I’m thinking about buying Steinhardt’s Guide to the Eldritch Hunt, what do you guys think about it?

I’m probably going to buy the full book from MonkeyDM and I was wondering what those of you with the player pack and actual book think of it? 

I think the player options are incredibly poorly designed.  The subclasses in particular are vastly more powerful than even extremely strong official subclasses, and many of them seem to disregard intentional limitations on what classes can do.

I personally would not recommend. 

Most of my party is still learning the game so I make pretty strong characters so our dm doesn’t have to worry about the party dying all the time, so I don’t mind a little power

Quote from Exodus_Auran >>

Most of my party is still learning the game so I make pretty strong characters so our dm doesn’t have to worry about the party dying all the time, so I don’t mind a little power

 Steinhardt's options are fine.

Besides, if the PHB was a hard limiter on how powerful subclasses are allowed to be, we'd have a constant string of Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide-tier bland and wimpy subclasses that either get HEAVILY revised later/barely at all, or stagnate by being stuck in the most mid books in the system ever.

Quote from Caerwyn_Glyndwr >>

The subclasses in particular are vastly more powerful than even extremely strong official subclasses, and many of them seem to disregard intentional limitations on what classes can do.

 I can't help wondering if the creators might use this as their marketing pitch. xD

Well, isn’t pushing the limits the point of homebrew/third party content? We want to do something so we add something new, we increase our options, we make it so that we can do what we want. That just my view.

Quote from Exodus_Auran >>

Well, isn’t pushing the limits the point of homebrew/third party content? We want to do something so we add something new, we increase our options, we make it so that we can do what we want. That just my view.

 
Strong disagree.  Good third party content does not “push the limits” - it works within the limits in a way that is fairly balanced.  Consider most of the Critical Role content - it is clear that content was made by folks who fundamentally understood game design and balance - and understood that balance is about more than just power, but also ensuring every party member in a group game can shine.  Things like Blood Hunter and a number of their subclasses do unique things, but unique things that still fall within the identity of their classes, while also keeping in line with other subclass’ power..  and, most importantly, not stepping on the toes of other classes.

Compare to this book - which is written by someone who, when you google them, auto populates “monkeyDM controversy” and shows numerous results complaining about their YouTube videos propensity to push wrong rules analysis and encourage players to build for main character syndrome.  The classes are not just far stronger than officially designed content, they break the primary rule of game design by allowing individual classes to do things they are not really designed to do, thus stepping on the toes of other classes.  That fails in an important and foundational component of D&D - no one is supposed to be a master of all trades, as then every person in the narrative has a chance to excel and have their stand out moment.

Quote from Exodus_Auran >>

Well, isn’t pushing the limits the point of homebrew/third party content? We want to do something so we add something new, we increase our options, we make it so that we can do what we want. That just my view.

 I tend to think of it more as a way to allow the creation of a character type that isn't already represented that might align more closely with what players might have in mind. (Haven't played them, so I can't speak to their balance or power but certainly the Blood Hunter, for example, is well outside of any of the base class/subclass.) Just my two cents. 

Every time I hear "balance", I'm reminded of why I dislike "everything is competitive meta w/tiers" talk...& the acrid smell of BO from the last time I got anywhere near the competitive fighting game circuit.

Also, something that hasn't been mentioned:

It's perfectly alright to BUY something if you like the looks of it.

But it may not be accepted at every table.