What handbooks are left to do?

[G.Cube]

I would like to give back to the Playground for all the neat advice Ive gotton here, so I'm thinking about trying to make a handbook! What classes are left that are still without one, and is there any non-class ideas that could use a handbook?

[Trilby]

A Favored Soul handbook that goes beyond 'Roll a cleric'. I could have used one for my last char, I turned it into an unplayable mess.

[HaikenEdge]

I think there are bundles of PrCs that lack handbooks, so if you were to do a handbook, I'd suggest you go from there.

[Psyren]

Mountebank (the base class) doesn't have a handbook and I've always been curious about that one. Neither does Jester that I can see, though that one is maybe too close to Bard for one to be meaningful.

On the PF front, several archetypes and PrCs don't have handbooks yet too.

[Snowbluff]

Neither does Jester that I can see, though that one is maybe too close to Bard for one to be meaningful.


It really is. I have a brother who's into jesters and similiar trickster archetypes. Due to lack of support splat, the Jester is terribly weak compared to bard. :smallfrown:

[Grod_The_Giant]

Curiously, I haven't seen a good Barbarian handbook.

[eggynack]

Curiously, I haven't seen a good Barbarian handbook.
Does Being Bane (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=105525) not qualify as a good one? I've always rather liked that one. It's a little style dense, and the formatting is a bit clumpy, but it covers a good amount of ground.

[danzibr]

Check this list (http://www.minmaxboards.com/index.php?topic=399.0). To my astonishment it's still being maintained. The one I started (it'll be done soon, dagnabbit!) is on there, and I never contacted anyone about it.

Edit: Oh, skipping to the last post, I see the Count mentioned it. I'm touched :)

[G.Cube]

Am I missing it or is there not a dedicated Arcane Trickster Handbook?

[Seer_of_Heart]

I was thinking of making a dragon psychosis handbook myself although that is a pretty obscure thing to do. Maybe something interesting would be a combo/interesting tricks handbook although that does exist sorta in the dirty tricks handbook. However, I don't think its ever been nicely compiled.

[Invader]

I'd still like to see a mount and mounted combat handbook although I don't think mounted combat comes up very often in most campaigns so it'll probably never get made.

[Coidzor]

The Mount Handbook could probably do with a bit more fleshing out, I suppose.

IIRC, there's only a somewhat complete grappling or tripping handbook over on minmaxboards. I don't think there's even a sunder handbook for Pathfinder or 3.P despite the changes to the sunder rules to make sundering somewhat more viable instead of just "lolnolootlol."

[Zombulian]

I don't think that a Samurai (CW) handbook was ever made. Although generally Samurai is just an honorable (hurr) mention in Intimidation based threads.

I still think that the Spirit Shaman could use a better handbook.

To my knowledge a Swashbuckler Handbook was never made.

[danzibr]

I don't think that a Samurai (CW) handbook was ever made. Although generally Samurai is just an honorable (hurr) mention in Intimidation based threads.

I still think that the Spirit Shaman could use a better handbook.

To my knowledge a Swashbuckler Handbook was never made.
Actually, I'd really like a Samurai handbook (probably wouldn't be that long). Compare and contrast CW and OA Samurai. Of course there would be much mention of fear tactics.

Then again, I'm a sucker for samurai.

[Zombulian]

Actually, I'd really like a Samurai handbook (probably wouldn't be that long). Compare and contrast CW and OA Samurai. Of course there would be much mention of fear tactics.

Then again, I'm a sucker for samurai.

I'm sure there could be a perfectly fine Samurai Handbook, especially if it's handled the same way the Ninja Handbook (http://www.minmaxboards.com/index.php?topic=2823.0) was.

[Epsilon Rose]

There are definitely some interesting PrC's that could use handbook. Sublime Chord, for instance, could be useful.

If you want to go more off the beaten path, you might also consider some of the big name homebrews, especially the more complex ones. Of the top of my head, it would be rather nice to have a bit of a guide for the Ozadrin or Gramarie.

Edit: Actually, some good handbooks for DMs could be really useful too. Stuff like how to set up interesting dungeons or balance rules changes or come up with interesting rewards or making combat less dice dependant. That sort of thing. Most of the DM oriented handbooks on the Min/Max list seem to be about optimizing monsters.

[Kuulvheysoon]

Wow, that list is being maintained. Huh.

Makes me want to finish off my Wu Jen handbook.

...In fact, I'll go work on it a bit now.

