Monster Manuals no more

[Warbringer]

I had a seriously disturbing thought....

As part of the 4e marketing strategy, WoTC does away with monster manuals, instead printing only cards as part of a collectable monster series?

 

[Eltharon]

I'm pretty sure the fanbase would start killing small animals, babies, and Wizards employees if that happened. I, personally, would just never switch to the new edition.

 

[mhacdebhandia]

Do you find it enjoyable, saying deeply silly things in public?

 

[crazy_monkey1956]

D&D: The Collectable Role-Playing Game.

Included in every starter set are a set of dice and the basic cards you need to create a character. DM packs include a random assortment of monster cards and treasure cards.

Player booster packs include new race cards, class cards, equipment cards, feat cards, skill cards, and rare prestige class cards.

DM boosters include monster cards, magic item cards, and the ever popular dungeon cards that use the patented CSG model to construct your own 3D dungeons.

 

[Edgewood]

Yeah, let's put this idea out on the table for the Wizards to see...

 

[Mercule]

Oh, man. I can't believe I'm about to say this.

If I was given the option of purchasing all the critters in the Monster Manual (or any of the sequels) on good quality, glossy cardstock with good art, I'd jump at the chance. I'm thinking something like an oversized deck of M:tG cards (5x7?), with all the important info on them.

There are so many times that, as DM, I want to have multiple monsters open in front of me and/or don't want the players to see that I'm looking in the Monster Manual (for, say, stealthy critters) that I can't even begin to count.

I'm not sure this is a totally feasible idea (dragons?), but it'd be cool if it worked. I'd still want a hardbound MM, though.

 

[Warbringer]

Do you find it enjoyable, saying deeply silly things in public?

Actually...

 

[crazy_monkey1956]

Didn't a 3rd party company do a PDF similar to this idea with summonables? And I agree, monster cards to supplement the MM (not replace) would be darn handy.

Then again, my primary gripe with D&D minis is that they mix and match critters from every which way when, in my opinion, they should have done the first set as the Monster Manual critters, then the second expansion would've been MM2, and so forth. More utility for D&D, less skirmish game thingy. But, that's just me.

 

[Warbringer]

...popular dungeon cards that use the patented CSG model to construct your own 3D dungeons.

Brilliant!

You know that last part is sheer bloody genius

 

[Doug McCrae]

There are so many times that, as DM, I want to have multiple monsters open in front of me and/or don't want the players to see that I'm looking in the Monster Manual (for, say, stealthy critters) that I can't even begin to count.

That's a really good point. They shouldn't be randomised like MtG booster packs though.