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​

 

[dave2008]

They are credited in the physical book, quite visible in the Inner margin of the page.

I see that now, thank you! I completely missed it before.

 

[Parmandur]

I see that now, thank you! I completely missed it before.

It is subtle: they want the credit there, but also to preserve page space. They started doing it some time back, because people complained about it being hard to find the credit for apexific images.

 

[dave2008]

Please provide proof of male hag and banshee art. The current and prior monster manuals do not represent this art.

The why not approach to art is not really valid. You can make a death knight in robes and say it’s a death knight but that does not mean it is a necessary or desired change.

I did, twice now. You seem to ignore my posts so what can I do! Please look at these posts: Hags & Banshees. Maybe you should look at the book in question first?

 

[Maxperson]

Impossible. I have it on good authority that D&D 2024 is all cutsified and Rate G.

It isn't that, clearly. However, it's also okay to have all male and all female monsters. Every monster doesn't need male and female versions.

 

[Reynard]

It isn't that, clearly. However, it's also okay to have all male and all female monsters. Every monster doesn't need male and female versions.

"Need" is doing a lot of work in that sentence. It isn't a need, it is a design choice.

 

[dave2008]

It isn't that, clearly. However, it's also okay to have all male and all female monsters. Every monster doesn't need male and female versions.

This is true, notably the MM doesn't show Demons, Devils, Dragons, Slaadi, and Yugoloths of multiple sex/genders.

 

[Maxperson]

"Need" is doing a lot of work in that sentence. It isn't a need, it is a design choice.

The primary point in there is that "It's okay to have all female and all male monsters." Their design choice is odd.

 

[Reynard]

The primary point in there is that "It's okay to have all female and all male monsters." Their design choice is odd.

I mean, it is new and different. "Odd" is a value judgement I wouldn't put on it, though.

 

[Maxperson]

This is true, notably the MM doesn't show Demons, Devils, Dragons, Slaadi, and Yugoloths of multiple sex/genders.

They added male and female versions to creatures that were all one or the other, though.

 

[Clint_L]

This is true, notably the MM doesn't show Demons, Devils, Dragons, Slaadi, and Yugoloths of multiple sex/genders.

How can you tell? For example, Slaadi seem to only have one gender - Red.