Who is your favorite d20 author?

[Mark]

Hi all!

My favourite d20 'writer' is Mark (Clover) of Creative Mountain Games. Of all the d20 stuff I have read his is consistently the best written. The 'Locus - Jalston' and 'Plexus - Portals' bear this out.

That said I don't think he is the best d20 'designer' out there (sorry Mark). In that respect I would have to give Monte (Cook) the nod, with Chris (Pramas) and James (Wyatt) close behind.

Of course even Monte has his off days...I didn't think much of the BoVD Archfiends chapter...of course I would never criticise someone unless I could have done a better job myself.

Thanks! It's an honor to even be mentioned in this thread with so many really great designers and writers!

 

[Napftor]

That's actually one of the reasons that I started this thread. I know the "big names," and I have most/all/a lot of their stuff (because it's generally excellent) -- but it's interesting when some of the lesser-known folks crop up in a thread like this.

I'm hoping this thread will stick around and continue to grow...
Thanks for all the responses so far -- keep them coming.

Wow, this thread sank like a stone. I'm sure there's more underdogs to be taken notice of in the industry. As for the question at hand, I had to find this thread to mention one of my all-time favs: Matt Forbeck. His work with Atlas, FFG, WotC, and others speaks for itself and who can forget the 2nd edition favorite Chronomancy?

 

[Flyspeck23]

Of the "big" names, I'd like to mention Robin D. Laws (Seven Strongholds) and Philip Reed (101 whatever ).

Lesser-known folks? What about Joe Mucchiello? Gotta love those "tuesday two-pagers".
Granted, he might not be "lesser-known", because he is a pretty diligent poster on oh-so-many boards

 

[haiiro]

Wow, this thread sank like a stone.

I think I jinxed it with that post. Ah well.

 

[Emirikol]

Ian Sturrock

Q1. Who is your favorite d20 author?

A1. Ian Sturrock

Q2. Why?

A2. He's a nice guy

Q3. What are some of this author's works that you particularly enjoy?

A3. TSlaine the d20 RPG and d20Conan (stbr)

Em

 

[Acmite]

1. Steve Kenson

2. Solid rules mechanics, great flavour text, neat ideas.

3. Shaman's Handbook, Witch's Handbook, Mutants and Masterminds


If I had to choose a second place? Monte, SKR, Mike Mearls.

I'd probably say Kevin Kulp as well, but since I'm playing through Of Sound Mind now (PbP game in the In Character forum), I haven't read my copy yet.

 

[MerricB]

Thanks! It's an honor to even be mentioned in this thread with so many really great designers and writers!

That's probably because you deserve it, Mark. Or maybe you'll deserve it in the near future.

I'm a big fan of Monte Cook and Gary Gygax (the latter's d20 material is by conversion, but I'm so looking forward to the Hall of Many Panes).

Monte Cook is there for the Books of Eldritch Might, RttTOEE and the DMG.

Gary Gygax is there for Necropolis.

Mark Clover sits firmly in the "someone to watch" group.

(Mark - my review of Potent Portals was submitted to rpg.net last week; it should be up in the next couple of days).

Cheers!

 

[BiggusGeekus]

Bruce Herd!

JHe hasn't written any 3e stuff, Biggus. He only did the D&D Known World stuff.

Oh. Um. Sorry.

Monte Cook.

Mr. Cook recognizes how these games are played. He knows that we are both master roleplayers and elite powergamers. He makes a point to write to both audiences and he does it well and with respect to the reader.

::cough:: and he has a sale going on right now at rpgnow.com ::cough::

Sorry. Gnome in my throat.

 

[JoeGKushner]

I like Cook, I like Pramas... but I just gotta be different.

I will say I like Cordell... All that psionic goodness!

Like a bunch of others too...

I'll throw my weight behind this, but also add the good old Sheen from Dragon magazine. Now that was some cool material. Of course Bruce has hit upon some other veins, but those two, especially the latest Mindscapes, are probably some of my favorites.

 

[chatdemon]

I'd have to say Charles Ryan, Stan! and Erik Mona.

Charles and Stan! have done some awesome work on the D20 Modern stuff, namely the D20M Core Book, Ultramodern Firearms and Modern Player's Companion.

Erik's work on Legions of Hell, Armies of the Abyss, the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer and the LG adventure River of Blood is all great.