Worst 3.5 publishers?

[JoeGKushner]

So whose credibility has been hammered by 3.5?

For me, it's Mongoose. They put out books that could've easily been 3.0 with no issues but went for the 3.5 buck right when the system was changing and messed up numerous products.

A few others have little flubs here and there. I still see some references to wrong skills, casting times, incorrect monster advancement, but none to the point that whole books have been effected like Mongoose.

I hope that Conan doesn't suffer from this as Slaine, a book similiar in nature, a licensed book, was a great buy and Mongoose does produce some quality books but their hit or miss nature, added to the really bad editing and poor understanding of 3.5 mechanics, has keept me away from quite a few of their books.

 

[Kichwas]

Interesting. For me Mongoose has gone up with 3.5.

Their newer books are better thought out mechanics wise - with fewer balance issues. I started noticing this when I got Quintessential Sorcerer and compared it with older product.

As a company, they have improved in my eyes.

The company I am getting most frustrated with is FFG - because I hear nothing but silence on their website. I've no ideas if they plan to update material or not, or what they're up to.

That said I like most of what they've put out, though some if it is very poorly researched and early works had serious balance issues (the mermaid had no research, and Mythic Races was all over the place with ECLs - but I'm enjoying Cityworks).

 

[Brother Shatterstone]

Ahhh, Fast Forward Entertainment? Mainly cause their name has been smeared in the mud so many times that their books are often released to no fanfare, and most of the time isn’t deserving of it.

 

[Silveras]

Interesting. For me Mongoose has gone up with 3.5.

Their newer books are better thought out mechanics wise - with fewer balance issues. I started noticing this when I got Quintessential Sorcerer and compared it with older product.

As a company, they have improved in my eyes.

The company I am getting most frustrated with is FFG - because I hear nothing but silence on their website. I've no ideas if they plan to update material or not, or what they're up to.

That said I like most of what they've put out, though some if it is very poorly researched and early works had serious balance issues (the mermaid had no research, and Mythic Races was all over the place with ECLs - but I'm enjoying Cityworks).

I am much in agreement on FFG. Although I saw no warnings in the book, Smuggler's Run (for Dragonstar) is 3.5. It contains a feat, Innuendo, that enhances the sending and receiving of secret messages through Bluff and Sense Motive. In essence, that is "backdoor" acknowledgement of 3.5.

 

[d20Dwarf]

I am much in agreement on FFG. Although I saw no warnings in the book, Smuggler's Run (for Dragonstar) is 3.5. It contains a feat, Innuendo, that enhances the sending and receiving of secret messages through Bluff and Sense Motive. In essence, that is "backdoor" acknowledgement of 3.5.

I don't really understand. Are you upset because they switched to 3.5, or just upset that they didn't say it was 3.5?

At this point, shouldn't we assume that every book published will be compatible with the latest edition of the game? I would be pissed if I bought a book that was 3.0 compatible and had been published after Aug' 03.

 

[Nightfall]

Don't read to much into Wil. Some people just don't see it that way. I see this way: Anything FFG puts out gets a look see.

Anything FFE puts out, I ignore.

 

[d20Dwarf]

I'm not reading anything into it. I'm legitimately curious as to what his beef is.

 

[JoeGKushner]

Interesting. For me Mongoose has gone up with 3.5.

Their newer books are better thought out mechanics wise - with fewer balance issues. I started noticing this when I got Quintessential Sorcerer and compared it with older product.

As a company, they have improved in my eyes.

Like I noted, they have some great products. I agree with you on Q. Sorcerer. It's one of my favorite Q books (Monks is another great one and to me, paved the way for the 3.5 monk)

Their big books though, the ones they should be taking the most care with, the $34.95 puppies, like the City of the Drow, their Arcane Spellbook and their new monster book, all have issues. At leas the Arcane Spellbook got the 10 pages of errata it needed.

 

[Silveras]

I'm not reading anything into it. I'm legitimately curious as to what his beef is.

A fair question.
I must correct myself; there is a note on the back at the bottom that the book uses material from the 3.5 revised version.

However, my "beef" is that, as the 1st post-3.5-release Dragonstar book to come out from FFG, it would be nice if it at least acknowledged that there may be some differences. As a support book, it presumes that you have at least the Starfarer's Handbook, and it builds on the materials there. A block mentioning that skills changed names or got rolled into each other would be appropriate, so that people looking for the Sleight of Hand skill in their 3.0 Player's Handbook or Starfarer's Handbook don't wander off, confused. At worst, calling the section discussing Sleight of Hand "Sleight of Hand (was Pick Pockets)" would be better than nothing.

For me, the issue is minimal; I know the rules. I am speaking in general, though, for the people who are less familiar.

My complaint is minor; I also agree that FFG has done some excellent works. Traps & Treachery (both I & II) are excellent resources for traps; I found stuff to like in Spells & Spellcraft, and I love the Seafarer's Handbook. I found Mythic Races to be trying too hard, and it did nothing for me. But I love CityWorks.

 

[Treebore]

[Quote/]My complaint is minor; I also agree that FFG has done some excellent works. Traps & Treachery (both I & II) are excellent resources for traps; I found stuff to like in Spells & Spellcraft, and I love the Seafarer's Handbook. I found Mythic Races to be trying too hard, and it did nothing for me. But I love CityWorks.[/QUOTE]


I agree with your assessments, except Traps II because
I don't own and haven't read it. Of all the publishers i pay attention to (Green Ronin, Necromancer, FFG, FFE, AEG, Goodman, S&S, Kenzerco, Troll Lords, Fiery Dragon, Art Haus, Mongoose, Malhavoc, and probably one or two others) I think they have all gotten better. It is just that getting better doesn't win my money, so i look at every product before I buy.

The only product I can pick up and be almost certain I am going to buy it is Necromancer. It has been a while since they put out anything I didn't like, and the fellow who wrote those will no longer work with them.

Green Ronin is pretty good and I love their Book of the Righteous, but i don't have a desire to buy most of their product because it isn't something I am looking for. It does look good though and I haven't heard anyone complain about their Mutants and Masterminds stuff that I know plays it.

Even Art Haus (Ravenloft) has gotten better, but they still have a long way to go.

The ones I see as having improved a lot since they started is Goodman Games, Troll Lords, and Sword and Sorcery. Their work is now in the B to A- range, with an occassional A+.

Fiery Dragon has played it safe by staying mainly with counters, so no real measure there.

AEG I cannot give an informed opinion about. They haven't put out anything that I have even bothered to give a quick look through for over a year. For all I know they went under.

Malhavoc is a taste thing. You either like what Monte does or you don't. Personally I am on the don't side, but i do like to read his work. I haven't bought much of it though, maybe 4 books. None of it related to the Diamond Throne/Arcana Unearthed.


Thats my opinion.