What do you consider "de facto" core?

[Thanee]

Only Complete Series Classic (CW, CD, CA, CV).

Though, I guess the Spell Compendium and possibly the Magic Item Compendium (havn't looked into that yet) are close.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Thurbane]

I would say PHB II, DMG II, MIC, SpC and UA.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

The core core; PHB, DMG & MM.

 

[mhacdebhandia]

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. We all know what the core rules are and I severely doubt most of you play a pure game. Yes, I wouldn't necessarily have labelled it "defacto core", but that is why you actually read his post, to understand his intent.

I did read his post, and there isn't anything outside the core rules that I would allow in every game I ran. There are plenty of things in the core rules that I've deleted from certain settings - elves, halflings, and other irritating Tolkienesque races generally top that list except in settings which make them worth using, like Eberron.

 

[Baby Samurai]

Aside from my DMs clause of:
Every race/template/class/feat/equipment/spell/power/soulmeld/utterance/vestige/mystery/magic item etc must be submitted for approval. I usually allow right off the bat the entire Complete Series, Races of Series, Unearthed Arcana, and the Monster series.

Any alternate systems (psionics etc), Heroes of, Environment series, Creature books (Draconomicon etc), Manual of the Planes/Planar Handbook, Oriental Adventures etc are all campaign specific.

As my current campaign is a Planescape one, the players, and myself (the DM), pretty much have access to everything.

 

[Tharkun]

SRD only

 

[CanadienneBacon]

PHB, DMG, MM. Those and only those are core.

 

[Hurtoc]

Agree with those that say PHB, DMG, and MM are the core.

 

[ColonelHardisson]

Other - the Big 3: PHB, DMG, MM

Everything else is optional. Those who fear and loathe "rules bloat" should remember that.

Books I consider important enough to be on the verge of core, at least in my game:

Unearthed Arcana
PHBII
DMGII
Tome of Horrors