Must have books

[Bagpuss]

I'm the DM, most of the players own either just the PHB or nothing. Although I allow access to my books they rarely want to borrow them and seem happy enough playing the original ranger and original socerer at the moment. I too am running a Scarred Lands campaign, but have made much more use of Divine and Defeats and the hard back gazaetter and Creature Collection (sp?), than I have R&R.

I guess its because we all are working and most have families so can't commit the time to researching more rules when we are happy with the ones we have at the moment.

 

[Buttercup]

Must haves? Hmm. I don't actually think I can answer that, since everyone has such different tastes. I can tell you the ones I use most, as a DM.

The three core books, of course.
Kalamar Campaign Setting


and I think the new AEG Toolbox is gonna make it onto that list, because I've used it almost nonstop since I bought it a few weeks ago.

 

[Nightfall]

I'm the DM, most of the players own either just the PHB or nothing. Although I allow access to my books they rarely want to borrow them and seem happy enough playing the original ranger and original socerer at the moment. I too am running a Scarred Lands campaign, but have made much more use of Divine and Defeats and the hard back gazaetter and Creature Collection (sp?), than I have R&R.

I guess its because we all are working and most have families so can't commit the time to researching more rules when we are happy with the ones we have at the moment.

Right well we all make choices. I haven't used either CC that much but then they are in Hollowfaust and aren't exactly fighting lots of monster just yet...But that will change soon I imagine.

 

[Tarrasque Wrangler]

It's all about the Iron Lich, baby.

Monsternomicon . I know it says Iron Kingdoms on the cover, but I've never seen so many monsters I couldn't wait to throw at my players, IK or no.

I guess I would throw in WOTC's splat books and, because Nightfall will vomit if I don't mention something SL, Relics and Rituals I.

 

[megamania]

Core books are just that. Core.

Everything else is about flavor. mmmmmmm

I use Psionics a lot so Psionics book and If Thoughts could kill

I love throwing unexpected stuff at players so- Savage Species and Manual of Planes

From there, I drag magic items out of FR stuff, Scarred Lands stuff and of course the Malhavoc stuff.

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

The three core. MMII. R&RI. All five splatbooks. Magic of Faerun. FRCS (more for FR players). BoEM I&II. BoHM. Pocket Grimoire Divine and/or Arcane. Monsters of Faerun.

To a lesser extent: Faiths and Pantheons (FR only). Issues of Dragon magazine. Arms and Equipment/Armor book of your choice (Bastion Press, WotC, whatever). Psionics Handbook. Traps and Treachery I. Quintessential books. Manual of the Planes. OA. ELH. BoVD. BoEM III. Mindscapes. ITCK.

 

[Skade]

Essential in my campaigns are:

Relics and Rituals I and II
Sword and Fist (really only this one of that series)
Book of Vile Darkness
Book of Eldritch Might I and II
2nd Ed Planescape monstrous compendiums
Volo's Guide to All things Magical (2nd Ed)
Authentic Thaumaturgy, from Steve Jackson Games (not d20, but often referenced for simple research)

 

[John Crichton]

I can't think of anything a full-time player must have besides the PHB. With the exception of any Campaign Book that the DM may be running, of course. But nothing all-encompassing.

For DM's, the first book that comes to mind is Book of the Righteous. Since I got it last week I have found a wealth of ideas, and not just for Gods/Pantheons/Religions/Holy Orders. I have seen a ton of campaign ideas, inspiration for plot/character hooks and some good tidbits on world creation. I think it is a must for DM's, however just the middle 2 chapters are relevant for players.

Another good one for DM's is the Manuel of the Planes. Again, rich with ideas and really helpful in world creation.

There are other books that I like- Monte's come to mind as does FRCS & CoC but I wouldn't consider them a must for all DM's. So, I can really just think of the 2 for now...

 

[RodneyThompson]

There is only one book that I think every GM should have at his/her table besides the core books for his/her game: a thesaurus.

 

[Arthur Tealeaf]

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 bought The book of Eldritch might, and I really don't think it's an essential. It felt like it was just a plain extension of the magic item and spell sections in the core books, which already contain enough spells and magic items for a looooooooong time of gaming.