I think so. Binders add a new jack-of-all-trades class to the game, but with a new twist. The character can completely choose which trade he is going to be the jack of in a given day, and though he'll never be as good as the full-time employees of that class, the binder still does a better job of filling a niche than other class that have to cover all bases all the times.
Shadowcasters are the most complicated class I've ever seen. It took a week for my friends and I to understand the spellcasting system they use (or maybe we're just dumb). Nevertheless, they get some awesome nastiness at their disposal. Not at low-levels, mind you; they're fairly weak then. But higher up, they're quite the terror. Note that one can trade a wizard level for shadowcaster levels at any given level-up, so you can avoid some of the low-level weakness by starting in a totally different class and then retroactively become a full-classed shadowcaster.
Finally, truenamers are interesting, but I have yet to see a good example of one in play. I tried one, but the campaign I was in had a significantly different party structure, which really messed with their mechanics. Nevertheless, I think they would prove perfectly viable in a standard group in the long run. Not also that Truename magic can be used by normal wizards and sorcerers, as well.
The Prestige Classes that come with the new full classes are interesting, the mechanics are extremely different but work, and there is a ton of fluff to go with the crunch and serves a very useful purpose in explaining the themes of the classes and how to fit them into your world.
I recommend Tome of Magic.
I liked it a lot - if you're looking for a bit of a change up from the normal magic users. I particularly like the binders and the truenamers, though in practice, the Truename skill check requires some finagling at higher levels.
I love ToM, and highly recommend it. The only think I don't like is that truename magic is based on a skill, which basically means that each DM that allows the class has to fritz with the truespeak DCs to fit the amount and availability of magic junk that he/she gives out. But other than that, it's a great book.
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I highly recommend it. I'd highly recommend it even if the only class in the book was the binder - mechanically binders work quite well in the Jack of All Trades slot, as Saern has said.
But in addition, with binders it's -very- easy to change the flavor of the class without touching any of the mechanics. Just change the history and names of the vestiges, make them saints, or work up a few of your own and bam - binders are no longer users of ancient forbidden lore, but holy speakers to the hallowed dead and saints.
Similar flavor adjustments are pretty easy without any serious need to the basic rules of the class needed, which makes it very easy to fit a binder into a homebrew game, or just about any other game.
The only thing I wish existed was higher binder level vestiges - the ones in the book seem to top out around level 8 or so.
As for shadowcasters, I think because of the complex mechanics, they're best used as BBEGs and NPCs for the most part unless you have a very organized player. As BBEG's, they're actually quite awsome and horribly effective.
Truenaming... gives me a headache. I like the concept, and the Truenaming spells for the existing classes are now in my game, but the Truenamer itself feels... wierd. Probably because of the skill checks.
Truenamers feel a lot like a buff/debuff class though, which is nice to see outside of the cleric.
As for shadowcasters, I think because of the complex mechanics, they're best used as BBEGs and NPCs for the most part unless you have a very organized player. As BBEG's, they're actually quite awsome and horribly effective.
Complete agreement. Considering that they are expected to only be around for one encounter, the small number of uses per mystery per day is negligible and they can pump out some serious pain, especially with Path Focus and Killing Shadows. 1d8 nonclassed damage/caster level. Ouch!
As for shadowcasters, I think because of the complex mechanics, they're best used as BBEGs and NPCs for the most part unless you have a very organized player. As BBEG's, they're actually quite awsome and horribly effective.Complete agreement. Considering that they are expected to only be around for one encounter, the small number of uses per mystery per day is negligible and they can pump out some serious pain, especially with Path Focus and Killing Shadows. 1d8 nonclassed damage/caster level. Ouch!
They work ok as player characters they just start a bit weak. Once they hit 7th level they start to have more spells per day than a wizard, but never out do a sorcerer for spells per day. They end up being a stealthy focused sorcerer. The real boon comes in the fact that there magic can cast as spell-like abilities and supernatural abilities. So they end up with a few spells that ignor SR and have no saves. Right now my wife's Shadowcaster at level 9 is one of the biggest damage dealers. It does really require taking a lot of the Metashadow feats.
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The real boon comes in the fact that there magic can cast as spell-like abilities and supernatural abilities. So they end up with a few spells that ignor SR and have no saves.
This is actually one of the biggest strengths of the class later on. They can't be interrupted, silenced and so forth.
It does really require taking a lot of the Metashadow feats.
This is what I meant by 'an organized player'. They require a lot of forethought and planning to beef up, and you need to take the time to really familiarize yourself with the options - definitely not for a new player. I also know players who get flustered when having to keep track of spells.
Thumbed threw this and found it intriguing. Worth picking up or waste of money? Any opinions would be appreciated.
Tome of Magic is beyond a doubt on the most underrated books published by WotC. Frankly, the price alone is worth shelling gold pieces. The Binder and Shadow Mage classes are the high points of the book and can be used to modify fighter and rogue classes with little or no changes in game mechanics. I won't touch the truename class as it’s cumbersome and problematic in a campaign.
I think it is good i like the Binder class and shadow caster but the Truename suck for a class
Tome of Magic is pretty good. I have never regretted the money I spent on it.
I'll join in the chorus of fans of Tome of Magic. Along w/ Tome of Battle, I think it is one of the best non-core books WOTC ever put out for D&D.
For those interested in the Shadowcaster, the designer--Ari Marmell--admitted that the class was a little underpowered. It was back on 1/4/07, in the WOTC boards, but I'm sorry I don't have the exact post/thread link. Anyway, he mentioned something about providing "unofficial errata". Don't know if he followed through on that, but I thought I'd throw that out there...