- Hardcover: 320 pages
- Publisher: Wizards of the Coast (29 July 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0786926589
- ISBN-13: 978-0786926589
- Product Dimensions: 28.4 x 21.3 x 2.1 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
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- #40 in Books > Fiction > Science Fiction > Gaming > Dungeons & Dragons
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
29 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I wish I could give this more than just 5 stars.
I have always run campaigns that went beyond the old 20th (and in late 2nd edition 30th) level cap, but had to make up my own rules for running them. It always upset me that just as characters got tough enough to be able to handle he truly epic tasks and quests that all players dreamed of doing, they were supposed to be put out to pasture. So, when this book came out, I was utterly speechless with anticipation, and to my utter joy, I found it to be everything I had been craving all these long years, a return to the near insanity (and endless fun) of the original D&D 'Immortals' box set.
It's a hefty book, packed with all new rules for taking your players, villains and monsters to any level you want. Well presented and well wirtten, it gives advancements for all the base characters classes, as well as for the prestige classes from the Dungeon Masters Guide.
It feature a ton of truly epic feats (imagine having all of your spells quickened or silent without altering their level, or being able to slice someones head off with your bare hands), epic magic items (you could now truly create a +12 Hackmaster if you wanted), epic spells (this time they got it right, we are talking SERIOUS magic here, not underpowered 9th level spell clones), my personal favourites, the epic monsters (HOW MANY HITPOINTS? AN ARMOUR CLASS OF WHAT?), and a whole ton of information about running and balancing epic campaigns.
Stunning artwork is found through the book (check out the Xixecal), and everything is laid out in a sensible and intuitive way.
I cannot stress enough what a great addition to your D&D rules set this work is, if you truly want to run a high fantasy campaign. Coupled with Manual of the Planes and Deities and Demigods, it arms the GM with the tools and rules for crafting incredible, memorable adventures that will leave your players both staggered ("It did how much damage?") and awed ("I did how much damage?"), and will keep you happily going until they achieve godhood.......or get killed and eaten by a Paragon Beholder! Buy it!
I have always run campaigns that went beyond the old 20th (and in late 2nd edition 30th) level cap, but had to make up my own rules for running them. It always upset me that just as characters got tough enough to be able to handle he truly epic tasks and quests that all players dreamed of doing, they were supposed to be put out to pasture. So, when this book came out, I was utterly speechless with anticipation, and to my utter joy, I found it to be everything I had been craving all these long years, a return to the near insanity (and endless fun) of the original D&D 'Immortals' box set.
It's a hefty book, packed with all new rules for taking your players, villains and monsters to any level you want. Well presented and well wirtten, it gives advancements for all the base characters classes, as well as for the prestige classes from the Dungeon Masters Guide.
It feature a ton of truly epic feats (imagine having all of your spells quickened or silent without altering their level, or being able to slice someones head off with your bare hands), epic magic items (you could now truly create a +12 Hackmaster if you wanted), epic spells (this time they got it right, we are talking SERIOUS magic here, not underpowered 9th level spell clones), my personal favourites, the epic monsters (HOW MANY HITPOINTS? AN ARMOUR CLASS OF WHAT?), and a whole ton of information about running and balancing epic campaigns.
Stunning artwork is found through the book (check out the Xixecal), and everything is laid out in a sensible and intuitive way.
I cannot stress enough what a great addition to your D&D rules set this work is, if you truly want to run a high fantasy campaign. Coupled with Manual of the Planes and Deities and Demigods, it arms the GM with the tools and rules for crafting incredible, memorable adventures that will leave your players both staggered ("It did how much damage?") and awed ("I did how much damage?"), and will keep you happily going until they achieve godhood.......or get killed and eaten by a Paragon Beholder! Buy it!
23 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I have to admit that I was more acticipating the epic level handbook more eagerly than I have ever anticipated a D&D supplement, except for, perhaps, the 3rd Ed. PHB. At the same time I expected to be somewhat disappointed, I just didn't see how the game could be playable above 20th level since I don't think it is particularly playable above 8th level.
To my surprise, having read the book a few times and begun planning a 30th level campaign, it seems to me that the game is more balanced and playable at 30th level than at 20th. Epic abilities fill in some much needed powers for player characters that turn two round kill fests into long epic slugathons. The creatures presented really look like they could challenge epic parties. Epic magic items are priced appropriately so the game doesn't spiral out of control.
A few things in the book are overpowered. Being 30th level shouldn't let you do more than 1000 damage in a single round, and this can be accomplished through several different means. But banning only three or four feats and putting a couple of limits on epic spells takes care of these problems, and that seems pretty balanced to me.
While a few of the pieces of art are downright terrible, most of the art is good technically and thematically. The book is riddled with errors, such as references to feats that don't exist and conflicting information about what abilities are gained at what levels, but it doesn't have more than you would expect from a first printing.
Overall the Epic Level Hanbook was surprisingly good. I'm glad that I purchased it and I look forward to actually trying the rules out in a game. Of course 21+ level play isn't for everyone, but this book has lots of good ideas and advice that can be applied to 12th level games just as well as 21st level ones.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Although not entirly what I expected this book has been of a great use in some of my games, especially the one where our 30th level bard took all the leaadership feats. Some of the other feats presented can be a bit pointless but I just ignore them.
The book could have had more information on big battles or rulig your own kingdom (My party rules a massive kingdom with a KuoToan army) so most of the rules for that had to be made up.
There is no real extension to the skills except for a few entries on really high level skills
One of the best bits is the monsters section, the hit points and attacks presented make a huge challenge, especially with the worm that walks which is almost impossible to kill.
Overall this book is a great addition and any rules you dislike can be ignored or new ones created.
The book could have had more information on big battles or rulig your own kingdom (My party rules a massive kingdom with a KuoToan army) so most of the rules for that had to be made up.
There is no real extension to the skills except for a few entries on really high level skills
One of the best bits is the monsters section, the hit points and attacks presented make a huge challenge, especially with the worm that walks which is almost impossible to kill.
Overall this book is a great addition and any rules you dislike can be ignored or new ones created.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Truly Epic!
This book is one of wonder. I bought this book just after I got the core set. This became my favourite book immediately and is still today.
All the sections are brilliant. Read more
Published on 2 Jun 2004 by "wozza_the_one"
Kirstars Review
To be honest I feel a little ripped off by this book.If you are expecting AD&D 2nd Highlevels charcters, or D&D original Imortals then you are out of luck. Read more
Published on 20 Oct 2003 by "kirstar"
Absolutely Fabulous
I couldn't agree more with what one guy said earlier, the game is much more balanced at 30th level, the vast amount of extra monsters given are plenty to keep challenging the... Read more
Published on 16 Dec 2002 by "randomnoddy"
Another 'must have' D&D sourcebook?
'The Epic Handbook' is another essential D&D rulebook for the D&D game. It packs classes, prestige classes, skills, feats, items, spells, monsters and adventure ideas as... Read more
Published on 21 Aug 2002 by Robbie Earle
The Epic Level Book
If your looking for inspiration on why to aim for 20th level and beyond, or are there already, this is the book for you. Read more
Published on 5 Aug 2002
A Stroke of Genius
If you've ever got a character to 20th level, you'll know that most of the strength that comes from gaining levels, comes in the form of powerful class abilities (Look at the monk... Read more
Published on 30 July 2002 by M Rawle
Epic level Handbook
There's nothing quite as satsfying as gaining a new level.You get to decide whether to continue in the same class, multiclass into another or even take a prestige class. Read more
Published on 19 July 2002
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