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Message: <blockquote data-quote="heimdall" data-source="post: 2010886" data-attributes="member: 12421">When I first heard of the Ravenloft DMG coming out, I didn't pay much thought to it. After all, I felt the core rulebook had done justice to explaining the rules difference between Ravenloft and "stock" D&D as well as presenting enough of what makes Ravenloft different from other settings. However, when I saw the book at the bookstore I took the time to flip through it and determine if I should buy it. I saw enough to warrant the purchase. If you're an old school Ravenloft DM you may be wondering whether this book is for you, just as I was. Hence the reason for the review.The Pros:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Psionics: I have players who love the psionic rules additions to D&D and therefore I decided to run a setting where psionics are part of the world. However, at some point I wanted to migrate them into Ravenloft but there were no rules on psionics. I was faced with either converting the rules myself or scrapping my original idea. After all, if spells get changed, so too, should psionics. Psionics are covered in this sourcebook so if you want to use them in Ravenloft, you now can. The rules include the "Psilich" template if you want to throw a new twist at your psion-favoring players.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Storytelling Hints: I've played numerous game systems and among them the best I've found for expounding upon mood, settings, etc., are the Storyteller games. After all, White Wolf has put out Storyteller Handbooks for each of their main World of Darkness games in order to assist those running the story. In keeping with tradition, this DMG has the same sort of material. It may not be useful for everyone, but it is an asset for those faced with running their first campaign. I tend to refer back to this sort of stuff when planning out an adventure as most of the plot techniques are well-known, it's all about the execution. I find looking at the plot techniques and comparing my story line with them helps to keep them from getting too muddled.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Creating New Domains: This is another one that's helpful to the new Ravenloft DM. If you're toying with creating your own domain within Ravenloft, this is enough to get you started. There are a lot of good hints even for the experienced Ravenloft DM. I took a couple of pointers as I had already planned on migrating the main city of my existing campaign into Ravenloft as the center of a new domain.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Sinkhole Rules: Any good horror setting should have some sort of rules for "pits of evil" and the sinkhole rules are just that for Ravenloft. As I DM I have had my own home-grown rules for dealing with these sorts of places (based a lot on the faith rules from WoD) but it's nice to see something "official" as well. </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">NPC Class Charts: Just as in the D&D DMG, the Ravenloft DMG has charts for NPCs with base stats and equipment, except they cover the NPC classes such as the Adept or the Warrior, charts that aren't in the D&D DMG. I'll be honest: I don't use the charts in the DMG. However, I know folks who do and having these additional charts will prove handy for them. The lack of them might be considered an oversight in the D&D DMG.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Prestige Class Alterations: There is a section describing how the Prestige Classes given in the D&D DMG are altered in Ravenloft, much like the core book covers how the core classes are altered. </li> </ul>The Cons:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Prophecy Rules: Maybe I'm just looking ahead to the Tarokka deck they were releasing afterwards but I'm not a big fan of these rules. I bought the original sourcebox that had the first Tarokka deck and the dice when it came out many a year ago and the first thing I found was keeping track of all the cards was a pain. So I scrapped using the props except in a few rare circumstances. The rules are back in this DMG and I can see how they'll be helpful in some campaigns (meaning this could be considered a pro if you're looking for these types of rules), but they are something I'll pass on. A nice part of the rules addition, however, is the prophet NPC (perfect for your Vistani hook), though I don't see myself using this class in the near future.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Rehash of the Setting: Once again, the main places in Ravenloft are covered by this sourcebook... except the coverage tends to be brief. The book refers the reader to either the Secrets of the Dread Realms or any of the Gazetteers. However, I will say there is coverage about what a good starting realm would be for a new campaign and that's helpful info for a new Ravenloft DM.</li> </ul>Overall I've found the book to be a good one and would recommend it to anyone running or considering a Ravenloft campaign. There are a few things I would have left out, but they didn't deter me from picking this book up. It's 3.5E ready and that's a big plus as well. So there's no need to convert rules, etc., as there are with some of the older products in the line.</blockquote>

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