PHB2 vs. Arcana Evolved

[Ulric]

I don't own either of these books, and am considering buying them. Tell me your opinions about both of them....how are they the same, how do they differ? Which do you like better etc...

 

[Crothian]

PHB2 is a book made to enhance the PHB. AE is a book written to replace the PHB. AE is more creative but PHB2 is easier to use.

 

[I'm A Banana]

They're not really the same....uhm....at all.

AE will be good if you want to try something different in D&D. It gives you new ways of doing old things, and few new things you never could do before.

PHBII will be good if you want to perfect your existing D&D. It gives you new things to do, and things that can help fix the way things were before.

 

[Stalker0]

AE is a much bigger change than the phb II. It gives new classes, new feats, a new magic system, new races, ...etc. If you want to play a different kind of dnd, go for this.

The phb II just gives you more of what you already have. More feats, more classes, etc. They are designed to be put together with current 3.5 material, AE replaces all of that.

 

[EyeontheMountain]

The main reason I do not use the AE is that it really comes with a lot of baggage, world wise. Races and classes all have interconnections with the setting, and some of those may be ahrd to put into a standard Grey, FR, EB game.

If you are playng a standard world, I would heartily recommend PHBII, one of my favorite books. If you are making up a homebrew, AE has lots of great ideas.

 

[Olaf the Stout]

I'd agree with what has been posted so far. They are 2 very different books. Pick PHB II if you want to give more options to the core classes. Pick Arcana Evolved if you want a slightly different version of D&D.

Olaf the Stout

 

[greywulf]

Yep, two very different, but good, books.

PHBII presents options that are consistent with D&D's stock feel and style. If that's what you want, great. There's high points (the new feats and the Duskblade) and lows (Beguiler), but overall it's typical WoTC fair done well.

On the other hand, Arcana Evolved takes the game in very different directions in campaign-changing ways. Again, if that's what you want, great too. It's a more mind-blowing book, and even if you don't buy into the Diamond Throne campaign setting there's tons of goodies to borrow. The improved Vancian-ish magic system alone is worth price of entry. We're going to use AE a lot in my Ptolus campaign (starting next week!).

If I had to choose between the two myself, I'd grab Arcana Evolved first, but each to their own

 

[Psion]

The classes in AE are well written and well conceived. The classes in PHBII weren't.

Of course, AE is its own D20 variant with a whole new magic system, whereas PHBII is written for straight D&D.

That said, I think PHBII is a fairly useful player option resource for high level fighter types.

 

[Nightfall]

What Psion said, except that Mageblade is way cooler than Duskblade.

If you're using a regular D&D game, with mostly core books, PHB II is the one for you.

If you like something different, AE is the way to go.

 

[BryonD]

The main reason I do not use the AE is that it really comes with a lot of baggage, world wise. Races and classes all have interconnections with the setting, and some of those may be ahrd to put into a standard Grey, FR, EB game.

Yeah, I agree with this statement.
There is a lot of good stuff in AE. I've stolen and race and three classes.
But PHBII fits better in straight D&D and has more pieces *I* would use.
And take Psion's class comment with a grain of salt. Remember, he has made it clear that he is predisposed against new classes. So they start out two strikes down. ( No offense, of course, Psion)