What book should I get? Suggestions, please.

[Aus_Snow]

MMIII had better statted creatures

What, you mean the same MMIII with the book of errata as a free optional extra?

Nah, I also quite like that one, regardless.

 

[Pants]

What, you mean the same MMIII with the book of errata as a free optional extra?

I think the errata add-on also needed errata.

Which is sad... but I still find it useful and idea-generating, which is important.

 

[Aus_Snow]

Heh, yeah.

But then I even like MMII.

 

[Nightfall]

Aus,

That makes two of us and yes I don't mind not so well written creatures IF they were creatures I liked. The only one that irked me was the Death Knight template. Fortunately, DLCS corrected that oversight.

*likes MM II for Spellweavers* They are too damn cool. Just like Ethergaunts and Nerra.

 

[Harm]

Spell Compendium is rather nice.

Spell Compendium is probably the biggest power-up you can add to the game. At some spell levels casters will get triple the number of spell options that PHB has and some of them are just plain broken, like Assay Spell Resistance, and the bolt of glory line. Holy Storm is a little nuts, and Sound Lance should never have been a cleric spell... or a wizard spell come to it. The only GOOD thing that comes out of Spell Compendium or Complete Divine is the Vigor line which druids badly needed if they're the only healer in a party.

 

[Nightfall]

Harm,

It's not THAT big since it doesn't take away from the wizard's/sorcerer's true utility spell like say Fly, Lighting Bolt, Fireball, etc.

Just adds to the other classes where possible.

 

[blargney the second]

Pacing events and creating immersion (usually problems with attention to detail). Handling mechanics is so far going well, but everything feels somewhat shallow.

I've gotta tell you, Dungeon magazine is an unbelievably good resource for shoring up those weaknesses.

1) You get fully fleshed-out adventures with all the details already done for you. Monster stats from books other than MM1 are printed in all their glory.
2) Any relevant environment mechanics are typically printed right in the adventure where you need them.
3) The Dungeoncraft articles are expressly for improving your overall DMing skills.

Pick up as many back issues as you can, because they have fairly limited print runs. If you're playing 3.5, they switched the content to the revised edition in issue #100. They started to seriously pick up steam around the mid-120's.
-blarg

 

[Nightfall]

Blarg,

Yeah especially when Age of Worms got rolling. It's kept up since then but I felt Age of Worms show cased a great deal of talent for people looking for a good "adventure" series.

 

[Xyanthon]

I'll join the chorus of those recommending the DMG. As has been said, there is a lot of stuff in there that isn't in the SRD. I have the DMG II but haven't read through it yet (I have a HUGE stack of stuff that I haven't had a chance to read through yet) so I can't personaly recommend it but I look forward to reading through it.

I do highly recommend a subscription to Dungeon. I have subscriptions to both Dungeon and Dragon. They are both excellent magazines, but for a DM, Dungeon wins with all of the adventures and other DM material found within. It is a complete bargain when you compare the price of a subscription to the price of most other game books.

I have been perusing Green Ronin's Advanced Beastiary lately. As others have said, it is a great book and I really enjoy it. I'd give this one a nod as a good purchase as well.

I liked all of the WotC Monster Manuals. I think I'm in the minority here as there seem to be quite a few that didn't like MM II or MM IV. While they may have some stuff that may not be my cuppa, I think they are still worth getting. However, definitely get MM I.

I was hesitant to get the anything in the complete series, but after getting Complete Arcan, Complete Mage and Complete Scoundrel, I'm rethinking my position. Those three were very good (I had Complete Warrior and lent it to a friend and didn't get it back before I moved - it was interesting too but I like the other 3 more).

I also like the Green Ronin Master Class series and the Malhavok Event books. The Complete Book of Eldritch might was pretty good if you are going to have a magic heavy campaign.

Well, that is enough me too, heh. But don't sell the DMG and MM short because some of the info is in the SRD. You'll miss out on some good stuff too.

 

[Nightfall]

Complete Book of Eldritch Might is nice/great for those things magical you might want to add onto from Complete Mage/Complete Arcane.

I do wish GR would print out an Advanced Master Class book some time in the near future.