DMG II, Monster Manuel III [Archive] - Wizards Community

DMG II, Monster Manuel III [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
The Mad Dragon
11-18-05, 02:04 PM While shopping for 3.5 books(i picked up the DMG, PHB and Complete Warriors) I came across these two books and I was wondering if they were a good buy or not?
Spike_Fightwicky
11-18-05, 02:43 PM Depends on whether or not you plan on being a DM or not. I found MM3 to be an awesome book with a good assortment of creatures (And it's more balanced than MM2). Of course, I'm the default DM in our group. I was never too interested in DMG2, however.
Lord Doombringer
11-18-05, 03:18 PM I don't know about the DMG2. I don't own it.

As for MMIII.

It's what the MMII should have been. It is one of the best monster compendiums that you can own. The book's monsters are balanced, and all are unique.

I've not used it much, due to me DMing only once in a while, but it's been great!
Earthbeard
11-18-05, 03:34 PM MM3 oh yes...monsters are the meat to DnD's potatoes.

DMG2 if your not a DM has limited use, but for a DM makes for a interesting and good read, if you can get it at reduced retail price snap it up in a flash, if not decide if a DM aid/tip book is what you need?
Agent Cooper
11-18-05, 09:06 PM I have read the DMG II, and I liked it. The DMG II focuses more on the finer points of running the game, rather than the nuts and bolts rules mechanics found in the Primary DMG. I think it's a good book with alot of helpful information in it, except for a lengthy discussion of "Player Types" and how to please each one. I couldn't really get on board with that theory. But for the most part I found it informative and an enjoyable read. I suggest picking up a copy.

Just my two cents!
DungeonMaster
11-18-05, 11:36 PM It's what the MMII should have been. It is one of the best monster compendiums that you can own. The book's monsters are balanced, and all are unique.

Both books have sever flaws in design of monsters. The drowned, the shreiking terror to name a few. I think there's even a thread right now on the monsters board discussing the drowned.
I personally think the MM3 has a lot of monsters that look like someone slapped a template on an old theme.
Use any non-core book with caution, if not some foresight.
Tyler Do'Urden
11-19-05, 03:15 AM If you're only now picking up the core books, I'd wait on add-ons like DMG II, BoED. For most of them, it's enough that somebody you know owns it.

The Expanded Psionics Handbook, however, is calling your name. You can't really hear it per se, but that's because it's doing it telepathically.
Rake
11-19-05, 07:32 AM The DMGII has a few legitimate gems and a lot of filler material, also known as stuff-you-will-nod-thoughtfully-at-upon-reading-it-and-then-never-use-it. The good stuff is good (horray for magic item traits, magic events/magical locations as treasure, and cool NPC stuff), and to me that makes the book worth buying, but this will not be the case with many people, especially people who are not in the business of paying full price for material that they won't use most of.

The MMIII, on the other hand, is golden. Purchase, steal, or otherwise acquire it immediately.

(Seriously, though, don't steal it.)
Majorafire77
11-19-05, 10:44 PM While shopping for 3.5 books(i picked up the DMG, PHB and Complete Warriors) I came across these two books and I was wondering if they were a good buy or not?
Forget about them for now. Assuming the books that you go were the only books that you have (since you just got the PHB and the DMG) what you need is the Monster Manual (the core book, assuming you don't have it) and the Expanded Psionics Handbook (MM first though). The MM has all of the basic monsters essential to many D&D games (goblins, skeletons, zombies, etc...) while the MM2, MM3, and FF have monsters meant more for special scenarios that will pop up once in a blue moon. The Expanded Psionics Handbook is arguably the best and most balanced supplement that has been put out for 3.5 D&D as is considered by many people to basically be core book #4.

As a side note that really doesn't have much to do with this topic, I'd like to point out that there are so many people who claim to love MM3 but claim to dislike Eberron. Too bad they don't realize MM3 is "Monsters of Eberron" with a different name put on the cover to boost sales. Suckers :P
The Mad Dragon
11-19-05, 11:03 PM Yea, I know I have to get a MM. I plan on picking up about couple of books next payday. Most likely MM and EPH.

I'm also trying to figure out what book the Assimar and Teifling and the Warforged are in as I am making I monk I plan on playing whenever I find a group to play in.

