Judging a book by it's cover....(the best book covers)

[Evenglare]

I got to give it to D&D 3rd/3.5 edition. Everything about the book felt like you were reading a tome of information. Art and presentablility really enhances the sense when having your book open creating a story or something. The little etching and stuff , it was just fantastic. I really hope that 5th edition presents their books in this way. Any one agree? To me , 4th edition (which I also love), Their books seemed to present a game to play (which is what D&D is essentially) , but in 3rd edition it makes it into so much more.

Other games such as pathfinder , while looking nice (especially on the inside) I'm not too impressed on their covers, it's not that the art is bad, it's just about how the book is presented. Gurps has a nice minimalistic cover that I think represents the game well , as does hero system. Legend of the 5 rings are probably my second choice for cover art , they really capture the essence of the game there...

Anyway this topic didnt have much of a point other than to see what others say on the subject.

 

[Dioltach]

I always found Avalanche Press's RPG covers to be very appealing.

 

[Desdichado]

I actually quite like the trade dress and layout associated with most Pathfinder products.

I also quite like the actual cover art.

I think 3e Forgotten Realms products had really nice covers.

I never liked the 3e or 3.5 core books cover conceit very much.

 

[Lord Mhoram]

I'm something of a minimalist - so I always liked 5th Hero Green guy on black background covers. I tended to like 3rd edition D&D's core books as well - and the trade dress to make it look like an old book with metal hinges - that was fun. I prefer symbolic stuff rather than pictures on covers.

 

[Ahnehnois]

For pure aesthetics, the various 3e monster books can't be beat.

Monster Manual 2:

Not a very good book, really, but that looks fantastic.

The original isn't half bad either

And then you're onto the specific creature type books:

And of course, there's no beating the Draconomicon:

***

Personally, I much prefer one of two things:
*Books that look like actual ancient tomes of fantastic knowledge.
*Books that have one piece of art as a cover.

I have never been a fan of the ones that showcase one character or scene on an uninteresting background.

 

[Karak]

I like a variety. I still remembering seeing the Warhammer 2nd edition with the Troll Slayer on the front and just losing it in nerd excitement.
However I also liked the intentionally minimalistic bits to the original WOD games like Werewolf. Fading Suns also had some amazing front covers. They didn't grab me as quickly but their use of color was awesome at the time.

 

[Stormonu]

I actually like the revised covers of the 1E books the best. I also think they tended to have the best graphics as well overall, as each picture seemed to tell a story - or have a good, humorous moment. Whereas 3E tended to just be "portraits". 4E's chapter pages were pretty good as well (especially the dwarf and the tiefling running from the boulder).

 

[slobster]

Legend of the 5 rings are probably my second choice for cover art , they really capture the essence of the game there...

Another vote for the L5R 4E cover, though it's the inside of the book that really makes me love and adore it. The benefits of years of gorgeous CCG artwork for your setting.

EDIT: I also always found the Continuum cover to be evocative and very memorable.

 

[DM Howard]

My favorite has to be the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting Guide for 3rd Edtion. I loved that it looked like an ancient tome of knowledge!

 

[Ravenheart87]

The new HackMaster's Hacklopedia of Beasts and Player's Handbook are marvelous. Other than that, I love the AD&D1e PHB's Trampier cover, the WFRP1e core book's cover - these all show you adventurers in action, instead of posing superheros (I'm looking at you, 4e PHBs).