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

[dave2008]

And intentional to make up for the removal of resistance/immunity to nonmagical bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage.

Not completely removed though. The empyrean at least still has it

 

[dave2008]

The HP bloat is real.

Yes, and definitely needed. People have been using max HP on higher CR monsters for a long time. The increased HP with the increased damage pretty much eliminates the need to make those modifications (of course every table is different)

 

[mellored]

Not completely removed though. The empyrean at least still has it

That's just resistance to B/P/S.
Nothing about "non-magical".

 

[dave2008]

That's just resistance to B/P/S.
Nothing about "non-magical".

Yes, straight up resistance to all BPS damage, much more impactful. So much so I can't really wrap my head around it. I mean the 2014 CR rules didn't provide for an adjustment for resistance on CR17+ creatures, but how could this not affect the CR? This makes me more frustrated they have not included new monster building rules

 

[Retreater]

I mean, they could just make the monsters more interesting. As it is, HP is really the only quantifiable challenge in 5e.

 

[dave2008]

I mean, they could just make the monsters more interesting. As it is, HP is really the only quantifiable challenge in 5e.

I guess you haven't been paying attention then. A lot more changes than just HP. Are you actively trying not to see the changes?

 

[dave2008]

I mean, they could just make the monsters more interesting. As it is, HP is really the only quantifiable challenge in 5e.

We don't have a lot of actual stat block previews yet; however, here are some examples of revised old stat blocks:

• the new Empyrean does 68% more damage. It also has an auto-stun effect.
• The new cyclops can do any combination of ranged and melee attacks with its multiattack and it has the Reaction "Limited Foresight"
• The Kuo-toa was given a new reaction (I don't have that one in front of me at the moment).

The only other previews we have of existing monsters are the skeletons and ancient green dragon. The skeletons didn't change much. The green dragon changed a lot and added lots of interesting options; however, it seems like it will change based on these new newer previews.

 

[Minigiant]

Goblin Hexer is back baby!

 

[Levistus's_Leviathan]

Not completely removed though. The empyrean at least still has it

It has resistance to all bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage. It doesn't specify magical weapon damage anymore. In that way the Empyrean got a significant buff and their HP was increased a bit, too. They're definitely scarier enemies now.

 

[dave2008]

It has resistance to all bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage. It doesn't specify magical weapon damage anymore. In that way the Empyrean got a significant buff and their HP was increased a bit, too. They're definitely scarier enemies now.

Yes, I have mentioned that several times. I typically phrased as: "not just nonmagical damage," but I keep getting reminded of this fact so I must have been unclear in a post somewhere