Towards the end of last year, my family decided to explore a few of the top meal delivery services. We were thrilled to discover new ingredients and recipes. However, one frustrating aspect was the puzzling reliance on several little packets of sour cream for nearly every dish. Plus, cooking everything on one cookie sheet tended to make all the flavors blend into each other. Despite the quicker prep time and the novelty of the meals, the taste was often just a bit off.
I couldn’t help but recall this experience during a recent private press event hosted by Wizards of the Coast, where they unveiled their latest Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual. This updated tome of creatures is more substantial than ever, featuring an array of intriguing “monster sets” designed for spontaneous encounters. But unlike HelloFresh, where the taste is somewhat predetermined, this time it’s the Dungeon Master who gets to play the chef and decide how these creatures will flavor the adventure.
Set to release in 2025, the new Monster Manual is part of the 2024 refresh of the 5th edition rules, standing alongside the Player’s Handbook and Dungeon Master’s Guide as the new cornerstone of the D&D experience. Unlike its 2014 predecessor, which was more of a straightforward reference, this edition brims with inspiration to fuel creativity. It invites Dungeon Masters to tweak, enhance, and reinterpret monsters and non-player characters in countless imaginative ways. Consider it less a meal kit with precise instructions and more a collection of recipes inviting you to craft your own culinary masterpiece right there at the gaming table.
Among the most significant updates is the intuitive reorganization of its layout, with monsters now alphabetically arranged instead of grouped by species. So, the ever-popular gelatinous cube is now right under G, instead of being tucked away under “oozes.” For those who prefer the old classification, there’s an appendix sorting creatures by type and another by Challenge Rating, which assesses their relative power. They’re also grouped by habitat, allowing for easy selection of appropriate wildlife for any setting, like a forest, for an encounter.
Readers will notice considerable enhancement in the so-called monster sets feature. Instead of the standard few cultists, you’ll find a diverse range encompassing different enemy types yet unified by a cultist theme. This makes assembling an entire encounter with enemies that complement each other, much like heroes, seamlessly possible. Expect this thematic consistency to grace the entire book.
Once a Dungeon Master selects a monster or a group of them, they’ll have the luxury of more customization options than ever before. Alignments now serve merely as suggestions, as clarified by game director Jeremy Crawford during the event. So if turning your campaign’s red dragon into a more approachable character suits your fancy, feel free to do so. Each monster carries its own unique flair, encouraging creativity.
The Monster Manual (2025) is currently available for pre-order. It will debut with a collectible cover at local game stores on February 4, before a broader release on February 18.
