Best recent D&D products

[Waldo]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

So I got an eBay Paypal certificate for my birthday.

Question for the group: what are the best DD&D products of the last...
oh, say since 3.5 came in.

That includes splatbooks, modules, campaign worlds, you name it. I'm
looking for cleverness, good writing, crunch that's useful. Nice art
is a plus. Ideally it would have stuff that could be used IMC (which
is pretty plain vanilla 3.5). Can be by WotC or anyone else.

So: what have you seen in the last year or two that really did it for
you?


Waldo

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

Waldo wrote:
> So I got an eBay Paypal certificate for my birthday.
>
> Question for the group: what are the best DD&D products of the
last...
> oh, say since 3.5 came in.
>
> That includes splatbooks, modules, campaign worlds, you name it. I'm
> looking for cleverness, good writing, crunch that's useful. Nice art
> is a plus. Ideally it would have stuff that could be used IMC (which
> is pretty plain vanilla 3.5). Can be by WotC or anyone else.
>
> So: what have you seen in the last year or two that really did it for
> you?

Hm. Well, the Expanded Psionics Handbook is great, if you're at all
interested in psionics. It's a well fleshed-out, interesting system,
and the book gives plenty of bang for your buck. Of course, if you're
one of those people who feels that psionics don't belong in D&D, you
won't find much in there to change your mind.

Other than that, I found Complete Warrior very nice. I wasn't bowled
over by it, but I found pretty much all of it very interesting. Lots of
neat ideas in there.

Laszlo

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

Waldo wrote:
> So I got an eBay Paypal certificate for my birthday.
>
> Question for the group: what are the best DD&D products of the
last...
> oh, say since 3.5 came in.
>
> That includes splatbooks, modules, campaign worlds, you name it. I'm
> looking for cleverness, good writing, crunch that's useful. Nice art
> is a plus. Ideally it would have stuff that could be used IMC (which
> is pretty plain vanilla 3.5). Can be by WotC or anyone else.
>
> So: what have you seen in the last year or two that really did it for
> you?
>

Although more 3.25, I find Savage Species invaluable. If you DM, MMII
seems prety good, lots of pictures in it as well.

- Justisaur

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

Waldo <peggoliathy@yahoo.com> wrote:
> So I got an eBay Paypal certificate for my birthday.
>
> Question for the group: what are the best DD&D products of the last...
> oh, say since 3.5 came in.
>
> That includes splatbooks, modules, campaign worlds, you name it. I'm
> looking for cleverness, good writing, crunch that's useful. Nice art
> is a plus. Ideally it would have stuff that could be used IMC (which
> is pretty plain vanilla 3.5). Can be by WotC or anyone else.
>
> So: what have you seen in the last year or two that really did it for
> you?

I haven't seen a lot come out in the last few months; it's been *really*
slow since about Christmas.

A few days ago I bought this one. Their other books are certainly worth
looking at as well.

_A Magical Society: Beast Builder_ (Expeditious Retreat)

http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=4498&src=RALink
http://www.rpgnow.com/default.php?manufacturers_id=406 (publisher)

I like Expeditious Retreat to begin with, so perhaps biased here.
However, I don't know of anyone (DMish, at least) who's heard about
one of their books and not said 'that sounds *cool*'.

[yes, I know you weren't impressed by _A Magical Medieval Society:
Western Europe_ after you read it, Bradd... IIRC, you said it
didn't diverge far *enough* from the DMG... but I bet it grabbed
your attention]

Joe doesn't seem to write really crunchy books. He writes really
*thinky* books, full of information that has ah heck all to do with the
mechanics of the game but a lot to do with considerations of world
design.


This is not a monster book, in the sense of providing monsters or
templates. There are a grand total of *two* monsters here, not even
completely statted out, to demonstrate a 'random monster generator'
(which is used for idea mining more than playable monsters -- generate
the outline, then flesh it out yourself, sort of thing).

However, the book provides a shitload to think about when designing
monsters. Covers ecology[1], physiology[2], campaign roles[3]. It
doesn't give strong guidelines for determining CR or EL, but does go
into the things to consider, for both.

