I have been taking considerable steps at prepping this adventure path for my group and have made extensive use of the fine work put forth by the folks here and at theRPGenius. However, I am running from the original Dragon articles and there seems to be some information in the hardcover that adds a lot to the game.
Can someone give me a list of the traits and any feats, prestige classes etc. that's exclusive to the hardcover? I have all of the issues plus the web enhancements but there still seems to be substantial info I'm missing. For example the added adventure material makes extensive mention of a dream trait, but that's not anywhere in the non-hardcover material.
Can I get some help?
The "Dream-Haunted" trait is only one of a few optional traits in the back of the hardcover. It gives the character strange nightmares that are sometimes prophetic, and also the ability to keep going longer without being fatigued (they are used to getting poor quality sleep). But there are drawbacks such as taking a penalty on certain will saves.
All of the optional traits have benefits and drawbacks, and they are given to players at character creation. There are prestige classes in there also, such as the High Handcrafter and the Pathwarden. I recommend you buy a hardcover and take a look at what they have to offer. If you don't have the money for that, there's always the option to invent your own changes and additions to the game. Being imaginative can have some really great results as a Dungeon Master.
The High Handcrafter is in one of the articles, the appendix of Demonskar Legacy if I remeber correctly. I thought there might be more to it than that. I already have quite a bit of custom material so I can just toss in Dream Haunted to the traits from Unearthed Arcana.
I don't see the point in dropping the money on the hardcover when I already own all the magazines. From what I gather the same amount of work needs to go into smoothing things out and few details are changed enough to worry about.
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As much as it may seem like its more of the same, the Hardcover is leaps and bounds better than the original AP as it appeared in the magazines. The original modules were made 1 at a time and released every other issue (sometimes even less frequently) and suffered a bit from being written by different people so far apart. The HC brings it all together in a really organized fashion, adds traits, venues, descriptions of the surrounding areas, tons of NPCs and a full disclosure on the first few pages of exactly what is going on and what the bad guys are doing.
As much as it may seem like its more of the same, the Hardcover is leaps and bounds better than the original AP as it appeared in the magazines. The original modules were made 1 at a time and released every other issue (sometimes even less frequently) and suffered a bit from being written by different people so far apart. The HC brings it all together in a really organized fashion, adds traits, venues, descriptions of the surrounding areas, tons of NPCs and a full disclosure on the first few pages of exactly what is going on and what the bad guys are doing.
Totally agree with this. I have all the magazine issues but I was still very happy with my decision to get the hardcover version. It brings together a lot of information on people and places that were spread out over several magazine issues. It also adds a lot more in (another entire adventure for starters). Also not that the first adventure in the magazines is a 3.0 adventure so you will have to convert it over to 3.5.
Olaf the Stout
I too would recommend buying the HC. Not only does it contain lots of extra material, it's also a great possession to have.
And the cost: the campaign will take you maybe 500 hours of play for six. Roughly calculated a meager 10 cents per hour. Divide the costs with your players and you play for a less than 2 cents per hour per player. I can't imagine that would be a big financial sacrifice!
I just have a hard time justifying the purchase to myself. $50-$60 for one book, even one as epic as Shackled City, is a hard decision to make. I'd rather spend the money on minis or something...
I strongly recommend the Hardcover. I own all the Dungeon Magazines, and still prefer the completeness of the Hardcover. In my opinion, well worth the cost.
There's always ebay...
I just have a hard time justifying the purchase to myself. $50-$60 for one book, even one as epic as Shackled City, is a hard decision to make. I'd rather spend the money on minis or something...
While I can certainly understand that, I don't think it is appropriate to ask for the content added to the book if you aren't interested in purchasing it.
The magazines certainly have more than enough to run this campaign and do so well. The book just one-upped them is all.
If you already own the magazines but are actually going to run it though... I would buy it (and did, putting my money where my mouth is so to speak).
Sean Mahoney
I also own all the magazines but still purchased the Hard Cover. I haven't regretted my decision. In fact I would say that the SCAP Hard Cover has been and still remains my favourite D&D purchase.
I'ver made plenty of alterations along the journey but overall the entirity of the book has made running the campaign much more complete and easy to use. The Hardcover fills in what happens in, between and around the actual adventure, attempting to tie them altogether and give you the bigger picture.
In my opinion worth the money just to have all the information together but I can understand your reservations. I initially had the same.
Delvesdeep
I think what I'll do is give it a run through using the magazines. If I enjoy it enough and think it's worth running again I'll buy the HC.
I bought later versions of the Dragonlance chronicles because I liked them enough to have expanded and updated material. I may do the same with this.