Top 5 - Troll Lord Games products!

Omote · Post by **Omote** » Wed Jun 16, 2010 2:28 pm

I don't think we've done this exact poll in quite a while. Since that time there have been numerous new products put out. So what say you? What do you think are the top 5 TLG releases?
FOR THE SAKE OF THIS POLL, LET'S LEAVE OUT ANY PRINTINGS OF THE PLAYERS HANDBOOK OR MONSTERS & TREASURE. WE ALL KNOW THESE ARE GOOD AND ALMOST ALL RESPONSES WILL HAVE EITHER ONE OF THESE OR BOTH.

This is a really tough list to compile. For me, I think I'm going to have to be:

1) C&C Collector's Set - what started it all!

2) Monsters & Treasure of Aihrde- you don't find this kind of originality in a monster book anymore.

3) East Mark Gazetteer -

4) Umbrage Saga - yeah it's a compilation, but it compiles so much stuff so well. This box set just rocks. There's nearly a whole campaign in this bad boy. Lots of flavor.

5) GFW World Builder - A resource that can be used over and over.

*Honorable Mentions: CZ1: Yggsburgh, C2: Shades of Mist, Heart of Glass, CZ2 Upper Works... man the list can go on and on!

~O
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DangerDwarf · Post by **DangerDwarf** » Wed Jun 16, 2010 2:38 pm

1. Monsters & Treasures of Aihrde

2. Umbrage Saga

3. Yggsburgh

4. Black Libram

5. DB4 -Dro Mandras

alcyone · Post by **alcyone** » Wed Jun 16, 2010 2:55 pm

1. M&T of Aihrde -- just got this last night and I think it's brilliant and confirms why there is more to C&C than a veneer over OGL. Inspiring.

2. Umbrage Saga -- It's inaccurate to call the first half of the A series "modules". They do really form a subsetting for Aihrde, with lots of free-form encounters and ideas alongside the more structured dungeons. There is some very creative stuff in there, especially the later modules; complacent players will certainly be put out of their comfort zone.

3. Codex of Erde -- Part of the D20 days. I put this here instead of After Winter's Dark, because while AWD whets the appetite, it isn't CoE, still waiting for the C&C version of this.

4. Yggsburgh -- While it feels a little strange without the rest of its companion books, it is full of detail and an excellent glimpse into what was one of Gary's most iconic works.

5. I only get five? I will leave stuff out! Grumble. Ok, then, Shadows of Halfling Hall -- I think the cover is great, can't get enough of frightened halflings. It's a fun little adventure.
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Deogolf · Post by **Deogolf** » Wed Jun 16, 2010 3:06 pm

1) Harvesters

2) Harvesters

3) Harvesters

4) Harvesters

5) Castle Zagyg - Upper Works
Seriously, from what I've been able to read, I think they are all pretty darn good. I haven't had a chance to play them all or read them all to make a complete list.
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Breakdaddy · Post by **Breakdaddy** » Wed Jun 16, 2010 3:24 pm

I heare that TLG stincks and I WOOD NEVAR USE THERE PRODUCKS!!!!!

1. Collector's Set (Nifty factor 10- ENGAGE!)

2. World Builder (Gets used EVERY time I set up an adventure!)

3. Umbrage Sage (Im a sucker for boxed sets, and this one has a LOT of adventure in it. Plus Davis is Captain Caveman, and NOBODY argues with the capn'!)

4. Engineering Dungeons (Get a ton of use from this, particularly the encounter tables)

5. Yggsburgh Hardcover (I cant count the number of times Ive flipped to a random page in this tome and found instant inspiration for an entire evening's adventure)

Man, there are books that deserve better than an honorable mention but I only get 5 top picks. I use Extraordinary Book of Names a LOT. Black Libram has gotten much use for inspiration and direct use of the spells within. Most of the other Gygaxian book line gets sporadic use but it's always great for inspiration...

And my special limited edition copy of the Upper Works box (READ: Steve sat on it and crushed it so I inherited it) is dasheeyot.

AGNKim · Post by **AGNKim** » Wed Jun 16, 2010 4:25 pm

1. M&T of A (I play my campaign in Greyhawk, but have fallen in love with this book.)

2. Collectors Set (It just seems cool.)

3. World Builder (Awesomeness squared)

4. Extraordinary Book of Names (I actually read this for like an hour one day, just looking at names)

5. The CKG. (I'm guessin')

I really need to get Engineering Dungeons.
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serleran · Post by **serleran** » Wed Jun 16, 2010 4:36 pm

My personal preferences, without having some of the newer works (like Monsters and Treasure of Aihrde) are:

1) Castle Zagyg: The Upper Works

2) Gygaxian Fantasy Series Collector's Slipsleeve Set

3) The Umbrage Saga

4) Book of Familiars

5) Engineering Dungeons

and a few mentionable such as Codex of Erde, Yggsburgh, Cleaver: The Pit, and The Haunted Highlands.
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seskis281 · Post by **seskis281** » Wed Jun 16, 2010 5:17 pm

