Towards the end of last year, my family decided to explore some of the top meal kit services. We were pleasantly surprised by the introduction of new ingredients and dishes. However, one drawback stood out—besides the puzzling necessity for numerous tiny packets of sour cream—it was the fact that when whipping up a meal on a single cookie sheet, everything ended up tasting rather similar. The prep time was admittedly quicker and the dishes were more adventurous, but the flavors seemed slightly off the mark.
This whole experience was fresh in my mind during a press event hosted by Wizards of the Coast last week. They unveiled their newest Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual. Filled with a treasure trove of monstrous delights, this edition is larger than any before it, boasting expanded “monster sets” perfect for spontaneous encounters. It’s designed for efficiency and ease, but unlike the meal kits, the real magic lies in how the Dungeon Master chooses to serve it.
Set to be released in 2025, the new Monster Manual aligns with the 2024 fifth edition rules upgrade, standing alongside the Player’s Handbook and Dungeon Master’s Guide as fundamental components of the D&D experience. While its predecessor from 2014 functioned more like a guidebook, this version brims with creative prompts and opportunities for experimentation. Rather than dictating exact instructions, it’s a collection of recipes that urges you to craft a unique experience for your players right there at the table, customizing it to your taste.
One of the most notable changes is its reorganized layout. Monsters are now listed alphabetically, so iconic ones like the gelatinous cube are under “G” instead of buried under “oozes” in the “O” section. However, if you prefer the traditional classification, an appendix at the back sorts creatures by type and Challenge Rating—a measure of their power compared to others. There’s also an option to categorize them by habitat, so if you’re curating a forest encounter, you’ll easily find all the relevant critters.
The expansion of monster sets is another standout feature. Instead of just a few standard cultist variations, there’s an array of enemies embodying the cultist theme. This makes assembling an encounter with enemies that share complementary skills, much like the heroes on the opposite side, effortless. This thematic organization is consistent throughout the book.
When a Dungeon Master chooses a specific monster or group of monsters, they’ll find unprecedented freedom to customize them. Alignments now serve as mere suggestions, according to game director Jeremy Crawford. So if a red dragon seems like it could be more of an ally, go right ahead. Each creature is presented with its own little slice of inspiration.
You can pre-order the Monster Manual (2025) now. It’ll make its debut with a special collectible cover in local game stores on February 4, following up with a broader release on February 18.
