With a subscription to DDi Character Builder, buying a PHB2 isn't necessary.


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Not entirely; currently there are rules missing. For instance, the CB will help you make a character with a certain weapon, and the Compendium will tell you that that weapon has the Brutal 2 quality, but neither tool will tell you what "Brutal 2" actually does. You still need the AV (hardcover book) to tell you that. I expect that the same will be true for PHB2 and all future books.
Actually, the Compendium does explain the brutal property.
 

I have a DDI subscription, and I'll still be buying the book.

One other thing books are good for... lending to friends to help build their characters, especially if they don't have DDI.

Another example of rules that will be in the PHB2 and not in DDI... explanation of the Summoning keyword. You'll have access to all the powers with Summoning, but no information on things like the HP and Defenses of the creatures summoned.

Yes, you can get this information from some of the Wizards site preview articles, but I suspect there will be other, similar rule crunchiness in PHB2 and future books which will not be accessible from the DDI.
 

Hey Scott...

The demo of the character builder sold me on DDI...

The only thing that I really want now is the ability to put custom races and feats in.
 

For the record the character builder finally dragged me in after resistance on my part.

I still miss my print magazines but I will also be buying a physical copy of the PHB II as are more than half my gaming group. We currently have 1/3 of the group with DDi.

I also agree with the idea of allowing custom input into the character builder.
 

I will be buying the book and not subscribing to DDI.

The main reason is once I buy the book I own it forever. With DDI, I need to keep paying forever. And that assumes Wizards does not go uner, or change the DDI deal, or any of a dozen other things that could steal the online DDI info from me.
 


Actually, DDI compendiums and character builders disappear as soon as you stop paying for them - you're renting access, not buying it.

Compendium yes. CB no. You don't need to continue your subscription to continue to use the CB, only you won't get the updates. Asking me where I read that would be a difficult pull for me right now but that was my understanding.

Personally, I like the feel of a book, I find it useful at the table over a laptop that I worry about being stolen at a gameday, and as Scott mentioned, some non-crunch rules (what are those Scott?) will be in the book and not anywhere else.
 


Scott,

Character Builder is what sold me on DDI too. My group started our campaign at 20th level, and after getting used to the program, I find that one can usually create an entire character of that level in the time it takes to generate ability scores for that level by hand.

It's changed the way we play, certainly. It's also generated more enthusiasm for the game in general, such that I'm organizing my group's first-time outing to a game day, where at least two of our number will be buying PHB 2.

As a DM, I find compendium very useful, but it will never replace my precious books. I don't feel hampered by the lack of a keyword glossary or system rules. I already know what they all do, and anyone who doesn't ought to consider investing in a 4E DM screen.

I just want to say that I am much more impressed with the way the game is being handled now than I've been since I started playing in early 2004.

PJ
 

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