What is this I am hearing about PHB2/DMG2/MM2 being required?

[smerwin29]

Ok, to clarify the "required" part, the fear is that players of RPGA Living campaigns will have no choice but to chuck out $100+ every year for the newest Core books.

You will never HAVE TO buy non-Core materials to play in RPGA campaigns. Obviously, if you want to use non-Core materials you will have to have them.

Shawn
Living Forgotten Realms Global Admin

 

[broghammerj]

They are simply books full of more crunch, with the idea being that there will be LESS core crunch in other places (IE less glut of splat books). If this is true, I will be very happy.

Fitz

File of the serial numbers of the "Complete".....series, rename them PHB# (whatever you want), and it sounds like you have the new 4E core. I see no difference of the glut of splat books that will ensue

 

[Kwalish Kid]

File of the serial numbers of the "Complete".....series, rename them PHB# (whatever you want), and it sounds like you have the new 4E core. I see no difference of the glut of splat books that will ensue

Not so fast. we already know that there is a martial power book coming out this year. I have a feeling that the PHB II (and so on) will be more like... the PHB II.

 

[MaelStorm]

The First set of Core Book will be followed by the Martial Powers book, the Tome of Treasure, Manual of the Planes and Draconomicon I. The only thing complete in the first 6 months will be the Martial Power Source and Chromatic Dragon, and the Planes.

PHB II will complete the Arcane and Divine Power Source plus introduce new power sources (Primal and Psionic). MM II will complete the Metallic Dragons as well as introduce new monsters. DMG II expand and introduce new material.

It's a work in progress. Some cycle will be completed as well as new cycle introduced, so there is need to complete the cycle. So if you are satisfied with the few things complete (which I doubt) you will have to expand buy, and expand buy, and expand buy, ad nauseam.

 

[Eridanis]

PHB II will complete the Arcane and Divine Power Source plus introduce new power sources (Primal and Psionic).

Arcane Power will have its own splatbook in early 2009, and I assume Divine will as well, likely in April if they hold to the June timeframe for later 'core' releases. It makes more sense to me to finish detailing one power source before moving on to introduce new ones that you will later expand on. (As much as anything is ever 'finished' in D&D.)

 

[MaelStorm]

Arcane Power will have its own splatbook in early 2009, and I assume Divine will as well, likely in April if they hold to the June timeframe for later 'core' releases. It makes more sense to me to finish detailing one power source before moving on to introduce new ones that you will later expand on. (As much as anything is ever 'finished' in D&D.)

Has it been announced, and do you think classes will be included into these supplements and not into the PHB II?

 

[MaelStorm]

My bet is no. There are only 2 classes for Arcane and Divine, those won't be completed until next june. Then after PHB II you will see Arcane and Divine Powers. This will complete the Arcane and Divine cycle.

Unless they (WotC) decide to be generous and release an interim (between January and June 2009) book to complete the Paladin's, Cleric's, Warlock's and Wizard's powers. In that case there will be only 1 splatbbook and not 2 splatbooks as you think.

 

[Pale]

They are only required for half-orcs, druids, barbarians, sorcerers, bards, and monks. So only people who want to play those classes have to pay the ransom.

Don't forget the MM2 and the poor Metallic dragons-in-waiting.