[Zombulian]

Wow, that list is being maintained. Huh.

Makes me want to finish off my Wu Jen handbook.

...In fact, I'll go work on it a bit now.

Hooray!

asfgagadgadsfdgdf

[Beardbarian]

Actually a Samurai Handbook exist (http://www.minmaxboards.com/index.php?topic=7060)

But i'd like to see a Favored Soul handbook and not just the crap "read a cleric and a sorcerer guide instead"

[Zombulian]

Actually a Samurai Handbook exist (http://www.minmaxboards.com/index.php?topic=7060)

But i'd like to see a Favored Soul handbook and not just the crap "read a cleric and a sorcerer guide instead"

Oh hey, and it was done by the guy who did the Ninja handbook. Huh.

Edit: After looking at that Handbook it looks like he sorta gave up on it. So I'd say that the Samurai Handbook is still open.

[Akal Saris]

3.5:
- I actually think there's a lot of potential for handbooks on DM tools to challenge PCs in optimized ways with little preparation. Otherwise there are plenty of PrC's or "tactics" that haven't been explored (for example, there is a 'fear' handbook but no 'mind control' or 'party face' handbook).

Pathfinder:
Paizo just released the playtest versions of 11 classes from their new book. None of them have guides yet!

See:
http://paizo.com/paizo/blog/v5748dyo5lfjd?Advanced-Class-Guide-Playtest-is-Live

Third party classes:
Dreamscarred Press has created some Pathfinder content based on the TOB that might be a popular contender, much like PsyRen's write-up of their psionics classes.

[Tvtyrant]

A really good Monk handbook. Takes into account all of the different ways to make Monk decent.

[Kuulvheysoon]

A really good Monk handbook. Takes into account all of the different ways to make Monk decent.

By not playing one?

But seriously, it would be good to have one so that we could point new players to it instead of everyone saying "play swordsage".

[HaikenEdge]

Maybe a racial substitution levels handbook?

[gorfnab]

Am I missing it or is there not a dedicated Arcane Trickster Handbook?
Dedicated no, but here is a close one: Sneak Attacking Spellcasters (http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=1240)

[gorfnab]

Maybe a racial substitution levels handbook?
Here is one that lists all ACFs, including racial substitutions. Alternate Class Features (http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=7908)

[gorfnab]

Handbooks I am currently working on and hoping to finish after my semester finals.
Nightstalker (DL:RoA)
Easy Bake Wizard
Fallen Classes (Blackguard, Ronin, Defiant)

[TiaC]

Incarnum and ToB have some incomplete handbooks. I don't know of a Shadowcaster handbook. DSP's PF Psionics has a lot of base classes without handbooks. A lot of PF handbooks are of dubious quality.

[Karnith]

I don't know of a Shadowcaster handbook.
There's a pretty good one here (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=268661).

[G.Cube]

I've got it! I know there are handbooks for Clerics, DNs,and the like, but has there ever been a dedicated nercomancer/minionmancer handbook?

[Kuulvheysoon]

Incarnum and ToB have some incomplete handbooks. I don't know of a Shadowcaster handbook. DSP's PF Psionics has a lot of base classes without handbooks. A lot of PF handbooks are of dubious quality.

Presented to you by our very own Piggy Knowles, behold Pulvis Et Umbra Sumus: The Shadowcaster Handbook (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=268661).

[Epsilon Rose]

I've got it! I know there are handbooks for Clerics, DNs,and the like, but has there ever been a dedicated nercomancer/minionmancer handbook?

Yup. K has a good one that even runs through the differnt base classes that can do necromancy and how they stack up. You can find copy here (http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=5584.0).

[123456789blaaa]

A really good Monk handbook. Takes into account all of the different ways to make Monk decent.


By not playing one?

But seriously, it would be good to have one so that we could point new players to it instead of everyone saying "play swordsage".

Here's a handbook (http://www.minmaxboards.com/index.php?topic=2902.msg53488#msg53488) and two mini-handbooks here (http://www.minmaxboards.com/index.php?topic=10747.msg192653#msg192653) and here (http://www.minmaxboards.com/index.php?topic=11530.msg195532#msg195532). They give a lot of decent info. There's still probably a ton of monk optimization scattered throughout the web and other (non-monk) handbooks though.


Presented to you by our very own Piggy Knowles, behold Pulvis Et Umbra Sumus: The Shadowcaster Handbook (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=268661).

PK's handbook is fantastic but another one was also created before it. Link (http://www.minmaxboards.com/index.php?topic=498.0).


