D&D 5E Tome of Beasts or Volo's Guide

[Reynard]

The two books are the same MSRP, and I want to expand my monster selection. So, ENWorld, which one should I buy?

A couple notes:

I will be buying it on Fantasy grounds since that is where I run D&D these days. If I like whichever one I go with, I will probably pick up a hard copy for running at con games.

I am not especially interested in additional PC races.

I primarily use homebrew settings.

I like being able to rely on CRs as at least a general guide to what to toss at PCs. CR/Encounter level is never perfect but I need a starting point.

Thanks!

 

[MichaelArkAngel]

I have both, but personally a fan of the Tome of Beasts. IMO you can never have enough options when it comes to monsters.

 

[waxtransient]

Both are good but if you can only have one I recommend Tome of Beasts. It has many more monsters, and the monsters tend to be more challenging given their CR, making their CR more reliable.

Also, Tome of Beasts probably has more mid-high to high CR monsters than the MM, 5th edition foes, and Volo's combined, so if your home brew is going to end up going to higher levels then Tome of Beasts becomes invaluable.

 

[Raunalyn]

 

[Ezequielramone]

Volo gives you a lot of flavor for existing monsters and bring back old classics.
ToB has many many more stats. The monsters have enough information to inspire a background. The best thing I found is that veteran players will not guess what monsters do. They have all special abilities and are more than a bunch of HPs. You have new derros, new kobolds and ghouls. I used many monster for custom encounters in the underdark and were awesome. I highly recommend this. Unless you prefer to stick with classic monsters.

 

[Prakriti]

Home-brew setting and want-moar-monsters = Tome of Beasts.
Official setting and want-moar-lore = Volo's Guide to Monsters.

 

[Skyscraper]

Not sure that Volo's is limited to an official setting. I have it and love the lore and the content, but I DM exclusively in my homebrew. Rare minor tweaks are required, for example a god's name.

 

[Reynard]

Which one has more Fey, since they are a major component of my homebrew?

 

[DEFCON 1]

Which one has more Fey, since they are a major component of my homebrew?

Volo's Guide To 30 Rock.

 

[Prakriti]

Which one has more Fey, since they are a major component of my homebrew?

About 50 Fey in Tome of Beasts (a lot):

Abominable Beauty
Ala
Aridni
Azza Gremlin
Baba Yaga’s Horsemen Base
Beli
Bereginyas
Boloti
Bucca
Chernomoi
Clurichaun
Dau
Domovoi
Dryad, Duskthorn
Dullahan
Eel Hound
Eleinomae
Far Darrig
Fear Smith (Fiarsídhe)
Fey Lord, Lord of the Hunt
Fey Lord, Moonlit King
Fey Lady, Queen of Night and Magic
Fey Lady, Queen of Witches
Fey Lord, River King
Fey Lady, Snow Queen
Fraughashar
Gerridae
Gremlin, Rum
Hag, Blood
Hag, Mirror
Hag, Red
Ice Maiden
Kikimora
Lorelei
Malphas (Storm Crow)
Miremal
Nichny
Pombero
Redcap
Scheznyki
Selang
Shadow Beast
Shellycoat
Spire Walker
Swarm, Sluagh
Vila
Vile Barber
Fey Lord, Bear King
Hulking Whelp
Mirager

Not many in Volo's Guide, by comparison. Maybe 9 total? Darkling, Quickling, Boggle, Korred, Redcap, a couple hags, and a few others, I think.