Dungeons & Dragons 2024 Dungeon Master's Guide (D&D Core Rulebook)

I am very happy with this 5th edition much needed Dungeon Masters Guide Upgrade. I am totally in love with the cover showing Venger and Warduke from the Dungeons and Dragons Cartoon show from the 1980s. The cover is glossy like I like it. This is the best Dungeon Masters Guide cover ever (the worst ever cover award goes to the first edition Dungeon Masters Guide with a red Efreeti on it). Also great is the book is thick and heavy. It has quality paper and construction.Chapter one is the basics. It is very helpful for beginners in training to be a Dungeon Master. This tells you what you need to know, and answer your questions. Chapter 2 is actually running the game. This includes combat and exploration. Chapter 3 is a DMs toolbox for creating monsters , spells, magic items, and other things. I like the Hazard section which presents the effects of hazards such as poison gas, webs, and even contact with the river Styx. Seige equipment is a must have section. Chapter 3 also provides information on explosives and firearms which I love. Chapter 4 is creating an adventure.Chapter 5 is creating a campaign with the inclusion of an overview of the world of Greyhawk which was created by Gary Gyax. It was the first complete world for D and D (more fully developed in release over the Blackmore Campaign world created by Dave Arnenson). In the back of the book is a quality map of Greyhawk which is a very nice touch. Thank you Wizards of the Coast.Chapter 7 is on treasure items. Chapter 8 includes Strongholds (Bastions) and their creation for player characters. Appendix A has a lore glossary which is great for looking up names of individuals and places to know what they are. This is a must have. Very nice is Appendix B displaying various maps for you to use.What would veteran Dungeon Masters like myself find useful? Useful things are the Urban and Wilderness Chase tables, Weather Table, Terrain and Encounter distance table. There is a section for creating magic items and spells that is very helpful. I also like the Sample Fear and Mental Stress Effects section. And again, I like the table on page 73 for Firearms, Futuristic Items, and Explosives which are great for encounters on another world. Page 93 has many tables on settlements to give population, defining traits, tavern names, and random shops. This is very useful, even you won’t know what the settlement will be like in a final version which is part of the fun.A negative part of the book is the drawing of “super cute” characters on some of the handouts. If they had to do this, it would be nice to have one version with a cute character drawn on it, and another with realistic characters such as a dwarf or a dragon.Initiative is covered in this book. Really to add excitement and the chaos of the unknown, I have my players reroll initiative every round (as a group)! This way no one then know what to expect, even the Dungeon Master.This is an A plus Dungeon Masters Guide in giving beautiful artwork. But most of all, it provides all the useful tables to run your games in one book. This book reminds me of the first edition Dungeon Masters Guide by having soooo many useful tables and tips. This edition guide gives clarity and organization that is easy to understand. No stats in here for Venger or Warduke, guess we have to wait. Having a physical book in your hands is like nothing else. Thank you Chris Perkins for all your dedication.

I am new to DnD but everyone said this book and 2 more would be a good first step. They are amazing! Colorful helpful and useful for newbies!

This is an absolute MUST HAVE if you are a new Dungeon Master or Player. The value is good for what you get. Lot's of good info, all very well organized. If you are a veteran player or DM there is nothing earth-shattering in here. You don't really need the book. It sure is pretty, though.

As a new D&D player, I wanted to invest in the right tools for my latest hobby, so I got this book as well as the player's guide, and ordered the monsters manual that is not due for release until February, 2025. The books have sturdy covers that protect all of the beautiful art and exhaustive information within. I feel that the game should be around for as long as it has already since that are no limits to imagination. Highly recommended!

It's pretty well put together IMHO. In many ways it's been well revised from the 2014 ed: and there is an interesting approach to character making, spell updates etc. The Bastions info is quite interesting and some of the added appendix -like additions are useful. Heck I can hardly forget to mention the inclusion of the Greyhawk campaign world and map right in the DMG.As Yoda would say; Satisfied I am, worthwhile it is 😀

Much better organized that the older version.

Came in great condition, sturdy, vibrant illustrations. As expected.

While I wish it retained the Evil Classes section, I do appreciate the way it walks you through the DM process. Be you a veteran grognard or new to DMing this book gives you advice and guidance and not hard and fast rules.Quality art work. Better indexing and Cross reference of material.Prices and guidance on magic items, something the last DMG 2014 lacked.Player etiquette and expectations. It is a true guide. While other 3rd party material have more to offer, this is good to have on your shelf.As a rule a player or DM should own both books. Knowing the rules helps guide players and DMs and while rule lawyering is a Bane of every table if invoked too often, it is always good to know and correct.The Bastion section is actually something we are dealing with now in a current campaign thar has begun to transition from 2014 to 2024.Dungeon Masters Guide also has a sample adventure to run and also has placed the world back to Greyhawk.An improvement that did not waste a decade of experiences.I would have liked to see an exploration or more material on Death Domain Clerics as well as Oathbreaker Paladins but from what I understand from the PHB they are not making those viable classes or are still deciding.