Among other things, the book goes through and collates the SA/SQ for
all creatures in the RSRD (and one their own books... "Monster
Geographica: Underground", IIRC). Includes both the description of
the SA/SQ and a crossreference of the creatures that have it
(including specific notes -- the DR entry includes a list of all
RSRD/MGU monsters and their DR values). Revises some SA/SQ to make
them easier to move to other creatures[4].

[1] "does it make sense for it to live here?", or conversely "what
would it make sense to have living here?")
[2] "what sorts of features make sense for creatures of this type?"
[3] "what sort of things will it do, and how?"
[4] 'Death Throes' (from Balor) is now described as "when killed, a
creature with this ability explodes in a blinding flash of light
that deals 5 * HD points of damage to anything within 5 * HD feet
(Reflex half). [etc.]" There's another 'Death Throes' (from Frost
Worm), "... turns to ice and shatters in an explosion that deals
1d6 * HD points of cold damage and 1d6 * 1/2 HD points of piercing
damage...".


Keith
--
Keith Davies "English is not a language. English is a
keith.davies@kjdavies.org bad habit shared between Norman invaders
keith.davies@gmail.com and Saxon barmaids!"
http://www.kjdavies.org/ -- Frog, IRC, 2005/01/13

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

laszlo_spamhole@freemail.hu <laszlo_spamhole@freemail.hu> wrote:
>
> Waldo wrote:
>> So I got an eBay Paypal certificate for my birthday.
>>
>> Question for the group: what are the best DD&D products of the
> last...
>> oh, say since 3.5 came in.
>>
>> That includes splatbooks, modules, campaign worlds, you name it. I'm
>> looking for cleverness, good writing, crunch that's useful. Nice art
>> is a plus. Ideally it would have stuff that could be used IMC (which
>> is pretty plain vanilla 3.5). Can be by WotC or anyone else.
>>
>> So: what have you seen in the last year or two that really did it for
>> you?
>
> Hm. Well, the Expanded Psionics Handbook is great, if you're at all
> interested in psionics. It's a well fleshed-out, interesting system,
> and the book gives plenty of bang for your buck. Of course, if you're
> one of those people who feels that psionics don't belong in D&D, you
> won't find much in there to change your mind.

I forgot this one (not 'recent months' by my estimation, I guess).

Actually, even though I don't have a place for psionics IMC, I *am*
leaning on ExpPsi for my revised spellcasting system. I particularly
like the power augmentations.

> Other than that, I found Complete Warrior very nice. I wasn't bowled
> over by it, but I found pretty much all of it very interesting. Lots of
> neat ideas in there.

The Complete series are generally useful, I think.

Another one I really liked -- and we're getting farther back now -- is
Unearthed Arcana. Full of ideas.


Keith
--
Keith Davies "English is not a language. English is a
keith.davies@kjdavies.org bad habit shared between Norman invaders
keith.davies@gmail.com and Saxon barmaids!"
http://www.kjdavies.org/ -- Frog, IRC, 2005/01/13

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

Waldo wrote:

> So I got an eBay Paypal certificate for my birthday.
>
> Question for the group: what are the best DD&D products of the last...
> oh, say since 3.5 came in.

> So: what have you seen in the last year or two that really did it for
> you?

Eberron Campaign Setting, Complete Adventurer, and Sandstorm

 

[drow]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

Alien mind control rays made Dirk Collins <dirk.collins@earthlink.net> write:
>> Question for the group: what are the best DD&D products of the last...
>> oh, say since 3.5 came in.
>
> Eberron Campaign Setting, Complete Adventurer

these certainly stick out in my mind. (maybe thats a robot)

> and Sandstorm

i'm glad to hear that. i just bought it this week, haven't had time
to read through it just yet. it seems to be just what's needed for the
predicament the party's found themselves in, though.

