Sell me on Wizards books published since Complete Divine


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blargney the second said:
My favourite recent additions to the game have been Player's Handbook II, Book of Nine Swords, and Magic Item Compendium.
Add Complete Scoundrel to that list. Skill tricks are great and it helps to un-nerf some classes like the Swashbuckler and Scout due to the cross-class stacking feats.
 

I would say it depends on your "power-level" that you enjoy.

High-Power:
If you like high powered characters have ultimate cheese - then I'd go with the Magic Item Compendium, ToB: Book of Nine Swords, and Spell Compendium. There's nothing wrong with these books if you like that kind of play style - these books tend to ramp up the power level fairly well. I don't have any of them in my library, though. That isn't an insult to them, just an endorsement to check out the books and make sure the feel is for you. [I'd make that comment about any book you plan on buying, though.]

Average Power:
If you like a game based more on realism and little cheese - then I'd go with Player's Handbook II, Complete Adventurer, and Complete Arcane. The PHB II has really great alternate class feature ideas as well as a few neat base classes (I like them all but the knight, personally - although many will like the knight but not the dragon shaman, too). Complete Arcane has a neat base class (Warlock) that seems unbalanced at first until you realize it can (but not always has to) be a one-trick pony. It also has a few neat takes on prestige classes if that kind of thing is your boat. Complete Adventurer also has a few nice base classes (all three have merit) and some good prestige classes.

Others Non-Setting Specific books:
Complete Mage
Personally, I've had fun with Complete Mage as a DM - there are some good ideas in there. However, Complete Arcane is pretty much a must-have in order to use this book effectively, so I didn't put it with the others since it needs more than CORE to play. A warning, though. Reserve feats can make spellcaster even more powerful, depending on the ones that they choose. Reserve feats to push the envelope in terms of power and might be considered within the range of ToB:B09S.

Complete Scoundrel
Many people thought that Complete Scoundrel was the bomb when it came out, but I personally found Skill Tricks to add a level of complexity to the game that simply didn't give the amount of rewards required for the inclusion of the new rules. YMMV, of course, and if you are the person who loves to add every and all new rule system, check them out for yourself. I also didn't care for many of the feats in the book. They didn't fit well within my campaigns. Again, YMMV, so check them out for yourself.

Expanded Psionics Handbook:
This book technically came out a month before Complete Divine, so I assumed that you were already aware of it. If not, I would add this to my "Average Power" recommendations above. I have this book and love it. The "Powerpoint" system is so much more noobie friendly and the available powers are much more limited than vancian magic that it makes a great concept to use as an introduction to D&D. I also like the flavor of internal powers in juxstaposition to the study of wizards. It can leave sorcerers a bit out in the cold, but that's why you pick up Complete Arcane and use a warlock! [Just kidding. I still occasionally play a sorcerer.]

Complete Psionics:
Meh. I was juiced about the printing of this book and went to the store money in hand. I love psionics and would've paid happily for even an average product. I went home with my money in hand. If nothing else, the editing of the book would have made me embarrassed to put in on my shelf. Texts often don't match tables, references were left blank or in pre-edit form, and some of the lists are missing significant pieces of information. Add that to the fact that I thought the base classes were not worth the added complexity and the prestige classes were all straight vanilla (except for the soulbow - that one was at least conceptually useful). Not worth it, but as I've said above - YMMV so check it out for yourself.

Dragon Magic:
I was also juiced when last year was declared by WotC to be the year of the Dragon and anticipated this book all year. I was not dissappointed, but I love all things dragon - so take my approval of this book with a grain of salt. I liked the new base class (Dragon Adept). The Prestige Classes look pretty fun, too. The draconic alternate class features are a fun read and the feats are useable. Plus - as an added bonus they give the warlock some love with a few more invocations and those with auras some love with a few new auras. If you ever think of running a dragon-themed campaign, This book should be on your list right after Draconomicon. I didn't put this up in my "Average Power" section because not everyone likes dragons.
 
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Well, your mileage may vary

but these are my recommendations, all of which came after Complete Divine, I think . . .

"Magic of Incarnum": a highly underrated and well balanced book. Not a perfect book by any means (the races are just okay and some don't like the visual aspect of the soulmelds), but it's just loaded with ideas and cool powers. I prefer it to the ExPsH.

