Rating: 
Summary: Full of ideas stolen from other systems (incl AD&D 1st&2nd)!
Review: Well, I'd like to one of those many folks that have jumped onto the 3rd Edition bandwagon, but honestly I just can't do it. Having played a number of fantasy systems over 20+ years, it seems that D&D has just distilled done a number of other systems and added them to the new game. The addition of a Rank-based skill system smacks heavily of MERP and RoleMaster, not to mention GURPS. Admittedly it's done fairly well, but not outstandingly so, so there is no new revolution in role-playing here. A lot of what they have done is rehash character classes and races from both 1st & 2nd Edition AD&D, plus tried to come up with a workable critical hit system (always a problem in the previous versions of the game). Another troublesome inclusion is the character generator CD-ROM included with the PHB. As of this date (4 Sept 2000) there have already been two patches to the software. And in addition to that, it's a stripped down version of their 2001 release Master Tools. Can you say "bait the hook for a $50 product for next year"? It would have been much more worthwhile if the product had been a nice stand alone, fully finished and functional piece of software. Instead, it seems to be a bit buggy and just another patented WotC marketing pitch. On the whole, I'm unimpressed and can't recommend this game to any gamers beyond the rabid D&D diehards. Caveat emptor! (Let the buyer beware!)
Rating: 
Summary: Very well executed but still has flaws
Review: Overall, I would say that this edition has improved the clarity of the D&D game. One one hand, Wizards have gone out of their way to actually examine how the game in its various incarnations was being played rather than trying to force it to work by adding rules. On the other, I would forgive anyone for mistaking this as a completely different game, as many of the initial premises and rules have been altered so radically so as to make it very different to the original. I may even go so far as to say that it IS a different game that has (many) similarities but is trying to use the name of the old system as a promotional gimmick, but at least it works a lot better while trying to keep the spirit of the system alive. There are still several flaws in the rules but they are a lot fewer and many of the unbalancing features of the old systems have been clarified or evened up. The move toward a more unified approach (eg stats, character advancement using unified tables) simplifies previously overly complicated methods of prior rules while adding depth by the addition of selectable advancement abilities (feats). Not bad at all.
Rating: 
Summary: Return of the King of RPGs
Review: Poorly organized? Badly written? Not well-thought out? Not this book. This 3rd Edition of D&D is the most tightly written RPG I have read in many years. It even surpasses Alternity which is also by Wizards of the Coast. It should be obvious to anyone (almost) that a lot of time and effort went into making this book work like a well-oiled machine. Just about everything in here works together both logically and seamlessly. I had practically no peeves with this book. In fact, the only peeve I had was its slight reworking of some the Greyhawk deities but that's it. As much as I liked the previous editions of D&D (classic AD&D), this new version improves upon it in just about every way. Those things that were thrown out were relatively minor such as class, race, and level restrictions. In fact most of these kinds of changes were mostly house rules by players that are now enshrined as official. New items such as feats and multiple attacks add much needed dimension and customization (which is what this new game is all about). The new skill system is one of the biggest improvements to the game replacing the ever clunky and over-developed proficiencies of the previous games. The new classes, Barbarian and the Sorcerer are also nicely done. Several favorites such as the Monk and the Assassin (soon to appear in the DMG) are back as well. I could go on and on about all that is good with D&D so I'll summarize: this is perhaps the best incarnation of one of the leading RPGs in the industry. For those who like a good old-fashioned RPG with an ample dose modern design or even those love a high-powered campaign, then this is the book for you.
Rating:
Summary: So Im a beginner
Review: After using this book first hand, I have to say this has helped me alot about learning and playing D&D. I love the art work and the descriptions.Everything is easily found, and nothing is confusing.Thank god I had high grades in Math...hahaha. I now play with passion.
Rating:
Summary: Good, but needs improvements.
Review: This book was very well thought out, but the main problem I have with this book is the type. I mean come on people, what were you guys doing?!?! I get a major headache as I try to read that tiny script. And since I am prone to migraine headaches anyway... well, this makes matter worst. I will await one of my player's to become use to the rules and have them teach it to me, I will not be wasting my time reading this book. The only other problem I have had with this is that until all three cores books come out, I can't begin a full-fledged campaign! It makes no sense to spread the releasing of the books over a 3 month period. Put it all out so we can learn the rules as a whole, not in pieces. Sheesh, where sis you guys learn to distrubute from , K-Mart blue-light special university?!?