--
\^\ // drow@bin.sh (CARRIER LOST) <http://www.bin.sh/>
\ // - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
// \ X-Windows: Simplicity made complex.
// \_\ -- Dude from DPAK

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

laszlo_spamhole@freemail.hu wrote:
> Waldo wrote:
> > So I got an eBay Paypal certificate for my birthday.
> >
> > Question for the group: what are the best DD&D products of the
> last...
> > oh, say since 3.5 came in.
> >
> > That includes splatbooks, modules, campaign worlds, you name it.
I'm
> > looking for cleverness, good writing, crunch that's useful. Nice
art
> > is a plus. Ideally it would have stuff that could be used IMC
(which
> > is pretty plain vanilla 3.5). Can be by WotC or anyone else.
> >
> > So: what have you seen in the last year or two that really did it
for
> > you?
>
> Hm. Well, the Expanded Psionics Handbook is great, if you're at all
> interested in psionics. It's a well fleshed-out, interesting system,
> and the book gives plenty of bang for your buck. Of course, if you're
> one of those people who feels that psionics don't belong in D&D, you
> won't find much in there to change your mind.
>
> Other than that, I found Complete Warrior very nice. I wasn't bowled
> over by it, but I found pretty much all of it very interesting. Lots
of
> neat ideas in there.
>

I found quite a few neat ideas in the Complete series. My favorite PrC
is from the Divine book: Radiant Servant of Pelor. Kicks serious ass
and from an RP standpoint, is a good character concept. Overall, I'd
say Warrior was better (it's got the cavalier, my favorite concept of
all time) for the feats.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

Dirk Collins wrote:
> Waldo wrote:
>
> > So I got an eBay Paypal certificate for my birthday.
> >
> > Question for the group: what are the best DD&D products of the
last...
> > oh, say since 3.5 came in.
>
> > So: what have you seen in the last year or two that really did it
for
> > you?
>
> Eberron Campaign Setting, Complete Adventurer, and Sandstorm

I don't know if you've checked it out, but I'd say the Dragonlance
Campaign setting hardcover did a good job as well. Just got it. Then
again, I like the knights and chivalry flavor of the setting.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

Dirk Collins wrote:
> Rump Ranger wrote:
> > Dirk Collins wrote:
> >
> >>Waldo wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>>So I got an eBay Paypal certificate for my birthday.
> >>>
> >>>Question for the group: what are the best DD&D products of the
> >
> > last...
> >
> >>>oh, say since 3.5 came in.
> >>
> >>>So: what have you seen in the last year or two that really did it
> >
> > for
> >
> >>>you?
> >>
> >>Eberron Campaign Setting, Complete Adventurer, and Sandstorm
> >
> >
> > I don't know if you've checked it out, but I'd say the Dragonlance
> > Campaign setting hardcover did a good job as well. Just got it.
Then
> > again, I like the knights and chivalry flavor of the setting.
>
> Does Dragonlance have good rules for Jousting in it, and better
> rules for mounted combat?
>

Unfortunately, no.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

Dirk Collins wrote:


> Eberron Campaign Setting, Complete Adventurer, and Sandstorm

So say you're on a very limited RPG budget, and you want the "Complete
Splatbook" with the most bang for your buck. Would "Complete
Adventurer" be the best bet among them?

--
Jay Knioum
The Mad Afro

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

Rump Ranger wrote:
> Dirk Collins wrote:
>
>>Waldo wrote:
>>
>>
>>>So I got an eBay Paypal certificate for my birthday.
>>>
>>>Question for the group: what are the best DD&D products of the
>
> last...
>
>>>oh, say since 3.5 came in.
>>
>>>So: what have you seen in the last year or two that really did it
>
> for
>
>>>you?
>>
>>Eberron Campaign Setting, Complete Adventurer, and Sandstorm
>
>
> I don't know if you've checked it out, but I'd say the Dragonlance
> Campaign setting hardcover did a good job as well. Just got it. Then
> again, I like the knights and chivalry flavor of the setting.

Does Dragonlance have good rules for Jousting in it, and better
rules for mounted combat?

Re,
Dirk

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

madafro@sbcglobal.net wrote:
> Dirk Collins wrote:
>
>
> > Eberron Campaign Setting, Complete Adventurer, and Sandstorm
>
> So say you're on a very limited RPG budget, and you want the
"Complete
> Splatbook" with the most bang for your buck. Would "Complete
> Adventurer" be the best bet among them?

