Oldies but goodies: 1e/2e books you still use?

ColonelHardisson said:
Let's see, here are the older edition books that made the cut as source and inspiration for 3e...

* The Dungeon Master Design Kit - for the better part of 14 years (it was released in 1988) I thought nobody else even had this book. Probably the single most underrated D&D book ever.

* Creative Campaigning

* Campaign Sourcebook and Catacomb Guide

* World Builder's Guidebook

* Dungeon Builder's Guidebook

* Complete Book of Villains

* Castle Guide

* Monster Mythology

* Complete Book of Necromancers

* College of Wizardry - my favorite treatment of RPG wizards. A fantastic "wizard's school" resource

* Bastion of Faith - does for cleric what College of Wizardry did for wizards

* the 1e DMG - mostly for inspiration and those lists and charts.

Actually, I use most of those ('cept the castle guide [which I don't use much] and bastion of faith [which I don't have]), I was just trying to limit myself to the top 5. :)
 

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1e - Dragon #78, PH, DMG, MotP, OA
2e - Complete Guide to Psionics, Complete Guide to Rangers, Complete Guide to Elves

Generally use them for reference material in my world, although we do still play 1e and 2e, sometimes. I mostly use the 1e PH for psionics references, though.
 

I see I am not alone in listing the 1E DMG. I always have that book handy. The 3E DMG is just way too organized and full of rules that mesh with the rest of the system to be anywhere near the same caliber as the first. ;)

Seriously, the 1E DMG is full of useful tidbits, tables and all around inspiration and I have it handy at all times. Other then that, I'll have any number of B, X or 1E modules laying about.
 


Well, if we ever start up our Planescape game again, that's a good stack of books and boxed sets that will see some action again, along with the Complete Ninja's Handbook. The only thing cooler than a planeswalker is a planeswalking ninja. :p
 



All of the following by Bard Games, 1982:

The Compleat Alchemist: Contains an alchemist class I am currently converting into a PrC. Lots of fun and useful information.

The Compleat Adventurer: A quaint and charming piece of work that contains some nifty ideas for adventuring types. It has inspired numerous prestige classes I've created.

The Compleat Spell Caster: Contains four spellcasting classes, summoning rules, and a unique pantheon of demons and archdemons that I use in my campaign.

Truly remarkable books for their time. They capture the true spirit and meaning of role-playing. And the art is so utterly 1st Edition in its character and form.
 


Well, other than some choice issues of Dragon Magazine & Dungeon Magazine, here's what I still use:

*The Shady Dragon Inn (IIRC)---a basic D&D source full of pre-gen NPCs of all 7 classes, plus stats on some of the D&D figures (Strongheart, Warduke, & the like). Frequently use the map of the inn.

*1st ed. Deities & Demigods, w/ Cthulu & Melnibonean stats. More or less for inspiration.

*Lankhmar, City of Adventure (both 1st & 2nd Ed. versions). Has a few things which, unless they were familiar with the stories, are new for my players. Nehwonian ghouls have lost their edge (to a degree), but I'm thinking of bringing them over to 3E---maybe have a batch of them leading raiding parties of skeletons.

That's about it.
 

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