| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Durak |
Posted - 11 Jan 2005 : 09:23:29
Due out June 2005
quote:
Dungeons & Dragons Supplement
Jesse Decker, David Noonan, Chris Thomasson, James Jacobs, Robin D. Laws
Item Code 863170000
Release Date June 2005
Format Hardcover
Page Count 288
ISBN 0-7869-3687-8
Price $39.95 ; C$55.95
A follow-up to the Dungeon Master’s Guide, designed to aid Dungeon Masters and reduce game preparation time.
The Dungeon Master’s Guide II builds upon existing materials in the Dungeon Master’s Guide. It is specifically designed to facilitate play, especially when the Dungeon Master has a limited amount of preparation time.
Chapters include discussion on running a game, designing adventures, building and using prestige classes, and creating campaign settings. Ready-made game elements include instant traps, pre-generated locations, treasures, and a fully realized and rendered town.
Seems to read like a "How to be a DM" book. Not sure if has to be a must buy though. |
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Crennen FaerieBane |
Posted - 02 Aug 2005 : 18:40:56
quote:
Originally posted by Alaundo
quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth
So what was the verdict on this Tome?
Worth getting? Not worth Getting?
Whats the PrC creation system like? is it any good? Does it use the old PrC style or the new "Fat" style?
Well met
I personally really enjoyed the DMGII. It's a perfect companion and I can certainly see it being very useful indeed for starting DM's. I was quite impressed with the overall content of the tome, and would definately recommend it.
Obviously, it's not to everyones taste, but I wouldn't see it as a "waste of money" in any respect. It's one of the more interesting 3.5 tomes.
I personally like the Apprenticeship/Mentorship/Running a Business section. I think it is a perfect way to add a touch of realism into a D&D game - plus it answers that age old question about how much money a certain NPC would have - that way you can judge what a good bribe is, or isn't. Plus, the town section and how to create and flush that town out is awesome as well. The PrC section is very helpful as well... finally let me do some Elven and Fey'ri classes I was looking forward to making - I'd say it was worth it.
C-Fb |
| Alaundo |
Posted - 02 Aug 2005 : 17:29:12
quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth
So what was the verdict on this Tome?
Worth getting? Not worth Getting?
Whats the PrC creation system like? is it any good? Does it use the old PrC style or the new "Fat" style?
Well met
I personally really enjoyed the DMGII. It's a perfect companion and I can certainly see it being very useful indeed for starting DM's. I was quite impressed with the overall content of the tome, and would definately recommend it.
Obviously, it's not to everyones taste, but I wouldn't see it as a "waste of money" in any respect. It's one of the more interesting 3.5 tomes. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 02 Aug 2005 : 15:15:26
quote:
Originally posted by Kajehase
 ...Informative answer. Care to elaborate as to why it is a waste of money, my southern neighbour?
Indeed, I would have to agree.
Skarmarl, perhaps you could tell us why you find the tome such a waste of money? This would at least provide some use for future potential buyers who visit Candlekeep looking for the opinions of their fellow gamers about D&D products.
|
| Kajehase |
Posted - 02 Aug 2005 : 13:41:46
...Informative answer. Care to elaborate as to why it is a waste of money, my southern neighbour? |
| Skarmarl |
Posted - 02 Aug 2005 : 11:41:31
DmG II - A waste of money!!! |
| Dargoth |
Posted - 01 Aug 2005 : 05:18:47
So what was the verdict on this Tome?
Worth getting? Not worth Getting?
Whats the PrC creation system like? is it any good? Does it use the old PrC style or the new "Fat" style? |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 30 Jun 2005 : 00:58:25
I would just like to put in that while it is on my back burner list (after everything FR), it is definately still on my list. I had a chance to spend some quality time with the book at Barnes and Noble today (our central air is dead, and its been in the 90s for over a week now) and I was pleasantly surprised with a lot of what was in it. Its not essential "how would I ever run a game witout this" stuff, but it is "I never thought about it but that IS useful" stuff.
