The Dungeon Masters Guide and the DM Bundle

I had a question, I looked it up. there was some discussion 2 - 3 months ago and now it has been archived. I still got questions. The question is: Why isn't the 5e Dungeon Masters Guide available on Roll20? There is a "DM's Bundle" and I was about to hit the purchase button then I noticed the Dungeon Master's Guide is not even a part of that bundle. Then I saw it doesn't even exist on Roll20. This just seems crazy to me. I already have  the complete physical D&D set of books. I'd love to be able to use the drag and drop, search, and share features on Roll20, but I ain't paying $75 for DM's Bundle that doesn't even have a DMG. 

DMG is on the to do lista and should come out this year. At one point Roll20 wanted to wait to figure out how to implement it well for it to make a point of having it on the marketplace. Rolltables, magic items in the compendium, other stuff possibly, instead of it being a kind-off read-only compendium with no Roll20 interaction.

The first printing of the DMG was 2014. How have they not figured this out yet? a rollable table is not rocket science. I really am a patient guy, it just seems bizarre it is not already done. I'll wait till they get it done to purchase the DM bundle.

chad said: The first printing of the DMG was 2014. How have they not figured this out yet? a rollable table is not rocket science. I really am a patient guy, it just seems bizarre it is not already done. I'll wait till they get it done to purchase the DM bundle. I don't play 5E, but unless it is different than earlier DMG tables, do any of the table results cause you to roll on other tables?  Currently, rollable tables in Roll20 can't do that without intervention through the API.  They can't release the DMG with a bunch of its content in a format that can't really be used unless you have the highest tier subscription.  If you are really creative in the labelling of your tables and individual results, you can get a table to roll on another table (it is in the Stupid Tricks thread), but it doesn't make much sense when you look at it.  It wouldn't surprise me if incorporating something like this requires them to make changes to the Rollable Table system. They may also need to make changes for organization.  If you already have a bunch of tables and then add however many there are in the DMG (it has been a while, but I know AD&D and 2E had quite a few), how will you find the tables you need? Basically, it isn't just throwing up a bunch of tables.  It all has to actually be usable.

I don't play 5E, but unless it is different than earlier DMG tables, do any of the table results cause you to roll on other tables?   I really doubt that is the problem. While rollable tables are bound to a single roll for us users, this is really easy to program for anyone who writes the actual code for this site. The problem is (let's face it) that the DMG is less useful than other books.

They might also have to do an overhaul of the item bonus system to be able to support a broader range of magic items.

Jens F. said: The problem is (let's face it) that the DMG is less useful than other books. I know it's sometimes an unpopular opinion, but this is the one I personally hold as well, ever since the print edition came out. It's certainly the one I reference the least.

I think the DMG is incredibly useful from the standpoint of inspiration and ideas. Mechanically, maybe not so much, but it is still appalling that after six years it's still not available on Roll20. 

New to the game , gonna try it out!

Jay R. said: I think the DMG is incredibly useful from the standpoint of inspiration and ideas. Mechanically, maybe not so much, but it is still appalling that after six years it's still not available on Roll20.  Exactly what I was thinking, but better said!

I  think that it’s very important book  looking forward to purchasing this and the other missing book SCAG

I would like to jump in on this topic as well.  Having a  MEGA Thread  would allow roll20 users to find the answer this question  Why isn't the 5e Dungeon Masters Guide available on Roll20,  much faster and would allow dead threads like this one to not be brought back to life by users like me who just want a set answer. Can we get a MEGA thread on this with a Specific Quote from one of the ROLL20 Devs or Admin to actually state they are AIMING for 2020 for the DMG to come out? I have done a search on the ROLL20 fourms and the DMG for 5e has been promised since 2017 (earliest i could find)

Great Idea Tektonic! and thanks for bringing my dead thread back to life!

I don't know what purpose this will serve. The question has been brought up and answered. The DMG is officially pledged to be released before the end of the year. In previous years it's been said they wanted to do it by such and such a date, but this is the first time they have given a hard public deadline. As for why it has not yet been released, how would this knowledge be of use? No matter the reason, it's not ready yet. Knowing the details of production schedules won't change anything.

It changes a lot. Knowing it will be released by the end of 2020 gives me hope, something to save my money up for, and lets me know I can spend money on other market stuff while I wait for the PERFECT DM BUNDLE.

I meant will knowing the reason make any difference. Whether it's the dreary mundane realities of scheduling priorities (getting newer books out on print release date takes priority over backlog), or something weird (the pdf sourcebooks were all stolen by lizard men), it doesn't change anything for the end user.  They have said many times that it will be released before the end of 2020. My advice (whatever that's worth) is to plan accordingly.

Thanks Keith!

Mostly I want the list and description for all of the magic items.  I hate having to open the physical book.  I guess I can continue to rely on D&D Beyond for this content.