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

[JEB]

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.

Brute only works (worked, now) with melee weapons - not ranged weapons or other forms of attack.

 

[MonsterEnvy]

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).

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I think the warrior name is a replacement for things like low level enemies. The Monster won’t be called a Kobold or Goblin, but a Kobold or Goblin Warrior. The deck of illusions has more examples.

 

[MonsterEnvy]

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.

Giants at least explicitly carried bags of rocks.

Though I expect the new Monster Manual Giants to follow the example of Bigby’s and have their Rock attacks written like this

Boulder. Ranged Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, range 60/240 ft., one target. Hit: 19 (3d8 + 6) bludgeoning damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 18 Strength saving throw or have the prone condition. After the giant throws the boulder, roll a d6; on a roll of 3 or lower, the giant has no more boulders to throw.

 

[dave2008]

I think the warrior name is a replacement for things like low level enemies. The Monster won’t be called a Kobold or Goblin, but a Kobold or Goblin Warrior. The deck of illusions has more examples.

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Oh well, maybe I am wrong unfortunately. The Kuo-toa preview made me hope we were still getting a "Bugbear" in addition to the "Bugbear Warrior." There are some things about the 2014 bugbear I prefer to the bugbear warrior, so I was hoping we would get both in the 2025 MM.

 

[Parmandur]

I think the warrior name is a replacement for things like low level enemies. The Monster won’t be called a Kobold or Goblin, but a Kobold or Goblin Warrior. The deck of illusions has more examples.

View attachment 389854

Oh well, maybe I am wrong unfortunately. The Kuo-toa preview made me hope we were still getting a "Bugbear" in addition to the "Bugbear Warrior." There are some things about the 2014 bugbear I prefer to the bugbear warrior, so I was hoping we would get both in the 2025 MM.

One of the key elements missing from the 2024 DMG that I hope is in the new MM is the chart of NPC Species templates: apply this to an NPC stat block to make a Gnoll Veteran, or a Hobgoblin Cultist, or a Bullwug Archmage. Thing is, I suspect a lot of people didn't know it was even in the DMG (because...nobody reads the DMG...sigh).

It would be fabulous if there is a robust set of Species templates thar can be applied to NPCs (or even...PCs...) in the MM.

 

[dave2008]

One of the key elements missing from the 2024 DMG that I hope is in the new MM is the chart of NPC Species templates: apply this to an NPC stat block to make a Gnoll Veteran, or a Hobgoblin Cultist, or a Bullwug Archmage. Thing is, I suspect a lot of people didn't know it was even in the DMG (because...nobody reads the DMG...sigh).

It would be fabulous if there is a robust set of Species templates thar can be applied to NPCs (or even...PCs...) in the MM.

I haven't gone through all the 2024 DMG yet. Are you saying the table below is not in the 2024 DMG? If not, I do hope it is in the 2025 MM. It would make sense to be there, particularly if the monster creation guide is too.

 

[Parmandur]

I haven't gone through all the 2024 DMG yet. Are you saying the table below is not in the 2024 DMG? If not, I do hope it is in the 2025 MM. It would make sense to be there, particularly if the monster creation guide is too.

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It is not in the new DMG, totally absent along with the other Monster design tools: I really, really hope that is all in the new MM in some form. My read on the "Goblin/Gnoll/Hobgoblin/Kobold/Etc Warrior" entries is that something functionally similar to this chart, at least, seems probable.

 

[dave2008]

It is not in the new DMG, totally absent along with the other Monster design tools: I really, really hope that is all in the new MM in some form. My read on the "Goblin/Gnoll/Hobgoblin/Kobold/Etc Warrior" entries is that something functionally similar to this chart, at least, seems probable.

That would be great and I hope so too!

 

[dave2008]

I haven't gone through all the 2024 DMG yet. Are you saying the table below is not in the 2024 DMG? If not, I do hope it is in the 2025 MM. It would make sense to be there, particularly if the monster creation guide is too.

View attachment 389879

Looking at this again, after not looking at it in a long time, I don't agree with some of their adjustments. IMO, being a skeleton or zombie should not make you physically stronger (bonus to Str). Maybe more damage resistant / durable, but actually stronger.

 

[Parmandur]

Looking at this again, after not looking at it in a long time, I don't agree with some of their adjustments. IMO, being a skeleton or zombie should not make you physically stronger (bonus to Str). Maybe more damage resistant / durable, but actually stronger.

Yeah, I reckon anybreplacwmebt would be fundamentally different, given that PHB Species no longer offers ASI: more a table of ability adjustments to apply to NPC blocks (and, implicitly or explicitly, PCs?).

Though it does raise the question of what a "Veteran Warrior" or "Infantry Warrior" would represent, bit my expectation there too, is thst they may have some fun surprises with templates in the wing. I think that templates have to be one of the most underused tricks in the 5E Monster toolbox.