I'm trying out DMing which would be better to have. Volo's Guide to Monsters or Xanathar's Guide to Everything? Please give reasons one way or the other.
I would go with Volo's Guide as I like many of the race options that are in there as well as some of the DM information and there are plenty of character options in the PHB to keep players busy until you get around to getting Xanathar's later.
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I presume this means you already have the Players Handbook, Dungeon Masters Guide, and Monster manual? Because those would come before either Volo's or Xanathars. For a DM, Volo's provides more monsters to work with, more in depth lore about some monster races/groups from the monster manual (orcs, goblinoids, kobolds, etc) and more races for PCs/NPCS. I don't think the last item is needed for someone trying out DMing, but the lore might be useful.
Xanathars biggest contributions for DMs are 1) the rules clarifications/expansion section covering things like traps, an alternative encounter building system, etc. and 2) encounter tables and name list. Much of the book seems to me to be aimed at players (new subclasses, more help creating a backstory, more spells). For someone just trying out being a DM, I don't think it's needed...unless you'd find the encounter tables and/or encounter building section really useful.
Unless you are planning writing a homebrew adventure, I'd probably recommend the Starter Set.
I'm trying out DMing which would be better to have. Volo's Guide to Monsters or Xanathar's Guide to Everything? Please give reasons one way or the other.
I would go with Volo's Guide as I like many of the race options that are in there as well as some of the DM information and there are plenty of character options in the PHB to keep players busy until you get around to getting Xanathar's later.
I presume this means you already have the Players Handbook, Dungeon Masters Guide, and Monster manual? Because those would come before either Volo's or Xanathars. For a DM, Volo's provides more monsters to work with, more in depth lore about some monster races/groups from the monster manual (orcs, goblinoids, kobolds, etc) and more races for PCs/NPCS. I don't think the last item is needed for someone trying out DMing, but the lore might be useful.
Xanathars biggest contributions for DMs are 1) the rules clarifications/expansion section covering things like traps, an alternative encounter building system, etc. and 2) encounter tables and name list. Much of the book seems to me to be aimed at players (new subclasses, more help creating a backstory, more spells). For someone just trying out being a DM, I don't think it's needed...unless you'd find the encounter tables and/or encounter building section really useful.
Unless you are planning writing a homebrew adventure, I'd probably recommend the Starter Set.
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Either one potentially gives you a ton of fun tools.
Volo's gives you monsters, races, and monster lore--and maps.
Xanathar's gives you spells, subclasses, magic items, and a bunch of other DM goodies.
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