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​

 

[Parmandur]

My post above has 21 likes, so clearly this is not a popular piece of art and folks are getting tired of WotC making radical changes to iconic monsters appearances.

I really hope WotC gets the message finally that folks are getting tired of the retcons, whether the Purple Dragon Knight or the appearance of Marilith, just stop doing it, period, I don't care why your doing, just stop.

 

[TiQuinn]

I don't recall where I read it but at one point in D&D there was THE MARILITH all the others where subordinate to her and looked like her more or less.

I think that might’ve been a Birthright thing.

 

[Voadam]

They Don’t want to possibly upset anyone.

So, are their male Mariliths now as well?

Looking at the chest of the one in the 24 marilith art I'd say it is presented as a male one.

 

[Parmandur]

Looking at the chest of the one in the 24 marilith art I'd say it is presented as a male one.

To be honest, detemining the gender identity of the six armed snake cresture beheading my compatriots would be pretty low on my mental to do list if I were in that situation.

 

[Voadam]

I think that might’ve been a Birthright thing.

I don't really remember any fiends in Birthright.

In 1e Maralith was the name of a single Type V demon, the way Balor was the name of an individual Type VI, etc. others had different personal names.

The 1e DMG monster appendix has more.

 

[Charlaquin]

I can’t help it, incessant pedantry is in my bones

 

[Bae'zel]

To be honest, detemining the gender identity of the six armed snake cresture beheading my compatriots would be pretty low on my mental to do list if I were in that situation.

Also, contrary to popular belief, reptilian creatures, even demonic ones, do not usually have boobs.

(okay I'm trolling a bit here, I'm sure that I'll be corrected in that demons and devils have boobs for reasons)

 

[Charlaquin]

Heck, the presence or absence of breasts isn’t a totally reliable indicator of gender or sex.

 

[Voadam]

Also, contrary to popular belief, reptilian creatures, even demonic ones, do not usually have boobs.

I believe that the history of D&D art says otherwise.

 

[TiQuinn]

I don't really remember any fiends in Birthright.

In 1e Maralith was the name of a single Type V demon, the way Balor was the name of an individual Type VI, etc. others had different personal names.

The 1e DMG monster appendix has more.

View attachment 397976

I may be thinking of “The Gorgon”. I.E. there was one singular Gorgon. And I thought they carried that through to a few monsters.