What do you consider "de facto" core?

[Quartz]

Core is SRD. And just because I might allow one thing from another book doesn't mean that anything else from that book is allowed.

 

[Ry]

Levels 7-20 are NOT core in my game. Same with major magical items.

 

[MrFilthyIke]

Expanded Psi
MM series
Planar
Spell Compendium

 

[Raven Crowking]

I voted "Other" because there was no option for "None of the above".

 

[timbannock]

I voted Complete books (classic), Spell Compendium, Expanded Psionics and Monster Manuals. I also have much love for PHB2.

That's how it's been in my campaigns, but honestly, the headache grows with each additional book.

I'd love to run Core three books, Spell Comp, Magic Item Comp, and MAYBE Exp Psionics. Tack on a few feats from the Complete (classic) line and PHB2, but none of the classes. So simple!!

Maybe some Unearthed Arcana love, if only to get rid of some of the things I find silly or to add things that give the world a little bit more flavor (metamagic components, how I love thee).

 

[Menexenus]

None of the above. Core is core. Period. Everything else is an optional add-on.

 

[thalmin]

Other. It's been said: PHB, MM1,DMG. My opinion as a player/DM.

OK, so we've established that "core" is the PHB, DMG & MM. I agree with that, because that is core and you need no other book to play. I view this poll in a broader category, "core options," meaning that these optional rules I accept with little or no exception.

My vote stands. There are no other books that that get blanket acceptance in my game. I will take a look at each individual spell, feat, rule, class, race, monster, weapon, etc. and decide if said spell, feat, etc. has a place at my table.

Now as a store owner, EVERYTHING is core, even fiction and books for other games!

 

[Halivar]

Core is core, except the XPH, which is core, but not core (Confusing? It's WotC's fault).

That said, who really wants to play core? It's not like 3.5e Core includes only and every rule necessary to run a high-fantasy campaign; the rules are an arbitrary collection of high-fantasy tropes with extra non-related miscellany (monks, raise dead, poke-mounts, and 4-minute full-plate).

So, given the arbitrariness of the core RAW in the first place, what's another high-fantasy trope from another book? What's another fighter-feat? In our group, the question of what constitutes a "core" rulebook is moot.

 

[Schmoe]

Other: Core is PHB, DMG, MM

QFT

 

[MrFilthyIke]

Now as a store owner, EVERYTHING is core, even fiction and books for other games!

A very businessman-like answer.