Oh Rules Cyclopedia, I was unfaithful to thee

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

twin_campaigns

Feb 14, 2008 1:09:41
Yesterday I just did the unthinkable. I ordered a new used Rules Cyclopedia
from Amazon. My poor old copy from the early 90's finally lost all cohesion.

Still, it felt like cheating on someone

I began playing with the boxed sets, and I've just recently realised that I never read RC completely. There are still some small paragraphs, optional rules of tables which I swear to gods have never seen. For example, I run into the
optional rule on extra damage on low AC opponents recently - never heard.
I have been conditioned by the boxed sets...
#2

maddog

Feb 14, 2008 7:08:58
Yesterday I just did the unthinkable. I ordered a new used Rules Cyclopedia from Amazon.

I had the same problem but mine didn't completely fall apart. Rather than go for the expensive Amazon/Abebooks route, I went to Paizo and bought the .pdf. I printed it out (minus the Mystara stuff as I have better than what's in the RC), went to my local office supply store and had them put a spiral binding on it.

http://paizo.com/store/downloads/wizardsOfTheCoast/classicDAndD/rulebooks/v5748btpy7mvs

I found that I like my print-out far more than the original for use during play as it will lay flat on the table and stay there! Also, there's no fear of damaging my RC anymore. If that happened, I'd just print and bind another.

--Ray.
#3

Hugin

Feb 14, 2008 9:36:11
Ya, buying my RC was the single greatest D&D purchase I ever made. Mine is still holding up but barely. My brother's copy has detached from the cover but is still very usable.

The non-remembering of parts of it may just be a case of 'seen and forgotten'. I know it happens to me.
#4

twin_campaigns

Feb 15, 2008 5:15:20
I have also the pdf version, but for some reason I still crave for the bound book. I have printed out several other games, for example HARP which we bought only as a pdf, and also scores of indie games. With them I am happy with printouts. But for some reason I need to have a solid RC in my hands. Old love...

But I do print out some key pages (THACO tables, saving throws etc.), as checking things out in the middle of the game in a hurry is the greatest threat to a bound rulebook.

I have repaired my RC many many times, but this time too many things gave out at the same time...
#5

maddog

Feb 15, 2008 11:25:11
I have repaired my RC many many times, but this time too many things gave out at the same time...

If the binding completely falls apart, save the pages. You could take them and have them rebound like a pdf but they would be a prettier product. :D

--Ray.
#6

CmdrCorsiken

Feb 16, 2008 9:49:08
Many print shops can cleanly remove damaged binding, leaving neat, even pages to either be rebound or simply stored in page protectors. This second option is my prefered solution when some of my old gaming books begin to come apart.
#7

true_atlantean

Feb 18, 2008 5:09:10
I had the same problem but mine didn't completely fall apart. Rather than go for the expensive Amazon/Abebooks route, I went to Paizo and bought the .pdf. I printed it out (minus the Mystara stuff as I have better than what's in the RC), went to my local office supply store and had them put a spiral binding on it.

http://paizo.com/store/downloads/wizardsOfTheCoast/classicDAndD/rulebooks/v5748btpy7mvs
--Ray.

I have done exactly the same. Mine was stolen by a housemate about ten years ago and I've never been able to retrieve it. Now, I have a printed copy from Paizo, in a folder, with each double-sided page in a plastic sheet. It will lay on the table open, individual pages can be reprinted easily and if someone was to spill something on it, the offender would not automatically be put to death (which is a bonus if good players are hard to come by). :D

For quite a while, I deliberated over the printed .pdf option as I like to have 'real books" but at the end of the day, there isn't much difference. eBay is rarely an option as postage to Australia is prohibitive at best.

Oh, and Twin Campaigns - it's only cheating if you're playing another edition behind its' back.