Depends on what class you like playing most, or if you like wierd
multi-class combonations. If you like wizards or sorcerers for example
you'd probably get more use out of Complete Arcane. If you like
fighters and to a lesser degree barbarians and monks you might want
Complete Warrior. If you like Clerics or Druids Complete Divine is the
way to go. If you like something elese or weird multi-class
combinations, or just think you ought to have a paladin bard, Complete
Adventurer is definately the way to go. There's some good stuff in
there for most classes though.

- Justisaur.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

Justisaur wrote:
> madafro@sbcglobal.net wrote:


> > So say you're on a very limited RPG budget, and you want the
> "Complete
> > Splatbook" with the most bang for your buck. Would "Complete
> > Adventurer" be the best bet among them?
>
> Depends on what class you like playing most, or if you like wierd
> multi-class combonations. If you like wizards or sorcerers for
example
> you'd probably get more use out of Complete Arcane. If you like
> fighters and to a lesser degree barbarians and monks you might want
> Complete Warrior. If you like Clerics or Druids Complete Divine is
the
> way to go. If you like something elese or weird multi-class
> combinations, or just think you ought to have a paladin bard,
Complete
> Adventurer is definately the way to go. There's some good stuff in
> there for most classes though.

Thanks. I'd say my players are all over the map when it comes to
preferences. Since I don't yet have any of the "Complete" books, I was
looking for a good first purchase. CA seemed like it might have
something for everyone.

--
Jay Knioum
The Mad Afro

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

Jim Davies wrote:
> "Rump Ranger" <buttpirate2@fadmail.com> typed:
>
> >I found quite a few neat ideas in the Complete series. My favorite
PrC
> >is from the Divine book: Radiant Servant of Pelor. Kicks serious
ass
> >and from an RP standpoint, is a good character concept. Overall,
I'd
> >say Warrior was better (it's got the cavalier, my favorite concept
of
> >all time) for the feats.
>
> AFAICT, the Radiant Servant is just flat BETTER than a cleric. It
gets
> the same (full) spellcasting, same BAB, skill points and saves
> (actually a probable 1st-level boost to saves) and comparable class
> skills. On top of that, it gets better Turn Undead, martial weapons
> and oodles of kewl special abilities. The only thing it loses is 1hp
> per level. The entry requirements are minimal.
>

I concur it can indeed be pretty damn powerful. Especially if the
servant's got good, radiance, and glory or purification are both pretty
good for a third domain. I just like it for the concept.

> On the subject of decent books: I have no regrets about buying
> Complete Warrior or Complete Divine, but neither is exactly
> compulsory. There's some good stuff in each, but far too much paper
> wasted on prestige classes.
>

I dunno. The prestige classes IMO are cool even if I'm not going to
use them all (others might find ones I don't like useful). One thing I
really like about Warrior over Divine is the style and tactical feats.
One of the better concepts in Divine is faith feats but they only give
three of them and there's less than a page said about it.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

madafro@sbcglobal.net wrote:
> Justisaur wrote:
> > madafro@sbcglobal.net wrote:
>
>
> > > So say you're on a very limited RPG budget, and you want the
> > "Complete
> > > Splatbook" with the most bang for your buck. Would "Complete
> > > Adventurer" be the best bet among them?
> >
> > Depends on what class you like playing most, or if you like wierd
> > multi-class combonations. If you like wizards or sorcerers for
> example
> > you'd probably get more use out of Complete Arcane. If you like
> > fighters and to a lesser degree barbarians and monks you might want
> > Complete Warrior. If you like Clerics or Druids Complete Divine is
> the
> > way to go. If you like something elese or weird multi-class
> > combinations, or just think you ought to have a paladin bard,
> Complete
> > Adventurer is definately the way to go. There's some good stuff in
> > there for most classes though.
>
> Thanks. I'd say my players are all over the map when it comes to
> preferences. Since I don't yet have any of the "Complete" books, I
was
> looking for a good first purchase. CA seemed like it might have
> something for everyone.
>

Well, from a standpoint of utility, I'd say that Complete Warrior's got
a lot to offer to paladins and clerics too (as well as barbarians,
ragners, and monks). It's even got some bardic PrC concepts
(warchanter).

