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

[dave2008]

One thing I noticed reading the DMG is that some NPC monsters have Warrior added to their name, like "Veteran Warrior" and the new monster "Infantry Warrior"

Where do you see this in the DMG? I can't find any NPC stat blocks in the DMG.

 

[Kobold Avenger]

Where do you see this in the DMG? I can't find any NPC stat blocks in the DMG.

There aren't any statblocks, but things like Veteran Warrior and Infantry Warrior are in bold (therefore indicating they're in the MM) in the sample adventures and in the Greyhawk chapter.

 

[Chaosmancer]

Depends on your design philosophy - are you just aiming to have your monster inflict an extra die of damage per round, or are you trying to create something that punches above its weight under certain narrative circumstances? (Same for other now-hidden traits like Keen Senses/Smell/Hearing.)

I don't understand the point you are trying to make. Brute didn't activate under certain narrative circumstances, it was an always on-bonus die to every attack.

If you wanted something that works under certain circumstances, you wouldn't look to brute at all.

And, if you are creating a monster, and you want it to be good at perception (the only thing Keen Senses did) then... you know how to do that. Either proficiency, expertise, or advantage on Perception checks. You can name it whatever you want, if you need to make it a specific trait, but that isn't actually necessary because it is obvious that the Blink Dog has Expertise. So you know looking at it that that is a thing you can do.

 

[dave2008]

There aren't any statblocks, but things like Veteran Warrior and Infantry Warrior are in bold (therefore indicating they're in the MM) in the sample adventures and in the Greyhawk chapter.

Yes, I noticed that as well. Some things had links and others didn't. Those new ones I assume will get linked once the 2025 MM is available.

We were discussing these name modifiers earlier in this thread and pondering whether all monsters would get these or just some and whether or not these were direct replacements for old monsters.

The example we discussed was the "bugbear warrior" in the Uni and the Lost Horn adventure is quite a bit different than the 2014 "Bugbear." So the question was is the bugbear warrior a new type of bugbear (like the 2014 bugbear chief) or replacement for the 2014 standard bugbear.

I speculated these new names mean new monsters and are not replacements of old monsters, and this bit of evidence from the DMG seems to support that theory to me. However, we will find out for sure in 1 1/2 months!

Edit: Here is what @Kobold Avenger is talking about. Notice the bold red below is linked to the stats in the 2024 free rules, while those in bold are not linked because the presumably go to the as of yet unavailable 2025 Monster Manual (though I guess the links will not work if you don't own the MM).

 

[Chaosmancer]

You think it's cool. You don't speak for anyone else, and my preference for the Spelljammer version of Beholders, and anything else for that matter, continues to be just as valid as yours.

I'm allowed to like and dislike whatever I want, and to talk about it. And so are you. Not sure why I'm getting pushback on expressing how I feel about lore.

Two, no three reasons.

1) This is a discussion forum. People discuss. You can't expect to write fifty or so posts on a subject, then say "but it is only my opinion so you are not allowed to say anything about it". That isn't how these things work.

2) You are not just expressing your preference. You are attacking other people's preferences.

3) You are not just attacking other people's preferences, but you are consistently advocating (which you are allowed to do) for altering the very function of a fundamental part of the game, solely to fit your personal, idiosyncratic, use of that part of the game. And we are expressing (which we are allowed to do) our dislike for that as it would fundamentally harm our use of that part of the game.

 

[Chaosmancer]

Need, no. But it's still helpful (especially if your variant is particularly variant, but you still want to make sure the essential bits are still there).

I would argue Brute is no longer an essential part of the Bugbear. Abduct is.

 

[dave2008]

And, if you are creating a monster, and you want it to be good at perception (the only thing Keen Senses did) then... you know how to do that. Either proficiency, expertise, or advantage on Perception checks. You can name it whatever you want, if you need to make it a specific trait, but that isn't actually necessary because it is obvious that the Blink Dog has Expertise. So you know looking at it that that is a thing you can do.

With the blink dog example the issue I have is not the simplification, but the less impactful the change is. Advantage is closer to +4/5 versus the +2 for expertise.

 

[Chaosmancer]

Actually I was using the dog as a simple and clear example of my point. Don't get hung up on the dog.

I am not getting hung up on the dog. I have also talked about the Bugbear and the Warhorse. But people keep going back to keen senses and the Dog.

 

[Chaosmancer]

Force bolt as a ranged attack is strange. I get that they're animated by (elemental) spirits and created by arcane spellcasters, so it's not completely unfounded, but I would prefer something like a Throw Boulder attack. Or something like an AOE Earth tremor that deals bludgeoning damage and knocks people prone.

Focusing in on this, I am actually a bit glad that they are not using a Throw Boulder attack. One issue I've seen come up rather repeatedly, usually with Giants, is "where are they getting the boulder from" leading to a few DMs (not many, but a few) just not using the attack, because there were no boulders.

Considering the ideal environment for a Stone Golem is a pristine chamber, with columns and smooth floors, if they made the ranged attack something like a boulder, it would be narratively odd. Now a rock shrapnel blast or a stone bullet would be a different story.

 

[Chaosmancer]

With the blink dog example the issue I have is not the simplification, but the less impactful the change is. Advantage is closer to +4/5 versus the +2 for expertise.

That I can agree with. I probably would raise their wisdom?

Actually, if I was the Lord Ruler of All of DnD, I would turn Wisdom into Awareness, and move the personality parts of it to Charisma. That way beasts could have much higher perception and intuition stats without the oddness that comes with High Wisdom. "This dog is incredibly keen of hearing! And a Master Surgeon to boot!"