D&D 5E What comes after the 2025 Monster Manual?

[Burnside]

A book that will supersede Xanathar's and Tasha's, with updates for the subclasses that didn't make the new PHB, and a handful of new subclasses as well.

 

[KoolMoDaddy-O]

What I expect to see in the next two years:

• A campaign featuring the Red Wizards, which WotC has already mentioned.
• Relatedly, a new setting guide to FR, with the focus moved inland to the Sea of Fallen Stars or at least the Dalelands.
• A Fizban's/Bigby's monster book. Based on previous editions, aberrations and undead are due for the spotlight. Both would tie nicely with the Red Wizards.
• A makeover of Tales From the Yawning Portal with a new cover and updated stat blocks, just like they did for Tyranny of Dragons. IIRC, Tales is 5e's bestselling anthology and WotC could milk a few more Benjamins from a 5e2024 version.
• In 2026/27, an Everything book with a mix of new subclasses and updated greatest hits from Xanathar's and Tasha's, along with updated backgrounds and feats. Anything not updated in this book is left behind; after this, WotC only looks to the future.

Not sure why anyone would think Mordenkainen's would receive an update as it was intentionally written with forward compatibility with 5e2024.

 

[Remathilis]

I don't think we're getting any updated modules. The best I think for that is some of those monsters make it into future products. WotC isn't going to perpetuate the old books are invalid argument, but they will put out updated info in new products.

 

[mamba]

we'll start seeing a schedule of re-releasing lightly updated adventure books, starting with Curse of Strahd and the other most popular books to the new trade dress.

I would consider that a mistake as it gives credence to the idea that the two versions are not compatible after all

Why starting with CoS, I would assume the older they are, the more reason there is to update. Do you consider the ones before it as having too little sales to be worth the effort?

I could see them doing an expanded MotM and including and updating monsters from the adventures in those

 

[Stormonu]

Wouldn't they want to make something focused on Greyhawk (GH) since part of that is in the new DMG? Something like the Saltmarsh book, but more GH like the L series with Bone Hill and Assassin's Knot along with a town like Restenford. This would be a cool level 1-10 campaign book.

You would think so, but the D&D team has been trained on milking Forgotten Realms (like GW and space marines...). It would be nice to see more GH adventures ... Temple of Elemental Evil, Slavers, GDQ, the Lendore Isle series, Mordenkainen's Fantasic Adventure - there's a lot they could draw from, even the old adventure seeds in the Glossography (the Mist Golem would be my choice).

But, we'll get more FR-related stuff for sure instead.

 

[mamba]

Will the 2025 MM contain an entry for humans?

plenty, under NPCs

 

[Argyle King]

plenty, under NPCs

I was hoping for an entry in the same way that other monsters have an entry.

 

[Stormonu]

I was hoping for an entry in the same way that other monsters have an entry.

I think that stopped being a thing after the outcry over Neanderthal back in 3.5E's Frostburn.

 

[Reynard]

I think that stopped being a thing after the outcry over Neanderthal back in 3.5E's Frostburn.

Wait, what? Neanderthal/cave man was a standard for D&D.

 

[Velderan]

I don't think we're getting any updated modules. The best I think for that is some of those monsters make it into future products. WotC isn't going to perpetuate the old books are invalid argument, but they will put out updated info in new products.

I think releasing an update of any previously published 5e adventure would be the absolute dumbest thing WotC could do in the next year, since they've stated over and over again that the old stuff will work just fine.