Inheritance! and Books!

[Angel Tarragon]

I'm coming into a nice large sum of cash (for me that is) which includes part of an inheritance.

I've decided to put a list together of products I'd like to get that I've passed on so far.

Advanced Bestiary
Advanced Player's Guide
Advanced Player's Manual
Book of Templates
Complete Champion
Complete Scoundrel
Drow of the Underdark
Dungeon Master's Guide II
Dungeons & Dragons Basic Game [for my nephew when he finally learns how to read]
Dungeonscape
Fantastic Locations: Fane of the Drow
Heroes of Battle
Magic Item Compendium
Magic of Incarnum
Player's Kit [for my nephew when he is able to grasp the rules]
Spell Compendium


Please suggest alternates that may have more promise.

 

[TarionzCousin]

Spell Compendium is a beautiful thing, like a glass statue: so fragile, yet so wondrous.

Plus, it's got a lot of cool and useful spells.

 

[jdrakeh]

Spell Compendium is a beautiful thing, like a glass statue: so fragile, yet so wondrous.

Plus, it's got a lot of cool and useful spells.

Yep. It's my next purchase, as well -- I try to stick to the three core books only, but really, the Spell Compendium is too useful to pass up. As for alternates. . .

I suggest the 2004 version of the Basic Game, if you can find it. It's much more. . . uhm. . . self-contained. It's a game in and of itself, not merely a boxed preview of full-blown D&D (the older Basic Game has character gen rules).

 

[Angel Tarragon]

I suggest the 2004 version of the Basic Game, if you can find it. It's much more. . . uhm. . . self-contained. It's a game in and of itself, not merely a boxed preview of full-blown D&D (the older Basic Game has character gen rules).

This I already own, and to be completely honest, I find it just a bit bland.

 

[frankthedm]

Before spending hundreds of dollars on luxury items, Look at your current financial state. Unless you own a home already, start working on one of those.

Only real reason to splurge that bad is if you have a SO who will spend the money if you don't.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

Before spending hundreds of dollars on luxury items, Look at your current financial state. Unless you own a home already, start working on one of those.

Only real reason to splurge that bad is if you have a SO who will spend the money if you don't.

I currently have no financial responsibilities. I live with my parents and collect SSD, which pays for my portion of the rent plus a small portion of the grocery bill. And I have no SO at this point in time.

 

[Michael Tree]

Before spending hundreds of dollars on luxury items, Look at your current financial state. Unless you own a home already, start working on one of those.

I have to agree with Frank. What are you going to do with almost 20 books anyway? Why not just buy one or two at first, then buy more when you finish reading them.

I recommend the spell compendium. Aside from the PHB, it's the single most useful book I own. If you don't have Tome of Battle, it's also pure gold.

If your nephew can't read yet, don't bother getting the player's kit. It has the full PHB in it, which is very advanced reading. By the time he has the reading skills for it, 4e might already be out.

 

[the Jester]

Fru,

Nice list of books. However...

Please suggest alternates that may have more promise.

A Burning Man ticket for this year.

 

[Aluvial]

I'm coming into a nice large sum of cash (for me that is) which includes part of an inheritance.

I've decided to put a list together of products I'd like to get that I've passed on so far.

Advanced Bestiary This one is good but not at the top of the list.
Advanced Player's Guide I'd skip this.
Advanced Player's Manual This too.
Book of Templates This is an awesome book to use in game. High ranking!
Complete Champion We'll see.
Complete Scoundrel Good if you have the scout, or a rogue, or perhaps the spell thief in your game... otherwise... I would hold.
Dragonstar: Galactic RacesI don't know this one.
Drow of the UnderdarkAgain, we'll see.
Dungeon Master's Guide II I found this to be a great book. I'm using the included town, and I like a lot of the options presented within. However, you can't use it all....
Dungeons & Dragons Basic Game [for my nephew when he finally learns how to read]I can see your point, but I wouldn't count him out just yet. Kids are smart. The kit is definitely worth the value but I wouldn't underestimate his ability to learn the full set of rules.
Dungeonscape Meh.
Heroes of Battle I like this one, but I use war a bit in my campaign... good if you are planning on some large scale action AND involving the PC's.
Magic Item CompendiumAs far as I'm concerned, this book is as valuable as the Spell Compendium. It adds spice a variety to the game by changing the preconceived notions of the player's and the items they are going to recieve adventuring. This book is great. Take any adventure out there, and then just reroll all of the treasure. Bam! The adventure changes, the equipment changes, your campaign changes! It's a must!
Magic of Incarnum New magic system. I bought it, read it, put it on my shelf. I think it is still there...
Player's Kit [for my nephew when he is able to grasp the rules] Same as above....
Spell Compendium The other posters are right. This book is essentially a must have. The spells within are great, very few typos, and you can find the data on them, excel and the like, all around the net. Welcome to UNLIMITED POWER!!!! (At least for the Cleric and Druid.)...

Please suggest alternates that may have more promise.

Here are some more.

I really liked Monte Cook's Arcana Unerthed. This book has an alternate magic system that I like, has a lot of flavor, and can be worked into a traditional DnD campaign if you want. The deal is, it is the 3.0 version... The 3.5 version is Arcana Evolved. Do your homework on this one. It has the campaign setting in it, + other stuff... and is out of print. Get your hands on it if you can! Totally worth it if you have money to burn. Along with it, buy the Arcana Unearthed: Spell Treasury. It gives you varients for the SRD spells so you can use those with the alternative (and VERY COOL) magic system.

Another I picked up recently was Ptolus. This is one of the best produced books out there, period. Expensive, but worth every penny. I feel it should be in any serious collection.

I also liked the revised Rappan Athuk boxed set from Necromancer. SWEET DEATH FOR PC's... Awesome death. Death and more death... got to love it.

Goodman Games makes a line of modules too. Any of these are fine. Some are better than others, but as a whole, the collection is pretty cool. They put two or three out a month. Like I said, some are better than others, some for plot, some for execution. Some hit all the high points. I use them for interludes between my major plot points. One of the latest came with two 4 panel DM screens. I really like those.

Books to avoid: Eberron. You know, in concept it is pretty cool. It is getting a lot of attention. It has cool supplements and adventures... and it is a drain. I bought a bunch of it so far... and haven't used it ONCE. It's like FR stuff for me. It's well produced, looks great, is compelling, but I just don't use it. It's too.... specific. Of course if you use that as your campaign setting, then buy it all up!

Others to avoid. C&C. I like the idea of the setting, and it can be adopted over, but why bother? There is plenty of other good stuff coming out.

Do you have the other MM's? I love a good monster book. Try out Tome of Horros I -III... I hope they put out a 4th one.

Hope this helps. If in real doubt, buy up as much 1st edition stuff as you can and start converting!!!! Classics are classic!

Aluvial

DAMN THAT RED IS BRIGHT!

 

[Reynard]

Before spending hundreds of dollars on luxury items, Look at your current financial state. Unless you own a home already, start working on one of those.

Only real reason to splurge that bad is if you have a SO who will spend the money if you don't.

Maybe I am missing something and you know Frukathka personally, but if I had been the OP I would have found this an extremely presumptuous and rude post, and might have even suggested a place for you to go.