D&D 5E DMG or MM?

[redrick]

Hmm, yeah, in general, I would say the MM is more useful, day to day, than the DMG. I use the MM every week I run a game. I use the DMG occasionally, particularly for the random tables, but not constantly. Most of the "crunch" from the DMG is not necessary. The MM also includes great write-ups about the behavior and background for each monster included, plus some solid artwork, so even the monsters you have from the Basic rules, etc, will be "better" in the MM. Those write-ups can trigger a lot of ideas.

On the other hand, if you are currently running LMoP and plan to keep running it for a little while more, you'll get more use out of the DMG now than you might out of the Monster Manual. And, if you are new to DM'ing, some of the "how to run a game" advice might be more immediately helpful to you.

So, obviously, get both. But if you can afford to get one now before you finish LMoP, and get the other one right before you finish, get the DMG now. Then make sure you get the MM before you finish your adventure.

 

[Xaelvaen]

I'll put in my 2 cents - DMG.

In the DMG is a table that lists average HP, AC, attack, save dc, damage per round, the works, for making your own monsters. With that singular table, you can make anything on the fly, right off the top of your head, and don't really even need to jot it down.

Want a group of random bandits to attack? Use the 'generic' CR 1/8th stats and have at it. Give them flavor with your own mind, as you see fit. Its a ridiculously valuable tool.

Beyond that, the DMG also has incredible advice, as others have said. Not to mention, there's a wonderful chart on giving magic items flavor, without too much power (histories, creators, etc), which can be added on to anything easily and quickly.

Again, just my 2 cents - enjoy =)

 

[Connorsrpg]

Now normally I would say MM, but since you mentioned that you had just completed one session of the Beginner Box adventure, then I would say DMG, as the box has monster stats for the rest of that adventure. And of course many of them can be reused for a while.

Don't wait too long on the MM though