the Jester
Legend
I homebrew, but I like having a good setting book for inspiration. For instance, the Eberron book has really changed the way I do wilderness maps. 
settings, support and your buying dollar!
- Thread starter Spell
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thalmin
Retired game store owner
If a published setting is to be of much use to me, it needs some support.
I am currently (for the past 15 years or so) running my own homebrew, but I am now taking a hard look at Green Ronin's Thieves' World.
I am currently (for the past 15 years or so) running my own homebrew, but I am now taking a hard look at Green Ronin's Thieves' World.
I chose option 4, so here's my explanation.
I don't buy many fantasy settings. I have the D&D Gazzetteer (for Greyhawk) and the Living Greyhawk Gazzetteer. That prompted me to buy the OOP Greyhawk, The Legend Begins 2e book (I think that's the title). Otherwise I don't have a fantasy D&D setting that I've kept. For example, I had Skull & Bones, but I left off my Pirate D&D game after running Green Ronin's free adventure plus a couple of conversions. My thinking is that the core D&D d20 rules get fantasy done right, so a setting that adds a bunch of new classes, races or other rules isn't compelling to me.
But, I do like other non-fantasy settings: Omega World, Judge Dredd & DragonStar. Adventure support is critical for me. And the need for modules increases as the new rules presented increases. I like the Horizons line, but I only ran Spellslinger as a mini-campaign with a few converted Dungeon adventures. I'll probably never run the others because it's just too much work.
I really like the concept of Ancient Kingdoms: Mesopotamia. It's a setting sourcebook and adventure module in one. I wouldn't even use most of the new rules presented and run it closer to a core D&D game if I ever do run it. Last Hero in Scandinavia is another module with great setting flavor. These are the ideal products for me.
As another example, I only picked up Grim Tales after buying Slavelords of Cydonia. I'll probably not run it as it is a little too complex, but my interest in the setting/rules book was only pormpted by the adventure/module book.
A setting presented without adventures just isn't appealing to me. Ideally, the advenutres are the setting; but that model is rare.
I don't buy many fantasy settings. I have the D&D Gazzetteer (for Greyhawk) and the Living Greyhawk Gazzetteer. That prompted me to buy the OOP Greyhawk, The Legend Begins 2e book (I think that's the title). Otherwise I don't have a fantasy D&D setting that I've kept. For example, I had Skull & Bones, but I left off my Pirate D&D game after running Green Ronin's free adventure plus a couple of conversions. My thinking is that the core D&D d20 rules get fantasy done right, so a setting that adds a bunch of new classes, races or other rules isn't compelling to me.
But, I do like other non-fantasy settings: Omega World, Judge Dredd & DragonStar. Adventure support is critical for me. And the need for modules increases as the new rules presented increases. I like the Horizons line, but I only ran Spellslinger as a mini-campaign with a few converted Dungeon adventures. I'll probably never run the others because it's just too much work.
I really like the concept of Ancient Kingdoms: Mesopotamia. It's a setting sourcebook and adventure module in one. I wouldn't even use most of the new rules presented and run it closer to a core D&D game if I ever do run it. Last Hero in Scandinavia is another module with great setting flavor. These are the ideal products for me.
As another example, I only picked up Grim Tales after buying Slavelords of Cydonia. I'll probably not run it as it is a little too complex, but my interest in the setting/rules book was only pormpted by the adventure/module book.
A setting presented without adventures just isn't appealing to me. Ideally, the advenutres are the setting; but that model is rare.
TheGM
First Post
I play all homebrew, but I buy a lot of settings. I read them for the same basic reasons I read fantasy novels - inspiration and exposure to new ideas.
Since people started talking modules, I'll add that I like a good story, just don't tie it to your silly world or add-on rules and I might even run it if I'm between my own adventures.
Since people started talking modules, I'll add that I like a good story, just don't tie it to your silly world or add-on rules and I might even run it if I'm between my own adventures.
The Lost Muse
First Post
I bought several campaign settings, but ended up either shelving them, or selling them on E-Bay. Why? I like homebrew better.
Since Oathbound is my favorite setting and it can adopt pretty much anything into itself, I buy other settings for ideas (and the occasional rule). Morningstar, IK, Midnight and H:RoE all have been stripped of ideas to incorporate.
The only exception is Brontosaurus Rex. I could incorporate much of it, but I just want to leave it as a seperate setting. I think of it as one of the most overlooked settings in print, which is a shame.
The only exception is Brontosaurus Rex. I could incorporate much of it, but I just want to leave it as a seperate setting. I think of it as one of the most overlooked settings in print, which is a shame.
twofalls
DM Beadle
I'm approaching my middle years and can afford to buy the books that interest me, so I do. Forgotten Realms has always been a Favorite, so I buy all the books. Kalamar is an excellent game system, so I buy that setting, Gamma World while not an excellent rewrite this time around is my all time fav game so all that is on the shelf. Midnight, Scarred Lands, RIFTS, and MERP are some of the other campaign and game systems that I purchase everything for. Like Thanee said, I don't "need" all these books, but they are fun to read and I use the ideas in my games. I'm very much enjoying this "golden age" of the RPG.
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