Best RPG books any system, any publisher

[Crothian]

I'm in the middle of one heck of a no fun move and have been going through some rather old RPG stuff from the early 80's. It got me thinking on what was good and what really wasn't, so I'm curious to hear what you all think are some of the best RPG books, box sets, etc that have been produced since RPGs came out. Don't limit yourself to d20, but don't ignore it either if you think it stands up as the best out there. What sourcebooks have been just killer? What rule books were the most cocrete? What stunk then, but has somehow stood the test of time? What was awesome then, but now is just crap?

 

[haiiro]

It got me thinking on what was good and what really wasn't, so I'm curious to hear what you all think are some of the best RPG books, box sets, etc that have been produced since RPGs came out.

The Andorians: Among the Clans (for LUG's ICON Star Trek game) and Delta Green: Countdown (for CoC) are probably the two best sourcebooks I've ever read, for any game system.

Unknown Armies (second edition) and Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay are perhaps my favorite standalone RPG core books -- both are fantastic.

Neat question, Crothian.

 

[DaveMage]

1. Planescape Box Set
2. G1-2-3 Against the Giants
3. Return to the Tomb of Horrors Box Set
4. 1E Dungeon Master's Guide
5. 3E Player's Handbook

I have a bit of a D&D fixation with regard to RPGs. Other systems I've tried, such as Champions, Rolemaster, and Feng Shui, didn't even come close to the enjoyment that I have gotten out of D&D (and related) products.

 

[Garmorn]

The Andorians: Among the Clans (for LUG's ICON Star Trek game) and Delta Green: Countdown (for CoC) are probably the two best sourcebooks I've ever read, for any game system.

Unknown Armies (second edition) and Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay are perhaps my favorite standalone RPG core books -- both are fantastic.

Neat question, Crothian.

Prime Directive for Startrek (by Taskforce Games) was excellent as is the new Stargate SG-1 books. As for source books Harn by Columbia games are the best in my book.

 

[BiggusGeekus@Work]

Delta Green - Chaosium - possibly the single best RPG setting/campaign book period. It's for "Call of Cuthullu". The nitty-gritty is coverd, such as what gear agents carry into the field. The purpose of the campaign is convyed (hold off the dark gods, even if only for a day). And the overwhelming tone of the campaign is clearly and eloquently conveyed.

Gaz3: Principalities of Glantri - TSR - I always feel a little bad about this because Monte Cook re-wrote this book and I'm a Monte Cook fan. But really, the original by Bruce Heard is amazing. A full high-fantasy campaign is detailed and the characters are given purpose every step of the way. This is my personal favorite RPG book.

A Magical Mideval Socity: Western Europe - Expiditious Retreat - A must buy for any world-creating DM who wants a dose of versimilitude.

Pendragon - Chaosium - It isn't just the setting: low-magic Aurthurian legends. But the way they manage to integrate "roleplay" with "roll-play". A seasoned power-gamer is still going to be gently channeled into roleplaying with this system.

Paranoia, 2nd edition - West End Games - No, I'm not kidding. Here's a trick: try NOT to roleplay during a Paranoia game. Its impossible. Great stuff and a hysterical read.

.... - Pacesetter - I forget the name of this, but it was the player's companion to the "Timemaster" game. Neat book. How do deal with 5 copies of yourself and what to do if you ever accidentaly caused yourself to not exist. To my mind, this is the only good time-travel RPG book written.

 

[Psion]

Books that stir my imagination or are just plain useful:

Dead Gods, adventure for Planescape
World Builder's Guide, TSR (2e)
Fantasy Hero (Hero 4e version)
Ultimate Martial Artist (4e or 5e version, they are almost identical)
Legions of Hell, Green Ronin
Book of the Righteous, Green Ronin
Manual of the Planes 3e, WotC
Murder on Arcturus Station, adventure for Traveller
Central Casting Series by Task Force Games
Citybook series by Flying Buffalo
GDQ1-7, TSR

 

[VorpalBunny]

My faves would have to be:

• Planescape
• 3rd Edition Forgotten Realms
• Dark Sun
• The "G-D-Q" series of adventures
• The "A" series of adventures
• Gamma World 1st and 2nd edition
• Delta Green & Delta Green: Countdown
• Masks of Nyarlathotep
• Star Wars d20
• City of the Spider Queen

 

[kengar]

Basic Dungeons & Dragons. The Moldvay edit. Best organized & written gaming book I've ever seen.

 

[diaglo]

The Original D&D boxed set (1974) there is no substitute.


Gamma World boxed set

Boot Hill boxed set

Top Secret boxed set

Basic D&D boxed set J. Holmes ed with B1 In Search of the Unknown.



The grey boxed set for the Forgettable Realms


boxed sets...you know you want one.

 

[Hand of Evil]

Earthdawn - damn near the perfect game!
WFRP - okay, it had big issues but great fun to play.
Top Secret - spy vs spy
Paranoia - classic
Chill - the Pacesetter game