D&D (2024) Monster Manual 2025 Stat Block Compilation

This thread contains a compilation of the Monster Manual 2025 stat blocks which have been previewed publicly so far.

 

[Reynard]

It does not need to, the hulk can just smash and spore bomb them.

I don't care about "need." The fiction of the power says it should be absorbing the captured subject. 2d6 necrotic per round while restrained should do it.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

I don't care about "need." The fiction of the power says it should be absorbing the captured subject. 2d6 necrotic per round while restrained should do it.

Do it!

 

[Reynard]

Do it!

I like it because it forces choices on the victim's allies (presumably the other PCs). Fight the monster or try and save your team member. If it doesn't do damage, they'll just leave them stuck.

 

[Tormyr]

View attachment 394489
Violet Fungus Necrohulk! Looks neat!

Enters thread. "Nope!" Exits Thread

That's some nice early to mid level nightmare fuel.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

I don't care about "need." The fiction of the power says it should be absorbing the captured subject. 2d6 necrotic per round while restrained should do it.

It is still nice. Necrobomb has a con save and the grafted target gets disadvantage. Not totally bad.
Maybe no damage, so you don't forget to deal it each round. I have noticed passive damage is often forgotten.

And on top of that: some people said str saving throws are useless now....

 

[Reynard]

So what can we garner from all these statblocks, from a broad 2024 MM design ethos standpoint?

 

[Tormyr]

So what can we garner from all these statblocks, from a broad 2024 MM design ethos standpoint?

I feel like one of the big takeaways is, "AC is king." In 2014 an effect from a hit usually also required failing a saving throw. Now, the effect happens when you get hit. If you don't want to suffer the effect, don't get hit. This also means that monsters that are easy to hit but have a lot of hit points need to be able to shrug off some of those effects they will otherwise suffer.

 

[Sulicius]

The Adult Black Dragon shared by The Gallant Goblin

My maths tell me it deals an average of 135 damage per round, which is a 23 or about 20% damage increase. Not bad.

 

[Reynard]

What happens if a dragon starts the battle in its lair and uses 3 Legendary Resistances, but then flees the lair. Once outside is it out of LRs, or because the fight started in its lair does it still have 1?

 

[Siravia]

EDIT: was a repost of the adult black dragon stat block - should have checked two posts above!