D&D 5E Are we banking too much on the DMG?

[Psikerlord#]

For me dmg is of critical importance. The wounds module, and/or slower healing module, better suit me coz otherwise I won't be playing 5e. I'd also love a crit table. Its annoying I'll have to wait so long for it.

 

[Tovec]

I expect the DMG to be 3.5 Unearthed Arcana on steroids. If it's anything like 3.5 UA, with a higher page count, it will probably be good enough to me.

That's my hope too; but I also somehow doubt it given WotC's track record.

If it does resemble something like UA then I'll be quite happy.

We know based on what they've told us that it will have all kinds of optional modules; mass combat, etc. But the question will be how many of the modules will be an ADDITION based set, or a REPLACEMENT set. I suspect we will see fewer replacements - though probably some rules on how to replace given that we know there will be advise on how to create our own content completely from scratch. I'm expecting and hoping for much the same thing with the Monster Manual, not only new monsters but GOOD rules on how make new ones from scratch with less time and effort. I think we've been told this much should exist too.

The set up that WotC ended up on is actually more or less what I asked for a couple of years ago when discussing what the books should look be. Though they got around the snag I hit with the advent of the Basic Rules pdf. One book for the core game, how to run it and for the essential experience of DnD - complete with full set of the rules and character creation. A second book for all things monsters and for fights/encounters like that. I think I suggested putting traps in this second book too. Then a third book for all things campaign and world building. Now I'm not saying that WotC took their idea from me or anything but I'm glad they seem to be thinking the same thing as me - at least that's what I get from press releases. We'll have to see how many replacement parts the book comes with as opposed to add-ons and do-it-yourself's.

 

[Sadras]

Are we setting ourselves up for disappointment here? How much actual content can one book have -- and can it possibly satisfy the different needs that we all have?

Well someone, I forget who (sorry), on one of the other DMG threads, made the statement that the DMG is like the "hackers guide for House Rules" which is enough for me. I believe with that kind of outlook one can hardly be disappointed.

They are obviously not going to satisfy our every whim, but there will be enough material to inspire us for those odds and ends to make our own House Rules and make the game ours. And if we get stuck, there is always the community of Enworld

D&D these last few months with Next has been completely amazing, so I maybe a little biased.

 

[gyor]

I believe Aasmir is going to be a part of the Planetouched race, which will likely be in tue DMG under the FR section or Planescape section.

The Planetouched will likely include Aasmir, Genasi, what ever they call the old tieflings now. Long shot possibly include Shadar-Kai which are basically planetouched of the Shadow Plane/Shadowfell.

 

[Thaumaturge]

I voted no in the poll.

Thaumaturge.

 

[Raith5]

Are we setting ourselves up for disappointment here? How much actual content can one book have -- and can it possibly satisfy the different needs that we all have?.

I think the pressure is going to more on WOTC than us. Whether it allows me to get emulate my preferred playstyle and thus get hooked on their product of more of their financial interest than mine!

I hope the DMG gives DMs basic advice how to play the game then clear instructions and mechanics for different playstyles that at very least capture the main gist of previous editions. Some call this hacking the game but I think the term may actually overstate what modularity can delivery.

 

[Ruin Explorer]

In a word: Yes.

People are expecting more stuff from the DMG than can actually fit in there. On the other hand, WOtC have been pretty clear that that's where we're to expect alternate rules and modularity and so on, and they've been telling since 5E's announcement that alternate and optional rules and modularity will be a huge deal in 5E. So it's not really us being unreasonable here.

It's also actually possible that they will amaze us. The DMG is going to be pretty large, if the 320 pages is right, and if that was mostly "How to" and optional/modular stuff rather than pages and pages of stuff like stats for traps or lengthy waffle on setting creation, themes and so on, then it's possible it will live up to WotC's hype.

 

[Greg K]

I'm also somewhat concerned that modules are going to be too reminiscent of the material in 3e's Unearthed Arcana - barely play tested, not integrated with other parts of the system, etc.

For myself, UA was the second best book that WOTC released for 3e (Fiendish Codex I, in my opinion was the best). It was also the book that I found most useful. I would not play/run any version of D&D at all if it were not for UA. It helped me fix my issues with the Barbarian, the Cleric, the Druid, and, by introducing the martial and wilderness variants, the rogue.

If the classes have not changed much from the final playtest packet, I hope the DMG will provide the tools to modify the classes, because I did not like the design of any of them. I hope there are options to recreate 2e specialty priests and 3e cloistered cleric, the 3 skill system, and a maneuver system like 2e Combat and Tactics (or Mearls's Book of Iron Might). I want to see a better multi-class system than the one in the playtest which I found poor.

 

[Sword of Spirit]

I believe Aasmir is going to be a part of the Planetouched race, which will likely be in tue DMG under the FR section or Planescape section.

The Planetouched will likely include Aasmir, Genasi, what ever they call the old tieflings now. Long shot possibly include Shadar-Kai which are basically planetouched of the Shadow Plane/Shadowfell.

I'd love to see that, but I believe Mike answered a tweet asking about aasimar by saying that they wouldn't be initially available. Now, he might have said "at launch" in a way that meant "in the PHB" but there is also a good chance he meant "not in the DMG either."

Hoping for the best, but trying not to expect it.

 

[an_idol_mind]

I'd love to see that, but I believe Mike answered a tweet asking about aasimar by saying that they wouldn't be initially available. Now, he might have said "at launch" in a way that meant "in the PHB" but there is also a good chance he meant "not in the DMG either."

Hoping for the best, but trying not to expect it.

WotC's dislike for aasimar based on what seems to be their name alone makes me sad.