D&D (2024) I have a Monster Manual. AMA!

[TwoSix]

Not when theres no monster design tools to help DMs change things - sure the MM is a menu of selectable features for my encounter building, it gives the common lore - but anything not in the lore doesnt exist until it is added and that needs extra effort made harder by arbitary monster categories and powers....

I'm not sure how some of the categories being arbitrary requires extra effort. To me, that simply means that whatever choice you DO make can't be wrong, which makes things so much easier.

 

[pukunui]

I think that might be the issue - what makes geomancy special that it causes Lizards to become elementals? Why not Lizatdman pyromancer? Or Lizardman Hydromancer

or indeed Orc Geomancer or Human geomancer?

Equally Lizardman sovereign, who looks at a swampdwelling gator and thinks, yeah earth elemental!

Lizardfolk are no longer confined to swamps and jungles. They live in primal wildernesses. A connection to the earth makes as much sense as a connection to water. As was pointed out upthread, there may be a swampy sub-plane now, but “swamp” isn’t an element.

 

[Tonguez]

I just spotted Sphinx Lair on the DnDBeyond list - whats that about?

 

[Queer Venger]

I've picked up the 2024 MM today from my games distributor, for sale tomorrow at my comic and game store.

But we're closed today, so I've got some time to answer questions!

If you have any burning questions, ask away!

(And others with the MM can feel free to help me answer. I like help!)

Is it pretty? Which cover did you get?

 

[dave2008]

Is it pretty? Which cover did you get?

He is a FLGS owner, so probably lots of both!

I can say the alt-cover is pretty, but I prefer the standard cover.

 

[Queer Venger]

He is a FLGS owner, so probably lots of both!

I can say the alt-cover is pretty, but I prefer the standard cover.

I know he is, I just wanted him to answer my question ;-)

 

[MonsterEnvy]

I just spotted Sphinx Lair on the DnDBeyond list - whats that about?

Link?

 

[Kobold Stew]

Is it pretty? Which cover did you get?

I got the alt cover, which is very beautiful. It (like the others) also has magnificent endpapers -- I don't know if they're in the regular ones, but they're truly great.

 

[Kobold Stew]

I just spotted Sphinx Lair on the DnDBeyond list - whats that about?

Sphinx of Lore (CR 11) and Sphinx of Valor (CR 17) have lairs and lair actions. While in them, they have an additional legendary resistance and actions, can cast clairvoyance, and those nearby get a bonus on Study actions.

 

[Tonguez]

Link?

https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/mm-2024

Sphinx of Lore (CR 11) and Sphinx of Valor (CR 17) have lairs and lair actions. While in them, they have an additional legendary resistance and actions, can cast clairvoyance, and those nearby get a bonus on Study actions.

hmm, so is that the only Creature with distinct Lairs? I'm curious why Sphinx Lair gets a specific entry that no other creature does