Quote from Shadomain Staff on August 12, 2024, 1:52 am

By Jason Campbell

A recent series of videos from the crew at Cypher Unlimited discussed the hosts’ top 10 products from Monte Cook Games, the publisher of TTRPGs like Numenera and Old Gods of Appalachia. This inspired me (this is Jason C typing) to create my own top 10, which might be controversial in places with Cypher System fans? Let’s see.

1. We Are All Mad Here
   This book by Shanna Germain details running a Cypher System in a fairy tale setting. More than any other TTRPG I read this for enjoyment because it’s so well written. Not only does it explore all types of fairy tale stories from the mirthful to the horrific, but in the process it discusses mental health issues, dealing with death and other ideas in a mature and helpful way. It’s intended as a supplement for Cypher System games.
3. Consent in Gaming
   This document is a free downloadable PDF that can be used for any game in any TTRPG system to make sure all players are in agreement on what makes for an enjoyable game for the group. 
4. Ptolus
   This huge (664 pages) book is Monte Cook’s original D&D campaign and is now available for either Cypher System or 5e based games. The setting includes common areas such as the docks, cemetery and market, as well as immersive undercity areas and a large mysterious spire, allowing for any sort of adventure.
5. Cypher System Rulebook
   If you’re playing any Cypher System game, you need this book. While the other setting guides (“white books”) help with additional information in running different genres, you could run any genre with the Cypher System using only this book. 
6. The Darkest House
   This book is an adventure and game system which can be used in any campaign. To do this the system includes advice on importing characters from any other TTRPG system into the book’s simple system. The book contains about 200 pages detailing creepy rooms and encounters. This project started as an app, but the book is just as useful. This book needs a giant content warning - make sure you read the rooms before deciding what your players will enjoy (after using the Consent in Gaming form noted above.)
7. Rust and Redemption
   This book by Dominique Dickey and Bruce R. Cordell details running a post apocalyptic setting in the Cypher System. I find a lot of the content is valuable in other settings as well as any sort of survival TTRPG. It’s intended as a supplement for Cypher System games.
8. Old Gods of Appalachia
   This book by Shanna Germain is based on the horror podcast of the same name. It uses the Cypher System, but while many genre books on this list require the use of the Cypher System rulebook, this is a self contained book it has all the setting details, the rules and a few adventures ready to run. It’s a lot of fun for fans of the podcast or any sort of folk horror.
9. The Weird
   This book is a supplement by Dominique Dickey, Bruce R. Cordell, Monte Cook, and Sean K. Reynolds which is a great addition for any TTRPG. It’s a large book of tables giving you weird results in all sorts of encounters, from magic items and NPCs to magic effects and more. It’s fun for any game system.
10. Planar Bestiary
    This is a creature book by Bruce R. Cordell and Sean K. Reynolds which was meant as a supplement to the Path of the Planebreaker setting, but I’ve used the creatures within in all sorts of fantasy, sci-fi and horror games because they’re so fun and flexible. This is available for the Cypher System or 5e based games, but a word of caution - these creatures (for 5e) hit harder per CR than those of your standard monster manual. 
11. It’s Only Magic
    This recent release by Dominique Dickey, Sean K. Reynolds, and Shanna Germain details running modern era games with a touch of the supernatural. It does a good job of referencing modern media of the genre, and it has many ideas that can be used in other genres of TTRPG. It’s intended as a supplement for Cypher System games.

Notes:

• Honorable Mention: 10 Years of Adventure is a book collecting many of the short adventures that the team at Monte Cook Games have written for conventions over the years from 2012-2022. Most of these adventures are written for the Cypher System, but the 5e version of the Tyrant’s Key adventure is well written too.
• Numenera(Discovery and Destiny) are the most important Monte Cook Games books since we wouldn’t have the Cypher System or maybe even Monte Cook Games without it, but it’s personally not my favorite. 

What do you think? Do you have favorites? Do you disagree with my choices? Let us know in the comments!