Was thinking about getting into D&D, but... - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Was thinking about getting into D&D, but...

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
newbunkle
Jul 23, 2008 12:59:21 I've looked around and it seems like there are seperate books for players and DM's, but both contain the core rules. Isn't there just one book I can buy that has info for both DM's AND players?

Since both books contain the core rules, what % of each book would you say is identical?

It sounds like I'm going to have to buy multiple books just to get started (and pay for some of the same content twice =/)
#2
lordkay
Jul 23, 2008 13:10:40 You MUST HAVE the PHB. Without it, making a character is near impossible. After that, I suggest getting the Monster Manual. Lastly, get the DMG, if you are going to be DMing. The DMG basicly just goes over how to make encounters, setup traps, and give out XP.

Personally, I just set up something that seems fair based off of the characters I have playing. I don't think I have actually used the DMG once. Hope my opinion helps.
#3
Rakor
Jul 23, 2008 13:12:51 You do have to buy multiple books but none of the content is identical. The player's handbook contains rules for character creation, combat, and rituals. The DMG contains advice for how to set up encounters, adventures and campaigns; how to build monsters; and how to run the game. The monster manual contains monsters, loads of monsters.

The group needs at least 1 PHB and the DM needs a DMG. If the DM is very creative and has nothing else to do they can make all of their own monsters but the MM is highly recommended.

If you already have a group have people chip in for one set of the core books and maybe an extra PH.
#4
eldritch_lord
Jul 23, 2008 13:28:25 While the PHB, DMG, and MM are all the core rules, they are part of the core rules, not three different versions of the same thing. Off the top of my head, I can't think of any section repeated in both the PHB and DMG, so you get a good bang for your buck there.
#5
korgoththeprist
Jul 23, 2008 13:49:42 First of all With the current Reading there are mutibol rules

1) If your just going to be a player AND NOT A DM!
Then all you need is just the PHB You dont need anything eles.
2) IF YOUR THE DM!
Then you need Monster Manual DMG And PHB. You just about need eveything.
3) The differnt books do provide differnt infomation the PHB Is what a player needs to know in order to play. Monster manual if you want to know what type of monsters your possibly going to fight. But eh. You dont need it. Monsters can be customized and eveything the same monster isnt allways going to be out of it.

So if your a player just the Players hand book
If your a DM eveything.
If your a player wanting to know eveything and try to minimax or ****. then eveything.

But no for real just get the Players hand book if your going to be a player in the 4th Edistion.

it has the rules class's items and eveything you realy need to know to play

DMG has rules like How Traps work awarding Experiance. More Detailed infomation about rules. How monsters work dungions Work and **** like that. Nothing a player has to know but ya its nice to know that ****.

So Again its nice to know eveything but its not needed

So if your just a player then just get Players Hand book.

Monster Manual has all the monsters your going to fight which can be nice for players to know and ****.

While the DMG Has XP Awards Quest AWARDS and Dungions layouts and treasure and other things like that and some more Detailed infomation on rules.

Players handbook for just playing tho it has the rules you need to know and the class's the items and eveything you need to know to start.
#6
enhenry
Jul 23, 2008 18:46:04 Newbunkle,

The bad news is there aren't two books a group needs -- there's THREE; the Player's Handbook (all the basic rules for making characters, fighting, roleplaying, casting spells, etc.) then the Dungeon Master's Guide (LOTS of advice on how to be a "Dungeon Master" or Referee of the game) and then the Monster Manual (stocked with pre-generated monsters and opponents for the DM to challenge the player characters with). Nothing Duplicated, but it can be a pretty expensive initial outlay. However, compared to entertainment dollar per hour of fun, it beats the heck out of everything out there from movies to online RPGs. The group needs access to all three, for the DM to use, but each player only needs the Player's Handbook, and even then technically each player doesn't need a separate one -- it just makes it easier to refer to if you do.

The good news is a "Basic" Boxed Game is in the works for the new 4th edition. They' just now got the rules nailed down for the complete game, but the Basic set should be out eventually and will be a cheaper cost to get that intro game with rules for players and DMs. Don't know when the release date is, however.
#7
fei
Jul 24, 2008 3:56:33 @Newbunkle : Basically, the whole "Core Rules" of DnD is the three books. Player's Handbook, DM's Guide, and Monster Manual. If you're going to start playing in the first time, I highly recommend you get a complete set (all three of them). I know people that starts playing with only PHB, and I know groups that plays only by using SRD (in 3.5), but it's much easier if you have all three.