Yup. K has a good one that even runs through the differnt base classes that can do necromancy and how they stack up. You can find copy here (http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=5584.0).

There's an updated version (http://www.minmaxboards.com/index.php?topic=2733.msg36617#msg36617)on the minmaxboards (with links to other necromancy handbooks). I'd recommend checking to see if there's a newer version of a handbook on MM whenever you find them on BG.

[Sajiri]

I would like to see a Fochlucan Lyrist and/or Arcane Hierophant handbook, if they already exist I don't know of them ): The best I've seen is just guides for entry methods

[The Trickster]

Pathfinder inquisitor and...swashbuckler? I don't think I have seen those yet.

[gorfnab]

I would like to see a Fochlucan Lyrist
There is a very old and outdated one back on 339. Tools for Fochlucan Lyrist Builds
(http://community.wizards.com/forum/previous-editions-character-optimization/threads/965361)

[gorfnab]

Pathfinder inquisitor
Here are two Inquisitor (https://docs.google.com/document/d/19N7y6cKFLAr2KMMiKc8A1XG6R4iOmwaNFS7iAs17zyU/edit?hl=en_US&pli=1) Handbooks (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gFK_A8YV84hMUMXjxvCLFTnGO2GF7CMQiGIYyAQ2kns/edit?pli=1)

[Metahuman1]

I'd second a call for a mounted combat book.

I'm in a game running a crusader and I actually wanna do mounted combat later in the game.

[gorfnab]

Here are some threads listing handbooks
MinMaxBoards 3.5 Handbook Index (http://www.minmaxboards.com/index.php?topic=399.0)
MinMaxBoards Pathfinder Handbooks (http://www.minmaxboards.com/index.php?topic=1932.0)
GitP [PF] Optimization Guides Compendium (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=233029)

[Sajiri]

There is a very old and outdated one back on 339. Tools for Fochlucan Lyrist Builds
(http://community.wizards.com/forum/previous-editions-character-optimization/threads/965361)

That is what I was referring to when I said best I'd seen was just guides for entry methods

[Lord Haart]

Personally, i would like to see a handbook about low-level play and practical low-level optimisation. Sure, a lot of class handbooks say some words about how the class performs at low levels, but the only one i remember that explored the difference in detail was the warmage (http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=2816.0) handbook. And there are groups that actually play at low levels (in Russia, there is a lot of them for whatever reasons). Some differences between lvl 1, lvl 4 and lvl 20 are great; for but one example, a Soulknife at lvl 20 is a joke, while at lvl 1, if flaws are allowed, a Soulknife with Hidden Talent ACF can set his feats on fire for lots of Hidden Talent and be a king of manifesters, and at lvl 4 a single level of the same Hidden Talent-stacking Soulknife is a pretty good entry into a manifesting class. Some are subtle and worth pointing out.

[RFLS]

There are definitely some interesting PrC's that could use handbook. Sublime Chord, for instance, could be useful.

If you want to go more off the beaten path, you might also consider some of the big name homebrews, especially the more complex ones. Of the top of my head, it would be rather nice to have a bit of a guide for the Ozadrin or Gramarie.

Edit: Actually, some good handbooks for DMs could be really useful too. Stuff like how to set up interesting dungeons or balance rules changes or come up with interesting rewards or making combat less dice dependant. That sort of thing. Most of the DM oriented handbooks on the Min/Max list seem to be about optimizing monsters.

In reference to your edit, I've been working on a campaign, module, and world-building handbook. I'll hopefully be posting it later this week, and then (finally) finishing the swordsage handbook.

[N. Jolly]

Curiously, I haven't seen a good Barbarian handbook.

If we're talking PF, my own barbarian guide is pretty good. (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1plVgdYb5KYxtXiysgd_pzdK-37PCmz2u9VzpuvNPDdo/edit?usp=sharing)

I'd honestly like to see a better guide to the gunslinger, I haven't seen one that I've much cared for myself.

[Ansem]

I still miss handbooks for non-PHB base classes. Also Prestige class handbooks are almost non-existant or only have made a start.

[Particle_Man]

I don't think that a Samurai (CW) handbook was ever made.

To my knowledge a Swashbuckler Handbook was never made.

http://www.minmaxboards.com/index.php?topic=7060

http://www.minmaxboards.com/index.php?topic=10768

[PrinceOfMadness]

As popular an option as undead seem to be for player races, I'm surprised that I've never seen a handbook written for getting the most mileage out of that. An undead handbook might present an interesting niche.

