D&D 5E Favorite thing from the Monster Manual so far?

[Chest Rockwell]

I've made myself believe that Marilith clothing/armor is non-diegetic. Just like incidental music in a movie, it's not "really there" in the fictional world.

I have yet to see the picture.

But, still, the completely sanitised thing is not cool.

 

[Skyscraper]

Legendary creatures is my favorite thing in the MM. Nice innovation that allows the use of a "normally built creature" and adds stuff that will make it really interesting in a storytelling kind of way (lair actions and regional effects), plus making it more interesting if it fights alone (legendary actions), without adding bunches of hit points that would make them last forever. Fights might last a bit longer, but not because you need to hit the bugger more often. Just because it has more cards up its sleeve.

 

[Shemeska]

The in-character quote from the Marauder in the yugoloth section.

 

[Tormyr]

I have yet to see the picture.

But, still, the completely sanitised thing is not cool.

I disagree. My daughter is 7 years old. When my daughter starts playing in a few years, I am glad that I am not going to have to explain why female spell casters have dress slits up to their hips, female rogues are in halter tops and female fighters are in bikini chain mail. Some artists in the PHB apparently did not get the memo, but it is much better than it could have been. That the succubus, marilith and others are actually covered up suits me fine, and it makes sense from a combat sense anyway. I already will still have to explain why the harpy is naked, but at least the art on that page depicts a miserable existence instead of a seductress.

I feel that the stance taken with the core books' artwork is a step forward. Now if only the 3rd party miniature makers (I am looking at you Reaper) would follow suit.

Anyway, different strokes for different folks, I guess.

 

[Eejit]

I actually really like the new "weaker than normal lich" Demilich, even though I wasn't expecting to. It's really going to screw up your high-level spellcasters and magic items with that antimagic field and those spell-like abilities. On rounds with antimagic field it would only be damagable by things like alchemist's fire, acid flasks, Monk fists.

 

[thalmin]

My favorite thing is the story and inspiration provided with each monster.

 

[Teflon Billy]

NPC's as Monster writeups.

I'd have loved more of these and a few fewer dragons.