Must you have and use every book for D&D

[Voadam]

The closest I ever came to having everything was preordering the 3e PH. After the second product was out I failed to keep up.

 

[Shortman McLeod]

The poll options are ridiculously slanted. You're basically setting it out so that people will choose "I only choose what will enhance my game." The options "I MUST have and use EVERY book" is a ridiculous strawman.

A better option would be: "As a DM, I sometimes feel pressured by my players to include more books than I want to." That, I think, is the real issue here. It's all fine and good to say, "I only use core!" but if NO ONE ELSE FEELS THAT WAY, then there is an issue with the so-called "treadmill."

 

[jdrakeh]

I only get what I think I will use for any edition of D&D. Which means, typically, the core rules and a setting core book (or, in the case of OD&D, the setting-specific rule supplements).

 

[Geron Raveneye]

I don't fit the poll I'm afraid. I simply buy what picks my fancy and gives it a good shake...wether it is useful for my games or not, as long as it's interesting, it's fair game. Netted me the complete Primal Order series (yes, that IS WotC ), Midnight 1E, CoC D20, Psychic Handbook or Airships. All nice reads. Never used them in a game so far.

 

[Quasqueton]

Nevertheless, I've seen a lot of people saying it's difficult to find players for anything but the latest edition, and I also think that some players expect that a DM should try to incorporate new material -- especially new material from "official" sources, and especially if the *player* has purchased the book (not at all uncommon, given that many books are marketed squarely at players, these days). So I wouldn't dismiss "there's pressure to buy the latest and greatest," entirely.

See, I read a lot of posts saying that they hear or read others saying this. But I've never seen anyone saying that *they* have Players insisting on this kind of stuff.

I've seen things like, "A lot of Players insist the DM include or allow things from the many supplements," but I'm not seeing, "My Players insist that I include or allow things from the many supplements." Understand what I'm meaning?

It's sort of like the common idea that X City is Murder Capital of the world -- the crime rate is astronomical, and people are afraid to go outside. When the actual statistics are looked at, you see that X City is actually not unusually "murderous" and the crime rate is relatively low, and no one who actually lives in the city fears criminals stalking outside their homes.

Most of the complaints about supplement bloat and "must buy books" seem to be based on "other people's problems".

"My game is fine, and I don't have trouble, but everyone else in the game has serious problems."

Now, I'm curious: Those folks who voted that they *must* have many, most, or all WotC books for D&D, do you consider yourself compulsive or obsessive? Do you feel this need in other aspects of your life? What about D&D actually makes you feel the compulsion to acquire and use so many supplemental books?

Quasqueton

 

[Philotomy Jurament]

I've seen things like, "A lot of Players insist the DM include or allow things from the many supplements," but I'm not seeing, "My Players insist that I include or allow things from the many supplements." Understand what I'm meaning?

I know I've seen statements like that in threads where the pros and cons of "core only" are being discussed.

I don't remember anyone insisting on ALL the supplements being allowed, though.

 

[CanadienneBacon]

I do not own every WotC D&D v3.5 or 3.0 book ever put out. I own the core books and probably in the neighborhood of 10 other WotC books all told. I do also have the Scarred Lands books, a Freeport book, and a couple of other random supplements from this or that publisher.

I don't use even a quarter of all the books I own. Some of them have never seen play. Even so, I like what I have on my shelf and am not unhappy to own what I own. There are a couple of WotC books that I do still want even though I recognize I'm unlikely to actually use them. Frostburn, Sandstorm, and Stormwrack, I'm looking at you.

I did not vote in the poll.

 

[rowport]

See, I read a lot of posts saying that they hear or read others saying this. But I've never seen anyone saying that *they* have Players insisting on this kind of stuff.

...

Now, I'm curious: Those folks who voted that they *must* have many, most, or all WotC books for D&D, do you consider yourself compulsive or obsessive? Do you feel this need in other aspects of your life? What about D&D actually makes you feel the compulsion to acquire and use so many supplemental books?

First off, I am posting as (primarily) a player, not as a GM, since your questions are clearly geared towards GMs. (That said, when I do run one-shots, I always say "bring it on" to the players-- I find seeing what others come up with to be as entertaining as making my own characters.)

To answer your question: yes, I do consider myself obessive/compulsive. I am certainly not to the extent that I cannot function in polite society (!) but when I collected comics, I was a completist. Heck, I bought Uncanny X-Men for about 10 years after I really stopped enjoying reading it, just because I always bought it! When I played CRPGs later, I played them all, non-stop. Once that industry shifted towards either MMOGs (which I don't like) or console-only games (which are too repetitive for my taste) I shifted back to PnP D&D. For the last several years now I have bought D&D books like crazy! But: I am not buying them simply for doing so. I really enjoy pulling out the fun bits from all kinds of books, and seeing how they can create unique characters.

Despite the knee-jerk posts I see here occasionally, this is not always a powergaming exercise. For example, I am toying around now with a Fist of the Forest character from the PrC in Complete Champion. That is not overpowered (heck, it might well be underpowered, since it is based on Monk abilities!) but it just sounds cool to me-- the unarmed wild man.

I guess my lengthy replies here are my reaction against too much intention to restrict players, restrain options, curb ideas. Let your players try new stuff! It is a game! Where is the downside??

 

[el-remmen]

Not only do I not think you have to buy them all, I think you don't have to buy any.

 

[Nyarlathotep]

Didn't see my option in the poll.

Must have almost all books, but use very few.

I'm a bit of a completist. so I tend to buy nearly everything that is put out by WotC (sourcebook-wise). I tend to use not very much of it though.

My reasoning is that generally:

A) I can afford it.
B) You never know what gem you may find hidden in some books.
C) I 'm weak-willed.