I want to see one book

[GravyFingerz]

Now I'm not necessarily putting my full or even partial support behind D&D Next; that is irrelevant to my point as you will see. As more or less the industry leader in terms of popularity, longevity, and attracting new consumers, D&D is often the template by which other content creators and publishers will measure themselves in terms of presentation. Case in point: the splitting of game material according to who uses it into two or more books.

Everyone who has played in the hobby for even a small amount of time has seen publishers put forth a players book, a referees book, a monster book, and the usual splats. This method increases the buy-in cost for referees, who arguably are very important in terms of inducting new gamers into the hobby. It seems unnecessary to have two forms of buy-in depending on what role you want to play in your group. There may be other factors besides costs, but without surveys or market analysis, such would only by theory.

I want to see Wizards of the Coast release one book: it would cover character generation, rules necessary to play, guidelines for the referee to build his own adventures and settings, a bestiary, magical items, and spells. In short, I want to see one book for one complete game. I no longer want to see a player/referee separation. One complete game, one complete book.

 

[Sanglorian]

I'd like to see one book per player required—the DM's Guide (with treasure and monsters in the back) and the Player's Handbook. There would have to be some overlap (for example, the combat and skill use rules should probably be printed twice), but other than that the two would cover different areas.

Of course, this assumes that NPCs are not (or not necessarily) built like PCs are and that monster abilities are not spells or spell-like abilities.

I'm imagining digest-sized books. I think that's convenient, they'd be cheap, and they'd feel more like novels than textbooks.

 

[jadrax]

I really do not want to be waiting for the monster stats because the players are looking up their stuff. Three books works fine.

 

[TerraDave]

Yep. Three books.

Would also be nice if:

-There was a free-standing box set for characters level 1-5 (or so).
-There was no more then seven or so hardbacks (including these 3) by, say, 2015.

 

[Jeff Carlsen]

If the book can come in around or under 300 pages, I agree that I'd like one book. It works for every other game I play. If not, then either the classic three or one for players and one for DMs.

 

[YRUSirius]

I'd like to see one book for the basic game that might span 10 levels. Then release a book for higher level play (level 1-20). Newbies and casuals rarely play beyond level 10. Pro players could buy another book for the additional levels.

This would kinda resemble a broader BECMI edition (only with a Basic/Advanced seperation).

This way Wizards would have one fine evergreen product (the basic book) for everyone, that could be for all purposes and intents THE D&D book. Advanced players could move onto the higher levels with more intricate options.

-YRUSirius

 

[AeroDm]

Yep. Three books.

Would also be nice if:

-There was a free-standing box set for characters level 1-5 (or so).
-There was no more then seven or so hardbacks (including these 3) by, say, 2015.

I'm with ya, but that isn't a profitable vision. You're aiming for 3ish books/year which is awesome for the player base, but terrible for the company/brand.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

By all means... 3 books. Not 1.

DM guide, MM, Players guide.

DM guide has magic items and DM rules and more revolutionary options. Stuff, that is not for the Players eyes, and if they see it, they should know, that they only get it if their DM allows it. Oh, and parts of exploration and Interaction.

MM with monsters, that are not for the Player´s eyes.

Maybe an Art Book with Monsters of several MMs would be useful to show some pictures of monsters and with some general lore for players. (Hmmh, just came to my mind)

PHB with all things the PCs need. Character building options that are equal on powe and have no real effect on other people´s character. Race, Class, Background, Theme. Items. And parts of exploration and interaction. Spells. No Magic items though.

 

[variant]

I prefer the standard PHB, DMG, and MM.

 

[TerraDave]

I'm with ya, but that isn't a profitable vision. You're aiming for 3ish books/year which is awesome for the player base, but terrible for the company/brand.

If they can move things to more of a subscriber basis...it might work (and they may not have a choice...will demand for dead-tree supplements really hold up?). I would actually prefer if print products "recycled" a fare amount of things made available online, as was done with material from Dragon back in the day. I know not everyone would like that...

They can also continue to pump out adventures (or start to, which could be hard back, boxed, whatever, and I would not count against the limit), tiles, minis, board games...