And anyway, as the posters above have said, the contents are very different between each of them. But if you're really short on money, I'd say you can start playing with a PHB, one MM, and one set of dice only. Keep in mind that I would recommend you actually get all three, though.
#8
rainkiss
Jul 24, 2008 7:59:30 Also, check Amazon.com for the three-book set. If they have 'em in stock (which is pretty touch-and-go, from what I gather), they're very cheap on Amazon, more or less buy two of the books, get the third free.
#9
eldiran
Jul 24, 2008 8:11:56
I've looked around and it seems like there are seperate books for players and DM's, but both contain the core rules. Isn't there just one book I can buy that has info for both DM's AND players?

Yep! That'd be the Player's Handbook. You pretty much need that one, no matter what. But if you're familiar with DnD enough and creative enough, you don't need the DMG or MM at all. I've already DMed an entire adventure, owning only the PHB. (Of course, I've seen the other two... just not used them much.)

If you're comfortable with creating your own monsters and their stats, you don't need the MM. Though it'd be useful to take a peek to see how the stats are laid out, so you can easily lay them out yourself. The DMG is only for those who do not want to improvise (as far as I can tell). It has rules for many complicated situations, which are useful, but if you're comfortable with winging it in weird situations, you don't really need it.
#10
Novacat
Jul 24, 2008 9:21:49
Yep! That'd be the Player's Handbook. You pretty much need that one, no matter what. But if you're familiar with DnD enough and creative enough, you don't need the DMG or MM at all.

The point of this thread is that the OP isn't familiar with 4E rules, so obviously he'll need all 3. I've found the DMG and MM invaluable anytime I have to improvise. Whenever my players stray away from my scripted material, I can refer to the "almighty page 42" from the DMG, or pull up instant NPCs from the MM.

I very strongly recommend getting all 3 books! That is, if you're DMing. If you're just playing, you need nothing but a PHB.
#11
eldiran
Jul 24, 2008 9:42:44
The point of this thread is that the OP isn't familiar with 4E rules, so obviously he'll need all 3. I've found the DMG and MM invaluable anytime I have to improvise. Whenever my players stray away from my scripted material, I can refer to the "almighty page 42" from the DMG, or pull up instant NPCs from the MM.

Well, I wouldn't say that you need to already know 4E rules... I know I didn't until I'd bought the PH. Basically, if one is really willing to a) improvise without any backup info and b) spend a lot of time preparing campaigns, then you can manage without the DMG or MM.

That isn't to say I don't recommend getting them, especially for someone who isn't just making a transition from 3.5 to 4e, but beginning anew entirely. They're still certainly worth the money, since each book has 99% different content.
#12
lostdwarf
Jul 25, 2008 9:37:42 Ok, the three core books:

Players Handbook: Absolutly needed. This covers the character creation rules, the combat rules, magic items, rituals, basically the meat and potatoes of the game. You need one.

Dungeon Masters Guide: If you are going to be in someone else's game and not running your own, then you dont need this to start with. If you are going to be running the game, you should have one. It has alot of good advice on game mastering, and also very usefull mechanics for designing encounters and creating and modifiying monsters.

Monster Manual: Again, if you are just going to be a player you dont need to buy this one to start with. If you are running the game, well, perhaps you should. Its not strickly needed, but it does give you large number of opponents that you can either use "out of the box", or modifiy with the rules in the DMG. Overall, it will save you a ton of work.

I am not sure what the current price is, but when 4th edtion released you could get a boxed set with all three online from Barnes and Noble for about $70, a significant discount over buying the books one at a time.
#13
newbunkle
Jul 25, 2008 10:46:28 Hi, I'm sorry I haven't replied for a while - I've been having trouble getting on to the forum for some reason. I want to thank everyone for their information. There are too many replies for me to answer each one individually, but all comments were appreciated!