I'd like to point out that I have played 3.5 before, but stopped for about 1.5 years - 2.
Scipion Emilien
11-19-05, 11:07 PM While being a great book, the EPH isn t necessarly one that you need. DO you think about adding a new form of magic in the world? If so go for it, if not, go for something that could help you more tu build your campaign.
SinisterSeraph
11-20-05, 04:12 PM From what I've seen of the books, I've passed on them so far myself. The DMG II has some cool stuff, but it's mostly stuff you're gonna pick up on with experience as a DM anyway (I've been DMing since "88). It can really aid a new DM, but experience will give you the same stuff, and it's free. The MM III, I agree with the above poster about the template feeling. The whole book can be split up as such; Monsters from Eberron (Cool, but they might not jive with your own campaign), and/or something old with a template on it (Something I could do myself). The Psionics book is good, but only really needed if you plan on psionics having a big part of the campaign devoted to it. If your not planning on having psychics running around, I'd pass on that one as well.
The Mad Dragon
11-20-05, 04:15 PM Templates? How many of them are there and which books are they in? I assume they are for creating PC classes,.
Scipion Emilien
11-20-05, 04:44 PM They are three kind of thing the PC can get:

Base class: The class into wich you start. You have 11 in the PHB and some splatbook give you them, the complete serie particulary.

Prestige class: When you have meet the requirement, you can choose of taking lvl in a prestige class instead of following your base class. Prestige class are often use for flavor (member of this special order of paladin for example), to help character concepts that cannot be made efficiently with the base class (the duelist who is a dex-type fighter) or simply to be exotic (the dragon disciple one). You can find prestige class into the DMG, into most splatbook (the complete serie have much more prestige class than base class) and into campaign setting. Most of the players related supplement have them and even some DM supplement.

The template: template often are when something really special often odds happen to your character. Example: your character become a vampire spawn after being bite or a lycanthrope. Then you add those template to the character. Template are more often found into monsters manual. There is too some template when you become the choosen of one gods, you are one of the few in the realms to have this honor when that happen.
qstor
11-24-05, 09:13 PM I like the MMIII a lot. If you have some extra cash I'd sugguest like the other posters that you pick it up. And again like the few others, I was disappointed in the MMII and would pass on that.

