Why get the DMG 3.5?

[Torillan]

I went ahead and pre-ordered (from Amazon, if you must know) the PHB and the MM for 3.5. They seemed like the books that I'd really want to update the game. My question is this: Will the 3.5 DMG have info any different from the 3.0 version? And if so, what (and does it justify buying it)?

 

[WizarDru]

I went ahead and pre-ordered (from Amazon, if you must know) the PHB and the MM for 3.5. They seemed like the books that I'd really want to update the game. My question is this: Will the 3.5 DMG have info any different from the 3.0 version? And if so, what (and does it justify buying it)?

Yes it will. We don't know exactly what will be different, other than the inclusion of new Prestige Classes, some rules changes, and some new artwork.

Besides which, IT MUST BE MINE!

 

[thalmin]

One thing I noticed in the new DMG is the additional information for magic items. Each item now includes information available from a Detect Magic spell; strength of aura and school of magic. I didn't spend much time with the DMG, so I can't tell much more.

 

[Voadam]

I'm guessing new sample characters to replace the ones in the 3.0 DMG.

The items and item creation stuff should be in the SRD.

Maybe alternate xp systems (the FR one?).

Possibly spell templates for miniatures use (although I think this should ideally go in the PH instead).

 

[Hardhead]

I went ahead and pre-ordered (from Amazon, if you must know) the PHB and the MM for 3.5. They seemed like the books that I'd really want to update the game. My question is this: Will the 3.5 DMG have info any different from the 3.0 version? And if so, what (and does it justify buying it)?

Mainly, you'd want the new magic item prices. I guess you might wan the PrCs too, but if all the new ones are as insane as they Mystic Theurge, I wouldn't use them in a million years.

- Z a c h

 

[Duke Frinn]

Things you are going to want to see:

1. 10 new prestige classes, including the Archmage, Thaumaturgist, Eldritch Knight and Duelist.

2. Updated prices for magic items and creation costs.

3. If you don't have the ELH, there is some Epic materials, including class progressions and epic feats.

4. The new FR xp system.

5. 10+ pages of visual aids (dungeon accesories, example grids, examples of spell effects, reach diagrams).

 

[Plane Sailing]

Some stuff about planar adventures...

 

[Murrdox]

I'm in a similar position with the DMG.

There are only a few things I use the DMG for.

1) Treasure generation

2) XP calculation

3) Magic item listings and generation

4) That damned "Starting Wealth" because we never make lvl 1 characters

5) Occasionally calculating cities, city wealth, and NPC classes in an average city

6) I do NOT use the sample characters because they suck, and it's stupid to use them. One of my friends recently started DMing a campaign and he lives and dies by them, even though he acknowledges that they suck. He's just too lazy to draw up his own NPCs. This came to a STUPID point last session where we were fighting PIRATES... and they were all fighters. So, by the tables, that meant that all these pirates were swinging on ropes over to our ship wearing full plate mail armor and bastard swords. Can you say STUPID??


So, for options 1-5, I'm at a loss for why I need to pay $30 for just a few little tables.

The unforuntate thing is that I use those tables so often, I think it'd be a pain in the ass not to have them be compatible with my PHB and MM... especially the magic item table, which I think is really the only thing on that list that's changing.

 

[BiggusGeekus@Work]

I'm getting it because I'm a pawn. I don't really need another reason. Plus, it'll match my 3.5 PHB and MM. That's very important.

4. The new FR xp system.

What's this?

 

[Gargoyle]

It has a lot of new content. It's much bigger than the 3.0 DMG, and more complete. As far as new must have info, this book has more than the other two IMO. ('Course, I haven't seen the MM, and the 3.0 MM was smaller than the 3.0 DMG. The new books are all 320 pages.)