What PDF's are worth buying

[Bagpuss]

Depends do you want to introduce a new level of complexity to your game with additional rules, classes, spells, etc?

In which case go for...

Book of Eldritch Might
Book of Eldritch Might II
Librum Equitis vol 1

If your happy with what PHB, DMG and the other books you already have offer, and just want stuff that makes your job as a DM easier?

Then go for...

Castles and Keeps Floorplans
Inns and Taverns Floorplans
Temples and Shrines Floorplans
Mansions and Manors Floorplans

all very handy if you need a map at short notice or inspiration for a senario.

GM Mastery: NPC Essentials

full of handy advice and useful tables.

The Bonds of Magic: Vol. I -- Cabal
The Bonds of Magic: Vol. II -- The Faithful

Pretty interesting NPC's

I've only mentioned ones I own and have found useful / good value.

 

[RangerWickett]

Bagpuss, do you have any Nat20 books, and if so, what made you think they weren't useful?

 

[Bagpuss]

I've got only the Tournaments, Fairs and Taverns book.

Which I bought unfortunately just as I stopped running my D&D campaign. I like it, but probably won't be using it anytime soon. The only reason I didn't mention it is because the original poster said they would buy it anyway.

Of the other titles...

Moon Elves
Complete Guide to Drow
Death: Guardian at the Gate
Four Color Fantasy
Wild Spellcraft

None of them were really useful to me on the subject matter. My current campaign is set in the Scarred Lands. After being disappointed with how little use I've got out of things like the Splat books and Book of Eldritch Magic, I've cut back on what I spend my money on.

I only buy stuff that might make my job as a DM easier, not add more things (especially RULES!) to the campaign world which is already complex enough. So floorplans, NPC books, plot ideas that fit any campaign, stuff like that is what I buy now.

I'm considering buying the Elements of Magic, as it sounds interesting, and I've never been total happy with D&D fire-and-forget spell system. Saying that I'm only likely to use it for D20 Modern magic if it will work.

 

[Ashwyn]

How about the Planescape ESDs?

Where can I find these?

 

[Bagpuss]

Where can I find these?

http://www.svgames.com

 

[Ashwyn]

http://www.svgames.com

Thanks much.

 

[Ghostwind]

If you are looking for quality stuff that will help you as a DM, I recommend Terra Ferax's Great Aspeigh for a fully detailed city. Malhavoc's Book of Eldritch Might series is good, although not everything is usable by everyone. If you are looking for deity books, Bastion Press offers Greek Gods or Egyptian Gods (Norse Gods is free from their site). Lastly, Chainmail Bikini's Beyond Monks is a good martial arts resource.

 

[Ruined]

The two PDFs that I have found most useful are:

GM Mastery: NPC Essentials , and
Everyone Else by Ambient Press

I especially value Everyone Else because it saves me so much time. I don't have to worry what a feasible Spot check would be for that shopkeep because I have it handy at my fingertips. It also reminds me of other NPC types that would be in cities other than the standard shopkeep/barkeep/guard.