I'm very relieved to hear that the content differs between the books. I was planning on being the DM, so I guess I will need all three! I'm still very interested in joining, but I think I'm going to hang on for a few months, then I can suggest the books as gifts for my birthday. :D

The collection of all three books looks good, I might ask them if they can all contribute and get me that, hehe. Once again, thanks for the answers!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 newbunkle Jul 23, 2008 12:59:21	I've looked around and it seems like there are seperate books for players and DM's, but both contain the core rules. Isn't there just one book I can buy that has info for both DM's AND players? Since both books contain the core rules, what % of each book would you say is identical? It sounds like I'm going to have to buy multiple books just to get started (and pay for some of the same content twice =/)
#2 lordkay Jul 23, 2008 13:10:40	You MUST HAVE the PHB. Without it, making a character is near impossible. After that, I suggest getting the Monster Manual. Lastly, get the DMG, if you are going to be DMing. The DMG basicly just goes over how to make encounters, setup traps, and give out XP. Personally, I just set up something that seems fair based off of the characters I have playing. I don't think I have actually used the DMG once. Hope my opinion helps.
#3 Rakor Jul 23, 2008 13:12:51	You do have to buy multiple books but none of the content is identical. The player's handbook contains rules for character creation, combat, and rituals. The DMG contains advice for how to set up encounters, adventures and campaigns; how to build monsters; and how to run the game. The monster manual contains monsters, loads of monsters. The group needs at least 1 PHB and the DM needs a DMG. If the DM is very creative and has nothing else to do they can make all of their own monsters but the MM is highly recommended. If you already have a group have people chip in for one set of the core books and maybe an extra PH.
#4 eldritch_lord Jul 23, 2008 13:28:25	While the PHB, DMG, and MM are all the core rules, they are part of the core rules, not three different versions of the same thing. Off the top of my head, I can't think of any section repeated in both the PHB and DMG, so you get a good bang for your buck there.
#5 korgoththeprist Jul 23, 2008 13:49:42	First of all With the current Reading there are mutibol rules 1) If your just going to be a player AND NOT A DM! Then all you need is just the PHB You dont need anything eles. 2) IF YOUR THE DM! Then you need Monster Manual DMG And PHB. You just about need eveything. 3) The differnt books do provide differnt infomation the PHB Is what a player needs to know in order to play. Monster manual if you want to know what type of monsters your possibly going to fight. But eh. You dont need it. Monsters can be customized and eveything the same monster isnt allways going to be out of it. So if your a player just the Players hand book If your a DM eveything. If your a player wanting to know eveything and try to minimax or **. then eveything. But no for real just get the Players hand book if your going to be a player in the 4th Edistion. it has the rules class's items and eveything you realy need to know to play DMG has rules like How Traps work awarding Experiance. More Detailed infomation about rules. How monsters work dungions Work and like that. Nothing a player has to know but ya its nice to know that . So Again its nice to know eveything but its not needed So if your just a player then just get Players Hand book. Monster Manual has all the monsters your going to fight which can be nice for players to know and **. While the DMG Has XP Awards Quest AWARDS and Dungions layouts and treasure and other things like that and some more Detailed infomation on rules. Players handbook for just playing tho it has the rules you need to know and the class's the items and eveything you need to know to start.
#6 enhenry Jul 23, 2008 18:46:04	Newbunkle, The bad news is there aren't two books a group needs -- there's THREE; the Player's Handbook (all the basic rules for making characters, fighting, roleplaying, casting spells, etc.) then the Dungeon Master's Guide (LOTS of advice on how to be a "Dungeon Master" or Referee of the game) and then the Monster Manual (stocked with pre-generated monsters and opponents for the DM to challenge the player characters with). Nothing Duplicated, but it can be a pretty expensive initial outlay. However, compared to entertainment dollar per hour of fun, it beats the heck out of everything out there from movies to online RPGs. The group needs access to all three, for the DM to use, but each player only needs the Player's Handbook, and even then technically each player doesn't need a separate one -- it just makes it easier to refer to if you do. The good news is a "Basic" Boxed Game is in the works for the new 4th edition. They' just now got the rules nailed down for the complete game, but the Basic set should be out eventually and will be a cheaper cost to get that intro game with rules for players and DMs. Don't know when the release date is, however.
