How essential is Savage Species?

[schnee]

I want to run a short adventure with my group and do something completely different... We've done very 'normal' campaigns - now I want to go hog wild. So... Evil Monsters as PCs. Here's what I plan:

• Books: Core (DMG,PH,MM,MM2) + Complete series
• Start them about 15th level
• Half-Whatever templates allowed
• High-ECL beasties allowed
• Core classes dissuaded (Ftr,Clr,Wiz,Rog)
• Odd classes encouraged (HexBlade, Favored Soul, Warlock, Spellthief)

I've looked over the MM1 and MM2 templates, and DMG rules.

Now... knowing that... would Savage Species be that great of an investment? Would it make or break something like this? OR do we have enough to go on, and brainstorm the rest?

 

[Jdvn1]

Savage Species is not essential. A lot of people would say it's just a bad idea because it's a horribly balanced book. I'd do this: find out what your players want to play. If the MM covers it already, then you're fine. Don't worry about the book.

 

[Crothian]

Not really worth it, you'll find plenty of things in the books you have. Save your money for a good book that you'll get more use out of.

 

[Darkness]

A lot of people would say it's just a bad idea because it's a horribly balanced book.

Yes. Especially the new templates and, I take it, the feats. Also, it's (mostly) a 3.0 book, thus not quite up to date.

 

[Jdvn1]

Also, it's (mostly) a 3.0 book, thus not quite up to date.

Isn't the update available though?

 

[Darkness]

Not that I know of, though if you can find one, I'll gladly take it. (It's not in the 3.5 update thing, for one thing.)

Besides, the LAs of many creatures are in the 3.5 MM anyway.

 

[schnee]

Good to know. I have no problem with making judgement calls, and the group is mature, so we should be able to figure out something cool. I'm still wondering how I could get one of them to be a Beholder (just for the fun of it) so I'll have to put in some more work... thanks for the quick replies.

 

[Jdvn1]

Not that I know of, though if you can find one, I'll gladly take it. (It's not in the 3.5 update thing, for one thing.)

Oh, okay. I might've been thinking about MM2. Ah well.

Besides, the LAs of many creatures are in the 3.5 MM anyway.

Yeah, I think those are the best option by a long shot.

I'd use Savage Species for ideas, only, as well as some ideas for rules (they go into some depth on mechanics). You have to use with with a lot of salt, though.

 

[Jdvn1]

I'm still wondering how I could get one of them to be a Beholder (just for the fun of it)

Honestly? Wait for Lords of Madness. They might have some insight to that.

 

[JustKim]

I wouldn't recommend it unless you can get it for cheap. A number of things are poorly balanced, quite a few templates have been reprinted/corrected, and the monster levels are not quite 3.0 and not quite 3.5 in some cases, resulting in monsters which don't fit the book description of either edition.

There are still some nice feats, spells and PrCs for monsters. Dragon 304 had more interesting spells for monsters and dozens of them, so I'd say it's a better buy.