Which tome to procure...

[Eryx]

I'd suggest Relics & Rituals, it's the best of the spells/MI/arcane stuff books out there.

 

[ColonelHardisson]

Manual of the Planes, no doubt about it. This is the best bang-for-your-buck idea generator I've yet to buy for 3e/d20. Forget about extraplanar stuff while you read it, and it becomes a wonderful guide to tailoring one's campaign world - or even just sections of it - for certain styles of play. It's the best 3e hardback besides the core.

 

[James McMurray]

I would have tot hrow in another vote for Relics and Rituals. It is definitely the best third party book of magic I've seen so far. And, for non-realms games it is more balanced. There are actually very few spells to look out for in the things (Sacrifice Spell, Salamar's Quiet contemplation, and Convert are the only ones that spring to mind). The items are all very interesting as well, as are the ritual casting rules and True Rituals. I'm sure my party will love the greater magic weapon ritual when they've got a war to fight.

 

[Nightfall]

Does my heart proud to see all these people picking a wonderful product like Relics and Rituals.

And in case anyone is wondering, Relics and Rituals 2 has been pushed back to September. So here's hoping they make even BETTER than the original

Oh and if you want my opinion, give me your money!

 

[Eryx]

Oh and if you want my opinion, give me your money!

Actually, I think 50/50 is in order...

 

[Scatterspell]

Relics and Rituals was ok, not the best tho. Spells and Spellcraft was a lot better, if a little sparse.

 

[GrimJesta]

Personally, I would go for the Kalamar Players Guide. Its very universal in its uses (its not just for Kalamar, though there are some world specific things in there, but very little).

For a review of this bad boy, check this... http://pub49.ezboard.com/fkingdomsofkalamarfrm2.showMessage?topicID=480.topic

Its broken up, but Canuck in Kalamar goes into some detail about the books uses and strong/weak points.

-=Grim=-

 

[Nightfall]

Sorry Scat, must disagree since I LOVED the fact they used rituals as more than just "cermony spells" They were ALL powerful. They transcend normal magics AND they just plain kick butt! While I like Spells and Spellcraft, I didn't feel like it was on the same playing field as Spells and Spellcraft. Good stuff to do DIFFERENT things in an already settled campaign world, but I think R&R is great BECAUSE it can ENHANCE an exsisting campaign AND give it more depth. Spells&Spellcraft just give more options.

 

[Scatterspell]

Bah ALL powerful is overrated. The rituals were good tho, probably the books saving grace...the magic items were too uber for my taste, all in all a good book, but doesn't add the kinda background material you get in Spells and Spellcraft.

tho I got admit for background material Alchemy and Herbalists blows em both away...great material for Alchemy shops and all that!! Great book!

 

[Kaptain_Kantrip]

Lords of Darkness is really well done though loses some of its usefulness outside the Realms. However, the new feats, spells, PrCs and maps are excellent. I would have preferred more coverage of the Banite Church and Zhentarim organizations which are the real star villains of the Realms (as well as other evil god's churches like Loviatar), rather than some of the weirder, less important or more mundane organizations.

Spells & Spellcraft from FFG is one of the best and most creative d20 books produced to date. And you guys know how picky I am, so ringing endorsements like that don't come cheap!

The new KoK Player's Guide is also a sound investment regardless of campaign setting. Lots of crunchy bits to use!