To buy PHB now, or not to buy?

[Quasqueton]

One of the players in my newly forming group hasn't played D&D3 yet. That's not a problem in itself, as he is apparently an experienced RPGer, and willing to learn the game. But he doesn't have a PHB. He said in an e-mail today that he'll buy one this week.

Here is the delimma:

Since the revised books are coming out in 4 months, and we may (probably) update our game to 3.5 soon after that, should I advise him to not buy the PHB right now? Since he is unfamiliar with D&D3, he needs the rulebook to read and get up to speed for the campaign. And as our newly forming group is mostly complete strangers to each other right now, loaning probably isn't a comfortable idea.

I intend to warn him about the pending update (if he doesn't already know) because not saying so would be rather rude. But that leaves him with decisions:

Buy now, learn now, play now, then buy again -- somewhat expensive for the player.

Not buy now, learn during play, then buy later -- cumbersome for a newly forming group.

Not buy now, not learn now, not play now, buy later, maybe play later -- no fun for the player now.

What to do? What should I advise him?

Quasqueton

 

[Sagan Darkside]

Not buy now, learn during play, then buy later -- cumbersome for a newly forming group.

Go this route and loan him your PH- you could always work off the SRD for a couple of weeks while he reads through it. After that you could just share it until the new book comes out.

SD

 

[Bagpuss]

Depends, our group of 6 including the DM seems to get on well enough with two copies of the PHB between us.

The Cleric keeps hold of one for spells, the DM (me) has the other and I've printed out the spells that the sorerer and ranger know. Once you know the basics all you need the PHB for is spells and when you level.

One of my other players was thinking about buying the PHB, I've advised him not to until the new edition comes out then he can either get that or probably pick up a cheap 3.0 copy.

 

[MarauderX]

STOP!!

WAIT! DON'T DO IT!!!

It doesn't sound like you are a collector, so I would say if you reeeeaaallly need one, look around on ebay for a while and you might be able to snatch one up for about half the price. Granted it's probably been used, but you won't feel so bad about it when you buy the 3.5.

 

[Airwolf]

I agree with Sagan Darkside lend him your PH and use the SRD for a bit. During the games, the PH will always be available for you to look stuff up if you need to.

 

[Henry]

Just be sure and advise him of the upcoming change. Offer to lend him your copy for a few weeks. Some people might decide to buy both anyway, one for now and one in July, if they can afford it; but let him know about the revisions, and let him know he has the choice to borrow.

 

[TeeSeeJay]

Tell him to wait to buy the revised, and have him learn 3E via the SRD and actual play.

 

[Arnwyn]

Tell him to wait.

Absolutely do *not* let him buy one if you are planning to update when 3.5e comes out. That is very rude, and not a reasonable course of action in any sense. At the very least, clearly let him know the full situation, and what you (and your group's) planned future course of action will be when 3.5e comes out.

[If a new DM had me buy a PHB, and then a few months later said - "oh, we're all upgrading, you'll have to buy another newer PHB", I'd tell that guy to do something anatomically impossible with himself, and leave.]

 

[Quasqueton]

OK, I appreciate the responses. And I see that the overwhelming advice is to loan him a book. (Even though I have never met him personally, and don't know him at all except from a couple of e-mails.)

But. . .

I don't want this to sound offensive or insulting, but it sticks out pretty bright: did you guys not read the whole post? Some of you are telling me to do things I've specifically stated in my initial post.

I said directly:

I intend to warn him about the pending update (if he doesn't already know) because not saying so would be rather rude.

I am going to warn him. No need to push me on that point.

Again, thanks for the responses.

Quasqueton

 

[Sagan Darkside]

did you guys not read the whole post?

haha- welcome to message boards.

I have often had to repeat myself over and over or defend myself against things I never said.

On topic- If you don't know the guy, then try to meet with him before the game. Give him a chance to flip through the book and run through a lot of the jargon with him.

You said he is possibly an experienced rpg'er, but has not played 3rd edition. Has he played other d&d before? If so, then he will probably pick it up pretty quickly.

If at the end of the first session you feel comfortable with it, then offer to lend him the book.

SD