requiring players to buy books

[GlassJaw]

I've always found this to be a touchy topic. If I have a new player joining my game, I usually don't have a problem with requiring them to have a PHB. But beyond that, how do you handle book-buying in your group?

For example, let's say you want to run a campaign that has its own book and contained within that book is a lot of material that the players need to have (Ex. Eberron, Grim Tales, Conan, etc). Photocopying is out of the question because there's just too much info. Let's say that there are also new classes, races, feats, and combat options and the book is needed for character creation. Having one group book would just slow down the start of the campaign as well as actual gameplay itself.

You, the DM/GM, would really like everyone at the table to have said book. Anyone have any ideas? What if money is tight for some players and not an issue for others?

 

[Crothian]

I'd encourage them to buy the book. If price was really an issue I'd go on line and find the cheapest price. Most people can actually afford books, they just choose to spend their money elsewhere. So requiring they spend some money isn't out of the question. Just suggest they eat a little less of a few days.

 

[Turanil]

Glassjaw, if I remember well, you are planning a Grim Tales campaign, don't you? So do I, and so do I have this problem. So far, only one player bought the book. So, I did a word document to help the other players make their GT character without having to buy the book or put their greasy fingers on mine during game sessions. If you ever need this document, just ask. However, this isn't full GT in word! It's just the OGL part of class creation; for everything else, players are required to have at least their D&D PHB.

 

[fett527]

Just make sure everyone is on board. Don't want to alienate anyone. Run the game the players want to play.

 

[MerakSpielman]

I require my players either have a copy of the PHB or access to the SRD outside of the game so they can properly update their character sheets. During the game, I heartily recommend them owning their own copy so they can look up rules and spells during the game.

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

As long as there is are two copies of the main PHB book, so two people can access the book at the same time, I'm fine. Both copies just float around the table and all is cool.

 

[KB9JMQ]

I like all the players to have a PHB at least just because it cuts down on waiting for one person to finish looking up something while another person is waiting for the book.
Also if a person wants something from a book that I do not have (not likely ) then they can buy it and I will read the relevant parts that I need to know.
But in my case the only book I didnt have that my players wanted something from they bought for me (XPH) so that was cool.

 

[JoeGKushner]

Tough call.

In one game, only a few people had the Conan book but it worked out okay.

In another, with the Black Company, everyone bought a copy except one guy who feels I've burned him too many times by running games up to say 1st-10th level and stopping. "No way man, if we get past 10th level, I'll pick it up."

Fortunatly for me, Slavelords of Cydonia is a 1st-20th level epic adventure.

 

[Tzarevitch]

Honestly, it is not likely that the player needs the whole book. I have never played in a campaign where the player needed the entire setting book. If he is using background information or rules from a book, then he should be required to have a copy of those rules. I do not think that he needs the whole thing though. I would however require him to have copies of the rules he plans on using and stuff relating to his character background. It is not fair to expect the DM to have to find those things himself during the game when they involve a PC. For example, if a player is in an Eberron game and he is playing an artificer, he should have a copy of all the rules on artificers and all of the infusions that he wants to use. He may also reasonably be expected to have a little information at hand about the land from whence his character hails (especially if the character has Knowledge (local)).

I had a DM way back in 2e who required wizards to mantain real spellbooks. The player had to have a little card file with the write up of all the spells he knew. That way there would be no fishing around for precise wording of spell effects. I have also played in games where every player maintained a card catalogue with the important information on each of his magic items for easy reference. It is not a hard thing to do and I don't think it is unreasonable to require it.

In short, I don't think it is unreasonable to require a player to actually have copies of special rules or setting information that he is expecting to use or expected to use. I do think it is unreasonable to acquire the whole book. Let him get copies of the information he needs however he chooses to get it. If he wants to hand-copy it, that is fine, so long as he can read it and he can access it when it is needed.

Tzarevitch

 

[billd91]

I wouldn't require eveyone to shell out money for the book, though I'd encourage it. Having 2 or 3 around for the players should be enough, especially with things like the SRD around. Some of my players have printed out the pages on the spells their characters use so they have them for easy reference.

I have a difficult time requiring someone to set their expenditures based on mine and the game I want to run.