Unearthed Arcana, what do you think?

[Doc_Klueless]

Outside of the three Core books, Unearthed Arcana is my most used D&D suppliment. Sure, I only use half a dozen options out if it, but I can mix and match each time I start up a mini-adventure/campaign and get wonder flavor out of it.

In other words, awesome book.

 

[Evilhalfling]

Incidentally, am I mistaken in that nobody's ever gotten around to putting the OGL content of UA into a nice PDF or HTML format document? I guess folks wanted WotC to put out the material in RTF's rather than resort to slicing up their personal copies and gamble that their flatbed scanner is up to snuff?

There was a thread started to do just this, here on ENWorld but one of the authors of the book posted and asked us not to. This didn't stop everyone, but a personal message pulled enough weight to end the project.

I like the book and was trying to incorperate pieces into my campaign with out it, The battle sorcerer, the item familiars and the wizard specialist varients all made my list. Finally I gave up and bought it my FLGS has 20% discount.
I tweaked some of the racial paragons - and one of the PC's is now a Paladin8/Dwarf 1 - this is the only rule in current use, the others are options but not tried.

Then I started on a new campaign world - This is where the book shines,
but I need to sit down with the players and discuss what changes we are comfortable with. Action pts, Armor as DR, class defense bonuses are what Im willing to try. I am dead set against other optional rules.

 

[Barendd Nobeard]

Incidentally, am I mistaken in that nobody's ever gotten around to putting the OGL content of UA into a nice PDF or HTML format document? I guess folks wanted WotC to put out the material in RTF's rather than resort to slicing up their personal copies and gamble that their flatbed scanner is up to snuff?

There was quite a long discussion about this (here at EN World, I think). People were planning on doing that, but one of the authors complained. So, even though the consensus (of that thread, anyway) was that it is technically legal, no one has done it. :\

edit: the thread is here.

 

[Greg K]

Unearthed Arcana is the only DND rules supplement by WOTC that I really like. While I find most WOTC DND rules supplements disappointing, because they either contain a few items I like (e.g., Complete Warrior) or do nothing for me (e.g, any version of the Psionics Handbook, Complete Divine, Book of Exalted Deeds, and Frostburn), I am very satisfied with UA despite knowing that I will never use every idea within it. However, my satisfaction with UA is most probably due to the book containing material that I wish had been included in the core rules or covered in other supplements (i.e., spell points, WP/VP, action points and class variants) so I am going to agree with what others have said, the book will be a good buy if you are DM who either likes to tinker with rules or is looking for alternatives to the standard rules.

 

[RodneyThompson]

It's definitely my favorite 3rd Edition sourcebook, by any company. If only for the concept it represents: official recognition of house rules. So many players and DMs are afraid to branch out and try new things, this is like a whole book endorsing that concept. Not to mention the fact that, as a game designer, seeing it all as Open Content rocks my socks off.

So far, we've used VP/WP, Armor as DR, Class Defense, Reputation, Action Points, Weapon Groups, Gestalts, and several other options. Currently in my Shackled City campaign we're using Action Points and Weapon groups as the only modifications, though I'm wishing I'd decided to use Reputation for this game as well (since the players' reputation in Cauldron is very much a factor in some of the encounters).

I can't reccommend the book enough. I mean, you almost never use everything in any sourcebook (the three core books not included). I've used a larger number of things from this book than I have almost any other.

 

[Blacklamb]

All righty!

All of your responces cinched it! Headed to Amazon right now
Thank you all a ton for maliong me feel very welcome and helping with this purchase!

Hey, Blacklamb, welcome aboard! (check out Sepuchrave's story hours next)

Thanks you for the welcome!
Ill be headed there later today =D

Blacklamb

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I cannot imagine a group that wouldn't want to use at least a single item from UA, depending on the campaign. I know there are several things in it I won't ever want to be without again. The content is wildly variable, though, and the things that seem wonderful to some people bore other silly (item familiars seem really, really uniniteresting to me, for instance, and I see them mentioned very commonly as one of the highlights of UA). I'd definitely get it, especially with a discount.