Is an index important to you

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

Indecies aren't all that important to me. About the only things I really like having them for are Campaign Setttings. Beyond that, ToC always does me fine. Then again, I've got a habit of opening the book to the exact page I need.

 

[Liolel]

It depends on the book. If the book is organized so its easy to find information without an index (books of monsters in alphebetical order, most site based adventure modules) then an index isn't important. However an Index is important for books where the useful information is scattered all across the book and finding it based simply on a table of contents is hard.

 

[KB9JMQ]

I use it to death in the books that have them.
First place I look for everything. I really dislike not having them.

 

[azmodean]

I assume the poll concerns gaming books. My answer is I don't really need them, I do everything in my power to not have to look things up during a game, and for general use I've read the books enough to basically know where everything is.

 

[shilsen]

As a lot of people have already said, it depends on the specific book. Complete Warrior? No index needed. Sharn: City of Towers? An index is essential.

 

[Heathen72]

Depends a bit on the book (in a monster book it's not really needed, if they are sorted alphabetically), but generally yes. In a book like PHB or DMG they are very much essiential.

Bye
Thanee

I still like a breakdown of the monsters in the index. The monsters can be cross referenced there by type, terrain or even challenge rating. It helps when you don't know what your looking for, but you have a rough idea.

 

[Mark]

Does having an index in a book matter to you?

Yes, but sometimes a table of contents is so complete it is functionally good enough.

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

I still like a breakdown of the monsters in the index. The monsters can be cross referenced there by type, terrain or even challenge rating. It helps when you don't know what your looking for, but you have a rough idea.

But, except for Terrain, you already get that. Table of Contents does it in alphabetical, there's always a By Type listing right near there, and a By CR in the back of each Monster book.

 

[woodelf]

I have already sent an e-mail to WotC's customer service. I recommend everyone who voted yes on this poll do the same. If enough people voice their opinion, hopefully changes will be made.

Somehow, i don't think my vote will help much: "I won't buy your RPG books until they have decent indices in them. And content that i'm interested in." I hadn't noticed that specifically WotC books lacked indices, because they have consistently [since about `98] turned me off long before i've gotten to checking elements beyond the content itself.

However, lack of an index can be a deal-breaker for me, even for content that i do like. Not usually mind you--i usually buy it any way and grumble. But, especially if my interest is marginal, it can make the difference. Though, in teh real world, i tend to forget to check that. I'm all excited about a book, and, while i'll regret the lack of index later, i never seem to remember to check for it when i'm buying the book.

 

[Vigwyn the Unruly]

But, except for Terrain, you already get that. Table of Contents does it in alphabetical, there's always a By Type listing right near there, and a By CR in the back of each Monster book.

How I wish that was true.