"Tome of Magic": I'm a sucker for new magical styles, and this one gives you three. Truespeech relies a bit much at the higher levels on a certain magic item, so I recommend reading the threads about it, but Shadow Magic and especially Pact Magic have seen extensive use by my villains, much to the consternation of my players. I'm very satisfied with this one.

If new magic systems aren't your thing, you'll still definitely want to check out . . .

"Player's Handbook II"
"Spell Compendium"
"Magic Item Compendium"

This should go without saying, but whatever you do, don't allow anything from any of those books unless you've already read and understood their mechanics.

I've also really enjoyed the "Tome of Battle: Book of Nine Swords," but I haven't playtested it yet. It does seem like it would be harder to incorporate into a standard fantasy campaign, but if you run Oriental Adventures or your setting has an Anime or otherwise "eastern" flavor to it, it might be just what your poor fighter types have been asking for.
 

Here's a list of everything since Complete Divine. I like the ones in red
Title Type
Expedition to the Demonweb Pits Adventure
Fantastic Locations: City of Peril Accessory
Eyes of the Lich Queen Adventure
Dragons of Time Anthology
Unclean Novel
Shadow's Witness Novel
Bound by Iron Novel
Dungeons & Dragons Deluxe Dice Accessory
Cormyr: The Tearing of the Weave Accessory
Magic Item Compendium Accessory
Passage to Dawn (Hardcover) Novel
Depths of Madness Novel
Great White Wyrm, The Novel
Forge of the Mind Slayers Novel
Ebony Eye, The Novel
Unhallowed Booster Pack Accessory
D&D Dungeon Tiles III: Hidden Crypts Accessory
Barrow of the Forgotten King Adventure
Dungeonscape Accessory
Secrets of Sarlona Accessory
Sacrifice of the Widow Novel
Halls of Stormweather, The Anthology
Flight of the Dying Sun Novel
Complete Scoundrel Accessory
D&D Icons Gargantuan Blue Dragon Accessory
The Hunter's Blades Collector's Edition Novel
Crystal Shard, The (Paperback) Novel
Measure and the Truth, The Novel
Pillar of Flame Novel
Fiendish Codex II: Tyrants of the Nine Hells Accessory
Fantastic Locations: The Frostfell Rift Accessory
Shattered Gates of Slaughtergarde, The Adventure
Frostfell Novel
Room of the Eyes Novel
Killing Song, The Novel
Warrior’s Heart Novel
Scourge of the Howling Horde Adventure
Cityscape Accessory
Dragonmarked Accessory
Blood War Booster Pack Accessory
Shadowbred Novel
Amber and Iron (Paperback) Novel
Gates of Night, The Novel
Siege of Darkness (Hardcover) Novel
D&D Dungeon Tiles II: Arcane Corridors Accessory
D&D Chess Set Accessory
Special Edition Monster Manual Core Game Product
Complete Mage Accessory
Expedition to Castle Ravenloft Adventure
Alliances Novel
Queen of Death, The Novel
Realm of the Rakshasas Novel
Practical Guide to Dragons, A Novel
Road of the Patriarch Novel
Dragonlance Chronicles Special Collector's Edition Novel
D&D Basic Game Accessory
Three-Dragon Ante Accessory
D&D Icons Colossal Red Dragon Accessory
Dragon Magic Accessory
Twilight Tomb, The Adventure
Faiths of Eberron Accessory
Promise of the Witch-King (Paperback) Novel
R.A. Salvatore's War of the Spider Queen Gift Set, Books 1-3 Novel
R.A. Salvatore's War of the Spider Queen Gift Set, Books 4-6 Novel
Darkvision Novel
Lies of Light Novel
Blood and Honor Novel
Wayward Wizard, The Novel
Swords of Eveningstar Novel
Alien Sea, The Novel
Tome of Battle: The Book of Nine Swords Accessory
Dragons of Faerûn Accessory
D&D Icons Gargantuan Black Dragon Accessory
Dragons Revealed, The Novel
D&D Dungeon Tiles Accessory
Dragons of the Dwarven Depths Novel
