What 3.5 Core Books Do I Need to Buy

[DethStryke]

If you're looking to DM after that long of a hold, I'd like to throw a subscription to Dungeon Magazine into the list. By all accounts, the magazine is really in one of the best golden ages it has seen in a long, long time. And having fresh adventure ideas, already laid out for you, is probably the best thing you can have as you are learning the system and the like.

Aside from that, I find that I only need the DMG, PHB & MM for running my games. I did buy the Spell Compendium, but only because the group I was playing in used all the extra books and I was at a disatvantage by not trying to use those resources. When I run a game, I don't use any of those Complete anything, Races, etc.

 

[SteveC]

I'm going to second what some other posters have said. With the SRD online, you don't need to buy any of the new core (PHB, MM, DMG). When I made the switch, I purchased a new PHB and a new MM, but use the SRD for items, which is most of what I used the DMG for.

In terms of other books, I sugges the following:

Unearthed Arcana (variant rules). UA is available in several places as it has open gaming content, but I think this is an excellent variant rulebook and it's worth picking up. Lots of good stuff for you to pick and choose from here.

Spell Compendium. Another good choice because it combines and erratas almost all of the spells from 3.5 splats. Very good if you're looking for more spells.

PHB II. A compilation of new classes, feats, and spells which are excellent.

I have the complete series, but I wouldn't really recommend them unless there's something you're specifically interested in. I would rank the books from best to worst: Complete Adventurer, Complete Arcane, Complete Warrior, Complete Psion and (worst) Complete Divine.

I don't have any of the "races" or environment series, and I don't really recommend them.

That's all for what it's worth...

--Steve

 

[Zzyzx]

Wow, this many (respected) posters agreeing on the same thing makes me feel very confident ... or slightly paranoid.

I'll look into the adventures and Dungeon, since that is where I could use the most help I think.

Thanks all.

 

[ColonelHardisson]

Maybe it's too late, but I'd like to chime in by recommending Unearthed Arcana also, especially if you're DMing. It's my favorite D&D book besides the 3 main core books.

 

[Imperialus]

well the game I'm running right now I've allowed:

the 3 core books.
The expanded core books (Unearthed Arcana, DMG II and PHB II)
the "Complete Series" (Complete Warrior, Divine, Psionic, Adventurer, and Arcane)
The Spell Compendium
Savage Species (it's 3.0 but I have a few players who like unususual races)
The Draconomicon

I also allow use of the SRD and you can use the FAQ for a rules arguement but it isn't taken as cannon.

Other books may be permited, as long as you own a hard copy (no scans from teh intraweb) that you can provide to me a week before using something from it and I have to clear each feat, Prestige Class, race ect. on a case by case basis. If I say no (for any reason) then sorry you're out of luck.

If I were you though I'd limit your first DMing foray to just the 3 core books. One guy I game with occasionally does just that and the games are a lot of fun and usually a bit faster paced too since you arn't constantly cross referancing rules scattered across a half dozen splatbooks. Not only that but it's easier on the wallet than shelling out what would probably amount to over 500 dollers to buy the above list.

 

[Particle_Man]

well the game I'm running right now I've allowed:

the 3 core books.
The expanded core books (Unearthed Arcana, DMG II and PHB II)
the "Complete Series" (Complete Warrior, Divine, Psionic, Adventurer, and Arcane)
The Spell Compendium
Savage Species (it's 3.0 but I have a few players who like unususual races)
The Draconomicon

I also allow use of the SRD and you can use the FAQ for a rules arguement but it isn't taken as cannon.

You allow Complete Psionic but not the XPH? Or do you lean on the SRD in place of the XPH?

 

[Imperialus]

You allow Complete Psionic but not the XPH? Or do you lean on the SRD in place of the XPH?

Yeah we use the SRD right now. The player with the psionic character created him before the XPH and we just havn't gotten around to picking it up yet. Once we do though it'll make the list.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Running a 3.5 game doesn't really require any 3.5 books if you already have the 3.0 Player's Handbook and Dungeon Master's Guide, along with access to the 3.5 System Reference Document online.

The only real things you miss out on this way are 1) the 3.5 DMG's altered chart for XP by CR, since in 3.5 rules XP is based on each PC's level rather than the average party level, so lower-level characters in the party earn more XP so that they can catch up eventually,

Actually, the chart hasn't changed (except maybe a heading). The rules on how to use the chart have changed.

 

[smootrk]

The SRD covers much of what you need, especially when you use a computer and the www.D20srd.org website (even monster pics are linked there). As far as books, I would suggest (for the player):
1. PHB2
2. Spell Compendium
3. Complete "whatever" matches their character, or Races of "whatever" matches.

For the DM:
1. DMG2
2. Monster Manual 3 or Tome of Horrors
3. Environmental Book that matches the DM's concept of where most activity will occur

For some additional good stuff (pdf):
1. Tome of Horrors 3.5 update
2. Bestiary: Predators

 

[el-remmen]

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.

The 3.5 PHB is the only 3.5 book I purchased and I did fine (check the sig for evidence )