OSR What sections in the DMG should be in the PHB

[Sacrosanct]

The label is OSR, but is really covering 1e, 2e, and basic. In TSR era D&D, the philosophy was very much keep as many rules as possible to the DM, and the players should only have the very basics. If you would redo the books, which rules in the DMG would you put in the PHB?

Time and movement rules, for things like vehicles and beasts as well?
more combat rules?

 

[mixmastashizz]

The notes on spells I would move to the PHB. I've actually grown to be okay with the combat and adventuring rules staying in the DMG, though I'd make the two systems for overland travel reconciled.

 

[GMMichael]

I'd put all common rules in the DMG as long as they're not directly something the DM asks the player to do. Like Roll to Hit.

Rules unique to classes and races should also be in the PHB - I don't want to memorize all that.

 

[Whisper-Kitten]

Zero, they should know nothing about the magic of being a DM.

 

[howandwhy99]

Fewer rules, not more. Some more game philosophy would be nice.

 

[Fenris-77]

I like single rulebooks. I suppose that splitting a book based on size might sometimes be necessary, but I don't think there's any actual need to do so in most cases. You just need one section that tells you how to play the game, and another that tells you how to run the game and I think all the players at the table should read both sections.

The stuff that might need setting off is more setting based for me. Stuff like the magic items and monsters (a little) and setting secrets (moreso) are sometimes better not read by players if they want to be surprised and not worry about having to roleplay around player knowledge. I don't think this issue needs to be solved by separate books either though. A little warning box that says "don't read past here if you are going to play and want to be surprised" is probably lots. I don't find that my own experience of the game is hampered by knowing that stuff, but it is important to some people.

Mostly, I think the notion of having multiple rulebooks is a financial decision, not really a game design or layout one.

 

[Lanefan]

Were it up to me there'd be bits moving every which way...

Anything to do with character generation - move from DMG to PH.
Stronghold building and upkeep (costs and time only) - move from DMG to PH.
Spell rulings and updates - move from DMG to PH.
Spell research and development rules - move from anywhere to PH, or invent if necessary and add to PH.

Combat "rules" such as THAC0, BAB, combat matrix, or equivalent - move from PH to DMG, or leave in DMG if already there.
Magic item pricing, write-ups, and creation rules - move from anywhere to DMG, or leave in DMG if already there.

Info regarding society etc. makeup for PC-playable species - move from MM to PH. (in other words, if "Dwarf" is a PC-playable species then there shouldn't be a 'Dwarf' entry in the MM, all that info should be in the PH write-up on Dwarves)