I have to say, as someone that works one week on and one week off and thus has a lot of time to plan adventure for his group, they can still manage to find ways to wind so completely off the beaten path that you can't begin to plan for it, so I really like some of the pregenerated stuff and the advice in the book.
|
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 27 Jun 2005 : 12:15:59
WOTC has posted Who's the Master Now? and a Map Gallery for this product. |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 17 Jun 2005 : 11:55:58
The WOTC site has posted Use This Book Tonight for this product. |
| Lord Rad |
Posted - 11 Jun 2005 : 09:59:15
quote:
Originally posted by Gray Richardson
I find myself totally immersed in the book. Chapter one has a lot of good wisdom about being a DM: how to deal with player psychology, how to make your games fun, some considerations on how to prepare more effectively, how to troubleshoot a campaign or a session gone wrong. Really thoughtful stuff. It's all about making your game fun and rewarding for yourself and your players.
Great. I've been in mixed thoughts about this product but reading this makes it a definate purchase. I like the sound of this first chapter, reminds me of the old AD&D 2nd ed Campaign Sourcebook (DMGR1).
quote:
Originally posted by Gray Richardson
Chapter four is a complete town or small city called Saltmarsh and has everything you need to run a city campaign, with detailed NPC's locations, taverns, landmarks and ready to play intrigue.
This is one element that swayed me initially. I recall the old Saltmarsh adventure modules from a long time ago, it's nice to see them revived in this book. Although you mention that the town and details are included, is there anything to do with the actual adventure within and the Sahuaghin etc? |
| warlockco |
Posted - 11 Jun 2005 : 02:29:34
Gray,
How does the mechanics for PrC building looking? |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 11 Jun 2005 : 00:17:34
quote:
Originally posted by Gray Richardson
Bonding and bonding rituals (Wooly and Lady THO please behave yourselves!  )
But the Lady Hooded One knows such interesting rituals!   |
| Chosen of Moradin |
Posted - 10 Jun 2005 : 22:02:25
Well, Gray, for your comments, aparently, the book have the same "Heroes of Battle" efect: one book that, aparently, will be a lost of time that suddenly surprise us... 
This is a very good thing to know, indeed... |
| Gray Richardson |
Posted - 10 Jun 2005 : 21:57:27
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
What are your initial thoughts on the tome Gray?
I find myself totally immersed in the book. Chapter one has a lot of good wisdom about being a DM: how to deal with player psychology, how to make your games fun, some considerations on how to prepare more effectively, how to troubleshoot a campaign or a session gone wrong. Really thoughtful stuff. It's all about making your game fun and rewarding for yourself and your players.
Chapter two is more about designing adventures and the mechanics of a good game. It has ideas for using traps, interesting settings and locations (ie. a burning building, a sky battle, an ice bridge, confined tunnel, etc.) It has interesting types of encounters (ie a chase, a riot, a stampede) Encounter tables for interesting locations. And some sample treasure troves at various encounter levels that you can use on the fly.
Chapter three is all about designing a campaign: structure, a concept, beginings, endings. Then it has a considerable number of pages devoted to an overview of medieval society and how to use various aspects of that for campaign ideas. It has some campaign ideas and hooks, and some interesting NPC motivations/agendas. It has a section on building a city and all that entails. It concludes with some info about magical events to enliven a campaign.
Chapter four is a complete town or small city called Saltmarsh and has everything you need to run a city campaign, with detailed NPC's locations, taverns, landmarks and ready to play intrigue.
Chapter five is all about NPC's. Hireleings, Specialists and what to pay for their services, including 12 pages of complex, ready-to-use, sample NPC's of various encounter levels (from CR 6 to 20)
Chapter six is alll about characters. I haven't read it yet, but at first blush it seems a little dense and obtuse. It has sections on establishing a student/mentor relationship, running a business, and teamwork strategies. There is a section on the philosophy and design of prestige classes. PC organizations and some sample organizations players can join. And Guilds.