Starless Night Novel
Monster Manual IV Accessory
Secrets of Xen’drik Accessory
In the Claws of the Tiger Novel
Blackstaff Novel
Bloodwalk Novel
Fantastic Locations: Dragondown Grotto Adventure
War of the Dragon Queen Huge Pack Accessory
City of Fortune Novel
Dungeons & Dragons Player’s Kit Accessory
Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss Accessory
Mysteries of the Moonsea Accessory
Final Gate Novel
Sojourn (Paperback) Novel
Crown and the Sword, The Novel
Voyage of the Mourning Dawn Novel
Dragons: Worlds Afire Anthology
Prophecy of the Dragons Novel
Player's Handbook II Accessory
Ruin, The Novel
City of Splendors, The: A Waterdeep Novel Novel
Thieves of Blood Novel
Wizard's Return Novel
Bladesinger Novel
Legacy, The (Hardcover) Novel
Trail of the Black Wyrm Novel
Mark of the Yuan-Ti Novel
Tales of the Last War, The Anthology
Complete Psionic Accessory
Fantastic Locations: Fields of Ruin Adventure
Voyage of the Golden Dragon Adventure
Vanity's Brood Novel
Exile (Paperback) Novel
Empire of Blood (Paperback) Novel
Crystal Chalice, The Novel
Grieving Tree, The Novel
Tome of Magic: Pact, Shadow, and Truename Magic Accessory
Power of Faerûn Accessory
D&D Miniatures Game Starter Set Accessory
War Drums Booster Pack Accessory
Amber and Iron Novel
Realms of the Elves Anthology
Resurrection (Paperback) Novel
Mystery of the Wizard's Tomb Novel
Shattered Land, The Novel
Thirty Years of Adventure: A Celebration of Dungeons & Dragons Anthology
Red Hand of Doom Adventure
Son of Thunder Novel
Saving Solace Novel
Road to Death Novel
Wizard's Betrayal Novel
Races of the Dragon Accessory
Player's Guide to Eberron Accessory
Spell Compendium Accessory
Homeland (Paperback) Novel
Ghostwalker Novel
War of the Lance Anthology
Curse of the Lost Grove Novel
Halfling's Gem, The (Hardcover) Novel
Fantastic Locations: Hellspike Prison Accessory
Champions of Valor Accessory
Underdark Booster Pack Accessory
Midnight's Mask Novel
Whisper of Waves Novel
Crown of Thieves Novel
D&D Bumper Stickers Accessory
Promise of the Witch-King Novel
Heroes of Horror Accessory
Magic of Eberron Accessory
Titan of Twilight, The Novel
Sanctuary Novel
Cataclysm, The Anthology
Orb of Xoriat, The Novel
Key to the Griffon's Lair Novel
Promise of the Witch-King Novel
Special Edition Dungeon Master's Guide Core Game Product
D&D Races Gift Set Core Game Product
Paths of Darkness Collector's Edition Novel
Sons of Gruumsh Adventure
Magic of Incarnum Accessory
Fantastic Locations: Fane of the Drow Accessory
Master of Chains Novel
Two Swords, The (Paperback) Novel
Queen of the Depths Novel
Starlight & Shadows Gift Set Novel
Reign of Istar, The Anthology
The Elven Nations Trilogy Gift Set Novel
Wizard's Curse Novel
Annotated Legends, The (Trade Paperback) Anthology
Stormwrack Accessory
Explorer’s Handbook Accessory
Deluxe Eberron Player Character Sheets Accessory
Emerald Scepter, The Novel
City of Splendors, The: A Waterdeep Novel Novel
Annihilation (Paperback) Novel
Binding Stone, The Novel
Silver Spell, The Novel
Weapons of Legacy Accessory
Five Nations Accessory
Angelfire Booster Pack Accessory
Deluxe Eberron Dungeon Master’s Screen Accessory
Dragon Spell Novel
Streams of Silver (Hardcover) Novel
Farthest Reach Novel
Amber and Ashes (Paperback) Novel
Giant Among Us, The Novel
Best of the Realms, Book II: The Stories of Ed Greenwood, The Anthology
Dungeon Master’s Guide II Accessory
City of Splendors: Waterdeep Accessory
Maiden of Pain Novel
Elminster's Daughter (Paperback) Novel
Hidden Dragon Novel
Servant of the Shard Novel
Love and War Anthology
Champions of Ruin Accessory
