The new D20 Canon

Canon

This was a reoccuring discussion on the usenet rec.games.fantasy.dnd group.

Canon--basically a rod or ruler by which to measure something else.

Canon [for game mechanics] is what is core to the game. That said, SRD is core. Everything else is optional until there is a system by which the non-wotc group can add to the SRD. Which probably won't happen.

Since changing the SRD can only come from the company that owns it, it seems to me that adding anything other than what is there now to be rather, well, biased. Will WotC add anything to the core that is 3rd party? Probably not. Does it need to? Probably not. SRD is a fine document as it stands, even sans psionics.

So, with that, I think Relics and Rituals is a nice addition to the list of "What is popular beyond the SRD?" I know many people who have a copy, even if most rarely use it.

I would be wary of adding Malhavoc stuff to the list of core, even if they are popular. I can honestly say that there are many in the South Chicago area that have not even heard of Monte's contributions, which is a shame.

[Funny, I find this conversation to be very similar to a discussion on the canonization process of the Christian scriptures]
 
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My 10 (beyond the core, which I'm assuming psionics is a part of):

Eldritch Might II

If Thoughts Could Kill

Traps and Treachery

Path of the Sword (needed a good ranger replacement, got 2... this is everything Sword and Fist should have been)

Oriental Adventures

Forgotten Realms

Magic of Faerun (just ignore the Incantatrix and Spellfire stuff)

Monsternomicon (I just picked it up today but... dang)

4 Color to Fantasy (I don't like giving out many magic items... hello hero points)

10 is a toss-up between two books each worth it for just a couple things: Quint. Rogue had the new uses for old skills and how to jury rig traps, and Rokugan had the Courtier

Honorable mentions for non-rules supplement:
The Counter Collections. Hands down the best purchase I've made outside the core books.

Haven't bought yet but may rock: Traps and Treachery II

Best spinoff game: Pulp Heroes

Best other d20 game: Star Wars Revised, Power of the Jedi, Dark Side Sourcebook
 

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