Is Forgotten Realms worth it?

[Dark Jezter]

Yes, FRCS is worth it, in my opinion. It's hardbound, contains several new prestige classes, feats, items, spells, race and class rules as they relate to the realms, beautiful artwork, and a LOT of information about geography and famous NPCs. There are also two small modules included (one for 1st and 2nd level characters, another for 16th level characters).

The only downside to the book is that it's a bit on the pricey side: It usually retails for around $40. Still, if you're willing to part with that much money, you'll be treated to a book that is a perfect example of how a campaign setting should be done.

As for the FRCS suppliments such as Deities and Demigods, Magic of Faerun, etc. I can't comment on those (yet) since I don't own any.

 

[Thorin Stoutfoot]

The only person who would know is you!

I mean, who else can say whether a product is worth the money for them? After all, one product that's right for you can't be right for everyone else as well.

For myself, I couldn't justify $40 for the FRCS hardback. So I paid $20 for it on eBay (really $16, but after shipping it was $20) instead. For the price I paid, I got some good use out of it, even though I run a game in Greyhawk and play one in Greyhawk. I will probably run a game in Faerun some day.

I couldn't bring myself to buy either the Monsters or Magic book, however.

 

[CRG]

The folks I game with almost never play FR. That said, we buy the stuff. Maybe it reflects the design/development dollars sunk into their creation....they are wonderfully done. I have to echo what Teflon Billy said.

If you've got the cash to spare, buy them - even if you're not going to play in FR. They are great for research, ideas, etc.

 

[RogueJK]

As for the FRCS suppliments such as Deities and Demigods, Magic of Faerun, etc. I can't comment on those (yet) since I don't own any.

Deities & Demigods is not a FR supplement. It's generic D&D.

You might be thinking of Faiths & Pantheons, which is the FR "god book".

 

[Barendd Nobeard]

I voted "yes" just because the FRCS books are so nice. I've never played in the Realms, and don't have any plans to do so any time in the near future. But the books are very nice.

Of course, I also agree with BiggusGeekus:

The second you're wondering if you can afford a book is when you have to back off.

 

[Nightfall]

Pretty much agree with Geekus' statement, if you wonder if you can afford it, probably not worth it. I know I like the FRCS but no way I'm buying when I can look over some one else's copy.

 

[darkbard]

echoing the sentiments expressed above: the FR books set the standard for how to put together a campaign world regardless of whether you use the setting or not. there is so much to these books, i'd be surprised if once you started seriously reading through you weren't sucked in and eager to set a campaign there.

though my words'll never change the prejudices some have against the realms, i must say that before 3e i shared these prejudices but have been completely won over with the new products. there is no more of the high-magic cheese in the books than any other setting (and, in fact, many rules are included which help to balance out how various special magics (like spellfire, etc.) work). to my mind, at least, there is a definite element of menace at work (one of the greatest kingdoms laid low by war and a magical episode that destroyed one of its cities; the resurgent church of a tyrannical god; a mysterious floating city of shadow wizards with unknown designs on the world; i could go on and on...).

 

[zhouj]

As for budget concerns, the only problem is the amount of yelling I receive from my parents depending on the number of books I buy. However, it is my money so I don't want to spend it on something that is either useless or poorly published. My primary concern is which of the books are usable or useful for any campaign I decide to start. Some of the FR books like Lords of Darkness may become fairly useless if I decide to run only one or two FR campaigns. Is there any real source book for the Greyhawk setting? (Yes, I realize its the official setting for 3E.)

 

[darkbard]

yes, there're the living greyhawk softcover book and the d&d gazeteer (a much abridged (though released earlier) version of the latter). as a former greyhawk adherent, i'm ashamed to say that both pale in comparison to the depth of the FRCS.

 

[Dark Jezter]

Deities & Demigods is not a FR supplement. It's generic D&D.

You might be thinking of Faiths & Pantheons, which is the FR "god book".

Sorry, my mistake. I meant F&P, but somehow my fingers typed Deities & Demigods.