WotC April survey

[Mistwell]

I let them have it with both barrels Didn't see any DMG2 questions, guess it must because I didn't indicate I'm using any 4E books ATM.

I'm sure that was very helpful.

 

[Dice4Hire]

No DMG2 for me, so a short survey.

 

[Jack99]

My survey was quite short, probably because I didn't buy/don't use PH2, MM2, and DMG2.

Your loss. Even if you do not play 4e, you should really consider the DMG2 - while I know it's heresy, I will say that it is arguably the best DMG ever made for the game. Very different from the 1e DMG, but none the less extremely useful, to both veteran and rookie DM's.

 

[Sammael]

Your loss. Even if you do not play 4e, you should really consider the DMG2 - while I know it's heresy, I will say that it is arguably the best DMG ever made for the game. Very different from the 1e DMG, but none the less extremely useful, to both veteran and rookie DM's.

I flipped through it at my FLGS. I'd say about 1/3 of it is edition-neutral, but not all of it is useful to me, and I cannot justify spending that much money (about $45 at my FLGS, IIRC) for a product that I'm not going to get full use out of (it's not likely I'd use even the full 1/3 of the book, and the DMing advice is something that's read once or twice and then it either sinks in, or, well, it doesn't). I'd buy a PDF if one was available at a reduced price, though.

 

[Jack99]

I flipped through it at my FLGS. I'd say about 1/3 of it is edition-neutral, but not all of it is useful to me, and I cannot justify spending that much money (about $45 at my FLGS, IIRC) for a product that I'm not going to get full use out of (it's not likely I'd use even the full 1/3 of the book, and the DMing advice is something that's read once or twice and then it either sinks in, or, well, it doesn't). I'd buy a PDF if one was available at a reduced price, though.

Roger that. At least you considered the option and chose to not buy it based on facts. Although I must say, 1/3 is by far on the low side IMO. 1/2-2/3 would be more accurate if you ask me. But obviously, YMMV.

Cheers

 

[Sammael]

There are some other 4E books I'm also considering, like Manual of the Planes, The Plane Below, and the Draconomicons. One things that bugs me in particular is the huge amount of white space. I know it improves readability, which is good in a rulebook that's likely to be referenced at the table, but if I'm buying something as an inspiration book, I'd like it to be as chock-full of text as possible.

Out of the 3 core 4E rulebooks I own, the one that I've gotten the most mileage out of is, curiously enough, the Monster Manual. Since I'm revising all D&D monsters for my own system, I've found the unique 4E monster abilities a very nice addition that helps create unique flavor for each monster. That's one of the 4E changes I like the most. So, I take Pathfinder/3.x books as a base, convert the basic stuff (level, attributes, skills, feats, signature abilities) to my system, and then use the 4E MM for inspiration to further enhance and differentiate the critter.

 

[Keefe the Thief]

Hmm, Sammael, did you ever think about subscribing to DDI for a month to get the monster builder? You get all the powers of all monsters evar inside it, nicely sorted in a way you desire.

If you want a 4e book purely for fluff and are not loath to change the story of the Underdark to be about Torog, Underdark is the best choice, btw.

And as someone who has to layout books sometimes, i can only thank Wotc again for all the white space. I´m so glad the wall-o-text tradition has died - i have to read and write all day, and looking at densely set typeface in the evening trying to read a D&D book kills all fun for me.

[/offtopic]

 

[Sammael]

Hmm, Sammael, did you ever think about subscribing to DDI for a month to get the monster builder? You get all the powers of all monsters evar inside it, nicely sorted in a way you desire.

Is there a trial version, so I can check out how it looks (like for the character builder)? Seems like that would be good value for the money.

If you want a 4e book purely for fluff and are not loath to change the story of the Underdark to be about Torog, Underdark is the best choice, btw.

I'll check out some Underdark reviews. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[jbear]

I am disgusted at all this feedback they're eliciting from their consumer base!

It's like they're trying to read our minds!

What nefarious purposes could they possibly have for such personal information? Obviously this is a push to dominate the world with products people actually want!

Despicable!

They also had the gall, nay, the temerity to throw Australia in with NEW ZEALAND!

Deplorable!

Yeah I was pretty bumbed to be put in with Australia too. Obviously the surveyers have never been to New Zealand and didn't realise it's a world unto itself.

 

[vagabundo]

I'm really hoping there will be a tonne of variant rules in the DMG3 - an unearthed arcana type product.

But I guess their has to be some focus on Epic level stuff too.

I'd be happy with traps, templates and S.K. stuff going into a MM4, create a new type of monstrous manual chocked full of stuff for use in encounters. From diseases, traps and poisons all alphabetical. Call it the Great EVil DM Cookbook.