Ocean Sourcebooks

[Eryx]

Which is the best ocean sourcebook out there?

I'm looking for something that gives good ship stats, ship combat and rules for undersea environments...etc.

Which is best for my cash?

 

[Crothian]

The only one I have is the Sea Farer's Handbook. It has everything you seem to be looking for and I feel it is a good product.

 

[Aeolius]

I have "Seafarer's Handbook", "Seas of Blood", and "Broadsides". If you are looking for the most versatile of the three, I'd go with Seafarer's Handbook.

 

[yongi]

I too have Seas of Blood, Seafarers Handbook and Broadsides. Each one has mertis, but I'd have to say that Seas of Blood seems the most complete when it comes to the things you're looking for.

But of course, ymmv...

 

[kenjib]

Say, since a few people with all three books seem to have noticed this thread, which one seems best for a low magic environment where you want the mood and feel of something like Moby Dick, Mutiny on the Bounty, or Captain Blood? Which one provides more historical background about sailing and how ships work?

Sorry for the hijack - I just couldn't resist. I still haven't been able to get a copy of Broadsides into my greasey little mits to do the final comparison so I can buy one of them and from previous posts I've seen it seems like that one would be the best for this.

 

[Eryx]

Out on the Ocean Blue...

Sorry for the hijack - I just couldn't resist.

Thats ok, if the thread helps you out thats cool.

I think I'll take a look at Seafarer's Handbook and see whats in there.

Thanx all.

 

[BV210]

I've got both the Seafarer's Handbook and Seas of Blood. IMO, for a low-magic type campaign, go with the Seafarer's Handbook. Both are excellent resources with lots of crunchy goodness, but Seas of Blood has a more "fantasy" feel to it.

 

[drnuncheon]

I've got both the Seafarer's Handbook and Seas of Blood. IMO, for a low-magic type campaign, go with the Seafarer's Handbook. Both are excellent resources with lots of crunchy goodness, but Seas of Blood has a more "fantasy" feel to it.

Really? Wow, I'd have said the exact opposite. SFH has a lot of emphasis on underwater adventuring, aquatic civilizations, and the like - things that to me are hallmarks of a high-fantasy campaign - while Seas of Blood has more of a focus on things like trading, ship combat, etc.

Both are excellent books, but I'd go wth Mongoose for the grit.

J

 

[RogueJK]

Say, since a few people with all three books seem to have noticed this thread, which one seems best for a low magic environment where you want the mood and feel of something like Moby Dick, Mutiny on the Bounty, or Captain Blood? Which one provides more historical background about sailing and how ships work?

I usually don't recommend Avalanche Press' products, but what I've read about Black Flag: Piracy in the Carribean has said that it would be good for a low magic, historical seafaring game. I don't own it myself, but you might want to take a look at it.

However, some have stated that its naval ship rules aren't very good. You might want to get one of the big three (Broadsides, Seafarer's Handbook, or Seas of Blood) for the rules, and Black Flag for the other info.

 

[Dracolich]

I have all three of the Sea books. I'll be starting a seafaring campaign this coming August. I plan on using the underwater rules from the Seafarer's Handbook and the ship rules from the Sea's of Blood. I haven't read Broadsides yet, so I'm not sure if there is anything in there I'm going to use. I think it would be best to get both SHB and SoB, if possible.