Official Books vs Unofficial: Your group's standard is?

[JoeGKushner]

Let me start by saying that I don't think all of WoTC books are the greatest or that they're flawless. There are many third party books that I use in my games ranging from the classes and alternative magic system in Arcana Evolved to fiends from Green Ronin's Book of Fiends.

Having said that, most of the groups I play in, only use official material and treat all third party products as if they were the scum of the earth and only allow it in after time consuming and careful deliberations. Something that many of the WoTC books could use in my opinion as far as opening a grab bag of options.

How about your groups? Do they generally stick with the official products or go with the underdog?

 

[Crothian]

I allow everything but my players mostly stick with Wizard books.

 

[painandgreed]

We'd use 3rd party settings and probably allow 3rd party classes, spells, and magic items that were associated with such a setting when playing in it, but no 3rd party books that just dealt with classes, spells, or magic items.

 

[Rodrigo Istalindir]

It's not so much WotC being some gold standard as it is that they are *a* standard. Being the only one to spend a great deal of time keeping up with stuff, it pretty much isn't going to get introduced unless I do it.

 

[Finster]

We have no "trusted" publishers (including WotC), but optional material is welcome after careful consideration.

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

I haven't cracked open a WotC book during game play in months. I guess I'm all about the underdog. Works for me.

 

[Fighter1]

We only use selected WoTC material; except for the core books all classes, feats, optinal rules, etc. are considered on a case by case basis.

We have not introduced anything outside WoTC with the exception of the book "A Magical Medieval Society: Western Europe" which was accepted by all (hands down) as the sourcebook for building towns and such. But then again WoTC has nothing to compare to it really; at least in 3.5 (but they would ahve a tough time matching this wondrous book!).

Other than that no one really brought anything in to be looked at outside WoTC products. Several of us do own other publishers stuff but use it mostly for ideas to use WoTC material in new ways. In any event there are really only a few publishers IMO that would warrant any large scale introductions into the game; if we chose to go that route (as of yet we have not).

 

[JustKim]

I'll take a look at anything, if it seems balanced with a particular character and in setting I'll allow it. I will look more closely at anything from a third party, and something from the internet or homemade doubly so, but I've allowed all of these in the past. I did have a standing ban on Mongoose products during the early Quintessential period when every book was a dozen different kit-like additions to your character, but that's since been lifted because people seem to have more sense than to ask for things like that.

 

[The Shaman]

Third-party material? C'mon down!

For our Modern games I use material from Wizards of the Coast, The Game Mechanics, Green Ronin, Alternate Realities, Adamant, AEG, RPGObjects, and Dog House Rules.

 

[Olaf the Stout]

Being from Australia, I think that most 3rd party publishers don't have much visibility in the market. Therefore I (as the DM) own a lot of 3rd party products while the players have only Wizards products. I allow most 3rd party products into my game but its still on a case by case basis. The players can't just rock up and expect to use whatever they want.

Olaf the Stout