D&D 5E The 'Optional' DMG

[TerraDave]

For a long time before the DMG came out, there seemed to be a common sentiment that it was not really needed to run the game.

As people started actually running games post play-test that sentiment seemed to shift, and shift even more after the DMG came out.

So I am curious, is the DMG optional or it is needed.

EDIT: Needed for the game you want to run.

 

[Tormyr]

Strictly speaking, it is optional, but it will make so much better if a DM has it.

 

[Quickleaf]

It depends. For a player new to DMing, I would consider the DM indispensable. This would jump up to absolutely necessary if they did not have an experienced DM guiding them.

For myself, the DMG is a really great aid for the DM, but the other two books and basic rules are strictly enough to DM. So I'm not sure where I fit in your poll.

 

[Umbran]

I will side with the others : it is optional for a seasoned GM. For a new GM, I would call it... highly recommended.

 

[Nebulous]

It depends. For a player new to DMing, I would consider the DM indispensable. This would jump up to absolutely necessary if they did not have an experienced DM guiding them.

For myself, the DMG is a really great aid for the DM, but the other two books and basic rules are strictly enough to DM. So I'm not sure where I fit in your poll.

That's what i was going to say. New DMS? Indispensable. Seasoned DMs? It's optional. By then all you'd mostly use it for is the magic items.

 

[Warmaster Horus]

You can run the game for years w/out the DMG if you want. However it has some very useful info, so why not have it?

 

[TerraDave]

I guess with needed, I meant needed to run the game in the way you want.

I do agree its great for new DMs. Much clearer then the first one (though I still think thats a great book) and with a better range of material then the following three.

Still, after having lived without for the first months of play, I am really glad I have it now.

 

[thalmin]

Your edit was the key.
For me, the DMG is necessary for the game I want to run.

 

[I'm A Banana]

I dunno if I concur with the consensus here.

While not essential to run a game, I think the only way you're going to get a handle on how 5e expects to be played is via some key passages in the DMG. Though I suppose when I look for specifics, I'm not seeing a lot. Maybe the assumed treasure distribution? But that's a little...arcane....

While it's clearly possible to play without the DMG, I'd say the DMG is more vital than the Monster Manual, for instance (that one little table replaces all the MM's you'll need ever, mechanically). Heck, with the Basic rules as they are today, the DMG is arguably more vital than the Player's Handbook (you can make a party of characters without it).

 

[Agamon]

I've been running the game I want to run since March, starting with the final playtest, then replacing that with Basic, and adding the books as they released. So, no, not required, but nice to have.