[larsdangly]

I would say the companion is interesting, particularly for people with a lot of history with the system, but doesn't bring a lot of core rules options, etc. to the table so you should hold off on it until you've got a critical mass of basic play materials. The Legacy Edition of In The Labyrinth is cheap and contains 100% of the rules, spells, monsters, items, gear, etc. you need to play. But you will want to have some materials for table top combats because its a lot of what is special and fun about the system. Theater of the mind is great, but not what TFT is designed for. If you can't afford the megahex sets and official markers, you will want to have a decent hex mat (like a Chessex mat) and some miniatures or markers. The boxed sets of Melee and Wizard are also an affordable way to get started, though you will quickly wish you had a more flexible battle mat option.