Midnight threads moved?

[Cthulhu's Librarian]

I think the most simple answer is: If you need the Player's Handbook, it is a setting. If you don't, it goes to the d20 forums.

Greyhawk, Forgotten Realms, OA, Dragonlance, and Midnight need the PHB.

Wheel of Time, Star Wars, and Arcana Unearthed do not.

I wish I could have said it that easily.

 

[Varianor Abroad]

Greyhawk, Forgotten Realms, OA, Dragonlance, and Midnight need the PHB.

Wheel of Time, Star Wars, and Arcana Unearthed do not.

This doesn't work as an acid test for me. AU requires the Monster Manual and DMG, as does Wheel of Time. Star Wars does not. OA does not always require the PHB because you could photocopy a few relevant items and stuff those inside the cover. (In fact, I wish that product had included the complete generation rules and relevant spells, magic items and equipment so that I could use it stand-alone since it has lots of neat flavorful things.) The d20/OGL descriptor seems more accurate.

 

[Piratecat]

I wonder if the forum title has anything to do with it. "D20 games" don't have brand identity because they refer to a shared license, not a manufacturer. The forum may suffer from the same problem. What about relabeling it? (Of course, I'm trying to wrack my brain for good potential titles that avoid "alternate" or "other", words that automatically devalue the next word in the sentence, and haven't thought of any yet.)

I'd be happy to relabel it, if anyone can offer some good suggestions.

 

[Cthulhu's Librarian]

OA does not always require the PHB because you could photocopy a few relevant items and stuff those inside the cover. (In fact, I wish that product had included the complete generation rules and relevant spells, magic items and equipment so that I could use it stand-alone since it has lots of neat flavorful things.)

In other words, OA DOES need the PHB.

 

[Ashrem Bayle]

Thats also why I said PHB, instead of DMG or MM. Technically, you could play the game with nothing more than the PHB.

The need for any part of the Player's Handbook makes it a setting in my opinion. If you can play the game without ever touching the PHB, it goes to the d20 forums.

Thats how I always saw it.

 

[shouit]

Ditto.

Ditto on the Ditto

 

[WizarDru]

Ditto on the Ditto

Is Tritto a word?

 

[Varianor Abroad]

Thats also why I said PHB, instead of DMG or MM. Technically, you could play the game with nothing more than the PHB.

The need for any part of the Player's Handbook makes it a setting in my opinion. If you can play the game without ever touching the PHB, it goes to the d20 forums.

Thats how I always saw it.

I really fail to understand how use of the PHB makes it an easier to quantify or clarify which belongs in which forum. Since we're on the subject of Midnight, I'll continue with it. (Disclaimer: I don't own Midnight yet, but it will probably wind up on my shelf soon.) Here's the description from the FFG website:

Midnight...is fully compatible with the d20 System but features many new and exciting rules expansions and alternate systems. Players can choose from all new character classes, such as the channeler and wildlander. They can select heroic paths for their characters, such as the ironborn and dragonblooded, that give them the unique gifts of truly legendary heroes. Players can also explore new rules for learning and casting spells that allow any character to wield the power of magic. Best of all, this new magic system is seamlessly integrated with the hundreds of existing spells designed for the d20 System core rules.

So, it has new character classes, new magic systems and new rules for spells, expansions on existing rules, that require me to use two physical books at my table to play the game: the PH and Midnight. AU only requires one physical book that also contains new magic systems, new character classes, and new rules which are compatible with the core system. Doesn't the current d20/OGL definition seem a fairer classification system? YMMV.

 

[Brother Shatterstone]

Ditto on the Ditto

Ditto on the Ditto on the Ditto.

I also agree Ashrem Bayle on the PHB definition as it makes sense and is very sound to me.

As for just a re-label, as long as Midnight gets it’s “props” and is high on the marquee I think everything is good to go.

 

[Desdichado]

So, it has new character classes, new magic systems and new rules for spells, expansions on existing rules, that require me to use two physical books at my table to play the game: the PH and Midnight. AU only requires one physical book that also contains new magic systems, new character classes, and new rules which are compatible with the core system. Doesn't the current d20/OGL definition seem a fairer classification system? YMMV.

Everything you said also applies to the Oriental Adventures book. Would have applied to a certain extent to Planescape back in the 2e days, for that matter. Are you saying they shouldn't be considered D&D settings?