D&D 5E 2024 Monster Manual has better lore than 2014 Monster Manual

[THEMNGMNT]

Many people have noted that the descriptions in the 2024 MM are shorter than the 2014 MM. The general feeling seems to be that less lore = worse lore. But I'm finding the random tables added to most entries are great inspiration -- inspiration for roleplaying monsters and kickstarting adventures. For me, these random tables are better and more impactful than the previous descriptions.

What do you think?

EDIT: I guess the correct name of this book is "The 2025 Monster Manual for the 2024 edition of Dungeons & Dragons"?

 

[Parmandur]

Many people have noted that the descriptions in the 2024 MM are shorter than the 2014 MM. The general feeling seems to be that less lore = worse lore. But I'm finding the random tables added to most entries are great inspiration -- inspiration for roleplaying monsters and kickstarting adventures. For me, these random tables are better and more impactful than the previous descriptions. What do you think?

I would agree that the lore that is present is better targeted, and more suited for reflufflng by a DM for their own world.

 

[Reynard]

I am team "less lore is better." Give me actionable information on how the creature plays. I can come up which deity or wizard created it myself, thanks.

 

[Stormonu]

I like 2E's old ecology section - how the creature fits in the world. I don't care about it's origin so much as how it fits into world overall currently.

I could take or leave the random tables. I don't find them particularly inspiring.

 

[Clint_L]

I like that the new lore is more setting agnostic. Makes it more useful for me. YVMV.

 

[kayakingpoodle]

To me stripping the lore away is stealing their identity from them. Lore can be ignored it if you want, but having the lore as canon is what keeps the creature from just being invasive species with no real history, they just are for no reason.

Again just my view.

 

[pukunui]

To me stripping the lore away is stealing their identity from them. Lore can be ignored it if you want, but having the lore as canon is what keeps the creature from just being invasive species with no real history, they just are for no reason.

Again just my view.

They’ve stripped it out of the MM to keep that book setting neutral. Setting specific lore will be in the individual setting books.

That makes the most sense to me.

 

[kayakingpoodle]

They’ve stripped it out of the MM to keep that book setting neutral. Setting specific lore will be in the individual setting books.

That makes the most sense to me.

Meh, the new Monster Manual is more of a catalog than a manual without the lore.
I get why they are doing it, I don't think it is good for the game.

Please read this with the sarcasm intended:
It just seems like we are heading towards statblocks battling it out in a spreadsheet how exciting!

 

[Clint_L]

Meh, the new Monster Manual is more of a catalog than a manual without the lore.
I get why they are doing it, I don't think it is good for the game.

Please read this with the sarcasm intended:
It just seems like we are heading towards statblocks battling it out in a spreadsheet how exciting!

Or we're heading towards a game that trusts DMs to take care of their own world building, or purchase one of many setting books from WotC and 3PP if that is what they prefer?

 

[kayakingpoodle]

Or we're heading towards a game that trusts DMs to take care of their own world building, or purchase one of many setting books from WotC and 3PP if that is what they prefer?

Wouldn't someone capable/interested in doing their own world building be able to do so with the lore there? I mean if your into world building, stripping a stat blocks from lore filled descriptions seems to be a no brainer. Where as someone with no interest in world building having to create lore for a monster in a book full of pictures and statblocks seems to add unwanted work. Just seems counter intuitive to remove something not easily replaced for those who want it when it is already there and so easy to ignore for those that won't use it.

I guess it comes down to which audience they want to cater to, the world builders or the people that want to play a game with out creating the lore. Obviously I'm in the lore camp.