Any Word Yet on Monster Manual 2?

[Shroomy]

I guess it will include at least some of the monsters from the recent D&D Mini sets, especially Demonweb.

The "Bestiary" article in this month's Dragon covers monsters from this mini set.

Look at the FRCS and see what monsters that they talk about that are not in the MM. Those are likely to be in there, such as centaurs, winter wolves, and kenku.

 

[Rechan]

I know we're getting Frost Giants.

I wouldn't say that Undead were in the MM because that's Orcus's schtick; I think they were there because people like undead.

Besides, I seem to recall that Demogorgon's schtick is beastial races worshiping him (especially aquatic ones like Kopru).

 

[Echohawk]

Out of interest, I just did a quick (and unchecked, so excuse any errors) comparison of creatures that have appeared in the core monster books for 1st, 2nd and 3rd edition (specifically the 1ed MM, the 2ed Monstrous Compendiums (Vol 1 and 2) and the 3.5 MM) but which were not in the 4ed MM. Here's what I got:

Ankheg
Baboon
Badger
Bear, Black
Bear, Brown
Beetle, Giant Bombardier
Beetle, Giant Stag
Bison
Black Pudding
Blink Dog
Boar
Camel
Centaur
Centipede, Giant
Cockatrice
Couatl
Djinni
Dragon Turtle
Dragon, Brass
Dragon, Bronze
Dragon, Copper
Dragon, Gold
Dragon, Silver
Dragonne
Eagle, Giant
Elemental, Air
Elemental, Earth
Elemental, Fire
Elemental, Water
Elephant
Ghast
Giant, Cloud
Giant, Frost
Giant, Stone
Golem, Clay
Golem, Iron
Gray Ooze
Hag, Sea
Invisible Stalker
Lammasu
Leopard
Lion
Locathah
Lycanthrope, Werebear
Lycanthrope, Wereboar
Lycanthrope, Weretiger
Manta Ray
Merfolk
Mimic
Mule
Naga, Spirit
Naga, Water
Nixie
Nymph
Octopus, Giant
Owl
Pegasus
Pixie
Pony
Quasit
Remorhaz
Rust Monster
Shadow
Shark
Shrieker
Squid, Giant
Tiger
Triton
Violet Fungus
Whale
Will-o'-Wisp
Winter Wolf
Wolverine

A lot of these are animals, and I'm sceptical about seeing too many of those return. I also don't think we're likely to see the vanilla elementals any time soon in 4ed. But there are a lot of other classic creatures on that list that seem very likely candidates for the MM2.

 

[the Jester]

I do remember a designer comment that MM2 might have more aquatic monsters, once the aquatic combat rules are better worked out.

*crosses fingers* I have a highly aquatic game.

 

[Jhaelen]

A lot of these are animals, and I'm sceptical about seeing too many of those return. I also don't think we're likely to see the vanilla elementals any time soon in 4ed. But there are a lot of other classic creatures on that list that seem very likely candidates for the MM2.

I agree. I don't think we'll see 'plain <anything>' anymore.

Normal animals aren't cool. Just like in MM1 we'll only get feytouched, shadowfell , or other 'fantastic' variants.

Single-element elementals won't make it because they no longer have a place in the cosmology.

I'm also hoping for a power-shift, i.e. more monsters for paragon and epic levels. I really wouldn't want to have to play an epic-level campaign with just the monsters from MM1. If am to use the encounter templates from the DMG, I'll need a lot of options for monsters from level 28 to 37.

It would also be cool if they included some kind of elite-minion monster-type since standard minions don't seem to be worth their xp at high levels. Then again maybe that's something that will be in DMG2, which I hope will have lots of new templates!

 

[avin]

A Remorhaz has been spoiled for the 2009 Huge Miniature Set, so it's probably in.

Rust Monster was confirmed for the canned Feywild mini set, I bet it's in.

Frost Giants are probably there.

Shemeska is a "Raavasta" on MoTP4E, maybe it's there...

Hope they keep Ultroloths as a race, not some inferior demon.

 

[avin]

Normal animals aren't cool. Just like in MM1 we'll only get feytouched, shadowfell , or other 'fantastic' variants.

While I agree that "normal" creatures will be left out I strongly disagree abot "normal animals aren't cool".

A tiger on the jungle or a giant scorpion are way cooler than some Magma Hurlers jokes at MM4E.

What's more dangerous? One lion or one Kobold?

Hyena got in MM4E just because already have a miniature...

 

[Dragonblade]

We need Duergar and Derro in MM2.

 

[Jack99]

Out of interest, I just did a quick (and unchecked, so excuse any errors) comparison of creatures that have appeared in the core monster books for 1st, 2nd and 3rd edition (specifically the 1ed MM, the 2ed Monstrous Compendiums (Vol 1 and 2) and the 3.5 MM) but which were not in the 4ed MM. Here's what I got:

snip monster list..

A lot of these are animals, and I'm sceptical about seeing too many of those return. I also don't think we're likely to see the vanilla elementals any time soon in 4ed. But there are a lot of other classic creatures on that list that seem very likely candidates for the MM2.

A lot of those monsters were in AV, so I am not so sure we will see them in the MM2

We need Duergar and Derro in MM2.

Duergar were in H2, so therefore already available via the DDI. I am not sure how much overlapping there will be. It would definitely diminish the worth of the DDI if the future MM's become partial compilations of stuff already released.

 

[Dragonblade]

Duergar were in H2, so therefore already available via the DDI. I am not sure how much overlapping there will be. It would definitely diminish the worth of the DDI if the future MM's become partial compilations of stuff already released.

Yes, but Duergar are a classic monster, they deserve MM treatment. Besides I don't have H2, and I don't like looking stuff on the computer when I DM. I want them in a MM book.