Rules Compendium - is it out yet?

[WayneLigon]

I saw it in Book-a-Million last night but didn't get a chance to really look at it then. I might go back tonight and see. I'm very interested in the designer notes and comments more than the actual rules themselves.

An interesting thing from reading those: Do you know why elves have immunity to paralysis? Because their original high-point-value Chainmail figures were getting whupped by low-cost undead and it was needed as a balancing tool, and so we've had that rule for 30+ years. Simply disgusting.

 

[Bagpuss]

Aren't most existing D&D rules combat and/or skill focused?

The "most important" ones anyway.

More importantly does it have an index?

 

[Ovistavin]

More importantly does it have an index?

From looking at the preview, the index is right next to the table of contents.

 

[Mistwell]

The more I read it, the more I like it.

I discovered on the first page (well technically page 5, but the first page of text) that my reach weapon wielding rogue can use a spiked gauntlet and be considered armed for AOOs within 5'. I suspected that was the case, but now they SAY that is the case. Makes me happy.

The Actions in Combat chart is almost worth the price of the book alone. SO many more actions listed there than the PHB.

I had no idea an aid another action could be for more than a +2 if I beat the DC by 10 and had 5 ranks in that skill. Makes sense, and makes two characters in the same party with the same skill at least somewhat more helpful.

It takes 1 round and a DC 10 disable device check to jam most locks? I didn't know that. It was probably in the PHB, but I never noticed until the rules were laid out in a way that presented that fact in a different manner.

I look forward to reading more of the book...

 

[Winterthorn]

As DM I am very pleased with this book. In fact one of my players picked up a copy specifically because the easily over-looked rules in the PH are spelled out up-to-date, quick to reference, and easy to read and follow in-game if questions arise. Now my players can more readily refresh their rules knowledge and thus optimize their PCs' actions in play!

I have been slowly amassing index cards with summarized rules for use while DMing a game. This book is really going to save me time and I can set aside many of the cards I planned to write-up!

Gonna luv the usefulness of this book during a game!