They each have their respective uses, I too like to use a LT while running, and even at times while playing, but as peacekeeper_b has pointed out actually books are much better in many respects, I use the .pdfs more for reference and while writing suplements, adventures ect. while I use the actualy HC for reading the books, quick refrence around the table, charactar generation and leisure reading (buses, bed, bathroom...)

Peacekeeper_b said:

Who said anything about producing physical copies? While I love books and end up going through a handful a week (if only I could keep up that rate of reading with academic texts! ), I just don't want any physical RPG books any more. Even when I played f2f with a regular gaming group, I despised having to carry all the various sourcebooks to the gaming session. My bag would weigh 20 kilograms or more! Now if I went to an f2f gaming session, I would just take my laptop with my digital archive of games that I have been slowly re-buying from the physical ones that I had to leave in Blighty. (My digital RPG archive consists of something like 500+ books. That is not something that I would like to physically carry around! )

This doesn't inherently restrict the collector in me, even if that is somewhat moderated since I no longer see the point in buying games when I can fairly easy convert them over from a generic "universal" system that the chances are I would prefer anyway.

But if a PDF was made available of all the information mentioned? Now that I think about it, no I wouldn't buy it. I don't mind not having a physical book fo such things.

Kage

Yes. I agree that even though the vehicle work and some of the other stuff you mentioned are free, I would prefer a collected work in a book. Extras could include artwork, random location maps, or even more info on the Adeptus Mechanicus (cogitator and "software" of the 40k, all things tech), the Ecclesiarchy (thinking tenets of the Imperial Creed, etc.)... basically an expansion on the information provided focused on people new to the 40k universe (in my games, people tend not to play the tech-priest or the cleric because they are not sure how to roleplay a character from those very specific backgrounds).

Just some thoughts.

-Cynr

Would I pay for material which is, or has been freely available online before? Not likely. If it were included in a book of mostly new material I'd still buy it, but I'd feel it was a cop-out to bulk up the book.

As for the real book/PDF thing, I like both. Disciples of the Dark Gods is an excellent thing to curl up with and hard copies are a must for tabletop games, but if you're running things online then PDFs are invaluable.

Snidesworth said:

Chances are you have paid for material which is or has been freely avalible online. But I get your point.

I'd pay for it, when I could afford it that is (having just bought into the system last week with the corebook, Purge the Unclean, the GameMaster's Kit, and The Inquisition Handbook). I second the maps idea; one of the things I've loved thus far has been the possibility of physical representations of the characters on tactical maps. The adventures are pretty sweet too

a DH sourcebook can be fun and i surely buy it but not for only already pdf materials on it

add news stuffs and i purchase it for sure (some interesting add on)

new path (elite or alternate) (or completly new)

new gears

a map with more detail and travels delay between palnets

the vehicule rules (already have it but is usefull)

more cybernetics (and explanation about them and the concequences of installing it)

more info about the arbitrator (resources, justice, vehicule, procedure)

more info about imperial law and justice (crime vs punishement)

more explicit informations about crafting (you have info in the inquisitor hanbook page 245 but no effect explain for the mats (what the effect of using adamantium or silver or all others meterials... they say nothing on that) (do adamantium increase the ap of an armor or not ,,,....the wheight is he same or not?))

maybe more info about the black ship and the sanctionning of a spyker ( new spyker gear, power, talent, discipline)

new skills

more info about holy effect and faith (can a cleric develop faith power?)

maybe a detaillend hive description whit a scenario a map and some interesting place

the detailled stats skill gears of the nine arch criminals show in the disciple of the dark gods book

the politics situation of the sector and the treaths of the sectors (ork invasiions, eldar corsairs, piratres,tyranides,...)

more about the rank effect of each class (exp: a description of the power, ressources, duty, liberty, peoples under commands of a proctor)

(personnaly i consider those rank name as a possibility player can reach at the corresponding level and not a automatics rank increasement)

so far i have purcase all the book + the inquisiton: an illustratied guide to the secretive protectors of the imperium and i have pre-order the monster book comming soon and i surely purchase all book i juge usefull if i can (i have look on some cadex book posses by a friend and im pretty interesting by some of them ...Armagedon, eye of terror, space marine, ....for the information they have on the situation and part of the imperium )

regard and merry christmass and happy new years to every ones (or anuka or dunno what for the other...just good moment peace and prosperity to all)

Marcus Galva said:

The same for me ^^

These are definitly the kind of stuff i'm expecting to find in a companion book!

May the Emperor-God make FFG aware of this topic

So it this Companion had like 40% new material, with some of the previous released PDF material?

As long as it includes: More gear/cybernetics?

Role Playing advice and Guidelines, not just "Hey here is a section on the inner workins and history of the Adeptus Mechanicus Calixis" but how to role play a tech priest, advice on how they act and so forth?

Game numbers, such as travel times, broadr crafting rules, a few new character options?

I'd buy it - I much prefer books - obviously my advancing years still keep me enjoying books more than pdf's

I'd buy it. I'm a technophile but I still prefer books over PDF's for the simple reason that I haven't got a laptop, well...a laptop that is worth mentioning that is plus there's something about physically holding a book in your hands and flipping through the pages, etc. It'll have to contain at least 40 percent new material though because I won't quickly spend my hard earned cash on something that is available online. No matter how much I like to have an actual book I won't pay cash for what is essentially just a bound copy of something I could print out myself.

Of course I'd buy a copy. But there are a few things I'd like to see. First, either a reprint of the Vehicle Apocrypha or new vehicle rules if the Apocrypha is still GW IP. Secondly, I'd like to see information on trade and piracy in the Calixis Sector. Finally, I'd like to see lots and lots of fluff . I'd love to see more on Imperial culture - all the little details that make a campaign more real.

Peacekeeper_b said:

If you don't have information on the "inner workings" than how can you have roleplaying advice on the Adeptus Mechanicus or, well, anything else? Isn't that one of the primary "flaws" with Dark Heresy itself? Personally I have always felt that we need more "inner workings" supplements, but I'm somewhat more realistic in what I feel we would actually get .

Kage

I would if they put it in pdf format.

More seriously. I've said it before. I prefer having pdf copies. They are searchable, they are easier to work with, they don't take up more space. I've already got the timeline and the apocrypha in pdf, why would I pay for a hard copy of it? OK...throw in some more material and maybe depending on what is in it. But if it is just the stuff that is already available in pdf, nope. Wouldn't spend a dime on it.

Put me in for the "new material only" vote.

I wish for the Calixis Sector information that they would just get an agreement with the website and just allow the fans to run with it.

http://eruvian.com/

Salcor