So Much Art From the 2025 Monster Manual

Here's some preview art from the 2025 Monster Manual, courtesy of Wizards of the Coast's "Everything You Need to Know Video" on the new book.

A classic Faceless Stalker:

A demon of some kind:

Arch-Hags:

Some kobolds:

A Nalfeshnee, perhaps?

A revenant:

Blue dracolich:

Death Knight:

Death tyrant:

Chimera:

Githyanki (with the central warrior recreating a classic pose):

A mummy lord:

A marrow:

A balrog balor:

Mimics:

While I'm tempted to say a tressym, this actually might be a new sphinx design:

Bone fiend:

Sladd:

Rust monster:

Platinum(?) dragon:

Bronze dragon:

Hezrou, perhaps?

Fire giant, not Karlach:

Cloud giants:

Zombies:

Red dragon:

Hags (including a male hag):

Dryads (including a male dryad):

Horned devil:

Incubus and succubus:

Vampires:

Vampire:

Colossus:

Spirit naga:

Copper dragon:

White dragon:

Blue dragon:

Gold dragon:

Black dragon:

 

[ezo]

Makes one wonder what it is you have a problem with, y'know?

The art. Is that clear enough for you?

 

[Starmaster]

The pair of vampires are hot. Makes me wonder if the artist just binge watched the "Twilight" series.

 

[Queer Venger]

Once more I have to say, the best art and layout of any D&D books in any previous edition; off all the books this is the one Ive been wanting the most. Thanks for sharing the art!

 

[Horwath]

The pair of vampires are hot. Makes me wonder if the artist just binge watched the "Twilight" series.

that is the problem.

vampires can be hot and still look menacing, not like a couple of dorks roleplaying Twilight with plastic fang props.

 

[Sacrosanct]

I know I've spent the past couple posts bashing some of the art, so I want to say I'm really glad they went with an art direction that showed the creatures in-scene. It was one of the things I loved about Jim Holloway's art--they PCs weren't heroes, but often in a pickle. It seems a lot of the art has gone that direction.

 

[Horwath]

I know I've spent the past couple posts bashing some of the art, so I want to say I'm really glad they went with an art direction that showed the creatures in-scene. It was one of the things I loved about Jim Holloway's art--they PCs weren't heroes, but often in a pickle. It seems a lot of the art has gone that direction.

yes, that is the main thing I like about new MM.

to give sense at least what the monster are capable of.

 

[Levistus's_Leviathan]

that is the problem.

vampires can be hot and still look menacing, not like a couple of dorks roleplaying Twilight with plastic fang props.

The hot vampires do not look like Twilight vampires, hot vampires have been a thing for a very long time, and not all of the vampires in the book are hot. Unless you find the weird Nosferatu-ish vampire attractive, I guess.

 

[Starmaster]

yes, that is the main thing I like about new MM.

to give sense at least what the monster are capable of.

This may sound a bit silly, but my original group and I always liked the 1e MM illustration of the rust monster rusting away the border of the box highlighting his illustration.

 

[dave2008]

nearly all:
the style is just too colorful and not sharp enough with detail.

demon on the 2nd picture would be good if it were more dark and sharper detail and not like I'm watching art after 7 beers.
we can make very precise art now it does not need to imitate brush movements.
I like pencil sharpness.

dwarf lady fighting for her life is somewhat good, again if not for art style.

and the surprised undead? that is hilarious.
OMG! An adventurer here?
In those heels?
How dare you?!

I am at loss for words, I guess I have to keep reminding myself: everyone is different, everyone is different.

I guess, can you provide examples of art you like?

 

[dave2008]

Yes. He has been pitting various monsters against each other, with the Balor having to run away against the Pit Fiend for the majority of the fight.

yes, but that doesn't have anything to do with legendary actions (neither the balor or the pit fiend have them), it is just poor monster design. My comment was in response to you asking about legendary actions. I fight between a pit fiend and a balor has nothing to do with that - thus I was confused.