The Campaign Builder's Guild

Other things come first for me... but, what does everyone think of the environment series?  I debate buying them, but then again, I try to buy everything...  If they aren't so good, maybe I'll buy ToM...

Love the environmental series for the most part.... especially Frostburn.  Stormwrack (should have stayed "Maelstrom") was good too, but not like Frostburn.  Have read Sandstorm, but wasn't interested enough to buy it.

The Enviroment series < Tome of Magic.
Here's why: The Enviro series is good for what it does, which is present three distinct atmospheres that lend well to adventuring.
-Sandstorm: The Desert. This is my favorite of the three, because it's the one that I use most often. Deserts are a bit trickier and have less support than cold terrain in the core and future products, but ultimately, it's a personal choice between the two.
-Frostburn: I liked it, don't get me wrong. I just don't see much practical use for it, and I have NEVER used very much material out of it. That being said, it provides a number of springboards from which you can launch a cold-oriented campaign.
-Stormwrack: Very well-written for a D&D book, but tries to do things D&D isn't meant for. Both underwater combat and sea-faring are two things that are best handled outside solid statistics and rules, and this book sees minimal use except for the bits about pirates. I liked the Environment series. But nowhere near as much as I like ToM.

Ultimately, it's about what you want most and will use the most. You've mentioned that you might not see a lot of utility for the other two systems, so it's a decision you'll have to mull over for a while.

Ã, -Elven DoritosÃ, 
Editor-in-Chief

EDIT: There are many, many different opinions on the Environment series. Your best bet is to review before purchasing.

This is a very well written review.Ã,  You almost made me want to buy it...until I remembered how much I prefer low-magic settings.

Eventually, however, I may have to get my hands on a copy of this book.Ã,  What do you think of using these magic systems as a replacement of the standard magic system?Ã,  Actually, I would be more likely to use them to make there be less of the standard magic, but I would still like to hear your thoughts on the subject.

Quote from: ElDo

Quote from: Black Jack DaveyThis is a very well written review.Ã,  You almost made me want to buy it...until I remembered how much I prefer low-magic settings.
Eventually, however, I may have to get my hands on a copy of this book.Ã,  What do you think of using these magic systems as a replacement of the standard magic system?Ã,  Actually, I would be more likely to use them to make there be less of the standard magic, but I would still like to hear your thoughts on the subject.

Heh. I try.

As a replacement for Vancian magic, Truename and Pact do an excellent job of thinking outside the gears already in place. As for Shadow, it bears many resemblances to current spellcasting but does so with its own twists-- I've compared it before to the meeting point between the Warlock and the standard magic system. All three have potential, and Pact in particular doesn't require a good deal of magical investment in the world (Just extraplanar entities with whom to bargain.)

-Elven Doritos
Welcome, by the way!

Eldo,
Here's a site that could benefit from this review:

http://www.rpg.net/reviews/

As far as I can tell, they don't have a review for the ToM up yet.

Cheers!

I submitted it.

Quote from: ElDo

Quote from: ElDo

Quote from: Black Jack DaveyThis is a very well written review.Ã,  You almost made me want to buy it...until I remembered how much I prefer low-magic settings.
Eventually, however, I may have to get my hands on a copy of this book.Ã,  What do you think of using these magic systems as a replacement of the standard magic system?Ã,  Actually, I would be more likely to use them to make there be less of the standard magic, but I would still like to hear your thoughts on the subject.

Heh. I try.

As a replacement for Vancian magic, Truename and Pact do an excellent job of thinking outside the gears already in place. As for Shadow, it bears many resemblances to current spellcasting but does so with its own twists-- I've compared it before to the meeting point between the Warlock and the standard magic system. All three have potential, and Pact in particular doesn't require a good deal of magical investment in the world (Just extraplanar entities with whom to bargain.)

-Elven Doritos
Welcome, by the way!

Anything that helps rid the universe of Vancian magic is okay in my book.