The Actual Table of Contents for Xanathar's Guide to Everything

A lot of good stuff there.

Of course, on the DM side, a lot of stuff is not there, but I like what I see.

Actually, one of the most useful things will be the appendix of sample names.

 

[jmucchiello]

Actually, on the reprint issue, if they were going to reprint so much of it, why not reprint all it so you only need the one additional book? That would at least have utility.

 

[Azzy]

I'm curious what the "This is your life" section will add to the game. It doesn't say there are new Backgrounds. But it does add "events" prior to adventuring. I wonder if it is just fluff or if there are mechanical additions there.

Likely all fluuf. Part of it (the Life Events) will be similar to the Lifepath of Cyberpunk/Mekton (and similar tools in other games), it can be randomly rolled or chosen by the player to generate a character's backstory. Part of it was previewed here. It'll probably be the same for the character's origin, and such.

It's not a strictly necessary thing, but (judging from my experience with similar tools in other RPGs) it can prove very useful and fun even for experienced players and DMs.

 

[Kobold Boots]

How is the game in progress if you trying to come up with a name? If the DM needs a name, there are million DM tips about generating names ahead of time.

Fair question. Offering a fair answer in return. Presuming:

1. You're a DM that doesn't allow tech at the table AND
2. You're a DM that has problems with names THEN
3. You allow books at the table AND
4. Your book is open to the names list THEN
5. You are very quick and your game is in progress.

Be well.
-da boots

 

[jmucchiello]

1. You're a DM that doesn't allow tech at the table AND
2. You're a DM that has problems with names THEN
3. You allow books at the table AND
4. Your book is open to the names list THEN
5. You are very quick and your game is in progress.

1. I don't like tech at the table but if I were DMing, I'd exempt myself from the rule.
2. Most of these DMs make their own lists of names that tie into the world building better that a list of Spanish names.
3. Again, why would the DM not be exempt from a no books policy?
4. Presumes the book is open.
5. No, what if you have trouble deciding? An online webpage might only give you one name and then indecision cannot slow you down.

So 12 pages of printed names are for the folks who have some anal retentive rules about getting a list of names. Rather than not including them for the other 98% of the population of DMs.

My mileage does vary apparently.

 

[Azzy]

2. Most of these DMs make their own lists of names that tie into the world building better that a list of Spanish names.

A lot of DMs draw inspiration from real-world cultures. Drawing names fron those real-world cultures would be a better option than making up names (which isn't always the easiest thing to do for some).

5. No, what if you have trouble deciding? An online webpage might only give you one name and then indecision cannot slow you down.

Most websites have lists of names, so that's an odd thing to bandy about.

So 12 pages of printed names are for the folks who have some anal retentive rules about getting a list of names. Rather than not including them for the other 98% of the population of DMs.

I expect that the names are there to go along with the backstory generation that's also included. Sort of like a buffet of character creation options. Sure, it's not going to be useful foe everybody, and won't be as exhaustive as some of those that want something like this would like. However, it will be hand for those that are already using the backstory generation (as the book is already in hand), and for those that don't want to go into searching for name lists and such online—because people do tend to be lazy about things (especially casual and new gamers).

 

[Guest 6801328]

I'm hoping/expecting that the names will be somewhat curated so that the vast majority of them are names that you'll think, "Ooh...that would be useful." Most of the name lists I've looked at are the opposite: they are exhaustive and un-curated and you end up wading through a lot of chaff.

 

[Kobold Boots]

1. I don't like tech at the table but if I were DMing, I'd exempt myself from the rule.
2. Most of these DMs make their own lists of names that tie into the world building better that a list of Spanish names.
3. Again, why would the DM not be exempt from a no books policy?
4. Presumes the book is open.
5. No, what if you have trouble deciding? An online webpage might only give you one name and then indecision cannot slow you down.

So 12 pages of printed names are for the folks who have some anal retentive rules about getting a list of names. Rather than not including them for the other 98% of the population of DMs.

My mileage does vary apparently.

Nah you're fine. Here's some thoughts.

On your points one through three, provided that tech was barred from the table I'd choose to lead by example. The use of names from the real world allows players some feel of familiarity when so much of a fantasy setting can take away from immersion, and when tech is not at the table you need some form of reference material or you run the risk of having to retcon too much after a bad decision and otherwise ruin the experience of what could have been a good night.