Chapter seven concerns magic items. It talks about signature traits of items. Bonding and bonding rituals (Wooly and Lady THO please behave yourselves! ) Using magical locations as treasure in themselves. Then it has some new magical weapons and armor mechanics. New rings, rods and wondrous items. Then it has some interesting Weapon and Armor Templates. And lastly a little bit about artifacts, how to use them in a campaign and ways to destroy them if needed.
All very cool. So far I like the first chapter the best, but then that is all I have been able to read through so far. |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 10 Jun 2005 : 12:45:55
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Because there was some problem at the printers. The Waterdeep book was supposed to be out, but was delayed.
Kinda funny how this printer problem affects the FR item but not the core D&D item. Take a look at the grassy knoll near the printers and I think the conspiracy against Realms products becomes pretty obvious. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 10 Jun 2005 : 11:22:36
quote:
Originally posted by warlockco
quote:
Originally posted by Gray Richardson
It is out here in Austin. I have my copy
Strange, why would that be out before Waterdeep?!?
They both should have the same release date.
Sounds like some distributors are violating street date.
Because there was some problem at the printers. The Waterdeep book was supposed to be out, but was delayed. |
| warlockco |
Posted - 10 Jun 2005 : 09:24:40
quote:
Originally posted by Gray Richardson
It is out here in Austin. I have my copy
Strange, why would that be out before Waterdeep?!?
They both should have the same release date.
Sounds like some distributors are violating street date. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 10 Jun 2005 : 04:01:25
What are your initial thoughts on the tome Gray?
|
| Gray Richardson |
Posted - 10 Jun 2005 : 03:55:13
It is out here in Austin. I have my copy |
| The Sage |
Posted - 10 Jun 2005 : 02:36:58
And for Australian scribes eager for this tome, you'll have to wait until early next week.
|
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 09 Jun 2005 : 23:02:58
When I called my FLGS at noon today, he said he had this tome. |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 09 Jun 2005 : 19:29:37
For those interested, the online store, FRPGames is now listing this product as available to ship. |
| warlockco |
Posted - 08 Jun 2005 : 10:44:40
quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth
Ok they may have just got a sale out of me with the DMG
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20050603a&page=2
If it tell us how to make a balanced PrC's then I may just buy the DMG 2
Aye, that is the only thing that really has me interested in it at the moment. |
| Dargoth |
Posted - 08 Jun 2005 : 09:12:30
Ok they may have just got a sale out of me with the DMG
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20050603a&page=2
If it tell us how to make a balanced PrC's then I may just buy the DMG 2 |
| Setepsutekh |
Posted - 06 Jun 2005 : 16:42:59
*Deep within his tomb Setepsutekh slowly opens the lid to his sarcophagus and says*
From what I've seen so far I could find DMG II useful but I'm going to wait and see about that, to echo KnightErrantJR and Warlockco Realmslore must come first . Luckily enough my birthday is in July so I may be able to get the book then anyway.
*Sarcophagus lid slams shut* |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 06 Jun 2005 : 11:33:05
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Not I.
I've deliberately skipped over this product in order to ensure that I have enough gold pieces for another particular tome to be released in just a few days... .
Which one is that? 
SB who does not have this product pre-ordered or on any wish/to get list. |
| warlockco |
Posted - 06 Jun 2005 : 05:03:40
quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
Well, since I haven't gotten Champions of Ruin yet, and I definately want to get Waterdeep, this one is falling further down on the "to get" list. Nothing against it, it may be a good book to have, but Realmslore comes first!
That's RIGHT!! |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 06 Jun 2005 : 03:38:17
Well, since I haven't gotten Champions of Ruin yet, and I definately want to get Waterdeep, this one is falling further down on the "to get" list. Nothing against it, it may be a good book to have, but Realmslore comes first! |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 06 Jun 2005 : 03:36:27
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Not I.
I've deliberately skipped over this product in order to ensure that I have enough gold pieces for another particular tome to be released in just a few days... .
The money for that book is the only spare cash I've got until the next payday... |
| The Sage |
Posted - 06 Jun 2005 : 02:59:52
Not I.
I've deliberately skipped over this product in order to ensure that I have enough gold pieces for another particular tome to be released in just a few days... .
|