[XmonkTad]

I've always wanted to write a "Teleportation Handbook" that address new DMs, old DMs, and players alike. I think new DMs are a bit put-off by how powerful teleport is, and I feel like certain character concepts revolve around teleportation as both BFC and travel. A lot of what would be in the handbook would come from the tippyverse thread, especially regarding wierdstones and wish.

Anyone want to help me? I'll start up a google doc.

Edit: Here (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QR-8ue07sxU9EUwDHD98pWNx9wVUxLDSVhQOhoxu90s/edit?usp=sharing)

[Zombulian]

I've always wanted to write a "Teleportation Handbook" that address new DMs, old DMs, and players alike. I think new DMs are a bit put-off by how powerful teleport is, and I feel like certain character concepts revolve around teleportation as both BFC and travel. A lot of what would be in the handbook would come from the tippyverse thread, especially regarding wierdstones and wish.

Anyone want to help me? I'll start up a google doc.

Edit: Here (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QR-8ue07sxU9EUwDHD98pWNx9wVUxLDSVhQOhoxu90s/edit?usp=sharing)

Don't have access :/

[eggynack]

Don't have access :/
Indeed. And me with my fancy list of obscure druid teleportation options. Tis a tragedy.

[XmonkTad]

Indeed. And me with my fancy list of obscure druid teleportation options. Tis a tragedy.

Woops. Fixed the permissions. PM me if there are any other issues with it.

[eggynack]

Woops. Fixed the permissions. PM me if there are any other issues with it.
Nifty. Now, random druid teleportation options. There are not that many.

[HalfQuart]

Has anyone done a simple chart about which classes have which skills as class skills, like on page 63 of the PHB, but for all classes and PrCs? I am familiar with the very handy Alternative Ways to Get Class Skills (http://www.minmaxboards.com/index.php?topic=9691).

I often find my self searching various splat books trying to figure out optimal ways to enter PrCs and would find a big grid pretty useful.

[G.Cube]

Has anyone done a simple chart about which classes have which skills as class skills, like on page 63 of the PHB, but for all classes and PrCs? I am familiar with the very handy Alternative Ways to Get Class Skills (http://www.minmaxboards.com/index.php?topic=9691).

I often find my self searching various splat books trying to figure out optimal ways to enter PrCs and would find a big grid pretty useful.

This is something I would be comfortable doing, so long as no one links to an already existing documentation of this info.

[Adverb]

There's a curse that falls on anyone who tries to put out a Swordsage handbook.

You could be the one to break it!

[RFLS]

There's a curse that falls on anyone who tries to put out a Swordsage handbook.

You could be the one to break it!

Okay, I'm irritated now. I'll finish the damn thing. Will post when I'm done (later tonight).

[Adverb]

Excellent!

[Coidzor]

As popular an option as undead seem to be for player races, I'm surprised that I've never seen a handbook written for getting the most mileage out of that. An undead handbook might present an interesting niche.

Point, there's been a couple of pseudo/proto dragon PC handbooks and now someone has a mostly complete (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=303204)one out now, but no undead-as-PC centered ones to my recollection. Plenty about making undead as a PC, but not about being one.

Though this largely would amount to Necropolitan ftw, a discussion of potential desecrate/corpsecrafter/evil altar shenanigans, and maybe the ghost savage progression, I imagine. Would love to be surprised on that front.


Okay, I'm irritated now. I'll finish the damn thing. Will post when I'm done (later tonight).

hurrah! :smallbiggrin:

[Snowbluff]

Point, there's been a couple of pseudo/proto dragon PC handbooks and now someone has a mostly complete (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=303204)one out now, but no undead-as-PC centered ones to my recollection. Plenty about making undead as a PC, but not about being one.

Though this largely would amount to Necropolitan ftw, a discussion of potential desecrate/corpsecrafter/evil altar shenanigans, and maybe the ghost savage progression, I imagine. Would love to be surprised on that front.

Hm... I could research for that, but I think I should finish the combat options handbook I was doing first.

[Aetolus]

Please make an ur priest handbook.
They're so complicated to make, so many options. So many possible roles.

I'll contribute, I really will!

[RFLS]

Please make an ur priest handbook.
They're so complicated to make, so many options. So many possible roles.

I'll contribute, I really will!

An Ur-Priest handbook would essentially be a pointer at cleric and theurge handbooks. With more cheese on top.