D&D (2024) Monster Manual Organisation

[Stormonu]

Red Dragon Wyrmling
Young Red Dragon
Adult Red Dragon
Ancient Red Dragon

In that order, all under "Red Dragon"

C'mon, consistency - is it that hard WotC?

 

[Parmandur]

It's the inconsistency. You go to S for Blue Slaad. You go to B for Blue Dragon.

But there is a definite consistency: they group creatures where you will want variety gor a group OR where you will want to find a CR dpecific variant. So Adult and Ancient Blue Dragons are under B. The reasoning is quite consistent and easy enough to follow, and well broadcast in the reference tools.

 

[Parmandur]

Missed that. Sure consistency is good.

I have so far managed to avoid making any waggish cracks about consistency and Hobgoblins.

 

[Parmandur]

I don't have the new MM, but how are they doing the dragons? I thought all the age categories were under the main dragon's heading.

On beyond, the Red dragon is as follows:

Adult Red Dragon
Ancient Red Dragon
Red Dragon Wyrmling
Red Dragon Youth

Shouldn't it be it starts with "Red Dragon" first, then have the age? Something like this ...

Red Dragon Hatchling
Red Dragon Youth
Red Dragon Young Adult
Red Dragon Adult
Red Dragon Old
Red Dragon Ancient
Red Dragon Wyrm

In the book, it is Red Dragon Wyrmling > Red Young Red Dragon > Adult Red Dragon > Ancient Red Dragon, with escalating art pieces.

 

[Parmandur]

C'mon, consistency - is it that hard WotC?

In the cases where they cluster ogether a small group, they are listed in CR order, apparently fr ease of prep. So the Goblins go from weakest to strongest, same with Purates or Vampires.

 

[mamba]

It's the inconsistency. You go to S for Blue Slaad. You go to B for Blue Dragon.

All Slaad are grouped together, as are all Goblins, as are all Blue Dragons, etc.

You can argue that you would want a different grouping criteria, but it is not inconsistent from how they decided the main monster and its variants

 

[abirdcall]

A benefit of the new way is that it is nicer to explore the book. Before there was a big glut of the same stuff in D for demons, devils, and dragons.

Now that they are dispersed throughout as well as NPCs, it's fun to come across different sorts of monsters on every page.

Another thing that digital doesn't capture well is how the art aids with this. The art has more action and movement than 2014 and different creature types are given different art styles and moods.

It feels like coming across varied wondrous creatures when flipping through it because they are so different from each other.

 

[Parmandur]

A benefit of the new way is that it is nicer to explore the book. Before there was a big glut of the same stuff in D for demons, devils, and dragons.

Now that they are dispersed throughout as well as NPCs, it's fun to come across different sorts of monsters on every page.

Another thing that digital doesn't capture well is how the art aids with this. The art has more action and movement than 2014 and different creature types are given different art styles and moods.

It feels like coming across varied wondrous creatures when flipping through it because they are so different from each other.

I have to say, it really did work well for random flipping through the pages, makes the variety pretty solid.

 

[Shardstone]

I love the new MM but it is literally the worst organized monster book I have ever read. Whoever decided on this was smokin' the same stuff I do on the weekends. I just don't get it. It literally makes no real functional sense.

 

[Nikosandros]

I have sp far managed to avoid making any aggish cracks about consistency and Hobgoblins.

Not being fey myself, I could have never divined your intent.