Planar Handbook

Planar Handbook is a supplemental sourcebook for Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 edition that focuses on planar adventures and mechanics. The book updates content from the Planescape setting while introducing new material for characters who venture beyond the Material Plane. The sourcebook provides players with essential tools for planar campaigns, including new races, feats, spells, and equipment designed for interdimensional travel. Matt Cavotta's cover art and contributions from multiple interior artists bring the otherworldly content to life through detailed illustrations. Published in 2004 by Bruce R. Cordell and Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, the book takes a focused approach to its subject matter. The authors selected content they determined would be most valuable for players exploring the planes. The Planar Handbook represents D&D's commitment to expanding gameplay beyond traditional fantasy settings into cosmic and metaphysical realms. Its mechanical additions help bridge the gap between standard campaigns and planar adventures.

The Planar Handbook receives average to positive reviews from D&D players and DMs. Most readers appreciate the plane-specific feats, spells, and prestige classes that expand character options for planar campaigns. Readers liked: - Clear organization of planar rules and mechanics - New planar environments and hazards - Equipment and magic items for planar travel - Artwork and illustrations Common criticisms: - Too much reprinted content from Manual of the Planes - Limited new monster options - Some rules feel unbalanced or untested - Price high for amount of new content Ratings: Goodreads: 3.85/5 (37 ratings) Amazon: 3.7/5 (10 reviews) Notable reader comments: "Good mechanical support for planar adventuring but needed more unique content" - RPGnet review "The environmental hazards and plane-specific items make this worth getting" - ENWorld forum post "Useful for DMs but players might find limited value" - DriveThruRPG review

Manual of the Planes by David Zeb Cook This sourcebook contains detailed information about planar travel, dimensions, and otherworldly locations for role-playing campaigns.

Planes of Chaos by Wolfgang Baur, Lester Smith The book presents rules, settings, and creatures from the chaotic planes of existence with maps and encounter tables.

Planescape Campaign Setting by David "Zeb" Cook This campaign setting combines planar exploration with urban adventure in the city of Sigil, including faction politics and planar philosophies.

Guide to the Ethereal Plane by Bruce R. Cordell The guide details the misty dimension between the Material Plane and Inner Planes with rules for ethereal travel and encounters.

Heroes of Horror by James Wyatt, Ari Marmell, and C.A. Suleiman This book provides rules for dark dimensions, shadow planes, and horror-themed planar adventures in role-playing campaigns.

🎲 Bruce R. Cordell has written over 40 gaming books and adventures for Dungeons & Dragons, making him one of the most prolific authors in RPG history. 🌌 The concept of planes in D&D was heavily influenced by Michael Moorcock's Eternal Champion series, which featured a complex multiverse of parallel worlds. 📚 The Planar Handbook was released in 2004 as part of D&D's 3.5 edition, which is often considered the most mechanically detailed version of the game. 🎮 Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel worked as a game designer at Wizards of the Coast and contributed to many influential D&D products, including the Player's Handbook II. 🗺️ The book's planar cosmology model, known as the Great Wheel, has become so influential that it has inspired numerous video games, novels, and other fantasy works.