D&D 5E D&D Beyond Will Delist Two Books On May 17th

D&D Beyond will be permanently removing Volo’s Guide to Monsters and Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes on May 17th in favor of the upcoming Monsters of the Multiverse book, which largely compiles and updates that material.

As per the D&D Beyond FAQ for Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse:

Can I still buy Volo’s Guide to Monsters or Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes on D&D Beyond?
Starting on May 16, you can acquire the streamlined and up-to-date creatures and character race options, as well as a plethora of exciting new content, by purchasing Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse. On May 17, Volo's Guide to Monsters and Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes will be discontinued from our digital marketplace.

If you already own these two books you will still have access to your purchases and any characters or encounters you built with them. They won’t be removed from your purchased sourcebooks. Therefore, if you want the "fluff" and tables in those two tomes in D&D Beyond, you need to purchase them soon.

This is the first time books have been wholesale delisted from the D&D Beyond Platform rather than updated (much like physical book reprints are with errata and changes).

There’s no word from WotC on whether physical books will be discontinued and be allowed to sell out.

 

[Geoff Thirlwell]

I mean it’s pretty obvious what was going to happen. Monsters of the Multiverse is effectively the Monster Manual 2 to the forthcoming 2024 Monster Manual. Material from Tasha’s either needs to be incorporated into the core books or abandoned as this is the only book that is a patch to the rules rather than just new options. By 2024, we’ll have a surviving number of books that are compatible with the new revised core books and the redundant ones will slip out of print.
They‘ll want a clear set of products that they can say are 100% compatible with the new revision.

 

[MonsterEnvy]

it wont be fully compatible... it can't be.

How so everything so far is fully compatible.

 

[teitan]

I mean it’s pretty obvious what was going to happen. Monsters of the Multiverse is effectively the Monster Manual 2 to the forthcoming 2024 Monster Manual. Material from Tasha’s either needs to be incorporated into the core books or abandoned as this is the only book that is a patch to the rules rather than just new options. By 2024, we’ll have a surviving number of books that are compatible with the new revised core books and the redundant ones will slip out of print.
They‘ll want a clear set of products that they can say are 100% compatible with the new revision.

Tasha’s and Xanathar’s don’t need any updates as they don’t have classes that rely on short tests nor do they have races or monsters. They’re part of the gift set and will stay in print as is. The Tasha’s race rules are already implemented as of Ravenloft.

 

[GMforPowergamers]

Sure, doesn't mean they can't learn to do better.

just depends. maybe the edition change is what has kept it fresh for years... 5e would never have been made if they felt 2e was evergreen

 

[Parmandur]

just depends. maybe the edition change is what has kept it fresh for years... 5e would never have been made if they felt 2e was evergreen

Yeah, but Mearls made a pretty good case that TSR might have been better off if they didn't even have 1E and 2E at all and just stuck with the Basic rules across the board with iterative changes now and then.

 

[GMforPowergamers]

How so everything so far is fully compatible.

yes I see different people use that word differently

so forget compatible...

the 2014 book is dead. The 2024 book will be the new normal (of course some groups wont update but like every edition that will lead to diminishing groups. but that 2024 book that will not have 2014 stuff in it will be 'compatible' just not useable.

 

[GMforPowergamers]

Yeah, but Mearls made a pretty good case that TSR might have been better off if they didn't even have 1E and 2E at all and just stuck with the Basic rules across the board with iterative changes now and then.

and maybe he has since learned better.

 

[Hexmage-EN]

Glad I got the physical copies of Volo's and Mordenkainen's, as well as the monster cards WotC put out. There aren't many changes to the monsters I've seen that I like, and even though I'm fine with non-villainous takes on various creatures I'm glad I have a comprehensive resource for the bad guy versions of them.

 

[Azzy]

yes I see different people use that word differently

so forget compatible...

the 2014 book is dead. The 2024 book will be the new normal (of course some groups wont update but like every edition that will lead to diminishing groups. but that 2024 book that will not have 2014 stuff in it will be 'compatible' just not useable.

What else are you expecting—the anniversary edition to be exactly the same? Because that was never in the cards. Races are going to have floating ASIs, short rest abilities are getting moved to PB per long rest, backgrounds will give feats at 1st level, some classes (likely ranger, monk, and fighter), spells, feats, etc. are getting revised. It's going to be like the change from 1e to 2e (though likely less to the engine).

 

[Parmandur]

and maybe he has since learned better.

Doubtful, since the proof is in the pudding. The D&D Design Studio has been remarkably consistent with carrying out the vision they laid out in 2014, and...it's worked. They have a solid core, and have slowly evolved the options through testing and iteration.