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

[dave2008]

Sorry, I thought i had laid it out, let me try again.

-They replace things like keen senses with a bonus to perception in the statblock.

-Dms may not be aware why the perception is higher.

-DMs that would have noticed keen senses don't play the creature as if it had a special ability.

-If the wording in the lore retains a keen senses description, all is well.

-If the wording in the lore doesn't mention any such trait, then it is lost and no longer a part of that creature.

Therefore I hope all these mechanical simplications don't make traits inherent to the creature "disappear"

Ok, not a big worry for me, but I see what you are saying. Personally I wish all publishers would relay less on the statblock and put more flavor information in the lore so it leaves space of interesting mechanical bits to be in the statblock.

Now regarding the simplification we are seeing in the 2025 MM statblocks: In general I am in favor and in general I would like that flavor to move to the text as you suggest. I think that may happen in some cases, will it happen for keen senses? IDK, but my guess would be no.

However, we can look at an example from the previews they have shown.

The 2014 Kuo-toa reaction as flavorful descriptive text in the statblock:

This has been removed from the 2024 statblock:

However, the text outside the statblock of the 2024 Kuo-Toa adds some of the back. Notice the last sentence.

So maybe they will do something like you're suggesting. I still don't expect it for keen senses, it seems to obvious to me, but who knows!

 

[JEB]

And yet the change of Castle Ravenloft to the Demiplane of Dread isn't considered a major change. It just all seems a little arbitrary to me.

I'd say that's more like the MCU films gradually expanding the setting from the world of Iron Man, to include the Hulk, and Thor, and Captain America, etc. etc. None of that contradicts the events of the Iron Man films, but they do change the context. Likewise, revealing that Barovia is just one domain among many doesn't contradict the narrative of the original Ravenloft adventure, even if it does change the designers' approach towards it.

 

[Imaro]

I'd say that's more like the MCU films gradually expanding the setting from the world of Iron Man, to include the Hulk, and Thor, and Captain America, etc. etc. None of that contradicts the events of the Iron Man films, but they do change the context. Likewise, revealing that Barovia is just one domain among many doesn't contradict the narrative of the original Ravenloft adventure, even if it does change the designers' approach towards it.

Well then as others said earlier ... the Dark Powers will it (and move in mysterious ways)...should be all that's needed to keep continuity going.

 

[Micah Sweet]

While finding multiple reasons to excuse, overlook and/or dismiss the numerous examples of other editions changing lore and showing the same general attitude about it as WotC does now...even if it wasn't stated out right.

Read my above post if you actually want understanding, but I don't really care what you think about this.

 

[Micah Sweet]

And yet the change of Castle Ravenloft to the Demiplane of Dread isn't considered a major change. It just all seems a little arbitrary to me.

What was actually different there? The Castle itself is quite similar, as is the surrounding domain (mostly). Who's to say what lies outside Barovia's borders in the original module?

 

[Micah Sweet]

Well then as others said earlier ... the Dark Powers will it (and move in mysterious ways)...should be all that's needed to keep continuity going.

How is that remotely the same thing? The Eternals doesn't change the events of Iron Man. VRGtR, as presented, replaces all previous lore.

 

[dave2008]

... as presented, replaces all previous lore.

That is not true. It, in theory, only replaces the lore it changes (it didn't change everything).

Of course it only changes something if you want it to, but you know that.

 

[JEB]

How is that remotely the same thing? The Eternals doesn't change the events of Iron Man. VRGtR, as presented, replaces all previous lore.

i.e. any change in Ravenloft lore could be attributed to the Dark Powers. Agreed that isn't how it's presented in VRGTR (in the final product, anyway), but it could be.

 

[Remathilis]

In addition to the above, at least one of the designers in VRGTR (the one who worked on Valachan) outright said they'd written their version as a continuation of the original. Plus there are Easter eggs like Dominic d'Honaire's appearance in an asylum in the otherwise very different Dementlieu. Not to mention Azalin's visual cameo in his classic form in Tasha's, as opposed to the remnants of him and his domain in VRGTR. It would have been very easy to present the 5e version of the setting as a transformation of the older setting, caused by some scheme of Azalin's.

(Frankly, considering the above, I wouldn't be surprised if this was exactly the plan at some point in development. Of course, the final product stops with the Easter eggs, and the canon policy released shortly after pretty much confirms it was intended as new-to-5e canon.)

Oh there are plenty of threads to pull on if you want to go that way. Firan Zalhonuin wandering the mists, the Hour of Ascension happening in Darkon, the picture of Strahd and Azalin fighting with dozens of versions in the shattered glass, etc. The thing is, they could have told the story about how Azalin shattered the demiplane and caused the Time of Unparalleled Darkness causing a new Version to exist, but that story would have meant little to anyone but the original fans, it would have clogged the story with details that ultimately mean little to the current setting and robbed DMs from finding those nuggets and making their own version of how that happened (as I have).

Besides, no one is demanding complicated explanations of how Sigil's factions (and Factols) are back or how we ended up pre Greyhawk Wars and War of the Lance. It's like that because those are the most popular versions of those settings and it's best to reset them to the beginning and let the DM decide the plots.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Oh there are plenty of threads to pull on if you want to go that way. Firan Zalhonuin wandering the mists, the Hour of Ascension happening in Darkon, the picture of Strahd and Azalin fighting with dozens of versions in the shattered glass, etc. The thing is, they could have told the story about how Azalin shattered the demiplane and caused the Time of Unparalleled Darkness causing a new Version to exist, but that story would have meant little to anyone but the original fans, it would have clogged the story with details that ultimately mean little to the current setting and robbed DMs from finding those nuggets and making their own version of how that happened (as I have).

Besides, no one is demanding complicated explanations of how Sigil's factions (and Factols) are back or how we ended up pre Greyhawk Wars and War of the Lance. It's like that because those are the most popular versions of those settings and it's best to reset them to the beginning and let the DM decide the plots.

I would have loved all those explanations. As you say, old fans appreciate this stuff, and I'm an old fan.