What book should I buy?

[Sebastian1992]

Hey everyone. My birthday is coming up and being a teenage boy, this is my time to get a DnD book! My group already owns the three cores, Adventurer's Vault and the FR Campaign Guide between us. My question is what book should I get as DM. I am thinking between Draconomicon or Open Grave. I realize OG isn't out yet, but what are your ideas?

 

[Ktulu]

I think you'd likely get more use out of Open Grave, since dragons are often used at more climactic spots. Undead, on the other hand, are used a ton.

If you don't have martial power, I'd seriously suggest that, too.

 

[Rechan]

I think you'll get much more mileage out of OG than Draconomicon, for the above noted reason. But seeing as you have the FRCG, you have a lot of monsters at your fingertips all ready.

If I was just thinking about myself as the DM, I'd save money and wait for MM2. If you wanted to invest in something for the group, saving for PHB2 would be the way to go.

Martial Power isn't bad - if your group likes the Martial classes.
Since you have the FRCG, you might be tempted for the FR Player's Guide. But it's only useful for the Swordmage, or the FR races.

 

[Betote]

I'd buy the FR Player's Guide, because you don't really have the full campaign setting without both the Campaign and the Player's books.

From the two you're contemplating, I'd find Open Grave more useful, but that's just because I like undead more than dragons

 

[occam]

I'd go with Martial Power. It greatly expands the options for martial characters.

 

[Festivus]

I thought he was asking with his DM hat on. Otherwise I agree, Martial Power is a great book if you are playing a character that uses exploits. DM wise, between the two listed, I would choose Open Grave. This month's Delve had a few from the book in there, and I liked every single one of them.

 

[Woas]

For a teenage boy?

Hustler -nomicon

 

[Rechan]

For a teenage boy?

Hustler -nomicon

He's on the internet. He is all ready eyeball deep in the skin.

 

[Lancelot]

As a DM myself, I'd probably go for Open Grave (sight unseen - simply because, as previously pointed out, you can get a lot of mileage from undead). Consider Draconomicon or Manual of the Planes as alternate choices.

I wouldn't go for Martial Power unless you play (rather than DM). Sure, it's useful for creating NPCs... but I find enough variety in the PH for that. In fact, I'd recommend the Forgotten Realms Players Guide before Martial Power, because at least that way you're getting some new races, rituals, and the Swordmage class.