PHB2: Meh.

[Nymrohd]

Why would I need a copy? I will soon have the rules by the D&DI, I trust my players, and everything pertinent is written on their character sheets anyway, we rarely have to open a book.

 

[Drkfathr1]

90% of the time I'm the DM, and I still like it. I like knowing what my player's options are, and I like having it as a base to use when designing my NPC's.

Plus I like using it to measure against powers/classes/races I'm going to create.

And since I've never used an edition of D&D RAW, I need it to peruse for anything that needs tweaking with house rules.

I'm actually more MEH about the MM2 and DM2, since monster creation is so free form in this edition, and magic items are in the PH's. I don't really use the DM's guide after 20+ years of running games. Not that I'm perfect mind you, I just don't get much bang for my buck with the DM's guides anymore.

 

[Piratecat]

Me? I'm blatantly yoinking a ton of this information to use for bad guys and NPCs. I'd really like to be playing some of it, but that isn't happening, so I'll go with the next best thing.

That is one tradeoff with 4e. In 3e, if I wanted to play some race/class combo, I'd make a NPC as a bad guy. That's a little trickier nowadays if you prefer 4e's streamlined NPCs.

 

[Jack99]

I find I get a lot of mileage out of it either way. For example, my players are about piss off quite a few gods (most likely anyway), so the avenger will serve quite well for building NPC divine assassins.

But yeah, it's obviously a player's book first and foremost. I am also surprised that anyone who frequents places like these could think otherwise. I mean, most of the book has been previewed, and the entire ToC has been released for a while.

 

[Irda Ranger]

Me? I'm blatantly yoinking a ton of this information to use for bad guys and NPCs. I'd really like to be playing some of it, but that isn't happening, so I'll go with the next best thing.

That is one tradeoff with 4e. In 3e, if I wanted to play some race/class combo, I'd make a NPC as a bad guy. That's a little trickier nowadays if you prefer 4e's streamlined NPCs.

This is my boat for now too. Does anyone where some good guidelines (other than DMG p. 42) for converting PC powers & such into bad-guy stats can be found?

 

[Moon_Goddess]

Me? I'm blatantly yoinking a ton of this information to use for bad guys and NPCs. I'd really like to be playing some of it, but that isn't happening, so I'll go with the next best thing.

That is one tradeoff with 4e. In 3e, if I wanted to play some race/class combo, I'd make a NPC as a bad guy. That's a little trickier nowadays if you prefer 4e's streamlined NPCs.

you should join our L4W community Pkitty, it's not as good as playing in person, but it's the next best thing.

 

[Nymrohd]

I want more monster books and hazards please And I would like a big chapter full of skill challenges as well.

 

[Obryn]

Man, even as a DM, I am thrilled by this book.

I agree that it's mostly a players' book, but I'm going to get a ton of mileage out of the fluff.

-O

 

[Stormtower]

The rules changes (including Stealth errata) are waaay in the back of the PHB2, on the last 2 or 3 pages.

As a DM I always mine the player-oriented books for new ideas and NPCs. I've ported my favorite 4E mechanics back into my 3.5 homebrew so I get double value from the 4E books that way, too.

I am extremely impressed with the 4E PHB2 and it's making my players (all 3.5 loyalists) take a second, longer look at the new options for 4E. It'll likely never be our "first choice" edition for home games, but I like the direction 4E is taking. The new content makes me more stoked to run a home 4E campaign for sure.

 

[OchreJelly]

But yeah, it's obviously a player's book first and foremost. I am also surprised that anyone who frequents places like these could think otherwise. I mean, most of the book has been previewed, and the entire ToC has been released for a while.

Well ok... I was hesitant about asking for DM info in a book called "Players" Handbook 2. However, I was still curious if they were going to have any new rules. I knew they weren't reprinting the combat chapter but beyond that I just wasn't sure. I did, however, miss the posting of the ToC.