D&D (2024) 2025's Ancient Green Dragon Stat Block From The New Monster Manual

The new ancient green dragon from the 2025 Monster Manual was previewed at Gen Con.

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[MonsterEnvy]

So you think all the spells that it has to be described completely as well too?

The spells are linked at least.

 

[Uni-the-Unicorn!]

The spells are linked at least.

In beyond, but not in my book!

 

[Mirrorrorrim]

No, that is not what the word "typically" means in this context. In this context, it implies "not always." Which has not been the case with alignment as it was originally used in D&D. In this context, and particularly in American English, "typically" means "showing the characteristics expected of or popularly associated with a particular person, situation, or thing."

That word "typically" does a lot of lifting in MotM. It means that, for example, a Red Abishai can have a different alignment than Lawful Evil, still going by RAW.

Well, if the 2024 Monster Manual explains how the "Alignment" entry is being representative of "typical" monsters of the respective type, that solves it. It wouldn't need to be in each entry.

 

[dave2008]

No, that is not what the word "typically" means in this context. In this context, it implies "not always." Which has not been the case with alignment as it was originally used in D&D. In this context, and particularly in American English, "typically" means "showing the characteristics expected of or popularly associated with a particular person, situation, or thing."

That word "typically" does a lot of lifting in MotM. It means that, for example, a Red Abishai can have a different alignment than Lawful Evil, still going by RAW.

Well, if the 2024 Monster Manual explains how the "Alignment" entry is being representative of "typical" monsters of the respective type, that solves it. It wouldn't need to be in each entry.

As a reminder, here is what it says in the 2014 Monster Manual in the Introduction under Alignment:

"The alignment specified in a monster’s stat block is the default. Feel free to depart from it and change a monster’s alignment to suit the needs of your campaign. If you want a good-aligned green dragon or an evil storm giant, there’s nothing stopping you."

I would assume we get something similar in 2024.

 

[mamba]

But in this model a player might choose to do a heal, not just for the heal but also because it means the dragon doesn’t get a damaging reaction. So it might encourage more “something other than damage” play

I dislike that, if everyone just stands there, the dragon will still react, I don’t care if there is no matching trigger

 

[pukunui]

As a reminder, here is what it says in the 2014 Monster Manual in the Introduction under Alignment:

"The alignment specified in a monster’s stat block is the default. Feel free to depart from it and change a monster’s alignment to suit the needs of your campaign. If you want a good-aligned green dragon or an evil storm giant, there’s nothing stopping you."

I would assume we get something similar in 2024.

And yet that disclaimer didn’t prevent the controversy that led to WotC first removing alignment from the statblocks then bringing it back with the “typically” qualifier.

It’s therefore noteworthy that they’ve gone back to the original 2014 way.

 

[Stalker0]

I dislike that, if everyone just stands there, the dragon will still react, I don’t care if there is no matching trigger

well there is a matching trigger for that (the charm monster) its just not a damaging trigger.

 

[dave2008]

I dislike that, if everyone just stands there, the dragon will still react, I don’t care if there is no matching trigger

Well one of the triggers it has is: when a creature it can see ends it turn. So it will always have a trigger.

 

[TheDungeonMathster]

In beyond, but not in my book!

This is why I prefer to design stat blocks with an extra "block" of spells that can be referenced or not. I get it that a publisher is not going to waste the money on paper, but it is immensely helpful in combat for DMs.

Something like:

Followed by (on a separate page, or the back):

 

[pukunui]

I liked it when WotC (briefly) included some spells written out in the Actions / Reactions sections of the statblocks. For example, the Black Gauntlet of Bane (Descent into Avernus) has guiding bolt written out as an action:

Guiding Bolt (1st-Level Spell; Requires a Spell Slot). Ranged Spell Attack: +7 to hit, range 120 ft., one creature. Hit: 14 (4d6) radiant damage, and the next attack roll made against the target before the end of the black gauntlet’s next turn has advantage. If the black gauntlet casts this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the damage increases by 1d6 for each slot level above 1st.

I liked that, and I would have preferred that they continue with that method rather than the current spell slot-less way they are doing spellcasting.