What's so cool about the Manual of Planes?

[Kaptain_Kantrip]

The two main hardcovers from WoTC I have not bought are the Psionics Handbook and the Manual of the Planes. I don't understand psionics in *any* edition of the game, LOL, and was never that interested in them anyway.

I never bought the 1e Manual of the Planes. I was browsing through the new 3e version and yes, it seems like a big improvement over the original, but if I'm not that interested in running extraplanar adventures, what use is the book to me? I noticed some new PrCs, spells (most related to planar travel) and monsters (for some reason the damn manes is buried in the text on the Abyss instead of given its rightful place with the rest of the demons), and the larva is also set apart and buried away from the rest of the critters.

Note to Game Designers: Put the monsters all in one place!!!

Anyway, what makes this book so cool? Is it useful for non-extraplanar adventures? I know it's not essential or anything, but I'm curious what people see in it. I've considered buying it, but am not sure how much use I'd get out of it...

So, please tell me if the book is worth buying and why. Thanks!

 

[pontus]

Anyway, what makes this book so cool?

Duh. There are planes in it!

I always like reading about the planes, and even if the players themselves never leave the prime material plane there's still going to be a few encounters with extraplanar creatures. I find it helpful to know as much about the universe as possible.

Also, all players are probably going to visit the astral, etheral, and shadow planes sooner or later, as the spells that take you there are in the PHB.

 

[Zappo]

Uh, well, if you are not interested in extraplanar adventures, then of course the MotP won't be much use for you. However, there are a helluvalot of players who do like extraplanar adventures. Besides, you may still want to buy it for the reasons pontus posted.

 

[Psion]

Well, extraplanar adventuring is sort of the point. To break it down a little more, functions I find that it can serve:

1) If you use the standard cosmology, it is a definitive guide to the planes.
2) If you do not use a standard cosmology, it gives you lots of nuts, bolts, and techniques for defining your own.
3) Whether you do 1 or 2, it has basic guidelines for the environment in different sorts of planes.
4) If you play PS or some other planar-centerd game, it gives you a few classes & spells for PCs.
5) It provides more planear creatures & templates.
6) Finally, there are tons of ideas for any setting. For example, one day my players will find out that their ultimate nemesis is actually a mirror self of a good woman, and that a trusted ally of the nation's ruler has also been replaced by a mirror version of himself in a mirror plane. There are also things like the spirit world for shamanistic magic, the faerie realm if you have faeries in your game, the far realm if you want to wax Lovecraftian, Dream Realms, etc.

The MotP is a poutpouri of ideas. All the above relates to planar adventure of some sort. But considering all that is there, why WOULDN'T you want to consider adventures in other planear landscapes?

 

[Kaptain_Kantrip]

Yeah, see it looks cool, but I'm not sure I want it bad enough to shell out the $30... It would be a lot less of a question at $20 (or $12.00 like in the good ol' days of the early 80s, LOL).

 

[LufiaLillystorm]

I don't know...

Hello Kaptain,

I kinda agree with you. The book of the planes I think is kinda useless to buy. If you flip threw it you get the main points and are perty much set on Planer travel just make it up yourself and stay consistant and no one will be the wiser.

However, you mentioned the Psionic handbook as one you haven't picked up before, and I strongly suggest getting it. WEll that is if you feel the need for it. I got a bunch of use out of it, well I didn't buy it, but it was still usefull.

If you ever find yourself lost for ideas though the Manual of the Plans will help out they also have some plane creation stuff in there too.

hehe

 

[UD]

Its chock a block full of cool info and monsters... only it is a very boring read... Its like they squeesed all the intresting words out, to get a 100% proof information, without the intrtesting descriptions...

Although as you read it, adventure plots and hooks come to mind quite frequently.... and it did help solve my insomnia problems....

 

[Omegium]

And maybe you'd like to know that the manual of the plane is with great difference with number two the number one in the reviews at enworld

 

[Kaptain_Kantrip]

I could get it for $18 + S&H from Amazon, thanks to a 10% discount coupon I just got. But I'm still leery of forking over the dough, LOL.

 

[Numion]

Yeah, see it looks cool, but I'm not sure I want it bad enough to shell out the $30... It would be a lot less of a question at $20 (or $12.00 like in the good ol' days of the early 80s, LOL).

Hate to break it to you, but US currency is by no means immune to inflation. You should ask some eighties dudes if $12 is cheap.

(some on-line inflation calculator I used said that $12 1980 dollars equals $28.10 in todays money. Much cheaper, ain't it? )