I'm looking to get back into 3.5, what should I buy?

[Chainsaw Hobbit]

I have recently become dissatisfied with 4e (please no edition war), and I want to give 3.5 another try. I am no longer in possession of my 3.5 core books, and I'm wondering if I should buy them again, buy Pathfinder, or just use the d20 srd.

[DragonBaneDM]

The d20 SRD works wonders IMO. I'm doing the same thing you are, except I'm not ditching 4th, just playing both at the same time.

Managed to get right back into the swing of things with the SRD.

[Yora]

The SRD isn't good to learn the rules. But if you know how the game works, all you need can be looked up there. I still have the core books, but when we were still using D&D for our campaign, I never opened them when preparing the game when writing on my computer. SRD is right at hand and doesn't take up space on my desk.

[Kylarra]

As far as legitimately acquiring material goes, if you're starting from scratch, you'd get more options buying up the pathfinder books than from an equivalent number of 3.5 books.

[TakeABow]

If you are interested in Pathfinder, keep in mind that it is ALL OGL.

So nearly all of it (sometimes it takes a bit for new books to get added) appears here:

http://www.d20pfsrd.com/

[Chainsaw Hobbit]

If you are interested in Pathfinder, keep in mind that it is ALL OGL.

So nearly all of it (sometimes it takes a bit for new books to get added) appears here:

http://www.d20pfsrd.com/

Sir (or Ma'am), think you SO much.

[Hammerhead]

Frankly, I wouldn't buy anything. The various SRDs* are easier to use than most print books, and there's a decade's worth of homebrew floating around the net.

WotC also released a lot of official materials on their web site. Here's a linked index of the crunchy bits.

*d20srd.org for standard 3.5; d20pfsrd.com for pathfinder; dsp-d20-srd.wikidot.com for dreamscarred press's psionics, which are pretty slick.

[HunterOfJello]

I'd suggest just playing Pathfinder, you're going to pay less for the books in the long run.



As for 3.5e, the absolutely essential books are: (the core books)
Dungeon Master's Guide
Player's Handbook
Monster Manual

Campaign Setting book of your choice (if you're going to be in that setting)

~

Must-have books that can add a ton of fun to the game and you'd be well off having on hand:
Tome of Battle
Expanded Psionics Handbook
Spell Compendium
Magic Item Compendium

Monster Manual III (for the DM)

~

Books to have on a computer to look up and print out parts of occasionally:
The Complete Series
The Races Series
Dungeonscape
Cityscape
Heroes of Horror
Frostburn, Stormwrack, Sandstorm
Unearthed Aracana ************
Rules Compendium
Extra campaign setting books


Optional books to own if you're intersted in the specific classes in them (many people aren't):
Tome of Magic
Magic of Incarnum

[Lhurgyof]

The 3.5 books will end up costing a lot of cash.

[Chainsaw Hobbit]

I'd suggest just playing Pathfinder, you're going to pay less for the books in the long run.



As for 3.5e, the absolutely essential books are: (the core books)
Dungeon Master's Guide
Player's Handbook
Monster Manual

Campaign Setting book of your choice (if you're going to be in that setting)

~

Must-have books that can add a ton of fun to the game and you'd be well off having on hand:
Tome of Battle
Expanded Psionics Handbook
Spell Compendium
Magic Item Compendium

Monster Manual III (for the DM)

~

Books to have on a computer to look up and print out parts of occasionally:
The Complete Series
The Races Series
Dungeonscape
Cityscape
Heroes of Horror
Frostburn, Stormwrack, Sandstorm
Unearthed Aracana ************
Rules Compendium
Extra campaign setting books


Optional books to own if you're intersted in the specific classes in them (many people aren't):
Tome of Magic
Magic of Incarnum

Thanks, I shall probably use this.

The 3.5 books will end up costing a lot of cash.

Not necessarily. There is a gaming store nearby where you can get used ones for 15 or 20 dollars each in pretty good condition.

[Lhurgyof]

Not necessarily. There is a gaming store nearby where you can get used ones for 15 or 20 dollars each in pretty good condition.

Then you are indeed a very lucky person. :)

[raitalin]

Must-have books that can add a ton of fun to the game and you'd be well off having on hand:
Tome of Battle
Expanded Psionics Handbook
Spell Compendium
Magic Item Compendium

Consider yourself lucky if you can find any of these for less than $50. Buy up all the copies and sell them on Amazon.

[Flickerdart]

What do you need the XPH for that isn't in the SRD?

[HunterOfJello]

Consider yourself lucky if you can find any of these for less than $50. Buy up all the copies and sell them on Amazon.

I got the Tome of Battle and Expanded Psionics Handbook at a used bookstore for $15 each. The others I wouldn't expect to find anywhere other than online (even though I look often). Luckily, one of my close friends obtained the Spell Compendium back when they were in print. We look into it multiple times per session.

[Kylarra]

I got the Tome of Battle and Expanded Psionics Handbook at a used bookstore for $15 each. The others I wouldn't expect to find anywhere other than online (even though I look often). Luckily, one of my close friends obtained the Spell Compendium back when they were in print. We look into it multiple times per session.

Then you are indeed very lucky. I haven't seen ToB for less than 40-50 at all.