D&D (2024) Monster Manual Organisation

[Parmandur]

Wait. So if I want to add the species info to an NPC do I need to pull out the PHB? And are those the only species of humanoids?

I would even have been fine with a separate "Humanoid Handbook" that had all the occupations in alpha order and with the various species info in the back.

And what if I want an Aaracokra Pirate or Kobold Scout... (Or I guess making them elementals and dragons respectively, and not humanoids at all, takes care of that question. I wonder if they are going to regret the way they de-humanoided a bunch of these when they see where it leads).

:-(

My day 1 reaction is to now regret buying the Monster Manual instead of sticking with the 2014 one.

Yeah, basically the idea is that for Humanoids what matters for a given combat is their narrative role, like "Pirate" or "Cultist". Adding on extra powers is treated briefly in the DMG, so adding Flight to a Pirate is simple enough.

 

[Cadence]

Ahem. I might be able to help with that.

Thank you!

 

[Cadence]

Yeah, basically the idea is that for Humanoids what matters for a given combat is their narrative role, like "Pirate" or "Cultist". Adding on extra powers is treated briefly in the DMG, so adding Flight to a Pirate is simple enough.

And since essentially everything has Darkvision (do they still?), no need to mention things like that

But seriously, one page at the back of the MM with a brief overview of it all still feels like it would have been worth a page to me.

 

[Parmandur]

And since essentially everything has Darkvision (do they still?), no need to mention things like that .... :-/

It doesn't impact CR, so no.

 

[Cadence]

It doesn't impact CR, so no.

Why bother to mention Darkvision (or the like) for anything then?

 

[Parmandur]

Why bother to mention Darkvision (or the like) for anything then?

In case it comes up? It isn't a balance issue, for PCs or NPCs.

 

[Cadence]

In case it comes up? It isn't a balance issue, for PCs or NPCs.

But if you say the pirates are all halfing pirates and the fight goes below decks... it feels like whether they have darkvision might come up?

Why would it be a balance issue for other monsters but not NPCs? Or is it for neither?

 

[Parmandur]

But if you say the pirates are all halfing pirates and the fight goes below decks... it feels like whether they have darkvision might come up?

Why would it be a balance issue for other monsters but not NPCs? Or is it for neither?

Neither...? Darkvision has never been a balance issue, the designers have speccifically said it is a ribbon, a mechanicaly fluff fezture. Sure, it can come up narratively: but giving it or taking it away changes nothing for PCs or Monsters in the game math.

 

[Yaarel]

Neither...? Darkvision has never been a balance issue, the designers have speccifically said it is a ribbon, a mechanicaly fluff fezture. Sure, it can come up narratively: but giving it or taking it away changes nothing for PCs or Monsters in the game math.

If the DM needs the Halfling Pirates to have Darkvision, it is trivially easy for the DM to say someone had already cast a Darkvision spell, or perhaps had it on a scroll, potion, or other magic item.

 

[Parmandur]

If the DM needs the Halfling Pirates to have Darkvision, it is trivially easy for the DM to say someone had already cast a Darkvision spell, or perhaps had it on a scroll, potion, or other magic item.

Or just let the PCs gain an advantage.