When Wizards of the Coast announced updates to Dungeons & Dragons’ core rulebooks for the 10th anniversary of 5E and the franchise’s 50th anniversary, reactions were mixed.
While some questioned the need for revisions, others, particularly Dungeon Masters, welcomed the chance for an updated Dungeon Master’s Guide (DMG). After all, the DMG has often been seen as a necessary but sometimes cumbersome resource.
The 2024 edition seeks to change that perception by offering a reorganized, more accessible, and comprehensive guide for DMs of all experience levels.
2014 vs. 2024: A More Logical Flow
One of the most noticeable improvements in the 2024 DMG is its structure. The 2014 edition often scattered related topics across various chapters, requiring frequent flipping back and forth. For example, creating campaigns was in Chapter One, but linking adventures and campaign tracking didn’t appear until Chapter Nine.
The new edition addresses this issue by grouping content logically, starting with the basics and moving into progressively advanced topics:
- Chapter 1: The Basics
- Chapter 2: Running the Game
- Chapter 3: The DM’s Toolbox
- Chapter 4: Creating Adventures
- Chapter 5: Creating Campaigns
This new flow makes the guide significantly easier to navigate, especially for new DMs who might otherwise feel overwhelmed.
A Guide for All DMs
The 2024 DMG leans into inclusivity, making it clear that there’s no single “correct” way to be a Dungeon Master. Instead, it provides tools for DMs to align their storytelling style with their players’ preferences. This includes advice on setting expectations, managing group dynamics, and ensuring mutual respect between players and the DM.
For newer DMs, there are expanded sections on:
- Resolving outcomes (ability checks, attack rolls, saving throws).
- Balancing the three pillars of D&D: combat, exploration, and role-playing.
- Improvisation and handling unexpected player actions.
Experienced DMs will also find value in advanced tools for running games, like advice on sharing DM duties, managing large groups, and creating dynamic consequences for player choices.
Enhanced Adventure and Campaign Creation
Chapters Four and Five focus on making adventure and campaign preparation more approachable. By breaking down the process into simple steps, the guide helps reduce the intimidation factor often associated with DMing.
Highlights include:
- Sample Adventures: Five stripped-down examples across various levels demonstrate how to quickly prepare content that can scale with players.
- Greyhawk Spotlight: The guide introduces Greyhawk as a campaign setting, providing a blend of lore, conflict examples, and ideas for customization.
Refined Tools and Resources
The Dungeon Master’s Toolbox and reference sections include a wealth of new and revised content:
- Magic Items: The chapter has been expanded with concise descriptions and more common magic items, although the darker treatment of the artwork may disappoint some fans.
- Bastions: A robust replacement for the 2014 edition’s thin stronghold rules. Bastions can now include anything from fortresses to guild halls and integrate with downtime mechanics.
- Lore Glossary: A brilliant addition that consolidates key D&D lore into a single appendix for easy reference.
What other tie-in products are available?
There are a number of products that will tie-in to the 2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide. This includes:
- Beadle & Grimm’s DMG Premium Map Pack: This limited edition, high-end collector’s box set contains 30 battle maps based on the maps presented in the 2024 DMG. It also includes two canvas area maps for Greyhawk and a new DM screen, which uses a similar interion panel design as the new 2024 DM screen (which has been overhauled with new tables and a new layout).
- Roll20 DMG: As the largest VTT in the market, Roll20 has also produced a version of the 2024 DMG that includes the complete digital rulebook, character sheet and builder support, digital play aids and a token pack.
- Foundry DMG: The new Dungeon Master’s Guide will also be available for Foundry users, with all of the content ported over to the VTT.
The Verdict
The 2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide succeeds in making the DM’s job less daunting while adding depth for veterans.
The reorganization, expanded advice, and inclusion of practical tools like tracking sheets and maps make it the most user-friendly DMG yet. However, minor issues like the treatment of magic item artwork and the lack of writing credits prevent it from being perfect.
Should You Buy It?
- New DMs: Absolutely—this edition is far superior to its predecessor.
- Veteran DMs: If you found the 2014 DMG cumbersome, the 2024 edition is worth considering for its streamlined approach and added content.
- Collectors: While the 2014 DMG remains visually iconic, the 2024 version offers more utility overall.
The 2024 DMG is an excellent addition to any Dungeon Master’s toolkit, ensuring it’s more than just a rulebook—it’s a gateway to better games.
