CMG SRD 3.5 revised (FULL) bundle

This clever, neatly laid out, and surprisingly easy to use set of PDF reference documents from Creative Mountain Games offers 16 different core rules documents. This full revised rules bundle can be purchased directly from Creative Mountain Games for $14.95 or through RPGnow for $15.95.

Target Audience: Role-playing enthusiasts using the D20 system.

Product Type: D20 Quick Reference Documents.

Core System: D20 3.5 revised

Quality: 8 for layout, 7 for content, and 9 for usefulness.

Grade: A- / B+

Overall Rating: 9 out of 10 golden apples.

You don't really need me to explain what the D20 SRD is, do you?

If you answered yes, or are uncertain how to answer that question, then this probably is not something you need. You may want it, eventually, but before you do anything else please visit this site.

The archive contains the following reference documents of the D20 3.5 revised SRD core rules: Monsters, Creature Stat Blocks, Divine Rules, Epic Rules, Adept Spells, Assassin Spells, Blackguard Spells, Bard Spells, Cleric Spells, Domain Spells, Druid Spells, Paladin Spells, Ranger Spells, Sorcerer & Wizard Spells, Psionic Rules, and the all important Basics, Spells, and Magic Items.

I’ve said it before and I think it bears repeating: I've seen fancier layouts and PDFs using larger fonts that make onscreen reading less of an eyestrain but I can't think of a document package that has the potential to be more useful or portable than this. Seriously, and assuming you are a D20 GM that doesn’t already have any quick reference documents in PDF format, CMG has put together a PDF package that utilized the PDF formats strengths to effect. First, each document has thumbnails taking that take the reader to each individual page. Second, as if thumbnails aren't enough, there are also bookmarks leading to individual sections within the document. Third, and this is what I feel makes this resource package special, there is a main PDF index that links to each separate PDF in the unzip directory and, as with HTML releases of the SRD, each PDF links back to the main index. What this means is that you have a set of documents with the flexibility of HTML but with the portability only the PDF format allows.

Negatives: I suppose one has to mention that the “cover” art appears to all be of the public domain variety. Some of it, if not all of it, should be familiar to any gamer who has amassed a healthy collection of PDF gaming material. Especially those of us who have CDROMs full of "free" games. However the resolution quality isn't a problem, though some may question whether or not a better piece of artwork couldn't have been found to put on the cover of the Monsters PDF.

Positives: Each PDF has been crafted for ease of access. There are bookmarks, thumbnails, and- get this- an index PDF that is linked to all the other PDFs in this package! How sweet is that? It's not the first time I've encountered this in PDFs, but it is the first time that I recollect seeing an entire PDF packaged designed with this feature in mind. Very well put together product that would be a perfect fit for laptop DMs.

Related Products: CMG also offers selective packages of these products. More information about CMG products can be found on the CMG home page, located here.

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