Heroes of Battle Accessory
Empire of Blood (Hardcover) Novel
Crimson Talisman, The Novel
Ogre's Pact, The Novel
Realms of the Dragons II Anthology
Dragon Knight Novel
Blades of the Tiger Novel
Dagger of Doom Novel
Kender, Gully Dwarves, and Gnomes Anthology
Tides of Blood (Paperback) Novel
Resurrection Novel
Hand of Fire (Paperback) Novel
Lords of Madness: The Book of Aberrations Accessory
Races of Eberron Accessory
Dungeons & Dragons For Dummies Accessory
Crystal Shard, The (Hardcover) Novel
Viper’s Kiss Novel
Crown of Fire (Paperback) Novel
Dragon Day Novel
Sandstorm Accessory
Lord of the Rose Novel
Deathknell Expansion Pack Accessory
Marked for Death Novel
Races of the Wild Accessory
Figure in the Frost Novel
Magic of Krynn, The Anthology
Spellfire (Paperback) Novel
Return of the Exile Novel
Lost Empires of Faerûn Accessory
City of Towers, The Novel
Extinction (Paperback) Novel
Silverfall Novel
Dragon Sword Novel
Rite, The Novel
Complete Adventurer Accessory
Grasp of the Emerald Claw Adventure
Map Folio 3-D Accessory
Sojourn (Hardcover) Novel
Mistress of the Night Novel
Qualinesti, The Novel
Hero's Justice, A Novel
Darkwell Novel
Galen Beknighted Novel
Eye of Fortune Novel
Races of Destiny Accessory
Sharn: City of Towers Accessory
Complete Arcane Accessory
Test of the Twins (Hardcover) Novel
Kinslayer Wars, The Novel
Black Wizards Novel
Ruby Guardian, The Novel
Return of the Sorceress Novel
Dragons in the Archives: The Best of Weis & Hickman Novel
Two Swords, The (Hardcover) Novel
Special Edition Player's Handbook Core Game Product
Libris Mortis: The Book of Undead Accessory
Shining South Accessory
Thirty Years of Adventure: A Celebration of Dungeons & Dragons Novel
Lake of Death, The Novel
Firstborn Novel
Darkwalker on Moonshae Novel
Realms of the Dragons Anthology
D&D Miniatures Starter Set Accessory
Aberrations Booster Pack Accessory
Sign of the Shapeshifter Novel
Dungeons & Dragons Dice Accessory
Frostburn Accessory
Monster Manual III Accessory
Whispers of the Vampire's Blade Adventure
Dragon Well, The Novel
Flight of the Fallen Novel
Paths of Darkness Gift Set Novel
Amber and Ashes Novel
Map Folio Two Accessory
Riddle in Stone Novel
Forsaken House Novel
Gates of Thorbardin, The Novel
Races of Stone Accessory
Annihilation (Hardcover) Novel
Planar Handbook Accessory
Serpent Kingdoms Accessory
Temple of the Dragonslayer Novel
Dying Kingdom, The Novel
Lady of Poison Novel
Wizards' Conclave Novel
Kaz the Minotaur Novel
Shadows of the Last War Adventure
War of the Twins (Hardcover) Novel
Exile (Hardcover) Novel
Secret of the Spiritkeeper Novel
Dawn of Night Novel
Lone Drow, The (Paperback) Novel
Prisoner of Haven Novel
Giants of Legend Huge Pack Accessory
Eberron Campaign Setting Accessory
Elminster's Daughter (Hardcover) Novel
 


Lot's of people are saying PHBII and to be honest I've barely even considered that as an option but know very little about it.

Why should I be looking at it?
 

PHB II. Great feats, classes and alternate class features.
Book of 9 Swords. Fighting classes with maneuvers that play somewhat like spells.

((Both of these help bring fighting characters more in line with casters at higher levels; if you haven't found casters to dominate at higher levels, they may appear too strong.))

Complete Arcane. The Warlock is a great class, and a lot of the other stuff is quite good, too.
Magic of Incarnum. I don't care for the flavor, but the mechanics are quite good; lose the glowy bits, keep their rules. ;)
Lords of Madness. I'm biased - I like aberrations.
 

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