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Message: <blockquote data-quote="MerricB" data-source="post: 3153217" data-attributes="member: 3586">ConclusionMonster Manual IV represents a brave new step by Wizards in the realm of monster publishing. Far more emphasis is given to monsters that are usable as-is. Sample encounters, maps, the new format: all work much better for people who just want to use the monsters, rather than spend time altering them first. It is possible to customise the monsters, although I don't think it is quite as easy as before.Mechanically, MMIV has some brilliant innovations and really hammers home the point that lots of complicated abilities are not needed for interesting monsters. One or two simple abilities are often enough to distinguish a monster and cause more variation in how it is played than you might think.It is obvious that MMIV follows the trend of providing more background information for DMs, as we have also seen in the presentation of classes, prestige classes and magic items. I appreciate the effort being spent here, but I'm not entirely sure of the results. Some of the material is great, but other seems to be there just to fill up space.Ultimately, I do like MMIV. I really like the Spawn of Tiamat. I like the design philosophy for the new monsters. If it is not totally successful as a book, it is not because Wizards have been timid. Monster Manual V, which will be released in 2007, should be an interesting book indeed, as they continue to innovate in the field of new monsters.</blockquote>

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