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​

 

[Jensaarai]

"strategic genius demon" doesn't roll off the tongue quite as well as "snake demon" though

 

[pemerton]

I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone connected with WotC (or TSR for that matter) say that a specific artistic representation of a D&D monster was the default representation of that monster.

The closest I can think of to exceptions to this are some specific D&D-isms - chromatic dragons, umber hulks, beholders, mind flayers, maybe a few others.

Otherwise, depictions have always changed pretty liberally. As one would expect for a fantasy game!

 

[Incenjucar]

"strategic genius demon" doesn't roll off the tongue quite as well as "snake demon" though

War queen demon?

High five demon?

 

[TiQuinn]

The closest I can think of to exceptions to this are some specific D&D-isms - chromatic dragons, umber hulks, beholders, mind flayers, maybe a few others.

Otherwise, depictions have always changed pretty liberally. As one would expect for a fantasy game!

I can think of one specifically - they really wanted to make sure Black Dragons were distinguished by the forward facing horns, but that’s hardly different from saying a Marilith has six arms brandishing weapons.

 

[Jensaarai]

War queen demon?

High five demon?

"battle queen demon" kinda slaps

 

[Maxperson]

So I don't get the "eye roll." Is honesty something so easily dismissed?

I mean, if the human race is any indication...

 

[Maxperson]

I disagree

That's fair. Speaking for myself, though, even as a 13 year old boy new to the whole differences between boys and girls thing, I was never like, "Let me open up the MM so I can take a look at that Marilith."

 

[Maxperson]

War queen demon?

High five demon?

All the high five demons have been gone since Graz'zt, the high six demon came into being and eradicated them.

 

[dave2008]

So a succubus is a bat demon?

A marilith's theme is being strategic geniuses able to coordinate the chaotic hordes. The snake butt is just a feature, equal to its six-armed human top.

Sure, but nothing you said prevents them from fitting the idea of snake demon too. It is just a reductive way of categorizing them. More impactful than calling them female demons IMO

 

[Kobold Avenger]

All the high five demons have been gone since Graz'zt, the high six demon came into being and eradicated them.

Graz'zt is incapable of giving High Fives. But a High Six hasn't gone too well given that most don't have six fingers like Graz'zt does.