What books/supplys should I ask for the holidays?

[Olaf the Stout]

I meant I narrowed my decision to three choices. I think I have decided to go with Goodman Game's. Sorry if my previous post wasn't clear enough.

Thanks everyone for your help

Cool. I hope that it's what you're after.

What other books did you decide on as well or are you just going to hold off for now?

Olaf the Stout

 

[Tetsubo]

PHB II (a must have)
Spell Compendium
The Complete books
Dragon Magic


Avoid the DMG II like the plague. It was the worst WotC book I've ever bought... well maybe the Serpent Kingdom was worse... but DMG II is a dog...

 

[Aus_Snow]

PHB II (a must have)
Spell Compendium
The Complete books
Dragon Magic

For a DM?

 

[Asmor]

Despite the name, PHB 2 is hugely useful for a DM just for the last 16 or so pages...

They've got lists of typical feats, spells and equipments for most of the classes at every level from 1-20. Need level 17 wizard for tonight's game? Just flip to the back, pick all the feats, equipment, spells, etc. No muss, no fuss. Even if you need something more specific, it's unlikely that 90% of the info given isn't applicable, and using this as a base and tweaking it is still a massive time savings over trying to stat up an NPC on your own. Additionally, it's just a great book all around.

 

[Mitchbones]

Well I am actually getting the phb2 out of the group's money(every player pitches in $2 every week) this week and a player is giving me DMG2 for the holidays.

I have decided on Goodman Game's Campaign setting, Dungeon Magazine (Subscription and some back issues.), subscription to Dragon (maybe, kind of leary of buying it just yet.), spell compendium, and maybe some Necromancer or Goodman adventures. Don't know if i want to get Red hand of doom just yet.

I might still get Eberron, and just see which one I like more. Even If I don't feel like running it, a player of mine will want to.

 

[Olaf the Stout]

Well I am actually getting the phb2 out of the group's money(every player pitches in $2 every week) this week and a player is giving me DMG2 for the holidays.

I have decided on Goodman Game's Campaign setting, Dungeon Magazine (Subscription and some back issues.), subscription to Dragon (maybe, kind of leary of buying it just yet.), spell compendium, and maybe some Necromancer or Goodman adventures. Don't know if i want to get Red hand of doom just yet.

I might still get Eberron, and just see which one I like more. Even If I don't feel like running it, a player of mine will want to.

Maybe buy an issue or two of Dragon before jumping in and getting a subscription. You'll know what you're getting yourself in for that way.

Olaf the Stout

 

[David E]

I actually already have a Flipmat, got it in the mail last week (it was in the mailbox the entire session) got to use it for about 2 encounters and instantly fell in love with it. I am leaning towards Eberron, Goodman Game's CS, and Scarred Lands. I am unsure if my players like Dungeon crawls or not (haven't ran any yet *gasp*) which is the only thing keeping me from buying some DCCs.

David E: Its not that I don't want ot make my own homebrew, just as a newer DM I feel that if I get enough practice from using other adventures then when I start making my own they won't be bad. Know what I mean?

In that case, I really think that the adventure paths are a good option. It goes out of its way to avoid emphasizing any particular setting (although many GREYHAWK tidbits are scattered throughout), they are entirely self-contained so you don't have to worry about a campaign setting, and hopefully by the time you are done running the campaign (and they're long campaigns) you will have an idea what you want out of your setting, be it Eberron, Scarred Lands, or your own homebrew.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I like the idea of DMG2 and the magazine subscriptions and a world setting (although I think Ptolus is too much for a new DM to sink into one product).

I'd recommend picking up four or five Goodman Games DCC adventures, possibly including The Adventure Begins, if you still have room for it in your budget. It's a book of 20 1st level adventures, and that will likely see a lot of use. I'd also strongly consider both $2 adventures from Goodman and maybe some of the midlevel ones (under level 10) that sound interesting to you.

I'd resist temptation and get only a single setting book if you pick one up, even if there are supplements. The Goodman Games adventure world boxed set is a good bet, as would be the basic Kalamar book.

 

[Olaf the Stout]

I like the idea of DMG2 and the magazine subscriptions and a world setting (although I think Ptolus is too much for a new DM to sink into one product).

I'd recommend picking up four or five Goodman Games DCC adventures, possibly including The Adventure Begins, if you still have room for it in your budget. It's a book of 20 1st level adventures, and that will likely see a lot of use. I'd also strongly consider both $2 adventures from Goodman and maybe some of the midlevel ones (under level 10) that sound interesting to you.

I'd resist temptation and get only a single setting book if you pick one up, even if there are supplements. The Goodman Games adventure world boxed set is a good bet, as would be the basic Kalamar book.

I agree with everything you Whizbang (I love your screenname by the way ). Ptolus is almost certainly too big a product for someone just getting into the hobby. It's best to start simple and build up from there in my opinion.

I had forgotten about The Adventure Begins, even though I have just ordered it and am waiting for it to make its way over to the Land of Oz.

The 2 $2 Dungeon Crawls are too cheap not to pick up (which is the whole point of them I imagine). Even if you hate them you've only wasted $2 and you should be able to use at least something out of them. I know that the Dragonfiend Pact is one of the $2 DCC's. What is the other one?

Olaf the Stout

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

The 2 $2 Dungeon Crawls are too cheap not to pick up (which is the whole point of them I imagine). Even if you hate them you've only wasted $2 and you should be able to use at least something out of them. I know that the Dragonfiend Pact is one of the $2 DCC's. What is the other one?

The Transmuter's Last Touch, wherein adventurers encounter some very strange kobolds.