What do you think is the best D&D, Pathfinder or OSR basic player's book? That is to say, a PHB, Players' rule book, or basic rules book? Why do you think it's the best of all time?

3.0 because it made things make sense, it got rid of thac0.  And because it's the one we played when the games started to get good.

Quote from: Headless;9261853.0 because it made things make sense, it got rid of thac0.  And because it's the one we played when the games started to get good.

I agree with the good points you mention, but it also made making character complicated for complete noobs. Picking skills and feats is minor speedbump for serious gamers like myself, but being handing a new gamer a list of feats was a real obstacle. And your feat choice made a real difference. It feel into the trap of deciding that because some things were made easier, they could go ahead and add complication elsewhere.

Accidentally posted to the wrong forum.

Hackmaster Basic was awesome.  It took what could have been extremely difficult to grasp (a D&D like game with the Aces & Eights initiative and skill systems bolted on) and made it easy to understand.  The detailed graphical combat example was invaluable.  Bonus points for Erol Otus cover.  Was super easy to learn the game and get up and running in no time.  I think I got it and started a simple adventure the same weekend.

AS&SH is just a thing of beauty.  The layout is minimalist, but the artwork is perfect for the subject matter, the content is organized and presented better than in AD&D, and the editing was exceptional, it seemed truly professional grade.  Very simple concept executed brilliantly. Also gets old school cred for the spiral bound notebooks, which are much easier to use at the table.  I can't rate this one on teaching me to learn the game, obviously, but I can't imagine with the organization anyone would find it difficult.

Honorable mention goes to Fantastic Heroes and Witchery.  Basic D&D and WFRP have a kid and it's like Michael Phelps, a mutant seemingly bred by God for one thing - Medieval D&D.  Totally sucked me in while reading it.  I literally read the whole damn thing in one sitting.  Every few pages it seemed, I just found myself saying "Damn, that was a good idea."  I originally thought Dark Albion was going to be a setting for FHW.

Quote from: CRKrueger;926549I originally thought Dark Albion was going to be a setting for FHW.

Well, it can be. There's a notably sized appendix in the Dark Albion book for just that purpose.

I'm gonna go with the Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia written by Aaron Alison

Quote from: remial;928718I'm gonna go with the Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia written by Aaron Alison

That is a good choice. But care to say why you specifically find it useful as a "player's book"?

why the rules cyclpopedia? well part of it is that it was the first D&D that I ran as opposed to being a player in (even if that isn't part of the equation).  It was also what I was a player in the most.  
Where the BECM boxed sets were great, the RC had all the information from the 4 in 1 tome, as well as a bunch of other stuff.  In fact I consider it to be the gold standard by which all other D&D's if not RPGs are measured against.
5 classes (Fighter, Mage, Thief, Wizard and Mystic) and 3 races, Dwarf, Elf and Halfling up to 36 (as an option). weapon and non-weapon proficiencies, mass combat rules, rules for creating castles, keeps, wizards towers, and invading OR defending them.  Siege weapons. Monsters, spells, magic items. Want to start down the path to Divinity?  you can do that too! all of it well written by one of the greatest writers of the industry.

also, very few RPGs since the first time I picked up the book have given me that feeling of "there are untold worlds within this book.  come and help explore them. come and help build them" that the RC does.  (FWIW the Alternity player's Handbook is the only one that has come close)

Best is tough- The Hackmaster Player's Handbook 5th is pretty sweet in content and absolutely high end well made.  For sheer fun though, I think I'd the Marvel Superheroes Advanced Player's Book takes the crown.

"Maze Rats".

Personal favourites are

Currently the 5e PHB: Pretty good overall and lays out everything needed really. One or two things could have been a little better explained. Otherwise not bad overall.

BX D&D: Not really a PHB as its a little of both. But the player section gets the job done pretty well overall. Could have been better organized though. Same for Star Frontiers, MSH and Gamma World.

Quote from: RPGPundit;926081What do you think is the best D&D, Pathfinder or OSR basic player's book? That is to say, a PHB, Players' rule book, or basic rules book? Why do you think it's the best of all time?

For D&D?

Red Box would be the best introduction for new players, but for D&D overall, best Players Handbook was the AD&D 2nd Edition Player's Handbook.

Best of all time? Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 1st edition, natch.

I think that Star Wars Saga Edition did a really good job of explaining the system.  I think that it's because, being a movie game, it expects to have a lot of total RPG newbies reading it.