Towards the end of last year, my family decided to explore the world of leading meal kit services. We were delighted to discover new ingredients and try dishes we hadn’t before. However, there were some quirks we didn’t appreciate—like why did almost every recipe seem to demand several tiny packets of sour cream? And while prepping was noticeably faster and the meals themselves presented an array of intriguing options, the flavors sometimes came out a bit muddled, possibly due to cooking everything on one cookie sheet.
Reflecting on this experience, I attended a private press event hosted by Wizards of the Coast last week. The focus was their latest release, the Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual, which promises to be larger and more packed with exciting content than ever before. Within its pages are numerous “monster sets” designed to enable spontaneous and thrilling encounters. Like a meal service, it’s tailored for quick and easy use, but here’s the twist: the taste—so to speak—is left in the hands of the one pulling the strings, the Dungeon Master.
Scheduled for 2025 and in sync with the 2024 updates to the 5th edition rules, the new Monster Manual joins forces with the Player’s Handbook and Dungeon Master’s Guide. Unlike its predecessor from 2014 that felt like a reference tome, this edition is brimming with the spark of creativity, prompting users to adapt and breathe new life into monsters and non-player characters. This isn’t your typical kit dictating every move. Instead, it’s a treasure trove of recipes, inviting you to craft a memorable feast for your gaming group using whatever flavors suit the moment.
A standout improvement is the refreshed layout of the entire manuscript. Monsters are now listed alphabetically, making it easier to find that sneaky gelatinous cube under G, instead of digging through the O’s for “oozes.” For those who prefer the old sorting style, an appendix organizes them by creature type and Challenge Rating, helping gauge their power. Plus, there’s a sorting by habitat, which is great if you’re setting a scene in the forest and want a quick list of potential foes lurking there.
The expanded “monster sets” are another significant upgrade. Rather than a few run-of-the-mill cultists, you’ll find a slew of variations within the theme. This gives you the tools to populate an encounter with enemies whose skills and abilities complement each other, akin to the synergy seen among player heroes. Expect to see this thematic style woven throughout the entire book.
When a Dungeon Master lands on a particular monster or ensemble, there’s newfound freedom to experiment. ALIGNMENTS are now more a guideline than a rule, as explained by game director Jeremy Crawford during the event. Feel like giving your campaign’s red dragon a friendly twist? Go for it. Each creature comes with its own dash of inspiration to play with.
The Monster Manual (2025) is open for pre-orders, hitting local game stores first with a special collectible cover on February 4th, before expanding to a broader audience on February 18th.
