Is this really necessary?

I can't imagine that D&D players have already grown tired of the nearly infinite possible "build" combinations available in the core PHB. Yet here comes a new PHB that feels like it was rushed out just to make some quick money for Hasbro.

The PHB2 seems to be deliberately filled with must-have "new and shiny stuff" for your favorite munchkin style player, but other than a lot of rules bloat and power creep, it seems to add little improvement to the game.

My players are all still happy with their current characters and none of them found anything in PHB2 that makes them want to start playing another class or race.

But I suppose if you have a burning desire to give Wizards of the Coast $35.00 for some content that probably should have been made available on their website for free, that's your choice.

Or you can save your money until PHB III comes out in a few months, or PHB IV a few months after that, or PHB V a few months after that...