Mike

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
The Mad Dragon 11-18-05, 02:04 PM	While shopping for 3.5 books(i picked up the DMG, PHB and Complete Warriors) I came across these two books and I was wondering if they were a good buy or not?
Spike_Fightwicky 11-18-05, 02:43 PM	Depends on whether or not you plan on being a DM or not. I found MM3 to be an awesome book with a good assortment of creatures (And it's more balanced than MM2). Of course, I'm the default DM in our group. I was never too interested in DMG2, however.
Lord Doombringer 11-18-05, 03:18 PM	I don't know about the DMG2. I don't own it. As for MMIII. It's what the MMII should have been. It is one of the best monster compendiums that you can own. The book's monsters are balanced, and all are unique. I've not used it much, due to me DMing only once in a while, but it's been great!
Earthbeard 11-18-05, 03:34 PM	MM3 oh yes...monsters are the meat to DnD's potatoes. DMG2 if your not a DM has limited use, but for a DM makes for a interesting and good read, if you can get it at reduced retail price snap it up in a flash, if not decide if a DM aid/tip book is what you need?
Agent Cooper 11-18-05, 09:06 PM	I have read the DMG II, and I liked it. The DMG II focuses more on the finer points of running the game, rather than the nuts and bolts rules mechanics found in the Primary DMG. I think it's a good book with alot of helpful information in it, except for a lengthy discussion of "Player Types" and how to please each one. I couldn't really get on board with that theory. But for the most part I found it informative and an enjoyable read. I suggest picking up a copy. Just my two cents!
DungeonMaster 11-18-05, 11:36 PM	It's what the MMII should have been. It is one of the best monster compendiums that you can own. The book's monsters are balanced, and all are unique. Both books have sever flaws in design of monsters. The drowned, the shreiking terror to name a few. I think there's even a thread right now on the monsters board discussing the drowned. I personally think the MM3 has a lot of monsters that look like someone slapped a template on an old theme. Use any non-core book with caution, if not some foresight.
Tyler Do'Urden 11-19-05, 03:15 AM	If you're only now picking up the core books, I'd wait on add-ons like DMG II, BoED. For most of them, it's enough that somebody you know owns it. The Expanded Psionics Handbook, however, is calling your name. You can't really hear it per se, but that's because it's doing it telepathically.
Rake 11-19-05, 07:32 AM	The DMGII has a few legitimate gems and a lot of filler material, also known as stuff-you-will-nod-thoughtfully-at-upon-reading-it-and-then-never-use-it. The good stuff is good (horray for magic item traits, magic events/magical locations as treasure, and cool NPC stuff), and to me that makes the book worth buying, but this will not be the case with many people, especially people who are not in the business of paying full price for material that they won't use most of. The MMIII, on the other hand, is golden. Purchase, steal, or otherwise acquire it immediately. (Seriously, though, don't steal it.)
Majorafire77 11-19-05, 10:44 PM	While shopping for 3.5 books(i picked up the DMG, PHB and Complete Warriors) I came across these two books and I was wondering if they were a good buy or not? Forget about them for now. Assuming the books that you go were the only books that you have (since you just got the PHB and the DMG) what you need is the Monster Manual (the core book, assuming you don't have it) and the Expanded Psionics Handbook (MM first though). The MM has all of the basic monsters essential to many D&D games (goblins, skeletons, zombies, etc...) while the MM2, MM3, and FF have monsters meant more for special scenarios that will pop up once in a blue moon. The Expanded Psionics Handbook is arguably the best and most balanced supplement that has been put out for 3.5 D&D as is considered by many people to basically be core book #4. As a side note that really doesn't have much to do with this topic, I'd like to point out that there are so many people who claim to love MM3 but claim to dislike Eberron. Too bad they don't realize MM3 is "Monsters of Eberron" with a different name put on the cover to boost sales. Suckers :P
The Mad Dragon 11-19-05, 11:03 PM	Yea, I know I have to get a MM. I plan on picking up about couple of books next payday. Most likely MM and EPH. I'm also trying to figure out what book the Assimar and Teifling and the Warforged are in as I am making I monk I plan on playing whenever I find a group to play in. I'd like to point out that I have played 3.5 before, but stopped for about 1.5 years - 2.
Scipion Emilien 11-19-05, 11:07 PM	While being a great book, the EPH isn t necessarly one that you need. DO you think about adding a new form of magic in the world? If so go for it, if not, go for something that could help you more tu build your campaign.
SinisterSeraph 11-20-05, 04:12 PM	From what I've seen of the books, I've passed on them so far myself. The DMG II has some cool stuff, but it's mostly stuff you're gonna pick up on with experience as a DM anyway (I've been DMing since "88). It can really aid a new DM, but experience will give you the same stuff, and it's free. The MM III, I agree with the above poster about the template feeling. The whole book can be split up as such; Monsters from Eberron (Cool, but they might not jive with your own campaign), and/or something old with a template on it (Something I could do myself). The Psionics book is good, but only really needed if you plan on psionics having a big part of the campaign devoted to it. If your not planning on having psychics running around, I'd pass on that one as well.
The Mad Dragon 11-20-05, 04:15 PM	Templates? How many of them are there and which books are they in? I assume they are for creating PC classes,.
Scipion Emilien 11-20-05, 04:44 PM	They are three kind of thing the PC can get: Base class: The class into wich you start. You have 11 in the PHB and some splatbook give you them, the complete serie particulary. Prestige class: When you have meet the requirement, you can choose of taking lvl in a prestige class instead of following your base class. Prestige class are often use for flavor (member of this special order of paladin for example), to help character concepts that cannot be made efficiently with the base class (the duelist who is a dex-type fighter) or simply to be exotic (the dragon disciple one). You can find prestige class into the DMG, into most splatbook (the complete serie have much more prestige class than base class) and into campaign setting. Most of the players related supplement have them and even some DM supplement. The template: template often are when something really special often odds happen to your character. Example: your character become a vampire spawn after being bite or a lycanthrope. Then you add those template to the character. Template are more often found into monsters manual. There is too some template when you become the choosen of one gods, you are one of the few in the realms to have this honor when that happen.
qstor 11-24-05, 09:13 PM	I like the MMIII a lot. If you have some extra cash I'd sugguest like the other posters that you pick it up. And again like the few others, I was disappointed in the MMII and would pass on that. Mike