D&D (2024) D&D Marilith Is Far More Bestial In 2025

The new 2025 Monster Manual has all-new art, and one major change is the depiction of the marilith. Up until now, the marilith has been depicted as a six-armed humanish female from the waist up; while in the 2025 book, the picture is far more bestial in nature.

Not only is the imagery more demonic, it also features the creature in action, simultaneously beheading, stabbing, and entwining its foes with its six arms and snake-like tail.

Left 2025 Marilith / Right 2014 Marilith​

 

[kigmatzomat]

May I remind you that this is a planescape Glabrezu. This seems at least similar in difference from the source material as this 2024 marilith. I would say it is more different, but that is just a feel really.

View attachment 397840

Oh yes, the "Sarah McLachlan" glabrezu. Just one soul a month can feed a needy glabrezu.

"...eating the arms of an angel..."

 

[Reynard]

Just for fun, here are my favorite fiends from the 2024 MM:

Devils

View attachment 397864

I do not like this piece. it feels like an unfinished CRPG render. Otherwise, generally, I really love most of the MM2024 art.

 

[Chaltab]

Several of the devils have that rendered look to them. Wasn't a fan in Chains of Asmodeus and not a fan now.

 

[Incenjucar]

I don't mind the idea of mariliths having a variety of possible forms, though I do not find this particular one compelling. A 100% gooey generic monster thing is not as interesting as scary monster plus human. The juxtaposition is part of the point.

I don't see this as a useful way to de-sexualize the art. You can just not draw the standard marilith in a sexualized way. Maybe give them a shirt or non-boob armor and not point the eye to the T&A.

 

[dave2008]

I was being facetious. Right nobody did but all of a sudden someone is

No, no one is - that is the part you are making up

 

[dave2008]

Several of the devils have that rendered look to them. Wasn't a fan in Chains of Asmodeus and not a fan now.

The chains of Asmodeus was quite different IMO, I wasn't a fan of that either. Some of these (2024 MM) I like, some not so much

 

[dave2008]

I do not like this piece. it feels like an unfinished CRPG render. Otherwise, generally, I really love most of the MM2024 art.

Everyone's different. That is one of my favorite pieces in the whole book!

 

[Seramus]

I honestly wouldn't know this picture is a Marilith unless explicitly told.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Yes, but my point was that the difficulty of learning that would be eased if there was more visual distinction between Demons and Devils.

Not if they used to look one way and now look different. Unless all we care about are people who have no idea what to expect.

 

[kigmatzomat]

Sorry I guess?! I have no idea what that means.

Off-topic:
-Cruxshadows "Marilyn My Bitterness"
Marilyn oh Marilyn
I've fallen to stranger nightmare
Marilyn oh Marilyn
I can not find my way