Who's happy about MMV being MMIV again?

[Zaukrie]

I liked the concept of MMIV, I wasn't in love with the specific monsters they put in there. Plus, I wasn't DMing much when it came out. Now, however, I am DMing 2 groups and may buy it.

 

[Mystery Man]

It is kinda boggling that someone would be this short sighted. It would be so easy to give BOTH sides more rather than undercutting support for the stuff that you DO want by chasing off buyers with a different preference.

They don't matter.

 

[delericho]

If it's a non-PHB class (Marshal? Ninja?) then there's a good chance that the gaming group either doesn't have access to the book, or the DM's disallowed it. If you're like me, and you're running another OGL d20 setting/variant rules set, then the whole write-up is worthless to you.

I fail to see how this is true. Firstly, the write-up contains enough information that it can be used out of the book without reference to other sources. That's (one reason) why there aren't any Warlocks or similarly complex classes used.

Secondly, from the DM's point of view, it's just a bunch of statistics. Who cares if he's disallowed it for PC use? I bet he doesn't allow Great Wyrm Red Dragons as PCs either, but I'm sure he'd have no problem using them in his game.

And for the OGL/d20 variant argument, again, unless he's going to publish, who cares where the stats come from? Surely all that matters is, "does this fit my campaign? Is it an appropriate challenge?"

(And, sure, "Drow Ninja" suggests an Oriental Adventures flavour, but it doesn't have to. From the D&D perspective, a Ninja is just a Rogue with some slightly different abilities. So, why not just use it as such?)

 

[Arnwyn]

I skipped MMIV after perusing it, and will (likely) do the same with MMV.

 

[BryonD]

They don't matter.

Short sightedness confirmed.

4E here we come.....

 

[greywulf]

I liked everything about MMIV. I liked the new format. I liked the dragonspawn thingies (great for a starting campaign). I like the new monsters. I liked the monsters-with classes. I liked the extra detail.

Given a choice between MMIV and MMII where I found only about 20% of the creatures were actually usable, the rest being just plain silly, poorly conceived or just plain broken, I'll take MMIV format any time.

Heck, what's not to like about a Monster Manual I can crack open in the game and start using straight away. I'd rather need less preparation time, thank you very much - and the MMIV format give me just that.

Quit whining, people. If ya don't like it, don't buy it!

 

[Cedric]

Short sightedness confirmed.

4E here we come.....

Not to just pick at a scab, but the fact that a second book is being published in this format, would indicate to me that there was a valid business case for doing so.

 

[Mystery Man]

Not to just pick at a scab, but the fact that a second book is being published in this format, would indicate to me that there was a valid business case for doing so.

I didn't realize I had that much power! My personal "shortsidedness" is bringing about 4E. Go me!

Or perhaps, the old way is the shortsided way and the new format must be on to something being fairly well recieved, easy to use, etc. New ideas and forward thinking and all that bother...

 

[JoeGKushner]

I'm on the fence.

I think these new formats and examples, etc... are great for

1. Time pressed individuals.

2. People who don't like to play with the game engine.

3. New game masters.

I think they suck for people who like experiementing with the game engine. They also lead to less active thought as to what goes into making a monster. They also still fail to provide good rationals why CR and level are bound together for most monster classes, etc...

As I tend to fall into the latter camp, enjoying templating and customizing, these style books aren't for me and the art will really have to be top notch to get me to do moe than look at it.

On the other hand, it makes me appreciate the various Tome of Horrors books by Necromancer more and makes me very eager for the Monsternomicon Vol 2 by Privateer Press.

 

[Cedric]

I didn't realize I had that much power! My personal "shortsidedness" is bringing about 4E. Go me!

Or perhaps, the old way is the shortsided way and the new format must be on to something being fairly well recieved, easy to use, etc. New ideas and forward thinking and all that bother...

I am sorely tempted to agree with you. However, since you placed the "i" before the "e" in received, even though it was after a "c"...instead of agreeing with you, I must flame you for your blatant disregard for the rules of grammar and the utter unreadability of your post.

Take that you cad!!

(Secretly I still agree with you though, but don't tell anyone).