I have lots to say about the encounter building guidelines later.
In short, it seems to result in too few low CR monsters and too few high CR monsters. 8 lions against four 3rd level characters seems deadly to me.
Good sections on degrees of failure and how to handle death
Exploration rules are vague
No good replacement for madness. Lazy DM's Companion has you covered!
No random encounter tables.
It’s missing lots of optional rules. The big one is flanking. Proficiency dice, background-based skill system, weapon speed factor, (probably stuff very few people used except flanking).
I love the simple treasure system. Not so sure about mixing consumables and permanent magic items together.
No monster building guidelines is a big deal. We have you covered in Forge of Foes.
The worksheets aren't for me. I bet we all want different worksheets.
Basically nothing on running theater of the mind. A shame.
I don’t think the adventure outlines are enough. I like the eight steps better.
I don't think it does a good job actually walking a GM through prep.
No opinion yet on Bastions or Greyhawk yet.
What Is a Gamemaster's Guide?
Instructions for GMs how to run the game.
Advice to GMs to run a good game.
Toolkits, alternative rules, and subsystems.
Tables to inspire you during your prep.
Encounter building guidelines.
Treasure rewards and random magic item tables.
Magic items.
Which of these do we need at the table? Which can we use for prep? Which can we just read and reference once in a while?
The Four Gamemaster Guides
We have four great gamemaster guides, each with a different focus.
2024 DMG
2014 DMG
Tales of the Valiant's Gamemaster's Guide
Level Up Advanced 5e's Trials and Treasure
We can learn from all of them and choose which we bring to the table for any 5e game.
2024 D&D DMG is good for beginners and isn't missing anything vital to run the game. It has my favorite treasure system.
Tales of the Valiant has lots of advanced options. TotM, minion and horde rules, vehicles, wars, etc. Random encounter tables. I'm not crazy about the treasure reward system.
A5E’s Trials and Treasure. Fantastic exploration rules, great random encounter system that ties to the Monstrous Menagerie, great treasure system, downtime, crafting.
2014 DMG, lots of excellent random tables, lots of forgotten optional rules
I think the Lazy DMs Companion and Forge of Foes are excellent companions next to the 2024 DMG.
None of the four have great guidance for how to prep and run a session! Luckily, I have you covered!!
