D&D General The Revised Monster Manual was released 1 year ago today! How have you liked facing down and using the new monsters?

[Sulicius]

That is my experience.

Even after a year I find page-turning annoying. I never got used to red dragon instead of dragon, red. At first I welcomed and dig the art; now I wish there was less. The humanoid blocks are pretty good all things considered; enough that I find I use them a lot more than in 2014, but I’m annoyed by the fact they are scattered. Not sure what I was supposed to say….

Ah sorry, I read over a part of your post.

I think I am getting a bit tired of seeing people say the same things without it sounding like they played with any of the stat blocks. A lot of “bought it, but I did not use it”

 

[Laurefindel]

Ah sorry, I read over a part of your post.

I think I am getting a bit tired of seeing people say the same things without it sounding like they played with any of the stat blocks. A lot of “bought it, but I did not use it”

No stress,

The stat blocks are a definite improvement (except a few that I like less than their 2014 version). I’m still discovering here and there that « oh, this creature is no longer resistant to fire » and such (still having similar confusions with spells in PHB), because old habits die hard I guess because unlearning is hard. I love that they removed a lot of saving throws for rider effects.

But still, I find that the new MM is great for browsing and inspiring (which a good book should do), less so for running the game (which a good book should also do). I find myself using it a lot in prep, then printing stat blocks on paper and not using the book itself during play.

I wish I also had a « lean » version with a more encyclopedic format for use at the table.

 

[Zardnaar]

Well tgey kinda nerfed danage on low CR critters. Generally reducing the number of attacks from 2 down to 1 or 3 down to 2.

And ramped up damage a lot around CR5-8.

Lots more force, radiant, psychic damage going around.

 

[Tessarael]

Lots more force, radiant, psychic damage going around.

Hmm. So with the D&D 2024 monster updates, what are the best resistances for PCs to have now? Still fire, poison, and necrotic? (Obviously, bludgeoning/piercing/slashing are even better, but that's restricted primarily to Barbarians.)

In our current campaign, we've got 4 out of 6 characters resistant to poison, 2 with fire resistance, and my character just got a Ring of Necrotic Resistance.

 

[Clint_L]

I think we had this discussion before, but that was the one thing that bothered me with the 2024 edition. I thought the 2014 edition did such a great job interconnecting the monsters to other monsters and the ecosystem in which they lived. This followed the path of the PHB species, where it was just, "Meh, you do the work." I don't know, I just really liked the putting the puzzle pieces together and the interconnectedness of the 2014 MM. I think it was the best one they have ever published.

But, I get your side too. I was just sorry to see it shift.

I like that stuff, too. But I like it in a setting guide, rather than in the MM which I feel should be setting neutral. Just my taste.

 

[Zardnaar]

Hmm. So with the D&D 2024 monster updates, what are the best resistances for PCs to have now? Still fire, poison, and necrotic? (Obviously, bludgeoning/piercing/slashing are even better, but that's restricted primarily to Barbarians.)

In our current campaign, we've got 4 out of 6 characters resistant to poison, 2 with fire resistance, and my character just got a Ring of Necrotic Resistance.

Still the same imho.

 

[Chaltab]

It’s actually the opposite. If you are used to the old way and never try to learn the new way, it seems stupid.

If you use the book a session or two, you’ll already be used to it.

I'm talking specifically about the issue where monsters of type aren't in the same place so you have to flip all over the book for them, IE demons, devils, aasimon, etc. Of course you get used to it, but it's the kind of hiccup you might not consider if you're usually playing with D&D Beyond handy, or if you print statblocks out.

 

[Sulicius]

I'm talking specifically about the issue where monsters of type aren't in the same place so you have to flip all over the book for them, IE demons, devils, aasimon, etc. Of course you get used to it, but it's the kind of hiccup you might not consider if you're usually playing with D&D Beyond handy, or if you print statblocks out.

If you use adventure books and the like, it is far easier to find things alphabetically. The only ones that tripped me up so far have been the Slaadi and the "Warriors".

At least they don't expect me to know what a Yugoloth is

 

[Sulicius]

Hmm. So with the D&D 2024 monster updates, what are the best resistances for PCs to have now? Still fire, poison, and necrotic? (Obviously, bludgeoning/piercing/slashing are even better, but that's restricted primarily to Barbarians.)

In our current campaign, we've got 4 out of 6 characters resistant to poison, 2 with fire resistance, and my character just got a Ring of Necrotic Resistance.

That information will differ per campaign. Also, IMO it is metagaming to use the MM to optimize your character.

 

[Zardnaar]

That information will differ per campaign. Also, IMO it is metagaming to use the MM to optimize your character.

Its going in blind what's good.

Fire resistance or immunity has been great since 1E.