How much of a Collector are you?

[Shadowslayer]

No, not really as far as RPGs go. I do have an element of the collector in me when it comes to stuff like minis, maps and tiles.

I have one of each set of tiles, and own the complete release of the Fantastic Locations maps (woohoo...all 5 of them)

But as far as the books, I've always been content with the basics, as well as the odd other book that appealed to me. In my whole 3e period, I only ever owned the core 3, PHB2, DMG2, MM 2 and 3, Tome of Horrors, Toolbox, and Dungeonscape, as well as assorted modules and stuff.

 

[AdmundfortGeographer]

I'm very much a completionist, not hardly at all a collector. And because I've lost interest in nearly all tabletop RPGing since 2007, I haven't been getting into any RPG product line to even become a completionist upon. It's been very nice on my finances though, .

 

[Fallen Seraph]

I just buy what books will be of use for me in my games or be interesting reads. The closest to a "collector" you could call me is with WoD books since they have fun writing in them.

I guess also Cthulhutech, but that is because there is so few books out for it

 

[DaveMage]

Both a collector and completionist when it comes to D&D (up to 3.5).

As for other RPGs, just a nibbler (not a completionist or collector).

 

[Khairn]

I'm a collector but only a completionist for certain games.

Those game lines that I have complete are ...

Primal Order
Mage the Ascension
Werewolf the Apocalypse
Midnight
Scarred Lands
Iron Kingdoms
Scion
Mage the Awakening

 

[Hussar]

Once upon a time, I was a completionist (or at least as much of one as my wallet could take). Then, after about a year of buying books and books for 3e D&D, I came to a realization.

I was buying books that sat on my shelf and were relegated to bathroom reading.

After that, I really changed my buying habits. Now I buy books that are going to fit with my current or near future games. Playing a 3e D&D game set in deserts? Bought Sandstorm. Wanted to play a freaky magey sort of summoner? Bought Tome of Magic. Doing urban campaigns? Bought Urban Blight.

Since I've been doing Savage Tide, I haven't bought a D&D book since the core 3 for 4e. I bought Savage World's Explorer's Edition because I want to do that as my next campaign.

But, long gone are the days when I'd just buy whatever RPG book caught my eye because my magpie tastes were drawn to the latest shiney.

 

[Knightfall]

I'm definitely a collector, but I'm not a completionist by any means. I find and buy what I really want and some of what is considered cool.

I'm a D&D addict (all editions before 4e) and a huge fan of d20 system / OGL products. I also love Alternity Earthdawn, and Gamma World; although, I haven't really begun to start "collecting" those games yet. Alternity stuff is usually pretty easy to find (here in Edmonton) but most of it is either in bad condition or is really expensive! Pre-Alternity Gamma World is really hard to find!

If I do buy other games, I usually end up trading it for old TSR products that I want. I traded for a copy of Palladium's Old Ones then traded it away the same day with a whole bunch of other stuff for several TSR boxed sets. Currently, I have an extra copy of 1e Legends & Lores, which I'll be trading away for something else.

 

[Tinker Gnome]

I was buying books that sat on my shelf and were relegated to bathroom reading.

Well, there is certainly nothing wrong with some good bathroom reading.

 

[Lord Mhoram]

I'm sadly both a collector and a completionist... shelf space has become a serious issue...

I hear that.

I have every book every published for the Hero system, all the way back to 1981.

I've forcible broke myself of the habit, but I still tend to collect for D&D. Although I do not, by any means, buy everything. I do buy every monster book that comes out though - and I did for 3.5 - had a huge shelf of them.

 

[Jib]

As a collector or completionist do you read/ use/ delve into your purchases or after a quick look through do they go on the shelf?

The reason why I'm asking is have you ever made a purchase sight unseen or a game product and then sat down with it and went... yuck! Why did I buy that!

I loved/ adored Castle Falkenstien! Had to have everything R. Talislorian put out for the game. The only book I was missing was the one about the fey. I thought to myself, "this one is going to be the BEST!" and I paid more than I should have to get a copy after the company went away. I was also sad that that game book was the weakest in the series.

I also bought "Ghostwalk" and wished I had not.

One of my dear friends buys almost everything D&D but reads only about 10% of what he buys. His goal is to have a complete D&D library.