Everytime I get in a gaming collection I reach for my copy of heroic worlds. I'm sure almost everyone here has a copy, but Lawrence Schick's guide has been the single most useful reference work for gaming material I have ever come across. It need to be a multi-volume set now, but I ahven't come across anything in print that compares to it.

I have always heard about it but never got to own one.  Is it expensive?

serleran wrote:It is useful, yes, but I often wish there were pictures associated -- a more visual reference work would be amazing. I also find it quite fun when I discover something that is not in the book.

I'd love to see something on par with boardgamegeek but for RPGs. Any sites out there like that?

Half.com has the paperback version for $15, you might be able to get it for less at an eBay auction.  It's an invaluable resource for the early RPG collector, I would highly recommend getting one.

mandalaymoon wrote:Half.com has the paperback version for $15, you might be able to get it for less at an eBay auction.  It's an invaluable resource for the early RPG collector, I would highly recommend getting one.

There was a hardback version?

JZavoda wrote:Hadn't seen this site before. Have to see how to find the info. I can see the forums but is there an archive listing?

Right now the Tome is in a development stage.  We are trying to list everything in the forums and then eventually get it into webpages, etc.  The forums are organized with sections for discussion, TSR stuff, other RPGs, Wargames, Fanzines etc.  Each section is sorted by company where some of the bigger companies have their threads listed first followed by smaller companies listed under each alphabet letter.

serleran wrote:I wish there was a bit more information, such as printing details, but for pure visuals... it is great.

It will come Serl, just be patient.  One of the goals of the Tome is to get reliable printing information.  I think that games such as Arduin and early TSR supplement games, etc were printed a few more times than most people realize.  A year ago, I thought I had a good idea of what the different printings were but through the Tome, I have discovered there are more than initially thought.

Most of the listings are a work in progress but some are more complete than others.  The TSR supplements, such as Tricolor, Panzer Warfare, etc I think are fairly complete but others such as Dungeon! and Empire of the Petal Throne still need work.

Also, I think Heroic Worlds is great starting place but by no means complete on information or 100% accurate.  It does list some items that were never published and also skips out on printing differences as well.