You've bought a new book now what do you do?

[Harm]

Sadly the only reason this question is being asked is because we as consumers would like to believe that these books add something to the game and make it more enjoyable, but we know what we actually get is just a bunch of power ups.

 

[diaglo]

A) As a player where the DM hasn't got a copy of the book.

tell him about it and offer to lend him the book or even buy him a copy if i'm that enthuased.

B) As a DM where the players haven't got a copy of the book.

introduce the material when appropriate.

How long is it before stuff gets incorporated into your game? What if you are already playing a campaign and you are say the party Cleric, but the Swashbuckler/Rogue is looking more appealing with the feat in Complete Scoundrel that lets abilities stack?

as a player it still falls on the referee to approve and make the necessary adjustments for the new stuff. so i wait for the referee. if approved i make a new PC.

 

[rgard]

This so of sucks any incentive out of purchasing RPG products.



This is part of the reason I think RPGs books are a hard sell for the publishing industry, because either they sell two books or none, and for the group it's far easier for it to be none, since its less work to include the stuff.

I've seen it work well. Player 1 buys the book. Talks his DM into allowing the new class or prc. While reading the class description, the DM sees something in the book he wants to use for an NPC or to play as a PC in a different campaign. DM buys the book. Player 2 likes the new class as well. Player 2 buys the book. I witnessed this with the BoVD (you have to love Violated Lightning Bolts), BoED, Bo9S and Complete Mage among others.

Part of this hinges on how easy the DM is about new stuff in the campaign. I personally don't mind somebody bringing in something new. One player brought in a character from Green Ronin's College of Necromancy...he died, but cursed one of my major NPCs wrecking the NPC's viability as a protagonist. It created some work for me as I had to stat up a new BBEG, but that I don't mind.

So if your DM has a major problem with new stuff or stuff he/she doesn't own, then yes you may be buying a book you don't get to use...at least right away.

Thanks,
Rich

 

[Shadowslayer]

My rule is that as long as its WOTC, and someone can bring an actual bought-at-the-store copy of the book to the table, then its in play. My guys aren't power freaks and I know they're more into the flavor and style than the power ups...so I'm comfortable with it.

Also, most of em are too cheap to buy extra books.

As a DM, I tell the players "Hey, I got this book, check it out. Don't be surprised If some NPCs are using some of this stuff"

As a player, I'd just figure out what class/feat/whatever I want to use and take it to the DM. I wouldn't just hand him the book and say "can I use this book?"

I'd only get perturbed if he dismissed it out of hand just because it came from a splatbook. (Fortunately, you can spot these guys a mile away, usually well ahead of time. So you can spare yourself the hassle.)

But then again, I'm always the DM in our group, so it doesn't matter.

 

[KB9JMQ]

After I read the book I decide what I will allow in the games I run which normally is anything.
Then I loan it to the other DMs in the group to read and they will decide for the games they run.

Just got ToB and CompScoudrel and I like them both. Waiting now for the other DMs to finish to see if we can use it in the current game.

Most of the time we all agree and let everything in. Only once have we disagreed and that was a spell from the Mini's handbook.

 

[Thanee]

Most stuff can be used immediately, in some cases even retroactively.

Bye
Thanee

 

[JustKim]

B) As a DM where the players haven't got a copy of the book.

If it's something I think would be good for a PC, I show it to the player. If it's something I want to use myself, it's not necessarily any of their business! Fair play is one thing, but I'm not going to show the players my books and ask them to approve a monster or a feat for a BBEG.

 

[Arashi Ravenblade]

As a DM, if I own it, it's usually playable. If you own it I want to see it, or get a copy of it off you if it's a PDF.

As a player ive never had a problem with a DM allowing anything I have or another player has.

 

[Darklone]

I look for a bard/rogue multiclass feat that counts the added levels for sneak attack progression.

 

[derelictjay]

As a player. I usually go to the DM and ask if I can use the new material. I will even let the DM borrow my book if he wants to. I am fully prepared for him to say no.

As a DM. I incorporate where it fits. For the players I make it available, to the point that if they see something they like they can borrow the book to understand the rules. If it is special rules, I might warn the players that I am going to use something different.