Kobold Press put it all out there.

Original Post: https://koboldpress.com/comparing-the-tov-game-masters-guide-to-the-dungeon-masters-guide/

Followed by the retraction: https://koboldpress.com/a-statement-on-comparisons-from-kobold-press/

I find it interesting that Kobold Press put out an official blog article basically blasting the new 2024 Dungeons & Dragons Dungeon Master’s Guide. I get they want to promote their product with this article, but dang they went all in. Oh, and they upset some people who regularly shill for Wizards of the Coast to the point where the comments were turned off. (LOL!)

Disclaimer: Statements expressed in this article are strictly my opinion. If you disagree or have a different opinion, that’s okay. I’m not an expert on everything. I’m not always right. I’m just writing from my experience as I know it. Your mileage may vary.

I regret not backing the Tales of the Valiant books. They’re still on my wish list, but they’re a ways down. I definitely think they’re worth the money. I just don’t have the $180 for the three core books at the moment. This article makes me want to read their Game Master’s Guide even more now. Might be going to the FLGS to do a bit of browsing one of these days.

If Kobold’s review of the 2024 D&D DMG is accurate, it confirms most of my suspicions about what WotC is doing. I think there’s a plan in place to push players into their “D&D Go” environment or whatever they end up calling it. The game that once fostered and encouraged Dungeon Master creativity is now all but openly shunning it.

Last, I think the comments on this piece were quite telling before the comments got shut off. Apparently long time WotC supporter/part time employee (shill) Teos Abadia was offended. Someone further down in the comments proved that the Internet is like a massive echo chamber. I guess the lesson to be learned here (according to the echo) is that if you’re not kissing WotC’s butt, then you must be a bad person. “It’s just a ‘bad look’ when you criticize WotC.”

I’m not worried about Teos seeing this and he already knows we don’t see eye-to-eye on a lot of things.
I’m leaving the name on this one blank because I think I know who it might be (or Teos has that ventriloquist act down.)

My only regret so far is not finding this article sooner. It makes a lot of necessary and critical points about WotC’s new 2024 DMG and sort of advertises the upsides to the ToV GMG a little bit. If all of the super, drippingly sweet, overly positive reviews on YouTube are to be believed, the new DMG is the coolest thing since Basic D&D. Stating anything to the contrary must just be taboo now.

My advice is: look over both books before buying. Or don’t get either one and explore the Pathfinder GM Core book. Or, hear me out, don’t get any of the above and look for value from some independent games, maybe by smaller companies. I’m sure this won’t be the last time we revisit this topic.

Update: November 14, 2024, Kobold Press issued a bit of a retraction.

Kobold Press did the appropriate thing here whether I agree or not.

While I think this just continues the outright vilification of anyone who criticizes Wizards of the Coast, I know where Kobold Press is undoubtedly coming from. As much as I kinda wish Kobold stuck to their original statements, I understand their need to maintain appropriate professional relations with WotC. There’s also the idea of spreading positivity and light, which is always a good thing. We’ll leave it there for now.

Thank you for being here today with me. I appreciate you. Please embrace the things that bring you the most joy.