Complete Divine is obviously useful for clerics and druids. It's also
got some neat things for paladins, rogues (temple raiders), rangers,
monks who multiclass, arcane spellcasters, bards (evangelists), and
even fighters.

Adventurer obviously focuses on rogues and bards, but has good things
for warrior types, magic users, and even psions. Arcane obviously
focuses on wizard/sorcerers but has good things as well for other
classes. I'd say Arcane is the most limited in general utility but
that it's also got some of the best concepts for character classes:
namely, the warlock and warmage. It's also got a good amount of new
spells to look at if you can't seem to get enough.

It really depends on what you like most: combat feats/tanks = Warriors;
arcane magic = Arcane; divine magic/nature magic = Divine;
skills/rogues =Adventurer.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

U.P.:up wrote:
> Rump Ranger<buttpirate2@fadmail.com> gave the game away:
> > Jim Davies wrote:
> >>
> >> AFAICT, the Radiant Servant is just flat BETTER than a cleric. It
> >
> >I just like it for the concept.
>
> The concept of super cleric?
>

Heh. I like it for the concept that it's a priest who annihilates
undead with sunlight and heals the sick. Obviously the DM has to put
some types of RP restrictions on it. I'd agree it can cause headaches
for DMs who don't prepare for it (my DM was hesitant to allow it but
decided to let me have it given I don't abuse the power because the god
who grants it can cancel my powers out at will). Mechanics wise, it's
got munch but it's also a cleric who's got obligations to fulfill.
Sometimes those obligations the DM put on me (like giving 30% of what I
get to the church and/or charity because the church is based on
benefitting all) can hurt.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

Rump Ranger<buttpirate2@fadmail.com> gave the game away:
> Jim Davies wrote:
>>
>> AFAICT, the Radiant Servant is just flat BETTER than a cleric. It
>
>I just like it for the concept.

The concept of super cleric?

--
Matt Alexander
majelix@geh-hibidy-hoo-ha
Student, Consumer, Tool.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

"Rump Ranger" <buttpirate2@fadmail.com> typed:

>I found quite a few neat ideas in the Complete series. My favorite PrC
>is from the Divine book: Radiant Servant of Pelor. Kicks serious ass
>and from an RP standpoint, is a good character concept. Overall, I'd
>say Warrior was better (it's got the cavalier, my favorite concept of
>all time) for the feats.

AFAICT, the Radiant Servant is just flat BETTER than a cleric. It gets
the same (full) spellcasting, same BAB, skill points and saves
(actually a probable 1st-level boost to saves) and comparable class
skills. On top of that, it gets better Turn Undead, martial weapons
and oodles of kewl special abilities. The only thing it loses is 1hp
per level. The entry requirements are minimal.

On the subject of decent books: I have no regrets about buying
Complete Warrior or Complete Divine, but neither is exactly
compulsory. There's some good stuff in each, but far too much paper
wasted on prestige classes.

--
Jim or Sarah Davies, but probably Jim

D&D and Star Fleet Battles stuff on http://www.aaargh.org

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

buttpirate2@fadmail.com wrote:
>> Heh. I like it for the concept that it's a priest who annihilates
>> undead with sunlight and heals the sick.

Jasin Zujovic <jzujovic@inet.hr> wrote:
> What does it need martial weapons to do that? Or medium BAB? Or full
> spellcasting, even? He's fighting undead with sunlight, not his
> morningstar or greatsword or spells, after all.
>
> I find it really annoying that there are so many cleric PrCs that take
> away so little (or nothing!) and grant a bucket o' abilities.

I recommend http://www.szonye.com/bradd/d20/classes/preacher.html (if
you don't mind updating the spell list to 3.5 standards).
--
Bradd W. Szonye
http://www.szonye.com/bradd