Rating:
Summary: A great new version of a great old game
Review: I was very apprehensive about the release of a new version of D&D. I especially was unsure of the preview information on the new multiclass system, but decided to withhold judgement not just until I saw the rules, but had played under them a few times. Now that I have done so, most of my concerns have been laid to rest. The new PH is great. First of all, It is one of the best looking RPG books I've seen in a while. The cover art, apparently photographed from sculptures commisioned for each volume of the core rules, is a big improvement over past volumes with some generic artwork on the cover. The layout is intuitive and well marked. In actual play, I have generally been able to find a rule or description very quickly, with little distraction from play. While I would have preferred a more traditional mideival style to the interior art, the artwork is of good quality, and it appears that some thought went into making the artwork fit and enhace the text. I am especially happy to see a more balanced class advancement system. I always found multiple experience tables awkward and terribly redundant. They also seemed to imply that the classes were inherently unbalanced, and had to be corrected with an arbitrary experience requirement. The new version is much more balanced in class structure and one xp table is a lot easier to deal with. The multiclass system, in which each character can add another class instead of taking a level in a new class, is quite versatile. It allows the addition of the prestige class under standard rules (can't wait for the DMG to see the details) and makes players really consider the tradeoffs inherent to multiclassing. In the old editions, a figher/mage, for example, would often be only a level or two behind single class characters in both classes. The new system really requires a character to sacrifice levels in one class on a one for one basis for levels in another class. Other improvements include the elimination of class/race combination limitations. I always wanted to play a dwarven earth mage. Now it's official! The spell lists are laid out in a format that is easier to reference- alphabetical. However, lists by level are available with short descriptions for searching spells by level. There are a few things I disliked, such as the relative uselessness of the half- orc race, and the desperate attempt to de-Tolkeinise halflings. All in all however, this is a much needed and very welcome update to the D&D game.
Rating:
Summary: A Pheonix Rising From The Ashes Of Rebirth
Review: Third Edition Dungeons and Dragons is a complete success. They did what they set out to do. They have succeeded in what second edition should have done. They have fixed and revamped almost all problem areas of the long-standing Dungeons and Dragons game. You may now create any race - class combination regardless of scores, placing the focus back to ROLEPLAYING instead of ROLLPLAYING. The changes in Dungeons and Dragon is more than skin deep. They have given humans and fighter a fair shake. All action rolls (attack, save, skills, thief skills, etc.) are using a d20 with being good and low being ad what a concept. Saving throws have been streamlined When rolling attack you roll above the AC on d20 with modifiers. Palladium eat you heart out. All ability scores have the same modifier table, so that a 17 strength or 17 dexterity is +3, I seem to recall that from the original dungeons and dragons game, the three ring white books. Multiple attacks are very similar to white wolf dice pool reductions but very easy. All spells go from level 0 to level 9 (arcane and divine). Priests now have read magic as a spell. I could go on and on, but in short, this appears to be a game designed by gamers for gamers the right ways. Now remember this is only the beginning, with the flagship book of the new Dungeons and Dragons game, I long to see the rest of the book. This is by far the best thing that has happened to Dungeons and Dragon since it original creation.
Rating:
Summary: Another new D&D game
Review: D&D3 is the fourth distinct game to carry the D&D name. Make no mistake, all of them: D&D, AD&D, AD&D2, and D&D3, are all separate games that share some qualities, such as level-based character valuation. To say that this new 'edition' is "NOT AD&D!" is patently obvious; it's not AD&D2 or D&D, either. People get bent out of shape by thinking that they've somehow replaced their old game...'they' (meaning Hasbro) haven't. People still play D&D, so why shouldn't you still play AD&D2? Or AD&D, for that matter? All that said, D&D3 is a good game. The character generator software included with every PHB is fun and can accelerate your learning of the character generation. Unlike the other TSR "D&D" games, the mechanics of this game are very different. For one thing, the dice mechanic is consistent throughout the game: you always want to roll high, and high numbers are always more formidable. The experience point charts are significantly changed, so that level advancement could occur much much faster. However, with the increased range of AC (there are essentially no upper limits to scores), combat is more difficult, especially at lower levels, with fewer adds. There are a number of things missing from the PHB: non-combat feats, explanations of the source of a sorceror's power, explanations of what to do after 20th level (do characters stop there?), but with the PHB and the materials available online at the wizards site, you have a complete game when you buy this book...the DMG coming out this month seems as necessary as the Wilderness Survival Guide of AD&D (although I am intrigued by the village and NPC rating system hinted at in the various modules online).
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic !
Review: Thank you WotC! I can't tell you how excited my players and I are to continue our campaigns under these new and extensively improved rules! I must say that 3E is the first complete D&D system. I've been running D&D games since 1st ed. and this is the only time I've encountered rules that work smoothly and sensibly. I used to just use the D&D rules as general "fill in the blank" guidelines, modifying and customizing the unforgiving system to fit my world. Suprisingly, the new system works wonderfully "out of the box." For example: As a DM I used to dread combat. Before 3E, combat was "welcome to an hour of swing, hit, swing, miss, heal spell, swing, miss, magic missle, swing, etc, etc ad naseum for every encounter." This system allows the players to make critical decisions and interact much more with their characters. Now the DM no longer comprises 95% of the game, and this is a welcome change to everyone involved. Map based combat is easier to conceptualize and organize. Again, WotC, thank you! Level advancement is fast, characters are customizable, combat is better, the monster system is better, better weapons, better fantasy! The new Rogue absolutely rocks! Of course the real test comes with the DMG and the MM, yet after the Players Guide I am not apprehensive at all. Personally I can't wait. Thank you for a more fantastic fantasy, WotC. This is fuel for 10 more years of the imagination!
Rating:
Summary: Best thing they've ever done
Review: I originally bought it out of pure curiosity, having not played D&D or AD&D in some time. What I found truly impressed me. They fixed many of the severe problems in AD&D and created a sleek, elegant gaming system - perhaps the best of its kind. This is exactly what was needed.
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