There's some D&D threads, but not one about the actual books. As in, one where we discuss what's good and what is utter crap.
But first, I have a different question.
This is supposed to be the Planar Handbook, but
THIS is the picture according to Wizards.
Did they change the cover art at some point and the eBay auction is using the only art, or is this some weird foreign book? I ask because it's only $14 with shipping.
EDIT: Also, has anyone used the Ghostwalk book? The idea seems neat at least.
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That said, I am greatly pleased with the new systems books they've put out. Expanded psionics is leagues ahead of the original. Tome of Magic, Magic of Incarnum, and Tome of Battle are all exceptionally good books, with interesting mechanics that are fairly well balanced (minus a couple hiccups, truenamer I'm looking at you). It's jus tthe races, complete, and environments series that have been lackluster as of late.
LoL: failboattootoot
So we can all pretend I just said this? Please?
I especially agree with crunch/fluff comments. While I think fluff does have a place in published material I have no fucking clue why they devote 2/3rd of a generic book to fluff. None of it is going to be as universally used as the crunch bits and anybody with half a brain can usually write stuff that better suits a specific campaign. WotC fails hard in that regard.
Also re:crunch at least the new books are willing to break new rules ground. Too many 3.0 and early 3.5 PrC's were 'ability x +1' or a remix of often used mechanics. Now not all of these have come off well (or you know, not hidiously broken at least) but I'd rather see them try then more of the same. WotC, knock of the 'stupidly good things for turning attempt' feats. Please? Turning feats make turning extremely front loaded and often let you get something for nothing. Bah.
I should really read Incarnum and Tome of Battle. They are however a large, complex system and would probably take a large amount of effort to understand. Someday...
Incarnum is actually really simple, the rules section is maybe 9 pages long, if that. It's also a delightfully flexible systemas presented (i.e. with the 3 base classes provided you can often accomplish multiple roles with any of the 3) and also excellently balanced. Tome of Battle I still havn't looked at in depth, mostly because I don't own it, but having had opportunities to skim it, it seems more complicated than incarnumbut it also seems way more interesting. Also, the crusader and warblade classes immediately leapt out at me as "good" and interesting, I can't say the same for the incarnum stuff (not until I went through what the soulmelds actually did anyway).
And for the record, Tome of Magic is worth it for the binder class alone. It's been ages since I had as much fun in a D&D game than I am having with my binder right now. Not only is it the most flexible class I've ever played (it ranks up there with the chameleon), but it offers such awesome roleplaying opportunities (see failed binding checks).
LoL: failboattootoot
Back on topic, outside of the core books I've only felt drawn to others for fluff purposes, but then I do only play VERY rarely, I'm mainly in it for for the fluff. Manual of the Planes does look intriguing though, is this about as close as I'll get to Placescape for D20?
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That said, as far as books go, they keep compounding the PrCs and adding and adding and ultimately they're trying to encompass every single possible idea. That is something that lends itself better to pointbuy than to levels.
Looking at the Monster Manuals it seems less fantasy and more punk horror.
I blame Eberron.
caffron said: "and cat pee is not a laughing matter"
Something I've always wondered about; why is it labeled "18years+"?
For the Book of Vile Darkness I understand, but Exalted Deeds is good guys.
If your going to blame Eberron for something, blame it for being the best thing to happen to D&D in years.
Aah, you mean boobies.
It's supposed to be 18+, but the only kinds of people I could imagine buying it for something besides shits and giggles are 13 year olds.
Ayliana Moonwhisper Ecksus Cerazal
It probably plays more to the angsty Vampire crowd who are also interested in D&D than typical D&D players.
It doesn't play to anyone except people who want to pretend to nail eachother with magical dildos.
That book is crazy fucked up.
Rolls to see if you get caught wanking by the campfire during your watch shift?
Yeah, thanks, but I think I'll just ad-lib that situation if it ever comes up.
It was actually -- ironically -- one of the better spells in his arsenal (which was primarily illusion/phantasm stuff). He had several other spells that used sex against the victims, but it wasn't any serious ploy to drag sexuality into the game...it just made sense from a descriptive point of view. It was really hilarious when applied to drow.
Like the Sex Golem.
AGREED. I hope you're being serious because I am actually a very big fan of the book. The magic items, prestige classes, and combat rules are very good for making a game based in mass combat. Complete Warrior covered it pretty well, but it is not, obviously, an entire book dedicated to it.
I also like both the Tome of Magic and the Tome of Battle (the book of nine swords), and Magic of Incarnum, because they all offer a degree of flexibility with respect to class powers. You've always got a different repertoire to bring to each fight, which is very nice. Binders can alter up their vestiges in a pinch. Incarnum people can give themselves cool tricks too, and Tome of Battle is a brand-new (mildly overpowered) book of tricks for melee fighters.
Good stuff.
Planeswalker
Will of the Council - Starting with you, each player votes for death goblin.
For anything else, go to a bookstore, flip through the feat section, and jot down the stuff you like. If you go to Barnes and Noble, they don't care, just pick up a book, go to the included Starbucks, grab some coffee or something and just write about interesting things.
Tome of Battle just makes combat so interesting and awesome, and the Spell compendium has so many cool things that you'll either want to memorize or make one-of scrolls for. Hell, the book is worth it for Assay Resistance alone. (1 Swift action for +10 to CL checks against SR? YES PLEASE!)
Wow, that's a really cool spell. That'd make a nice Eternal Wand
EDIT: Er, it would, if it was a third level spell
Also if it didn't become a standard action to use from a wand.