So Mrs. Claus was very nice to me this year. I got both the Adventurer's Vault and the Martial Power book; both are pretty good. However as a DM, I find Adventurer's Vault to be more useful.
Adventurer's Vault great expands on the magic items list it the player handbook, and frankly I felt like a kid in a candy store the first time I read it. It has new armor, new weapons and new gear, but most importantly the magical oddities. You know the odd item that a character carries to save the day, at the most unusual time. As a reference this book is worth the price, I recommend looking for it on Amazon.com. You might be able to save some green. Now as a player the Martial Power book is a good read.
Martial Power adds several new class builds, powers and feats. Although I liked the book and found the builds interesting, I didn't find anything that really intrigued me. I have always in the past played the two weapon fighter, so I immediately checked out the Two Weapon Tempest Fighter. However with the focus of 4th edition being on roles; striker, controller, defender, leader . I see myself playing a two weapon ranger, spending a feat to get chainmail if needed, rather than the Tempest Fighter. Why? Well lets face it a two weapon eladrin ranger with the eladrin soldier, hunters quarry and lethal hunter feats rocks, and can put out a tremendous amount of damage. I know that I am comparing a striker to a defender class, but when ever I think of a two weapon fighters I envision Mad Mardigan, or Drizzt Do'Urden.
Putting my personal thoughts aside, I think this is a pretty good book and presents several good build options for players. And there are some pretty cool new feats.
Sherpa
