What 3.5 Core Books Do I Need to Buy

[Zzyzx]

Howdy,

I've been on D&D sabbatical for a few months -- new babies do that BTW -- and was thinking about starting a 3.5ed campaign. I have the 3.0ed core rulebooks, and have played since the red-blue-green-black basic boxes (I don't know the proper edition's name) (mid 80s).

Now, with the SRD online I can get most all of the rules and almost all the monsters, at least without the fluff text.

Right now the order of probability to buy seems to be:

1. PH
2. DMG
3. MM

Any other suggestions?

 

[Nonlethal Force]

Are you DMing?

If you aren't DMing I'd suggest going into some other options before DMG and MM:

1. PHB
2. PHB II
3. XPH (If you like psionics, if not, ignore)
4. Draconomicon (Just cause I love its flavor - excellent book)
5. Manual of the Planes (I know its 3.0, but if you like planar stuff this book is much better than its 3.5 'update.')
6. Any of the complete stuff.

I put the complete stuff last because it is crunch heavy and flavor-lite. But I still love the series - just not Complete Psionics.

Now, if you are going to be DMing, I'd still use the above list just insert the DMG and a MM in at the top before the PHBII.

That'll keep you busy (and poor) for a while. If you are looking for buying books cheaply, try used on ebay or buy a membership to bookamillion.com - or some other warehoue. I've found booksamillion seels D&D at about 33% off the cover price. Not too bad. And they are reliable.

 

[Crothian]

You don't need anything else. With the SRD and 3.0 books you could probably run a good 3.5 game.

 

[Nonlethal Force]

You don't need anything else. With the SRD and 3.0 books you could probably run a good 3.5 game.

Yes, this much is also true, I shouldn't have assumed in my post, either. To run a good game, you could probably get by with what you have now. Consider my above post as a "potential direction for expanding your love of gaming."

 

[Philotomy Jurament]

I've been on D&D sabbatical for a few months -- new babies do that BTW -- and was thinking about starting a 3.5ed campaign. I have the 3.0ed core rulebooks, and have played since the red-blue-green-black basic boxes (I don't know the proper edition's name) (mid 80s).

That's the Mentzer editon of classic D&D. If you call it Mentzer or BECMI/RC (for Basic Expert Companion Master Immortals/Rules Cyclopedia) people will usually understand.

Now, with the SRD online I can get most all of the rules and almost all the monsters, at least without the fluff text. Right now the order of probability to buy seems to be:

1. PH
2. DMG
3. MM

Any other suggestions?

If it were me, I'd use the 3.0 books and just house-rule stuff in from the SRD. In fact, that's what I still do when I play 3E; I never bought the 3.5 books. Instead of buying the 3.5 core books, you might consider the Tome of Horrors books from Necromancer Games, and maybe a setting or some 3E adventures. Again, Necromancer puts out good ones (e.g. Lost City of Barakus), and the Goodman Games Dungeon Crawl Classics line is good, too.

As far as settings, I'd look at Wilderlands of High Fantasy, Kalamar, and Gazeteer of the Known Realms. Gary Gygax's Castle Zagyg:Yggsburgh is a great mini-setting, too. It's for Castles & Crusades (which is also excellent -- gotta plug my system of choice) rather than 3E, but you could still use it, easily.

 

[Glyfair]

Any other suggestions?

Unless you have no interest in spellcasters at all, I highly recommend the Spell Compendium. I'll also second recommendations for the PHB II and add the DMG II.

 

[Particle_Man]

There are enough books that you could decide to go for a theme:

Maybe aventuring in a cold climate (or a world with nothing but cold climates?), or how about a Desert enviroment? They have Frostburn and Sandstorm, respectively.

Do you like lots of undead stuff, lots of dragon stuff, lots of abberations? There are books for each of those.

There are interesting base class (20 level class) choices in many books, including the expanded psionics handbook, PHB II, Complete Arcane, Complete Adventurer, Complete Warrior, Complete Divine, and Complete Psionic. You might want to add these as player choices, or even replace player class choices in the PHB (so use Scouts instead of Rangers, for instance, if you want a less martial woodsperson).

Similarly, there are extra racial choices in the various "Races of..." books.

If you like tinkering with the rules, then Unearthed Arcana gives you some options.

And those are just the Wotc books! You could also look at some third party stuff and see what tickles your fancy. Arcana Evolved, Iron Heroes.

Oh, other settings: Are you looking for new settings? Ebberon (by Wotc) is pretty detailed, and looks at integrating magic into the setting. Kingdoms of Kalamar (not Wotc, but still officially Dungeons and Dragons) focuses on realism, and has powerful magic play less of a role.

I mean, you can expand in a *lot* of directions. That said, you could play and run a perfectly good game with the three 3.0 books you have. So are you looking for something in particular? How much money are you looking to spend?

 

[Zzyzx]

OP here.

1. The consensus seems to be I don't HAVE to buy the 3.5 books to DM a 3.5 game. I still may get the PH to make character creation easier outofthe book. Good to know I was on track there.

2. There is a lot of good suggestions for different directions here. While I have my eye on a Ptolus campaign sometime, I think "baby steps" at this point may be more fiscally responsible. Thanks for the great setting and adventure suggestions.

3. I was surprised at all the love for PHII. Is it really that good?

 

[Turjan]

3. I was surprised at all the love for PHII. Is it really that good?

It's the new flavor of the month .

It's good, but not necessary.

 

[Particle_Man]

3. I was surprised at all the love for PHII. Is it really that good?

Aside from 4 strong base classes, and many feats that make it worthwhile to play a high level fighter, there is also some nice 'flavour text' to help people get a handle of character backgrounds, etc. There is also a section on sample NPC's with spells, etc. already picked out, which makes things easier on a DM who is doing things on the fly.