Customer Reviews

Encyclopedia Magica (Advanced Dungeons and Dragons), Vol. 1: A-C

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4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
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I'm sure every Dm has a little trouble figuring what new magical items to stump his players with. This resource solves the problem forever.With everything from amulets to daggers to "Goerl's Portable Tackle Box and Canoe" to dice to cards to boxes to bags to art to armor to axes to candles to boats to........... you get the point. There are plenty of items that are beneficial to your characters, and also a few that will annoy them or even be dangerous. There are some joke items, such as the Mystical Brown Coating Box or the above canoe and tackle box, some fun stuff, like flatboxes and cloaks of changing, some useful stuff, like magic carpets and amulets, some powerful stuff, like "The Tarot Deck of Many Things" some Artifacts, and even some cursed stuff. Essential for DMs, but not for players. This item also makes for some memorable moments. I'll always remember the time my players found the Candle of Convocation, which transports them to a high-school pep rally on a different plane of existence, and which they can't leave till they win the cheering contest. The players acted it out, and since our meetings have been outside (thanks to my parents). Anyway, this item is a must-have for all DMs, and if you get it, you will sure be satisfied.

Amazon misleadingly lists the first printing of this book as a hardcover. This series was NEVER printed in hardcover form. The book listed as a hardcover is actually the original "bible" or "fancy" edition of the book. It comes with a faux-leather vinyl cover, fancy bible-quality paper, and two ribbon bookmarks that are sewn into the binding.

Later printings (published after TSR was bought by Wizards of The Coast) have an embossed heavy-paper cover, lower-quality paper for the pages, and no bookmarks. These printings are billed as "softcover" by Amazon.

There are no other versions than these two.

Well, to start with you'd expect this book to be entirely stacked to the rafters with the utmost in specific magics from all corners of the AD&D gaming worlds. When in actual fact it is stacked to the rafters with the utmost in specific magics from all corners of the AD&D gaming worlds. There are some good, some not so good and some damn right evil pieces of equipment in here. Naturally it is a bit of a pain having to buy all 4 to get the full benefit, but imagine the fun with all those amulets, and armour types. To be honest it is not great. But it does list every magical item from the DM guide (1st edition) to Dragon magazine (about issue 200). It's really good, honest!

Encyclopedia Magica vols 1-4 has to be one of the BEST Dungeons and Dragons accessories ever made and a definite must-have for every DM!
Within its 1664 pages, one finds magical item after magical item from various different worlds; from Oerth, Krynn, Toril and many others. It is a vast compilation of items and artifacts that have been published over the years in modules, adventures, accessories, magazines etc and are now presented in compact form for the convenience of us, the players. Presented alphabetically, with very good descriptions- including stating the origin- and with very nice art, Encyclopedia Magica is a great addition to anyone's collection. Myself, I proudly display my copies on my shelves for all to see and for me to admire.
In short, if you don't have the four Encyclopedia Magica volumes, GET THEM! It might take a bit of searching to locate the copies, but it's well worth it!

I found the Encylopedia Magica volumes to be an incredible resource for my campaign. Some of my player's most deeply cherished items have come from random rolls on the treasure tables in this final volume. It also provide an easy way for me to find the descriptions of the magical items the players acquired for TSR modules.

Outside of my camapgin, these books have been a tremendous resource in a tournament settings like the RPGA where magical items often have incomplete descriptions.

Overall an excellent referrence on magical items.

I have been playing D&D & AD&D over 20 years, and am very impressed with the "Encyclopedia Magica" series. If you are a gamer I strongly suggest you pick up these books, as they are superb, comprehensive reference books desribing thousands or magic items for AD&D. Reference material of this quality, complete with fine artwork, is rare and these are sure to become collectible-if you can stand to part with them!

The must have collection of magic items. Works great if you know what you need. Just have a piece of paper handy while browseing. You may find an amusing item and need to note the page number.

these books have just about anything you could imagine and more.

This book or encyclopedia which ever you call it was an amazing tribute too anyone who has created magical items for the game

This book describes in detail all the little effects of each item. It helps a lot when I'm actually playing and have no idea exactly what an item does.