What's in your game?

[ashockney]

I would love to hear how others go about deciding what to include, and what not to include in their campaign. I've noticed that there seems to be quite a bit of difference between posters (and gaming groups). For example, here are some options:

1)Core books... PH, DMG only
2) PH, DMG, and other WizO player books
3) PH, DMG, all Wizard products (include Fogotten Realms, Oriental Adventures, etc.)
4) PH, DMG, all Wizard including Dragon Magazines
5) PH, DMG, all Wizard, and "high cred" publishers (Relics and Rituals, Book of Eldritch Might I & II, Rokugan)
6) PH, DMG, all Wizard, all other fantasy d20 publishers...
7) Anything in print is fair game.

Psionics gets mixed in intermittently with each of the above, it seems.

Also there is a variable for how much is let in from non-core books. This could include, approval unless I say so, approval for each piece required, no approval required.

Finally, there is the "home-made" factor. The interesting variable here is what percent would you say is "home-made." In some campaigns it's the occasional magic item or spell, in others, every race, prestige class, and magic item is completely
unique.

So, what's in your campaign? (and perhaps why, if you care to elaborate, please be brief...)

In our campaigns, it's as follows:
All Wizard products and Dragon Mag are considered acceptable.
All High credibility d20 publishers are acceptable, unless the DM says otherwise.
Any other d20 publisher is acceptable on a DM approval basis.
No Psionics.
There is also about 20% additional home-made prestige classes, races, magic items, and spells.
Our group really enjoys the "M:TG" style game where you min/max your way into perfection, and see if you can destroy the crazy stuff the DM comes up with. There is a premium for finding and being able to use "unique" items and spells.
Occassionally, we include new prestige classes or races to duplicate the effects from a character in Diablo, Everquest, or a movie (ie, LoTR).

 

[gfunk]

Our group is basically option #3 on your list. Any product put out by Wizards is fair game with the exception of their magazines. Some things we allow from Dragon and other things not. For instance, we ruled that the Eldritch Master PrC in #280 was balanced, but some of the feats from that issue like "Extra Familiar" were ruled out.

Generally our selection stems from the idea that Wizards tends to play-test their stuff more rigorously than other companies. We don't want to get in a situation where one character becomes very powerful by picking feats or a PrC from another d20 publisher.

However as far as adventure modules go, our DM picks whatever he likes. Though we generally stick with Wizards stuff, our DM ran us through a 3E White Plume Mountain conversion and has recently purchased Demon God's Fane from Malhavoc Press.

 

[Crothian]

None of the options really fit us. We take it by a case by case basis. We will usde some things in a book and not others. There are even things in the core books we don't use.

 

[el Voz]

I think it depends what the DM owns and has access to. Also what kind of make up are the players themselves.

I run a secondary campaign. I own nothing but core. Therefore, I stick to the core books and the advice of 2 other trustworthy people. However, if Player C, asks for something to be allowed I review it very carefully, because I do not trust player C to not take advandage of the situation.

 

[Tiberius]

I use option 3 for my campaign. I also under the impression that the Wizards playtesting is superior to the smaller publishers and that since Wizards put 3E out, they probably have a better idea of what is balanced and what the designers intended than the other publishers. Obviously, people like Monte, Shawn, and Bruce are exempted from the second criterion. I also go soley with Wizards stuff due to their availability. I can walk into any game store and ask for a copy of the Psionics Handbook. I would have a more difficult time walking into a random store and finding a copy of If Thoughts Could Kill lying on the shelf.

Not all Wizards stuff makes the cut, though. You'd have to do some convincing to get things from the abomination known as Sword & Fist included IMG.

-Tiberius

 

[Arkham]

Everything

I allow all sources, however everything outside
of the core books requires approval.

 

[kreynolds]

I use and support all of the WotC products, as well as third party publishers (subject to my approval of course).

 

[Archer]

I say all WoTC products and anything by a current/former WoTC employee. (Monte Cook, Bruce Cordell)

Setting specific rule books generally only apply if I'm using that setting. I might use a non-WoTC setting and if so then everything published for that setting goes.

 

[Storminator]

My own criteria is simple: I have to own the book.

This gives me the Core, the splatbooks, BoEM I, Traps and Treachery, R&R, and most Dragons. I also might toss something if I think it's lame.

PS

 

[The Cardinal]

4) plus stuff by Monte Cook & Bruce Cordell