Dungeons & Dragons Player's Handbook: Core Rulebook I v.3.5 Hardcover – July 1, 2003

The product itself is absolutely great. As a 5 year player and DM, this product is my favourite of all versions. While each version of the game highlights a different style of play (thus no version is inherently better than the other), this version ushered in the D20 system that [in 2020] most modern games replicate to some degree; thank Monte Cook and team for that one. The complexity is brings adds more layers and styles of play, but the book clearly states that every rule is optional. Some familiar with other versions will probably wonder the differences. 3.5 “balanced” elements of 3rd edition (which is why this version costs significantly more than 3rd edition). Differences from 5th edition is a emphasis on character creation in the form of open character development (5th edition has archtypes, 3rd is more modular); to some this can be overwhelming, but to players invested in learning and looking for comprehensive long-term plays or individuality in their character development this can be liberating. Plenty of books made this addition robust, but at the time of production video games had pushed table-top gaming aside, so elements of video game logic are littered about the mechanics [for better or worse]; again, every rule is optional. The artwork is great and unique, with every artist bringing their own style and flavour. While this is technically my first version I started on, it was long past it’s production timeframe and I choose to learn this and create a group, while I player other versions. The book is worth a purchase simply for the art and read (classic) but defining it is the right game for you, might take the right group and homebrew (everybody makes their own ruleset to engage the game with). One person or groups experience does not define the rules/Edition for this game. The learning curve would be the last thing to note and it is steep, but if you like it you’ll learn it.

I'm giving it 5 stars because of the quality of the book I got (used). It looks like it's never even been read; though it had the previous owner's name inside the cover.The reason that I bought this (and that I want to give it five stars) is that this was the last "good" version of D&D. In 4.0, the entire game was refactored and all the things that were fun were removed from the game. For example, it's all about combat mechanics and pushing the opponent into position for others to use their spells/abilities. Every class is so balanced that it doesn't matter which one you are, they're all the same... nothing interesting about any of them anymore.In 4.0, the D&D team decided to remove all the concepts of non-combat spells for magic users, so that there are no more of the really cool spells. Also, there are specific moves that you're allowed to do for each class; that makes it feel like a video game: you push the button and the move happens and you see what the damage is. There is no more imagination to try to think up your own moves and assess the damage. The 4.0 game is designed on the assumption that the DM is five years old and won't let you do anything that can be read from the rules verbatim. Terrible compromise in my opinion, which takes away much of the fun.Next, they got rid of many of the classic classes and races and replaced with bizarre ones that take the game in a whole new direction. DISCLAIMER: I only have the first three core books for 4.0, and I'm aware that they came out with many more to fill in the blanks, but seriously, do you want to have to buy all those books just to version up one step from 3.5 to 4.0? Also those books have GIGANTIC font and whitespace issues, so you're really not getting what you should out of them.OK, enough of this rant and bash on 4.0, this is a review of the 3.5 book. It's nothing short of stellar. The combat rules and ability rules are concise and full-featured. There is plenty of room for expansion by the DM to cover all the scenarios, and there are few loop-holes for the characters to exploit. The book itself is about 50% spells, so the rich fantasy capabilities are still in this version, and the weapons and fighting rules are thoroughly explained. Yes, this version (3.5) is more complicated than the new one (4.0), but you can always "dumb it down" to speed things up if you need to.Overall, I have thoroughly enjoyed this version and would recommend it to anyone out there upgrading from the previous versions, or anyone that is disillusioned with the new 4.0 limitations and wants to downgrade to something that still captures the essence of D&D.

I have been playing D&D with family and friends for 25 years. We started using Version 2, but were happy to adopt Version 3 and finally Version 3.5 when it came along. I have not been tempted to try later versions because I am happy with the game using the 3.5 rules. My niece and nephew (both adults) recently asked me to teach them the game, and I bought each of them a used player's handbook and a couple of sets of polyhedral dice. The reseller listed the books as in 'very good' condition, and that proved to be the case. Both of them were delighted to have their very own books, and have been enjoying reading about character classes they didn't adopt for our first game. I anticipate many happy hours of adventuring in our own private campaign in the remote Duchy of Nadol, just south of the Dragon Mountains.

Excellent condition.

Great, great, great if I didn't think so I would not give it 5 stars.

excellent

5/5 all my stars belong to this. Boo-yah

Excellent product, beautiful condition.