AD&D 2e Monster Manual versus FF, MMI, and MM2

[AllisterH]

What I find amusing about the love showcased for the 2e MM is that WAY back on rec.games.frp.dnd (when Sean R used to verbally spar with Robb Repp, the TSR liason at the time), the consensus seemed to be that the 2e MM sucked.

BECAUSE of the excess amount of fluff. Many thought the fluff was just an excuse so that every monster had its own page and that it was a way to put less monsters in the book.

How things change...

 

[Orius]

The reason I ask about content overlap is that I'm kind of strapped for cash and am trying to make my $$$ go as far as I can. If I can snag one book as opposed to three and still have a good selection of iconic monsters to play with, I'm good.

If you're strapped for cash, I'd definitely get the 2e version, as you'll get a lot of bang for your bucks...

I'll concur, there's a TON of stuff in the Monstrous Manual, you've got the core 2e monsters, a big selection of stuff from the various game worlds, and even monsters that were new to the MM. Biggest downside is the lack of fiends and celestials, but if you've got that covered, then you should be fine. If you're not going to be running a campaign that focuses heavily on the planes it won't matter much anyway, and there's more than enough stuff to fill a campaign world and thensome.

What I find amusing about the love showcased for the 2e MM is that WAY back on rec.games.frp.dnd (when Sean R used to verbally spar with Robb Repp, the TSR liason at the time), the consensus seemed to be that the 2e MM sucked.

BECAUSE of the excess amount of fluff. Many thought the fluff was just an excuse so that every monster had its own page and that it was a way to put less monsters in the book.

How things change...

Maybe it's because of the fluffless-ness of 3e (which I never minded, because I had plenty of good 2e fluff to use). Maybe some of us older players miss the classic fluff. Who knows?

 

[Nikosandros]

Fair enough. I just figured "Complaint" was the best word at the time. "Criticisms" would probably be a better word.

Actually, in my case it was neither. I prefer the 2e versions of the dragons, but I still think that it's a difference that's worth mentioning.