Henry
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Gundark said:It would frustrating to be playing in somebody's campaign and wanting to use materials from other books and being told no. Some DMs power trip on this. I can understand not wanting to rules bloat your game, however I think a DM should be flexible to allowing the people that are playing with him to have other options
To an extent, I agree, but the worst my games have ever gotten was throwing Spell Compendium wide open to my mages and my priests, and allowing all their spells, some of which are truly devastating (that "spell engine" one that tosses off spells as it drains other spells? Elminster's Epurration? Avasculate? Wall of Limbs? Vortex of Teeth? I've seen some really sickening things with those spells!) The dragon Adept's detect magic invocation has made me think more than once about retiring from adventuring and opening a "9 to 5" kiosk that just identifies magic items for profit.
But I'll admit 3.5 has been better than 3.0 was about vetting supplementary material - 3.0 was where the Forgotten Realms allowed our mages to have save DCs in the mid-30's for their spellcastings...
As long as they stick to their rigorous "math model" that's been touted ever since September or so, then 4E's supplements should be a lot better rounded.