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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Messageboard Golem" data-source="post: 2009498" data-attributes="member: 18387">While eagerly awaiting the arrival of Monster Manual II, I thought it fitting to revisit Core Book III: Monster Manual I. While I have a suspicion that MMI and MMII will join together in a higher state just as the old MCI and MCII (later merged and expanded into the 2E MM), Core Book III can stand on it's own feet easily. Here are some highlights: Great Introduction The introductory chapter introduced us to so many of the new - long overdue - innovations of monsters in the 3E/d20 system. The division of monsters into types and large list of predefined special abilities are a true boon as is the new system of Creature Advancement allowing the DM to tone monsters up and down (a concept further strengthened by the invention of "templates"). Monster Selection The selection of monsters in the MMI is by no means as complete as the fantastic repertoire of the 2E MM, the artwork is several leagues better, though, and the more customisable monster system will surely allow the DM access to a greater array of exciting foes than it's predecessor did. There are both old favourites and some new innovations to be found in the book:Aranea: The spellcasting, shapeshifting spiders have always been favourites of mine back to the days when they appeared in OD&D...Bulette: Gotta love a landshark...Nightshades: Some of my favourite undead - truly horrific. Feature the coolest picture in the book (closely contested by the Mind Flayer depiction).Tendriculos: This ravaging plant wrecked havoc on my first 3E group - not much of an intelligence test but a great atypical physical monster.Xill: I was glad to see the alien-like Xill from the original Fiend Folio make a surprise appearence in this book. The Xill serve many functions - from disgusting foes to tricky (very tricky!) allies. And of course  80% of the monsters are more or less the essential classics such as: Beholder, Bugbear, Goblin, Orc, Drow, Illithid, Ankheg, Behir, Ghost, Lich etc. as well as a broad selection of Dragons, Giants, Celestials, Devils and Demons. Templates Templates is on of my favourite design elements of the 3E/d20 system - it has opened the door for the creation of some truly unique and interesting monsters and adds tremendously to the flexibility of both DM and players choices. It's nice to see that pretty much everyone can now become a vampire, lycanthrope, half-fiend, half-celestial etc. The concept has been expanded upon so much by now that the templates in MM may seem a bit moot by comparison. It's my guess, though, that'll you'll find these templates extremely hard to miss in your gaming sessions. Conclusion All in all, I still think the MM is one of the most useful resources in my now fairly comprehensive 3E library. It provides the DM with what it sets out to provide: A solid base of standard DnD/fantasy monsters for use in several different genres of fantasy play. Personally, I'd have liked a bit bigger book but my appetite for monsters is insatiable and I won't hold that against this product. -Zarrock</blockquote>

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