DMG-Do I need it?

[Sado]

If all I do is play, never DM, do I need to get the DM Guide? What's in it for a player only?

 

[MerricB]

Honestly, not much. The main reason for getting it as a player is to have the lists of Magic Items - either if your DM allows you to buy them, or if you are a crafter of such items. And those lists can be gained from the SRD.

Wizards have generally tried to put everything a player needs to know into the PHB, and have done a pretty good job.

Of course, if you decide to enter the exalted ranks of us DMs, the DMG is an excellent book.

Cheers!

 

[Keeper of Secrets]

You should certainly have access to one. But owning it is not a must.

 

[JoeGKushner]

There are several prestige classes in the DMG. There are also magic items and their prices. Outside of that, it's mainly for the DM.

 

[Greylock]

It's helpful if you want a better understanding of the game, but it's not necessary. I've gotten more rules help here at ENWorld than from the DMG. The only thing I've used the DMG for since the day I bought it was figuring up my char wealth not long ago at the DMs request.

 

[Desdichado]

It's a pet peeve of mine that D&D still comes in the three book format, actually. d20 Modern, d20 Call of Cthulhu, d20 Wheel of Time and d20 Star Wars, all from Wizards of the Coast (and all of which I own, and in many cases prefer to D&D), show that the system can certainly be done in a single book.

But to answer your specific question, I'll chime in and join the chorus; no, don't bother picking it up if you'll never DM.

 

[MoogleEmpMog]

It's a pet peeve of mine that D&D still comes in the three book format, actually. d20 Modern, d20 Call of Cthulhu, d20 Wheel of Time and d20 Star Wars, all from Wizards of the Coast (and all of which I own, and in many cases prefer to D&D), show that the system can certainly be done in a single book.

But to answer your specific question, I'll chime in and join the chorus; no, don't bother picking it up if you'll never DM.

I'd have to say the same on every count.

 

[Sado]

There are several prestige classes in the DMG. There are also magic items and their prices. Outside of that, it's mainly for the DM.

The same stuff I can get from the SRD if I really need it.

I know the PHB stuff is in the SRD as well, but since I imagine I'll reference that a lot more than the DMG stuff, a print copy is more of a necessity. Online viewing is ok once in a while, but not for everyday stuff. For me at least.

 

[IronWolf]

If you will just be playing I see little need for the DMG in most cases. Having occasional access to your DM's copy should suffice.

 

[fusangite]

I'm a DM and I barely need the DMG. Or rather, I genuinely need about 15-20% of it.