Primary Source Rule?

[Artoomis]

Errata used to have a "primary source" rule in it that spelled out priority of rules in case of conflicts. This, of course, is needed because no one is perfect and mistakes will happen.

Something like:

1. Errata
2. Text over Table
3. PHB over DMG over MM over other books

That does not seem to be present in the Errata any more. Does anyone know of a CURRENT place for rules priority? The closest I could find is from Star Wars Miniatures Rules:

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=starwars/article/sw20060622jc91

... Okay, let's look at the different options in order of relevance:

1. Errata ...

2. Card text ...

3. Glossary text ...

4. FAQ text ...

5. "Jedi Counseling" text ...

Translating that to D&D would come out something like this:

1. Errata (Latest Only)
2. Primary rule book (PHB over DMG over MM over other books)
3. Text over Table
4. Glossary (on-line glossary is at http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/glossary
5. FAQ Text (Latest Only)
6. Rules of the Game

While that seems very reasonable, I wonder if anything like that is currently published by WotC (Old publications of errata don't count for being "current").

 

[frankthedm]

Actually

PHB trumps DMG & MM on subjects the PHB deals with.
DMG trumps PHB & MM on subjects the DMG deals with.
MM trumps DMG & PHB on subjects the PHB deals with.

Example; Mummy rot is a monster special ability and a disease. Because it orginates from a monster special ability and is descibed in that, the MM trumps the DMG section on diseases when it comes to mummy rot. MM mummy rot is slightly worse.

Personaly, I use the MM mummy rot for direct infections from the Mummy, while using the DMG mummy rot for secondary infections of other beings that catch the mummy rot from cotact with the mummies intial victim.

 

[Infiniti2000]

Errata used to have a "primary source" rule in it that spelled out priority of rules in case of conflicts.

Huh? It still does. I just downloaded this from the current version of the PHB errata file on the WotC site, dated 02/17/2006:

Errata Rule: Primary Sources
When you find a disagreement between two D&D® rules sources, unless an official errata file says otherwise, the primary source is correct. One example of a primary/secondary source is text taking precedence over a table entry. An individual spell description takes precedence when the short description in the beginning of the spells chapter disagrees.

Another example of primary vs. secondary sources involves book and topic precedence. The Player's Handbook, for example, gives all the rules for playing the game, for playing PC races, and for using base class descriptions. If you find something on one of those topics from the DUNGEON MASTER's Guide or the Monster Manual that disagrees with the Player's Handbook, you should assume the Player's Handbook is the primary source. The DUNGEON MASTER's Guide is the primary source for topics such as magic item descriptions, special material construction rules, and so on. The Monster Manual is the primary source for monster descriptions, templates, and supernatural, extraordinary, and spell-like abilities. Note: The most recent updates are shaded like this.

How is this not the Primary Source Rule?

 

[Artoomis]

Huh? It still does. I just downloaded this from the current version of the PHB errata file on the WotC site, dated 02/17/2006:

How is this not the Primary Source Rule?

Looks good. Maybe I was looking at the FAQ?

Whoops.

 

[ValhallaGH]

This is not the post you are looking for.