Tell me about Mongoose D20 Modern handbook

[Christopher Lambert]

I didn't hear about this product until I read this thread.

According to one respondent "please forgive me for being the bearer of bad news, but it sounds like you paid for something that WotC gives away for free on its website and validated an extremely cynical marketing ploy by a publisher of questionable value.

Ouch."

Does anyone have the product? Is it bad (eg nothing new)? How much does it cost?

 

[jaerdaph]

It's basically the Modern SRD in a nicely formatted, easy to carry around softcover book. It's $19.95 US. There's no rules for character creation or advancement though because those aren't in the Modern SRD.

Edit: It's basically a convenience item, nothing new. It's easier to carry around than the d20 Modern core rulebook. If you have a laptop and carry that around and use it when you game, you might be better off with just the Modern SRD or one of the myriad of nicely formatted ones for sale and for free.

It's also a good relatively inexpensive purchase for somebody who only wants to occasionally play (not GM) in a d20 Modern game.

WotC message boards aside: Sigh. Now I remember why I stopped going there... :\

 

[Sebastian Francis]

WotC message boards aside: Sigh. Now I remember why I stopped going there... :\

The horrible grammar and spelling alone on the WotC message boards makes my head spin. It's like a special forum for the severely autistic or something.

 

[jaerdaph]

The horrible grammar and spelling alone on the WotC message boards makes my head spin. It's like a special forum for the severely autistic or something.

I read somewhere once that the average age of WotC message board users is something like 13 or 14 (although that might have something to do with the Magic CCG fans). Now there's nothing wrong with being 13 or 14, but when you're over 40 like I am, it becomes hard to relate. (What the heck is a "G-Unit" anyway?)

What's really scary is the people I know who post there that are over 30 who actually spend time arguing with these kids. I once saw one of those self-appointed OGL IANAL lawyers tell a 14 year old kid he should consult a lawyer about what he can and can't include on his fan homebrew site. I mean, come on - reality check time! All I could think of was, "where does this guy get all his free time?"

 

[Christopher Lambert]

We could prove our supposed superiority to WotC by sticking to the topic.

I think.

 

[jaerdaph]

We could prove our supposed superiority to WotC by sticking to the topic.

You're right - sorry

 

[jezter6]

Just like the people who are willing to pay for PDF copies of the SRD. Anyone will stop at no chance to gobble up a buck when they see it.

Good riddens to poor publishers. Add mongoose to the 'death watch.' I say 2 years and they're as bankrupt as the rest.

Others call it 'enterprise,' I happen to call it thievery...sophisticated, but theft all the same. It's like the companies that scam businesses by selling them overpriced printer toner, then putting them on a 'schedule' to receive 3 or 4 a month. It's kinda legal since you were dumb enough to buy it, but it's definately a scam. This kind of stuff is the same thing.

 

[JoeCrow]

I wouldn't say that. I've purchased a pdf version of the SRD from CMG, and am quite happy with the product. Yeah, I have the free version in rtf format, but the CMG SRD is better organized and extensively bookmarked, and thus is much easier to use than the raw rtf files. Also, the separate spell list booklets for the individual classes is really handy. When they get around to doing the Modern SRD, I'll buy that too. You might not have the same gaming needs I do, but that doesn't mean that the companies catering to my needs are "ripping me off".

As for Mongoose's SRD handbooks, if I had more money I'd probably go for them. The size factor alone makes them a useful product. Also, if WOTC ever gets out of the DnD business or alters the d20 license to a point that starts to drive the 3rd party publishers away, there'll still be core books for the system on the shelves. I can't see any way that Mongoose's products could be seen as a scam or theft. They're exactly what they claim to be, alternate handbooks, in a handier size and shape. And, given Mongoose's sales and licensing deals, I can't see them getting shut out of the business anytime soon.

 

[Krieg]

Edit: It's basically a convenience item, nothing new. It's easier to carry around than the d20 Modern core rulebook.

That is the rub of it. If you want a pocket sized paperback of the rules and feel that $20 is a fair price, then have at it.

You should note that vitriol aside, some of the information being thrown about on the WoTC is blatantly incorrect.

The Pocket Player's & GM's Handbooks do not contain any D20 Modern rules and are not in any required for use with the Pocket Modern Handbok. They are the equivalents of the PHB & DMG in stripped down form.

The Pocket D20 Modern book contain all of the D20 Modern rules minus stat generation & XP tables.

It's kinda legal since you were dumb enough to buy it, but it's definately a scam. This kind of stuff is the same thing.

This is complete and utter BS. They packages the D20 Modern SRD in a format that will appeal to some players at a price they would be unable to obtain it in otherwise. It will also appeal to that (very) small section of gamers who like D20 but refuse to purchase anything from WoTC. That is hardly a scam.

Furthermore, feel free to keep a civil tongue. Insulting the original poster is far more reflective of yourself than him.

Back to the subject at hand, I find it interesting that Mongoose is now offering "pocket" versions of their Babylon 5 & Conan games. It will be interesting to see if there is a market for those compared to the much higher priced (and likely much prettier) hardback versions.

Anyone know if GOO's stingy gamers book is still doing well?

 

[jaerdaph]

Good riddens to poor publishers.

That would be "good riddance", but thanks for playing and helping to prove my point.