The manual doesn't suck.
I hope the Illwinter boys will eventually give us back the nice .pdf docks, in addition to the manual we get when buying the game. For one thing, a nice A4 print is easier to read, and for another I like to have the color pictures for the magic items.
The manual is ok though, and very useful for a new user, I'm sure.
I like the way the manual is written. It's makes a much better read than a dry tech. manual detailing every game mechanic. It's good that somethings have to be found out during play. Much more atmospheric. Dominions is not just a dry wargame. It has much of the feel of a good fantacy epic or a RPG campaign.
Those who need to know everything beforehand (asberger syndrome being common with techie-types, of course) can find their demon-lord stats from some fansite anyway.