D&D 5E What belongs in a $50 PHB?

[fjw70]

Snip

in my experience putting rules in a separate book does nothing to keep players from learning the rules.

 

[PinkRose]

In my experience , it does.

 

[Mistwell]

in my experience putting rules in a separate book does nothing to keep players from learning the rules.

Back in 1e, my players never knew what was in either the MM or the DMG. Across the board, no matter who I played with, the "players" had never read those books, and only the DMs had. It was a known thing that you just didn't read the MM and DMG if you were a player. You didn't read those, in the same way you wouldn't read a module you were going to play in.

 

[Hussar]

Back in 1e, my players never knew what was in either the MM or the DMG. Across the board, no matter who I played with, the "players" had never read those books, and only the DMs had. It was a known thing that you just didn't read the MM and DMG if you were a player. You didn't read those, in the same way you wouldn't read a module you were going to play in.

Then again for me I never met a pure player until well into 2e. Every group I have ever played or DM'd has had multiple people with DM experience.

 

[pemerton]

I feel Burning Wheel or Blade of the Iron Throne will meet my needs much more.

A bit OT but hey, we're nearly 200 posts in.

Is Blade of the Iron Throne a reworking of The Riddle of Steel? That as the impression I got from their web page, but they didn't actually spell it out.

As you might know, Jake Norwood - the designer of TRoS - actually wrote the foreword for the Gold edition of Burning Wheel. So there are certainly affinities of design and tone between those two games.

 

[fjw70]

Back in 1e, my players never knew what was in either the MM or the DMG. Across the board, no matter who I played with, the "players" had never read those books, and only the DMs had. It was a known thing that you just didn't read the MM and DMG if you were a player. You didn't read those, in the same way you wouldn't read a module you were going to play in.

Back in my 1e days we all DMed to some degree.

 

[frogimus]

Our group all DM'd, there was no separate DMG, and we never used things like magic items as-written, but more as a suggestion. Spells were only available once you found a spellbook or another magic user willing to share his knowledge. Stuff in the world had to be acquired, then tested to see what the heck it is.

I really don't see why the stuff in the DMG is treated like a shopping list. Just cause the kids scream "I want, I want" don't mean daddy gonna give it to them.

 

[Hussar]

Our group all DM'd, there was no separate DMG, and we never used things like magic items as-written, but more as a suggestion. Spells were only available once you found a spellbook or another magic user willing to share his knowledge. Stuff in the world had to be acquired, then tested to see what the heck it is.

I really don't see why the stuff in the DMG is treated like a shopping list. Just cause the kids scream "I want, I want" don't mean daddy gonna give it to them.

Well, it's pretty easy to see why. Right there in the 3e DMG it says that a town has an X Gp limit and anything under X will be fairly easily available. Magic items have a price list right there, and it's not like you're encouraged to deviate from that. Not that you can't, mind you, but, there's nothing in there that says that you should.

So, when in a large city, like Waterdeep, and the player says, "Hey, I've got enough gold for a +1 Flaming Burst Longsword, can I buy one, the usual answer in a lot of games, is, "Sure, go ahead."

 

[Majoru Oakheart]

So, when in a large city, like Waterdeep, and the player says, "Hey, I've got enough gold for a +1 Flaming Burst Longsword, can I buy one, the usual answer in a lot of games, is, "Sure, go ahead."

In 3e, sure. My games have always changed with the prevailing traditions of the editions.

In 2e, my answer would have been "No, you can't buy or sell magic items. It just isn't done. They would be worth millions since they are so rare." Of course, the answer in those editions was always "Alright, I'll trade then" or "Well, SOMEONE has to make magic items, right? What do they charge for that service?" or "I HAVE millions of gp. So, tell me how MANY millions so I can just pay someone!"

I had to have so many arguments about why you can't buy magic items in 2e. In 3rd I just gave up and said "Yeah, the book says you can buy it, so go ahead." Same in 4e.