#7 fei Jul 24, 2008 3:56:33	@Newbunkle : Basically, the whole "Core Rules" of DnD is the three books. Player's Handbook, DM's Guide, and Monster Manual. If you're going to start playing in the first time, I highly recommend you get a complete set (all three of them). I know people that starts playing with only PHB, and I know groups that plays only by using SRD (in 3.5), but it's much easier if you have all three. And anyway, as the posters above have said, the contents are very different between each of them. But if you're really short on money, I'd say you can start playing with a PHB, one MM, and one set of dice only. Keep in mind that I would recommend you actually get all three, though.
#8 rainkiss Jul 24, 2008 7:59:30	Also, check Amazon.com for the three-book set. If they have 'em in stock (which is pretty touch-and-go, from what I gather), they're very cheap on Amazon, more or less buy two of the books, get the third free.
#9 eldiran Jul 24, 2008 8:11:56	I've looked around and it seems like there are seperate books for players and DM's, but both contain the core rules. Isn't there just one book I can buy that has info for both DM's AND players? Yep! That'd be the Player's Handbook. You pretty much need that one, no matter what. But if you're familiar with DnD enough and creative enough, you don't need the DMG or MM at all. I've already DMed an entire adventure, owning only the PHB. (Of course, I've seen the other two... just not used them much.) If you're comfortable with creating your own monsters and their stats, you don't need the MM. Though it'd be useful to take a peek to see how the stats are laid out, so you can easily lay them out yourself. The DMG is only for those who do not want to improvise (as far as I can tell). It has rules for many complicated situations, which are useful, but if you're comfortable with winging it in weird situations, you don't really need it.
#10 Novacat Jul 24, 2008 9:21:49	Yep! That'd be the Player's Handbook. You pretty much need that one, no matter what. But if you're familiar with DnD enough and creative enough, you don't need the DMG or MM at all. The point of this thread is that the OP isn't familiar with 4E rules, so obviously he'll need all 3. I've found the DMG and MM invaluable anytime I have to improvise. Whenever my players stray away from my scripted material, I can refer to the "almighty page 42" from the DMG, or pull up instant NPCs from the MM. I very strongly recommend getting all 3 books! That is, if you're DMing. If you're just playing, you need nothing but a PHB.
#11 eldiran Jul 24, 2008 9:42:44	The point of this thread is that the OP isn't familiar with 4E rules, so obviously he'll need all 3. I've found the DMG and MM invaluable anytime I have to improvise. Whenever my players stray away from my scripted material, I can refer to the "almighty page 42" from the DMG, or pull up instant NPCs from the MM. Well, I wouldn't say that you need to already know 4E rules... I know I didn't until I'd bought the PH. Basically, if one is really willing to a) improvise without any backup info and b) spend a lot of time preparing campaigns, then you can manage without the DMG or MM. That isn't to say I don't recommend getting them, especially for someone who isn't just making a transition from 3.5 to 4e, but beginning anew entirely. They're still certainly worth the money, since each book has 99% different content.
#12 lostdwarf Jul 25, 2008 9:37:42	Ok, the three core books: Players Handbook: Absolutly needed. This covers the character creation rules, the combat rules, magic items, rituals, basically the meat and potatoes of the game. You need one. Dungeon Masters Guide: If you are going to be in someone else's game and not running your own, then you dont need this to start with. If you are going to be running the game, you should have one. It has alot of good advice on game mastering, and also very usefull mechanics for designing encounters and creating and modifiying monsters. Monster Manual: Again, if you are just going to be a player you dont need to buy this one to start with. If you are running the game, well, perhaps you should. Its not strickly needed, but it does give you large number of opponents that you can either use "out of the box", or modifiy with the rules in the DMG. Overall, it will save you a ton of work. I am not sure what the current price is, but when 4th edtion released you could get a boxed set with all three online from Barnes and Noble for about $70, a significant discount over buying the books one at a time.
#13 newbunkle Jul 25, 2008 10:46:28	Hi, I'm sorry I haven't replied for a while - I've been having trouble getting on to the forum for some reason. I want to thank everyone for their information. There are too many replies for me to answer each one individually, but all comments were appreciated! I'm very relieved to hear that the content differs between the books. I was planning on being the DM, so I guess I will need all three! I'm still very interested in joining, but I think I'm going to hang on for a few months, then I can suggest the books as gifts for my birthday. :D The collection of all three books looks good, I might ask them if they can all contribute and get me that, hehe. Once again, thanks for the answers!