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

[mamba]

The bugbear warrior is filling essentially the same niche as the generic bugbear, so I don't see a value in both being in the book.

agreed, but I assumed that much like the CR stays the same the name stays the same, so you know what to look up when the name is referenced somewhere.

So if Bugbear 2014 is the same as Bugbear Warrior 2024, they need some kind of mapping between the names. Not impossible, just not what I expected

 

[Remathilis]

agreed, but I assumed that much like the CR stays the same the name stays the same, so you know what to look up when the name is referenced somewhere.

So if Bugbear 2014 is the same as Bugbear Warrior 2024, they need some kind of mapping between the names. Not impossible, just not what I expected

Really, all it takes is a note that says "if a text refers to a generic bugbear [goblin, etc]. use the bugbear [goblin, etc] warrior stat block"

 

[abirdcall]

Really, all it takes is a note that says "if a text refers to a generic bugbear [goblin, etc]. use the bugbear [goblin, etc] warrior stat block"

I don't think that is even necessary. People will get it.

 

[Remathilis]

I don't think that is even necessary. People will get it.

I'd like to think so, but if you've ever read the warning labels on products, you might question our capacity for common sense.

 

[MonsterEnvy]

I'd like to think so, but if you've ever read the warning labels on products, you might question our capacity for common sense.

I imagine there will be a note in the MM saying that if an older adventure refers to something like a Bugbear it means the Bugbear warrior.

 

[mamba]

Really, all it takes is a note that says "if a text refers to a generic bugbear [goblin, etc]. use the bugbear [goblin, etc] warrior stat block"

yes, something like that, assuming they call all of them warriors

 

[Chaosmancer]

I like the simple higher damage of the morningstar and longer range of the javelin. I do like the longer reach and the interaction between unarmed strike and hammer of the 2024 version

Easy enough to give them a longer range weapon.

Hammer is dealing 3d4+3 = 10.5
Have the Javelin deal 2d6+3 = 10

Sure, you are losing 0.5 average damage, but for a monster who is going to get two attacks on average? That isn't a noticeable loss at all.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

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"

Funny thing: frome 3.0 to 3.5 many monsters got warrior added too.

So you don't e counter a random goblin but a goblin warrior.

From a world building perspective it seems better, because not any goblin faced is a monster, but goblin warriors are probably enemies.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

Really, all it takes is a note that says "if a text refers to a generic bugbear [goblin, etc]. use the bugbear [goblin, etc] warrior stat block"

Yeah. That is too backwards incompatible for some folks...*

*actually it is not. It is just complaining for complaining's sake.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

it'd be really weird for them to cut that out. but then again, this is WOTC

This is what I referred to in the previous post. Calling warriors warriors makes sense, because not any humanoid of a certain species is the same.

But it is twisted to WotC being dumb or evil.