Core book releases

[an_idol_mind]

Yay! Another 4e speculation thread!

Based on what I've read of early reports, it seems the release order for the new core books will be the Player's Handbook in May, the Monster Manual in June, and the Dungeon Master's Guide in July. Does anyone else find the fact that the DMG and not the Monster Manual will ship last?

All previous editions, except for the original release of AD&D, came out in the PHB-DMG-MM order. Is there significance to the slight switch in order? Maybe the big stuff people usually go to the DMG for, such as prestige classes and magic items, are being moved to the Player's Handbook, making the DMG more of a guidebook to running the game rather than a rulebook?

 

[Snapdragyn]

Maybe the big stuff people usually go to the DMG for, such as prestige classes and magic items, are being moved to the Player's Handbook, making the DMG more of a guidebook to running the game rather than a rulebook?

That, IMO, would rock. I hate building or upgrading characters as a player and having to pull out the DM's book to do so.

 

[an_idol_mind]

That, IMO, would rock. I hate building or upgrading characters as a player and having to pull out the DM's book to do so.

I would also like the idea, although for different reasons. I like the idea of the Player's Handbook being the only game I absolutely need to bring to the table.

 

[Masquerade]

prestige classes and magic items, are being moved to the Player's Handbook

I certainly hope not. Prestige classes and magic items are options that, IMHO, should not become essential to the game. They were in the DMG for a reason; it is up to each DM to decide to what extent magic items and prestige classes will appear in their campaign.

Hate to sound like a grognard (I'm only 19!), but I don't want magic items to become more of a shopping list than they already are.

 

[delericho]

To be honest, I would prefer to have all three released at once. I read quickly.

As for the order, I think it's a good thing - it's easier to run a game without magic items than without monsters, IMO. I wonder if they'll be doing the same as they did with 3.0, and including a 'teaser' of the MM and DMG in the first printing of the PHB?

 

[Hjorimir]

Yeah, I think it just comes down to which books are used more regularlly during play. I wouldn't read too much into it past that.

 

[Michael Tree]

To be honest, I would prefer to have all three released at once. I read quickly.

As for the order, I think it's a good thing - it's easier to run a game without magic items than without monsters, IMO. I wonder if they'll be doing the same as they did with 3.0, and including a 'teaser' of the MM and DMG in the first printing of the PHB?

Not likely. They'll probably include that material for free on the D&D Insider website, to get people to start trying it out from the very beginning.


You're probably right about the reason for the order. DMG material is useful to be sure, but MM material is neccessary. People can make do with previews for the first month, when only the PHB is out, but might start champing at the bit after that.

 

[KingCrab]

I noticed that too. With just a PHB you can make characters and have them fight each other. With a PHB and DMG you can make characters and send them on adventures where they fight other characters. With a PHB and a MM you can have characters fight monsters. I'm kind of glad they're doing the MM 2nd this time since it will give me opportunitites to test out interesting combat situations earlier.

That is if I wasn't banning 4ed.