1. CZ: Upper Works - Just a superior product all around, a true classic sadly pulled before it had a chance to truly shine

2. C1: Mortality of Green - Just a terrific module that showcases the uniqueness of Aihrde, and one of the few modules I've ever run essentially "as is"

3. The Umbrage Saga - For all the reasons people have already said - a terrific boxed mini-setting, campaign unto itself

4. Heart of Glass - forming the core of my current campaign right now

5. M&T of Aihrde - Just got it, it's fantastic
Ok 5 isn't enought, my honorable mentions: the White Box Collector's Set (for nostalgic coolness), Engineering Dungeons (for excellent tools), Gary Gygax's Book of Names, The Codex of Aihrde AND After Winter's Dark C&C Folio together (it says alot that I and my group continue to play in Aihrde even with my own setting out there), Black Libram (evil coolness), Casey's HH series, and Shadows of Halfling Hall - one of the best intro mods that I've yet to actually run!

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Naleax · Post by **Naleax** » Wed Jun 16, 2010 5:38 pm

1. World Builder

2. Umbrage Saga

3. Extraordinary Book of Names

4. Aihrde After Winter's Dark Folio

5. Can't decide what to put here, there are a lot of good ones.

I just got Codex of Erde and based on what i've heard it might very well take the number 5 spot on my list but I have yet to crack the cover.

Nal

Go0gleplex · Post by **Go0gleplex** » Wed Jun 16, 2010 5:58 pm

(space reserved for CKG)

Book of Names

Engineering Dungeons

M&T:A

Umbrage Saga/CZ: UW
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Rigon · Post by **Rigon** » Wed Jun 16, 2010 8:50 pm

My list is as follows:

1. Mortality of Green/Shades of Mist (technically 2, but since they are for the same area, I lump them together)

2. Haunted Highlands (Casey's setting rocks)

3. Codex of Erde (best setting book of all time)

4. Monsters and Treasure of Aihrde (kickass monsters and wicked treasures)

5. After Winter's Dark folio (all the Aihrde goodness one needs)

I reserve space for the CKG.

R-
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Sir Osis of Liver · Post by **Sir Osis of Liver** » Wed Jun 16, 2010 8:53 pm

GFW: Insidiae

GFW: World Builder

CZ:UW

Towers of Adventure

There's a bunch that would be tied for the 5th spot. Notice there are no numbers in my rankings. These are all top picks.

The ones that compete for inclusion:

Engineering Dungeons

CGA&A

Black Libram

I don't have M&TofA or Umbrage yet. Can't speak to them right now, but I'm getting them tonight.
My starter was the slip-case set that was discounted at GenCon 2008. That whole set should make my list as well.

Treebore · Post by **Treebore** » Wed Jun 16, 2010 9:08 pm

Umbra boxed set. The more I use and play in these modules the more I love them. Their wide open nature, their ability to easily put it in Greyhawk, Kalamar, Faerun, Dragonlance, etc... appeals to me greatly, even though I have only seen it used in Erde so far. Switch out evil god of choice with Unklar, modify minor things here and there, and its usable in any setting.

Airhde Folio-much easier to use than the Codex, and the setting is fun.

Yggsburgh. I don't care how dry and error ridden people claim this book is, I read it and get tons of Gygaxian inspiration. I love it!

Castle Zagyg: Upper Works. Classic Gygaxian awesomeness!

Winter Rune: I love the Rune magic ideas in here! Adds a great unique dimension to the Erde setting. (Sorry, I hate the word Aihrde!) This book is why I have the Runemark class in my house rules for C&C, but only my daughter has ever played one.
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serleran · Post by **serleran** » Wed Jun 16, 2010 9:30 pm

*is pleased so many people like Engineering Dungeons*

Woohoo!
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Rigon · Post by **Rigon** » Wed Jun 16, 2010 9:48 pm

serleran wrote:
*is pleased so many people like Engineering Dungeons*

Woohoo!

It's a good piece of work. It just didn't make my top 5.

R-
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Treebore · Post by **Treebore** » Wed Jun 16, 2010 9:54 pm

Rigon wrote:
It's a good piece of work. It just didn't make my top 5.

R-

Ditto
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Lord Dynel · Post by **Lord Dynel** » Thu Jun 17, 2010 12:03 am

Man, only five? That's tough!
I think these are in order.

1. GFW: World Builder

2. CZ: UW

3. Umbrage Saga

4. AWD: Folio

5. Book of Familiars

My 6-10 would be: Harvesters, GFW: Living Fantasy, Engineering Dungeons, GFW: Book of Names, CZ: Yggsburgh

I don't own the Colelctor's Set or M&TA, yet, however.
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Tadhg · Post by **Tadhg** » Thu Jun 17, 2010 2:15 am

C&C Collector's Boxed Set

Assault on Black Tooth Ridge

Codex of Erde

Castle Zagyg: Upper Works.

Castle Zagyg: Yggsburgh.

HM: Lion in the Ropes. Mortality of Green and Heart of Glass!

Special mention . . Lost City of Gaxmoor!

