Why get the DMG 3.5?

[MeepoTheMighty]

What's this?

I think instead of figuring out an average party level, you figure the experience individually for each PC based on their level, then divide by the number of characters. Don't quote me on that, though.

 

[jmucchiello]

I think instead of figuring out an average party level, you figure the experience individually for each PC based on their level, then divide by the number of characters. Don't quote me on that, though.

Basically correct. It helps advance lower level characters up to party max since they gain more experience per encounter.

 

[Destil]

While it has a lot of new stuff, I think it's really the one of the three I'm the least likely to get. Most everything enhanced there is pointless to me.

Magic item prices / detect magic info: Andy Collins already spilled the beans on the new skill boost prices on his website. And I've looked up that damn detect magic table sooo many times I have it basicly commited to memory.

PrCs: ....yeah. Like I don't have access to hundreds (if not thousands) of PrCs already

Planar Stuff: Manual of the Planes, check....

FR XP: Already using this.

 

[Torillan]

Thanks all! But another question.......

I appreciate everyones responses. It does sound like I might want to pick it up at some point, though I'm not completely convinced. Since many of you were nice enough to list specific new info that will be in it, do you think the new SRD will have most if not all of the changes, so that I could get away without purchasing the book?

I'm not trying to be cheap (though it does come across that way, doesn't it? ), I just don't want to buy the book if I don't really "need" it.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

There's also the visual aids. I will probably find them useful - and I doubt I can find pictures on the SRD either.

 

[Voadam]

xp systems, visual aids, and sample characters will probably not be in the srd.

Most Prcs (maybe not red wizard) magic item pricing and new magic item info blocks (dm listing) probably will be in the srd.

Descriptive advice on DMing and running campaigns probably will not be in the SRD.

 

[Knight Otu]

Most Prcs (maybe not red wizard)...

Andy Smith mentioned on Andy Collins' boards that the Red Wizard will be the only PrC not in the SRD.

Link and quote:

As the SRD guy I suppose I have the official answer (though its exactly the same as Andy's):
Most of the material from 3.5 is going to be in the SRD, aside from a few monsters and names that get yanked. The only PrC that isn't going in is the Red Wizard.

Andy Smith
Publishing/Licensing
Wizards of the Coast, Inc.

 

[Fenes 2]

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??

Show him this link:

http://www.stanford.edu/~marke/npc.html

I use this generator when I need a quick NPC with roughly smart stat, feat and skill choices and fitting gear including prepared spells. Often I modify the results, but the npcs are usually good to go if you just need a few warm bodies. With the latest version you can enter magic damper for lower magic campaigns, and you can enter the priorities for the stat allocation - if you want a charismatic, dextrous fighter, f.e. Offers a ton of subraces and monstrous races as well.

 

[Arnwyn]

The DMG is the only book I wouldn't get. The couple of small upgrades (eg. magic item prices) is something that is easily downloadable for free with the SRD.

That's what I'll be doing - downloading and printing the magic item prices, and then inserting them in my 3.0 DMG.

 

[Liquid Snake]

Are the underwater combat rules included in the DMG or the PHB?

I totally agree with BiggusGeekus@Work you've got to have matching books.