Must have books

[Crothian]

So, we have well over 1100 products in the review data base. Which outside of the core rules do you feel are must have for everyone no matter what setting they are playing? Are there any books that you would be disappointed in people not having? Are there any books that you always carry around to ever game because their sheer utility makes them important even if you have no actual plans to use it?

 

[bwgwl]

to tell you the truth, no -- i don't think there are any essential books outside the Core 3. i can't think of a single one other than those that would be universally useful.

 

[Nightfall]

Think you can guess which ones Crothy I'm going to say...but I am hoping to see a few more in the coming months that people will be say "Damn I need this!" Like my little contribution, Player's Guide to Wizards, Bards and Sorcerers. (No I didn't write all of it, but I'm glad to be in such august company as Ethan Skemp, Kevin "Piratecat" Kulp, and Mike Gill for starters. )

 

[Nightfall]

to tell you the truth, no -- i don't think there are any essential books outside the Core 3. i can't think of a single one other than those that would be universally useful.

What?!! What about Books of Eldritch Might? Book of the Righteous? Hell even Relics and Rituals 1! Book of Hallow might man. All these books I think should be in people's collection in some fashion.

 

[Sir Whiskers]

Interesting question. It prompted me to look over my library and - surprise - nothing is really critical except the core books. That said, the two publications I use the most (as a GM) are a couple pdf's:

City Guide
City Guide II: Coffer of Coins

I have trouble coming up with flavorful npc's and shops, and these two have been a great help.

As a player, only the splat books are something I reference frequently and, if I had to, I could do without them (tho I prefer not to).

 

[Old Fezziwig]

I don't know as though there're any must-haves outside the core. Nothing I'd be disappointed in folks for not having or would carry around with me to all my sessions. But I can say that my favorite non-core book, and the one I'd recommend first to other folks, is the Manual of the Planes. Just really cool, well-done stuff. After that, I'm kind of partial to the FRCS and the Books of Eldritch Might/Book of Hallowed Might. But if nothing else, the MotP is the non-core book to own, IMO.

Best,
tKL

 

[Alchemist]

Must haves? Only a PHb. One could play a workable game just out of that. Not that I'd want to or anything.

Realistically though my must haves are the core trinity and the PsiHb. I dig Psionics and can't leave home without them.

 

[Desdichado]

I assume that by must-have, you mean so good that you really just should have it, no matter what! I'd say Manual of the Planes and Oriental Adventures and maybe the Monsternomicon (although it might be much less useful for some) would top out the list in my personal collection.

 

[Bagpuss]

What?!! What about Books of Eldritch Might? Book of the Righteous? Hell even Relics and Rituals 1! Book of Hallow might man. All these books I think should be in people's collection in some fashion.

I have all of those Eldritch and Hallowed since they came out on PDF, and I've yet to use a single thing from them. I have used the construct template recently to build a monster, but found it very weak for the increase in CR and it has yet to be used in the game.

Relics and Rituals has been used for a few spells and that's it.

 

[Nightfall]

Uhm let's see what I've used...

Alternate Bard and Sorcerer (just for fun),

At least 10 spells from each book (Marks mostly but quintelemental blast as well as Squalous spell)

Harp bow

The oath feats

The alternate ranger and paladin.

Rules for clerics casting healing spells and alternative for healing.

R&R...well admitlly I'm running Scarred Lands campaigns...but I have use it as a player.