Re: Where to get Spelljammer

 liquidfusion meandered fecklessly...
>
> I'm not sure if this is working, but here goes...

    Looks like it is working to me.

> I was wondering what the core rules books of Spelljammer are, and
> where I could get them since the product line was discontinued. Any
> clues would be useful.

    Well, first, where to get the stuff.  On my site is a page devoted
to this, with links to several online game stores that stock SJ
stuff.  I think between them they have everything made for the
Spelljammer setting.

http://www.lesbois.com/members/malacoda/TarkasBrainLabIV.html

    As for what is core, there is really only one core product, the
main boxed set.  There are several other products that are
almost a "must buy" for anyone wanting to seriously play SJ.

The Complete Spacefarers Handbook.  This has a bunch of
new space-related proficincies that were left out of the main
set.  It has stats for several new races to be used as player
characters.  It has new kits, outlines for some spacefaring
organizations, details on how to keep a spelljamming ship
outfitted, and other miscellaneous stuff.  It is jampacked with
Spelljammery goodness.

The GM Screen.  Like all GM screens, this one's value
depends on your use of screens.  But, it also includes 3D die-cut
counters for use in ship combat.  These are almost worth the
price alone.  I bought two of them.

The War Captain's Companion.  This boxed set is actually of
mixed value.  It has a ship design system, but IMHO its not
very good (my system is, of course, much better : )  Some of the
info on spaceports is silly (Ohhh, Palanthus has always been
a spaceport, with a ship building service... Yeah, right.)  And
it goes to great efforts to contradict earlier materials (The
Elven Imperial Fleet is suddenly ruled by the queen of
Evermeet on FR?)
    But it does have some good stuff.  New ships and ship cards,
a handy guide to all ships published in one book, some new
ship equipment and proficiencies, and the complete space combat
system in one handy booklet.

Rock of Bral.  The Rock is a floating asteroid city given an overview
in the main set, but this product expands on it.  I've always liked this
supplement quite a bit, and the Rock is just too cool not to
include in an SJ campaign.

The rest of the supplements are a mixed bag, but none of them
are vital.  The 3 books on the main TSR worlds (FR, GH, and FL)
are OK, but are kinda missing something.  The GH one is the
best, IMHO.  Practical Planetology is a book filled with
miscellaneous worlds for insertion wherever, and is very good.
Lost ships has new ships, equipment, adventure seeds and
magic; it's of inconcistent quality.  Astromundi is a boxed set
detailing an entire solar system that is spelljammer aware.  A
good example of such a thing.  The Legend of the Spelljammer
boxed set details the mythical Spelljammer, a huge Flying
Dutchman-like vessel that roams space.  Fairly good, plus it
comes with new ships and cards.
    The modules tend to be less than impressive, and I
recommend staying away from them at first.  Some notable
exceptions are Wildspace and Goblins return, both of which
catch the SJ spirit fairly well.  The sequel to Goblins Return was
just horrible (avoid any product with Rick Swan's name on it!  : )
    I would say pick up the main set and go from their.  It is going
to be a bit expensive as it is.  If you like it, pick up the CSFHB
and the Rock of Bral.  If you play in one of the three standard TSR
worlds, pick that worlds supplement up as well.  This gives you
more than enough stuff to run a campaign for years.


Leroy Van Camp III
malacoda@???????.com
owner-mystara-l@????.com
ICQ #4253672

"You know, not kneeing you in the groin is a constant struggle."
			MST3K