D&D (2024) Monster Manual 2025 Aberrations & Oozes Video

[SkidAce]

Man, the 2024 ruleset has a really weird mix of leaning away from the lore that was already established (most creatures) and leaning in to new lore (e.g. aberrations are now all Far Realms-linked, goblinoids are now Fey, etc).

I miss 2e's "Habitat/Society" and "Ecology" entries.

When the lore was slightly vaguer, it made using the creatures in a tool kit easier.

Its not a show stopper and nothing that cant be overcome for specific homebrew, it just makes managing players expectations harder.

I.e. Player "Wait, that gold dragon just slaughtered that village, I thought they were good?"
DM "Where did you character hear that?".


Welp, talk later, gotta go add some lines to the homebrew page that the players dont read...haha.

 

[Reynard]

I miss 2e's "Habitat/Society" and "Ecology" entries.

That's the stuff that the MM should spend words on: things that are true regardless of what world you are running your game in.

 

[SkidAce]

I don't mind if there is a "default " NPC stat block. Just as long as they provide enough traits for each of the races to slap on when need be.

So if I want an Orc NPC with Aggressive(I said what I said), Relentless Endurance, and Primal Intuition, then have a at least the traits to slap on it to represent that.

If I want an Elf or Drow Pirate NPC, then provide the Fey Ancestry and Superior Dark Vision traits to slap on said default Pirate NPC stat block.

Etc, etc
.

I think we will have to develop such characteristics and use them ourselves, as part of campaign customization.

No problem, and its fun...does kinda feel like swimming uphill more than it used to though.

 

[SkidAce]

Huh, gith were aberrations in the Planescape set.

Still "nope" but it appears I lose my DnD nerd card.

edit: at least in Beyond they are.

 

[SkidAce]

Humanoid in 2014 MM. (Physical and Beyond)

Aberration in Planescape. (Physical and Beyond)

 

[OB1]

Man, finding a monster to be the end boss of my upcoming campaign is going to be tough. I want level 18-20 characters facing a "wizard king." I was hoping that maybe the Arch hag would be a decent model.

If you're looking for a solo for level 18-20 characters, you'll need to look at a CR 27-30 monster. Sul Khatesh (Eberron RftLW) is magic user themed and CR28, just change it from a fiend to a human.

If you don't mind having some appropriate support monsters, I think the Arch Hag will do fine. For example, you could get to the right encounter balance by adding a Dracolich as a mount or a Death Knight bodyguard (perhaps reflavored to meet your needs) both of which ar CR17.

 

[Reynard]

If you're looking for a solo for level 18-20 characters, you'll need to look at a CR 27-30 monster. Sul Khatesh (Eberron RftLW) is magic user themed and CR28, just change it from a fiend to a human.

If you don't mind having some appropriate support monsters, I think the Arch Hag will do fine. For example, you could get to the right encounter balance by adding a Dracolich as a mount or a Death Knight bodyguard (perhaps reflavored to meet your needs) both of which ar CR17.

Thanks.

I looked at it quick and it might be a decent model (although its magic is more smitey and less spell-y).

 

[OB1]

Thanks.

I looked at it quick and it might be a decent model (although its magic is more smitey and less spell-y).

Did you look at it's list of spells for innate spellcasting or just the actions? In inate spellcasting it has DC25(+18)

At Will: Counterspell, Dispell magic, detect thoughts, eyebite, fireball, lightining bolt, shield
3/day: chain lightning, create undead, hold monster, mass suggestion, scrying
1/day: foresight, gate, power word kill, teleport

Also, appologies for derailing this thread! Back to Aberration talk...

 

[Reynard]

Did you look at it's list of spells for innate spellcasting or just the actions? In inate spellcasting it has DC25(+18)

At Will: Counterspell, Dispell magic, detect thoughts, eyebite, fireball, lightining bolt, shield
3/day: chain lightning, create undead, hold monster, mass suggestion, scrying
1/day: foresight, gate, power word kill, teleport

Also, appologies for derailing this thread! Back to Aberration talk...

I was looking on Fantasy grounds and the view was more limited out of the combat tracker. thanks.

 

[Worrgrendel]

Something my beautiful wife just pointed out to me when I was talking to her about the changes of some species from humanoid to aberration or fey and how things like Charm Person and Hold Person don’t work on them anymore and she immediately fired back with “Yeah, but spells like Protection From Evil and Good and Detect Evil and Good now do so it’s a wash.”
Disadvantage on all attack rolls from Fey with a 1st level spell that lasts 10 minutes before trying to clear out the goblin warrens? Yes, please.
Other similar spells like Dispel Evil and Good, Forbiddance, Hallow, Magic Circle, and Planar Binding all fall in the same category but I might have missed some others.