Comments on: Dungeon Master’s Guide 2: Skill Challenges

By: Wimwick

Wimwick — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 02:03:07 +0000

@ New Zombie
I certainly don’t have an issue with the DMG 2 containing information that you might find on various blogs. It’s not duplicate material and I’m certainly not accusing WotC of plagiarism. However, some of the challenges were published in Dungeon magazine which DDI subscribers pay for. As that content was not published as preview content to re-release it in the DMG 2 rubs me the wrong way.

All that being said the DMG 2 is, in my brief read of it, well worth picking up.

By: New Zombie

New Zombie — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 20:14:30 +0000

to be fair not everyone reads dungeon, dragon, or the plethora of blogs, so excluding a good example from the DMG2 because it appeared elsewhere is not a good idea.

By: Wimwick

Wimwick — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 19:44:45 +0000

@ Craig Willcutt
If you are just running LFR modules then much of what’s in the DMG 2 won’t be of much use. While I enjoyed the skill challenges section there is nothing in there that you can’t find on various blogs or from Mike Mearls coloumn in Dungeon Magazine a few months back.

@ Drew Reutlinger
Welcome to Dungeon’s Master, I’m glad you’ve found us and find the content useful! I haven’t made it to the section on alternate rewards yet, but I do like the idea. Finding ways to reward players beyond xp and treasure is always a great way to motivate and increase the enjoyment of a campaign. I wrote on article on the topic several months back that you might find useful Rewards Beyond Experience.

@ Wyatt
I did a quick surface read of the first two chapters at lunch today. I think you’ll find what you’re looking for. Some great information is in there. Regarding this skill challenge section, as I’ve already mentioned it’s solid, but you’ve read it.

@ Chase Dagger
I’m glad you liked the review. While there is some repetition, which annoys me and is subject of another article, there is also a lot of great new content in the DMG 2. It is a stronger book than the original 4e DMG and I do recommend picking it up. I regretted the original 4e DMG purchase, I’m not regretting this one.

By: Chase_Dagger

Chase_Dagger — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 19:29:59 +0000

Wow great article Ameron; but it’s not so much what you wrote here today but the year of addressing the problems Wizards initially overlooked.

I went to my local shop at lunch today and took a look at the DMG2 for the first time, and I though wow, lots of skill challenge stuff…..but hey I don’t need that now since DungeonsMaster.com.

The next part I looked at was Traps [which I am extremely found of]. The very first thing I noticed was that the example traps they used, were the exact same Traps they already printed in an issue of Dungeon or Dragon [one of the free ones at that.]

I shut the book at that point and decided it wasn’t an automatic buy like I first thought, and I’d have to start reading the reviews.

This repetition of information is a cardinal sin in my eyes, like how can that not be annoying to everyone! Pretend you have infinite money, still you don’t want to bother reading the same information twice in different sources made by the same people. It’s sloppy and weak in my mind.

By: Wyatt

Wyatt — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:18:19 +0000

I never entertained the thought of buying this for skill challenges. It's the sections on roleplaying, new monster math, companion characters and templates that I look forward to. Skill Challenges, I assumed I would see a lot of the same, especially since Wootsie themselves confirmed a lot of the advice we give around the blogs about Skill Challenges. .-= Wyatt´s last blog ..Creative Skill Use In 4e =-.

By: Drew Reutlinger

Drew Reutlinger — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:57:00 +0000

Amazon has my DMG 2 on the way and I’m looking forward to delving into it. One thing that I’m looking forward to, is the use of alternate rewards other than treasure. From the previews, you can give rewards out to the players that have properties and powers, but don’t necessarily constitute gold or an item.

Great blog by the way. There are a lot of gaming blogs out there, and this is one that offers quality substance consistently. Now if we can do something about that header graphic… j/k.

By: Craig Willcutt

Craig Willcutt — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:52:48 +0000

Great writeup. I am on the fence with the purchase of the DMG 2. While I would appreciate reading more on Skill Challenges I just don’t have a great need as I currently only play LFR. Outside of My Realms, which I haven’t seen used yet, the canned skill challenges are fine.

I look forward to reading more about this book and will be scouring the internet for more reviews.