Which books to get first?

[Warhawk]

I am just starting to buy the B5 RPG books. So far I have the 2nd edition rules, Minbari, and League of Non-aligned worlds books. But not sure where to go next.

I don't have a group that plays B5 in my area so I am thinking of starting one to fix that. So for now I am looking to get lots of back ground and fluff info. So I am thinking centauri and narn fact books but as they are 1st edition not sure how useful they will be. Or is teh heroes and aliens book replace those?

Same for the Ship builders and ships of the galaxy books. as they are 1st not sure how much I can use them in a game

So what books can still be used with the new stuff?

Thanks

 

[Greg Smith]

If you are planning to run the game, The Cold Equations and The Ragged edge are great.

 

[Shadow Queen]

there is a apendix in the back that helps convert 1st into 2nd

 

[Ulkesh]

Well if you want an exploration thing going on why not try the Galactic Guide? Its quite a nice book really.

 

[Mouth of Sauron]

Same for the Ship builders and ships of the galaxy books. as they are 1st not sure how much I can use them in a game

They're both 2nd edition books. So you can use everything in both books.

 

[lastbesthope]

The easy way to tell which edition a B5 RPG book is.

Blue cover= 2nd Edition
Black cover = 1st edition

LBH

 

[Warhawk]

Thanks for all the feed back

 

[The Greek]

It all depends on where you want to go with your game.

The Cold Equations and Ragegd Edge are a good campaign, as they involve the Centauri quite heavily then you might want to go for the Centauri fact book for the background presented within, although it is not necessary to run the game (and is first ed)

The B5 Station Guide boxed set can help if you want to run your own campaign there and Lurker's Guide to Freedom Station was created as an alternative campaign setting (it also has an (unrelated) adventure in the back).

The Galactic Guide is certainly worthwhile for an overview of 'where the action is at', the LG to Psionics is an obvious choice if you are going to feature those brain warped freaks in your game...

Other than that I would simply state that initially buy the books as you plan to use them, if you like the material then you can buy the other books as and when you want a good read on B5 stuff.

 

[Shadow Queen]

Thirdspace and Legand of the Rangers also have adventures in as well.

 

[Vortex]

If you want an alternative setting, Free Mars is a very good book. I originally bought it only because I found it at half price but it became one of my favorite books. It doesn't contain adventures but there's enough material there to run an entire campain on mars. It is first edition but there is mostly information and only a few things related to rules so it's not a big problem.

If you plan to have a lot of space travel and different planets, the Galactic guide is a must. It's first edition but also contains mostly information.