D&D General Has anyone run a PHB only table?

[Spellslinging Sellsword]

I ran a short campaign (26 or so 3 hour sessions) from levels 1-6 using only the PHB, MM, and DMG.

 

[ThrorII]

I'll do you one better:
Several years ago we did a 'core-4 classes and core-4 races, with feats' campaign. It lasted 25-30 sessions. It was great.

 

[LordEntrails]

I've done PHB+1. It works fine, and with certain tables I prefer it to allowing multiple sources. But I agree with this;

Adding new features, spells, and feats every session is likely the biggest cause of combat time bloat.

If you have to have them level up this fast (and it is VERY fast) then start at level 2 and do 2 levels every other sessions. New abilities every session is going to leave people trying to figure out the new stuff every session (and these are short sessions).

 

[Audiomancer]

My first 5E group started up in 2016, so the PHB was all we had.

The only exception to that was: One player wanted to play a Ranger. The DM suggested an updated Ranger from a UA release. They both thought that was a better choice.

Everyone had a perfectly good time, and the lack of additional player options was a problem zero percent of the time.

 

[TaranTheWanderer]

If I run a game, it's always only PHB.

 

[jdrakeh]

If I run a game, it's always only PHB.

I like the cut of your jib.

 

[el-remmen]

Yes and I think the PHB alone offers plenty for multiple campaigns and replay.

 

[humble minion]

Our current table is almost entirely PHB-only. Other sources were allowed at character creation, but we all ended up going PHB subclasses anyway. Devotion paladin, hunter ranger, arcane trickster rogue, light cleric.

We've dipped into other books for the odd spell or feat from time to time (and the DM has never limited himself to core book materials), but it's functioned pretty well on the whole.

 

[Flamestrike]

I'm running a nine-session campaign. Each session is two hours.

We need time for story and region building.

You have 18 hours total for that.

I dont think its possible to build anything other than a bare bones story in 9 x 2 hour sessions, but best of luck to you if you can pull it off.

 

[Scott Christian]

PHB only won’t reduce combat time. Not leveling up after every session will help keep thing in check. Adding new features, spells, and feats every session is likely the biggest cause of combat time bloat. Before the players can get used to one level they’re on to the next. If you only have two hours to play and want non-combat stuff to happen, don’t run combats after 5-6th level.

I definitely think this is correct, but I like challenge. Also, I am hellbent to see a one-hour combat at levels above four.