D&D (2024) D&D Monster Manual (2025)

[dave2008]

Then give those additional effects. Don't just merge all of it into a grey mush you can pretend is whatever you like.

I agree mostly, but i think there is a place for a generic rend too. I am keeping my dragons with discrete attacks (claw, bite, tail, etc.) because each of those does something different

 

[dave2008]

Here are the sprite changes:

2014

2024

 

[mamba]

Didn't they keep telling us this isn't an edition change? Have they gone back on that yet?

yes, no edition change, I don't think turning a hobgoblin from humanoid to fey warrants calling it an edition change

 

[Micah Sweet]

yes, no edition change, I don't think turning a hobgoblin from humanoid to fey warrants calling it an edition change

Far from the only change, and you know it.

 

[Micah Sweet]

1. The DM can innovate on what that mechanic means in the setting. They can in fact innovate on every attack if they want.
2. The designer has more space to innovate more interesting abilities.

Point #1 is what younger DMs seem to be doing.

Point #2 is what WotC designers seem to be doing. The green dragon statblock is more interesting and flavorful as a whole now than 2024. Now, there is still a lot of space available for the dragon block to have both, and I would, but it is better than the 2014 version IMO.

There are plenty of ways to be better than the 2014 version. Level Up's Monstrous Menagerie, for one.

 

[Micah Sweet]

I mean I can still use any 2014 monster, PC, or previous adventure with 2024 versions. Doesn't feel like an edition change to me. Definitely note like 2e-3e-4e-5e.

No, but IMO remarkably like 1e-2e and 3e-3.5.

 

[mamba]

Far from the only change, and you know it.

sure, it’s largely compatible with 2014 though, you can run the same adventures, use the same monsters, and that is really enough to say you are compatible.

I wish they had changed more, not less. All the good changes from the UA they did ultimately not dare make, instead we got these low hanging fruits that amount to almost nothing mixed in with a slight move in a direction I do not like… If at least the changes would compensate for having to put up with the direction then maybe I would have some interest

 

[the Jester]

What kind of impact does changing a monsters classification have?
What changes now that a goblin is considered fey?

I accept my ignorance on the matter.

Well, spells that target humanoids now don't work on them- things like hold person, charm person, etc. Which have always worked on them in the past.

 

[the Jester]

Isn’t that what charm monster is for though?

Charm person is 1st level. Charm monster is 4th level.

I would say that, given that goblins are a quintessential first level foe, requiring a 4th level spell to charm them is a bit weird.

On the other hand, bringing charm monster down in level makes it very overpowered.

 

[the Jester]

yes, no edition change, I don't think turning a hobgoblin from humanoid to fey warrants calling it an edition change

How about doubling healing, increasing many spells' damage, massively boosting monks, significantly increasing the abilities of other martials, completely rewriting a bunch of magic items, and changing the stats of many or all the monsters, including in ways that completely change how they play?