OMGosh . . . Omote, you hit it man, there are so many fab TLG/C&C products!! i'm thinkin' the old days . . . when there were only some few great prods.

Now, there is a ton of fab goodnesss!!

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Treebore · Post by **Treebore** » Thu Jun 17, 2010 2:32 am

Just want to point out I have yet to get the M&T of Erde, I am saving that, and hopefully that awesome sounding boxed set of mass battles, and the CKG, for Troll Con purchases.

So my top 5 list may very well change by the end of July.
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Ace of Swords · Post by **Ace of Swords** » Thu Jun 17, 2010 2:49 am

Coming late to the party...

1 World builder

2 Engineering dungeons

3 Extraordinary book of names.

4 of Gods and Monsters

5 reserved for the CKG

Aladar · Post by **Aladar** » Thu Jun 17, 2010 12:57 pm

My choices:

1. Castle Zagyg: Yggsburgh

2. Castle Zagyg: The Upper Works

3. Module DB4 - Dro Mandras The Free West

4. Module DB5 - Dro Mandras II The Conquered East

5. The Black Libram of Nartarus

I have been using the Dro Mandras modules as a returning "Siege of Minas Tirith" type adventure.
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Omote · Post by **Omote** » Thu Jun 17, 2010 1:06 pm

It is indeed, really, really hard to just choose a top 5 all by itself. Even after reading the entires of others, I sit back and think that maybe some of these should be in the top 5 for me. But it's so hard to choose. The one I striggle with the most is Yggsburgh in my Honorable Mention. IT really should be in the top 5...

~O
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anglefish · Post by **anglefish** » Thu Jun 17, 2010 1:18 pm

DB3: The Deeper Darkness (Thulls)

DB5: The Conquered East (A Siege in a Sandbox)

DB1: The Haunted Highlands (Dirty Bowdes)

CK Screen (Who needs a book?)

Honorable Mention: CnC Freeport Companion (A nice nautical themed supplement: Monsters, guns, spells, magic items and NPCs)

Frost · Post by **Frost** » Thu Jun 17, 2010 3:58 pm

1. Engineering Dungeons

2. Castle Zagyg: Yggsburgh

3. Module DB4 - Dro Mandras The Free West

4. Module DB5 - Dro Mandras II The Conquered East

5. Codex of Erde

To be fair, I don't own any Airde material beyond the Codex. Besides what I put up there, I own the core books (including OG&M), Towers of Adventure, and all the HH material.

I really like Towers of Adventure as well, so it gets an honorable mention from me.
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cinderblock · Post by **cinderblock** » Thu Jun 17, 2010 11:18 pm

1. Upper Works

2. Yggsburgh

3. Codex of Erde

4. The Haunted Highlands

5. Deeper Darkness

To be fair I don't have a whole lot of product but what I have is great. I need to pick up The Umbrage Saga after everything I've read about it.
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Kos · Post by **Kos** » Mon Jun 21, 2010 5:05 am

1. the A series/Umbrage saga: this is just a kickin' set of adventures, instant clasic

2. Codex of Erde: this book is the first TL book I read and it blew my mind, it turned Erde into my favorite campaign setting over night (from Gygax's Greyhawk no less)

3. Starseige: not a choice of many people but I love this game I hope it gets more support/attention in the future, great game

4. Heart of Glass: great adventure for a kick ass setting, and bonus: lots of Erde/Arhide lore. This like the A series is more than just a great module, it is packed with neat stuff and makes a great urban campaign setting

5. Uh...I don't know: After Winters Dark and all my Ahride stuff is very near and dear to me. It is just my favorite campaign setting of all time period.

Sir Ironside · Post by **Sir Ironside** » Mon Jun 21, 2010 10:34 am

I don't have everything, especially the newer books, out I'll put in my 2 cents anyway.
The Collectors set is what 'set' me off on C&C.After Winters Dark because it reminds me so much of my old Greyhawk folio.The Crusader, I know it is a bunch of books, but I am counting it as one.Umbrage Saga.I'm going to give a shout out to Starseige. Yeah there has been a lot of grousing (Even by me) but I don't mind the build your own stuff books (Like the very cool Stuff!) and Starseige is well put together for that.
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Post by **finarvyn** » Thu Jun 24, 2010 10:53 am

I'm gonna cheat and group stuff together when possible.
* White collector's box -- this started it all!

* Haunted Highlands setting (DB module series)

* Tainted Lands boxed set

* Castle Zagyg setting

* Harvesters
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hedgeknight · Post by **hedgeknight** » Wed Jun 30, 2010 1:10 am

Okay fellers - been gaming since '83 but a newbie to C&C - in fact, so new I don't have any of the products...yet. So...if I were to only get FIVE products, which five should I get?

Thanks!

zacharythefirst · Post by **zacharythefirst** » Wed Jun 30, 2010 1:50 am

1) Castle Zagyg: Upper Works

2) Dark Chateau

3) DB 4

4) DB 5

5) Engineering Dungeons

#s 3-5 could go in any order.
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