What do you consider "de facto" core?

[MoogleEmpMog]

There is no core.

Not for D&D, anyway.

The 3.5 core books have no monopoly on balance or good game design - in fact, because they're much more shackled with rules artifacts than most supplements, they tend to be WORSE in this regard.

If there is a core, it would be 20 Modern, from which I would allow everything without hesitation.

I'm hoping that in the future, it will be Star Wars Saga, although I'm a bit less inclined to allow other d20 material willy-nilly in that system as I would with d20 Modern.

 

[Umbran]

Great way to completely twist his question guys. He is asking if there are any other books you include in your game with little reservation, of course allowing for a needed rule 0.

No twisting - there are no other whole books I include with little reservation. I am definitely an "a la carte" kind of DM.

 

[kolikeos]

Other: None of the above

 

[EyeontheMountain]

To me, Core is core. The three core books, everything else is optional.

But with that said, I think that the complete series is the closest to the expanded core, though DMs have a annoying tendency to have or not have particular books in their games. (I play mostly online)

All I usually ask for a DM is they allow as many books as possible. I am just not willing to play a core-only game when there is so much good stuff out there.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Core is core. Everything you list is optional -- and I'd use none of them in total, personally. I allow individual elements (feat, spell, class) individually, but I won't approve an entire book with a sweeping gesture.

 

[EditorBFG]

Only the SRD is core.

The Red Wizard is not core, nor are certain monsters.

The optional rules from Unearthed Arcana are obviously case-by-case.

 

[Tequila Sunrise]

Well, we all know what the literal core rulebooks are-- PHB, MM and DMG. My question to you all is... what do you consider "de facto" core? By this, I mean books that you think in general are, or should be, taken for granted to be allowed/used in a campaign.

None of the above. When I run a game, I am frankly offended when a player takes anything non-core for granted. I don't let it show, and I don't restrict much outside of core anyway, but all the same it's just presumptuous.

 

[Campbell]

While I make extensive use of the Book of Nine Swords, the Magic Item Compendium, and the Expanded Psionics Handbook I wouldn't even consider them part of an extended core for my games. I use a good deal more scrutiny when using material from those books, although not as much as from other supplements.

 

[Shining Dragon]

None of the above. Just the basic 3.

 

[eGuru]

Hmm. "Other."

De jure? PHB + DMG (DM's choice). Plus anything else I build the adventure with, and what I allow/restrict for player use.

De facto? PHB, DMG, MM, and... whatever a player brings to the table. Or the DM wants to play with that week/campaign. "Complete ~N~" books get some play, and I've seen extra monster manuals, template weirdness, and rules books (Seawrack?) appear as soon as the DM's read them.