On your points four and five there's a logic bomb present. If the book isn't open then we either have a DM that doesn't need the names list or doesn't need the book in the first place and the argument is moot. Same with if he or she has trouble deciding. No reference either online or paper based is going to help that soul.

My reason for initially posting a defense of the names list was simply to provide the majority online forum community with a friendly reminder that not everyone who plays the game is tech literate or wants to google things. If you don't prep well, your players go on a tangent and you don't have a name handy.. the reference could be handy.

My personal opinion is that it's a call back to an earlier era where such references were widely printed and included in rulebooks. I'd not use it and I agree that for me it's a waste of space; but I can't get behind the "speak with your wallet" and "it lowers the value of the book" partly because I know how hard it is to make money on books, partly because if I bitch about 20 bucks for a book, I'd have to seriously curtail my coffee habit or be a hypocrite, and mostly because I've been buying D&D stuff since the mid-eighties and no matter what I've bought it's always been a partial rip off. Never mind the fact that there's probably at least 20 pages of every rule book I own that I've never read.

Thanks for reading.
The Boots

 

[doctorbadwolf]

Seriously, Google search elf/dwarf/Indian/Japanese/Chinese/Greek names, you have tons of names in seconds. You don't have to be good at coming up with names, you will have hundreds to choose from in seconds.

If that section is anything like the old Gygax’s Book of Names, it will be a lot more than simple lists of names.

 

[hejtmane]

Nah you're fine. Here's some thoughts.

On your points one through three, provided that tech was barred from the table I'd choose to lead by example. The use of names from the real world allows players some feel of familiarity when so much of a fantasy setting can take away from immersion, and when tech is not at the table you need some form of reference material or you run the risk of having to retcon too much after a bad decision and otherwise ruin the experience of what could have been a good night.

On your points four and five there's a logic bomb present. If the book isn't open then we either have a DM that doesn't need the names list or doesn't need the book in the first place and the argument is moot. Same with if he or she has trouble deciding. No reference either online or paper based is going to help that soul.

My reason for initially posting a defense of the names list was simply to provide the majority online forum community with a friendly reminder that not everyone who plays the game is tech literate or wants to google things. If you don't prep well, your players go on a tangent and you don't have a name handy.. the reference could be handy.

My personal opinion is that it's a call back to an earlier era where such references were widely printed and included in rulebooks. I'd not use it and I agree that for me it's a waste of space; but I can't get behind the "speak with your wallet" and "it lowers the value of the book" partly because I know how hard it is to make money on books, partly because if I bitch about 20 bucks for a book, I'd have to seriously curtail my coffee habit or be a hypocrite, and mostly because I've been buying D&D stuff since the mid-eighties and no matter what I've bought it's always been a partial rip off. Never mind the fact that there's probably at least 20 pages of every rule book I own that I've never read.

Thanks for reading.
The Boots

I think some times people on boards protest to much not realizing we are a tiny tiny % of players; that we have a tendency to over analyze everything from the math to the multiclass to the feats. A lot of the stuff in these books are for the casual guys not the hardcore D&D nerd they proven that with sales. Me personally I bought SCAGS and I knew what I was getting the only part I wanted was the classes and race stuff. The rest of the forgotten realm stuff I did not care about I bought it for what I wanted in the book and got it for cheaper than the list price so i was happy. Then I pre-order the Xanathars and I am buying it mainly for the classes and a couple other things the rest what ever but I am fine i realize that they have more than just what i think should be in the book to cater too and that was the case even back in the 1e days.

To many people want everything they want or it is not worth it but sorry to say it but they have more than just us D&D nerds to make happy there is a large range to fill and they are doing the best they can to help the general D&D population with what they want.

 

[jmucchiello]

Nah you're fine. Here's some thoughts.

My first reaction to this is to say "stop being condescending". On second read I'm less sure you are being condescending but perhaps you aren't aware that what you wrote reads that way. So, something to consider.

I'm not going to continue discussing your list of reasons for 12 pages of a book I want to buy being totally useless to me are somehow a good thing. There is no argument in the world that will make me believe __I__ will ever have any use for these pages. And, being quite selfish, I'm annoyed the pages are there at all. As I said, My mileage does vary from the listed value.