Need advice on running Ravenloft 3e

[shadow]

I've finally decided to Dm a Ravenloft 3e game. I've played Ravenloft 3e as a players, but havent DMed it before. I'm wondering about a few things:
1. What books do I absolutely need? I'm kind of on a tight budget now, so I can't afford every single book White Wolf/TSR has published. Which ones are considered essential for 3e?

2. What type of adventures should I run for Ravenloft? Ravenloft is supposedly different from the standard D&D campaign so I don't really think dungeon crawls would go over well? How should I run Ravenloft to keep it's horror atmosphere, but still incorporate the standard D&D hack'n slash? Any suggestions on where to look to find good modules or tips for running Ravenloft games?

 

[Nightfall]

Just get the R3e for now. The Ravenloft DMG maybe but have to see.

 

[Drakron]

Look here ...

http://www.kargatane.com/

They have some free 2nd ed adventures.

Well you just need the Ravenloft d20 book ...

The Ravenloft Gazetters are good because they go into more detail and give some ideas how to run it, the Denizens of Darkness is a monster book with Ravenloft creatures and Van Richten's Guide to the Walking Dead that really allows to customize undead creatures.

Ravenloft stuff is not as expensive as WotC, "Ravenloft 3rd Edition" is 29.95 US dollars and, with the exception of the limited edition of that same book, the most expensive of all the Ravenloft books.

INHO the books you sould avoid are "Heroes of Light" and "Champions of Darkness" that did not impressed me enough to buy and I have read that many people saying they are not as good as all the other Ravenloft material that come out.

I cannot give a opinion on "Van Richten's Arsenal" because I was not able to find it but since its likely a "equipment book" I doubt you need it.

 

[maddman75]

Ravenloft has a special place in my heart .

The bare minimum is the Ravenloft hardback. It has character information, descriptions and maps of the domains, descent into darkness, effects on magic, and details on various creatures.

After that, the screen has information on the Dark Lords, and while you don't really need them directly they help flesh out the setting. After that, denizens of darkness has a lot of good creatures.

For adventures, you're right the typical dungeon crawl doesn't work. Ravenloft tends to be a more role-play oriented game. Mysteries are the meat and drink of the setting IMO. The point is to evoke horror - not gore or gross-outs, but the dark moment when the realize what the stew is made of, or when the kindly cleric they've been working for has been the one worshipping demons all along.

Online - have to go to http://www.kargatane.com. You can download out of print maps, tons of articles, netbooks, and free adventures.