draconomicon and BoED I have found to be very overrated and overpriced, with minimal use factor due to the overly specialized subject matter. Complete Warrior is ok, I just wish there were fewer prestige classes, and more of the combat styles feats, as well as more options for warriors and war. Creature Collection 3 is pretty good, but some of the monsters are VERY Scarred lands specific, so if you already have tons of monster books, you could skip it.

 

[Nightfall]

Yeah by my Infernel Sentinal makes for a GREAT little mid level commander in the Legions of Hell. Not to mention his warscepter ability kicks ass!

 

[blackshirt5]

Well I picked up Mindscapes on the recommendation of the main D20 clerk, who said the new psionic combat system is worth the 15 bucks alone. And frankly, it is. The great monsters and the awesome new powers are added bonuses, too.

As for Dawnforge, here's my first impressions of it. It's got a great backstory; a lot of history tucked into that book, makes for great stories; I can already see myself standing up from the gaming table while playing the Lord of Grimhal or addressing them as the legendary Storm King. Immortals(godlike beings who empower the disciple class) with reasonable stats? Excellent. Very Conan-esque; I like that the gods can be killed on this world(and no, the 60-level-always-hit-always-killbrought-to-you-by-the-letters-f-and-u-don't-try-to-kill-the-gods! Deities and Demigods stats aren't reasonable).

The racial transformations and talents are very cool; they add a lot of flavor and uniqueness and allow good customization of PCs and NPCs. As well, the new classes(disciple, shaman, shaper, and spirit adept) are all very flavorful and well-balanced against the other core classes(the disciple replaces the cleric and the shaman replaces the druid); the spirit adept has to be my new favorite class, it's that cool.

The unique monsters are a very cool idea as well; I like the whole scion of the species thing; it's positively inspiring! I'm already beginning work on Worg, the Wight King, and other baddies.

Legendary paths are very cool; you can up your high stats even more and they are a requirement to qualify for the really cool legendary classes. As well, they allow you to switch out certain skills key abilities(such as making Open Lock a Strength skill, or Jump a Dexterity Skill), so you can finally make that Legolas clone who's so dextrous that he can climb up the Oliphant.

My only complaint against the book is that it's based on 3.5, but I guess the whole book can't be tailored to me. It sure felt like it was though; this is EXACTLY what I've been looking for in a campaign setting. I think my homebrewing days are over.

 

[Nightfall]

Nice to hear Blacky. I kind of wish you had picked up CC3, but it's all good. Mindscapes is a good collection of stuff and certainly worth the money you spent. That and Dawnforge I consider smart picks.

 

[blackshirt5]

Ah; so you found the review helpful Sage? I might start a thread in the Creature forums for my unique monsters(The Wight King, Worg, The Adamant Golem, and probably others), if people are interested.

 

[Nightfall]

Very useful. Thank you Blacky. But if I didn't I would indicate so. Sorry if I wasn't clear there before.

 

[blackshirt5]

Alright, cool. Hopefully before the end of the day I'll have up at least one of my legendary monsters.

 

[Nightfall]

Looking forward to it.