Monstrous Compendium: Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures (First Look)
Wizards of the Coast releases new online bestiary that ties in to Magic: The Gathering setting
Dungeons & Dragons publisher Wizards of the Coast recently unveiled the latest instalment in the their long running Monstrous Compendium series of digital-only publications that are available exclusively on D&D Beyond.
Entitled Monstrous Compendium: Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures, the book retails for $5.99 USD, which marks the first time the series has had a cost associated with it, as previously all three volumes were free to D&D Beyond subscribers.
Below, we take a closer look at what’s inside.
What’s included in Monstrous Compendium: Eldraine Creatures?
The latest digital publication features 25 unique monsters from Eldraine, a storybook world of quests and castles, knights and wizards, wicked warlocks and fantastical creatures. Once, valiant knights would venture from five royal courts to fulfill noble quests—but the invasion of the horrific Phyrexians from another world changed all that and left the kingdom in ruins.
The realm and the wilds of Eldraine were first introduced to players of Magic: The Gathering with 2019’s “Throne of Eldraine” set. The new Wilds of Eldraine set presents the world in the wake of the Phyrexian invasion, leaving behind the knights and castles and delving deep into the strange and mysterious wilds. Here, giants lumber through the clouds, faeries make mischief, and witches cackle over bubbling cauldrons.
Below are the specific monsters featured in the new publication, including their name, Challenge Rating (CR) and creature type. As with other Monstrous Compendiums, each entry includes detailed monster descriptions, stat blocks and original art. The book also integrates directly with existing D&D Beyond DM tools like Encounters and the new Maps VTT.
- Faerie Borrower (CR: 1/2, Type: Fey)
- Gingerbrute (CR: 1/2, Type: Construct)
- Faerie Pest (CR: 1, Type: Fey)
- Faerie Pathlighter (CR: 2, Type: Fey)
- Sewer King (CR: 2, Type: Fiend)
- Knight of Eldraine (CR: 3, Type: Humanoid)
- Ogre Chitterlord (CR: 3, Type: Giant)
- Redtooth Werefox (CR: 3, Type: Monstrosity)
- Sweettooth Horror (CR: 4, Type: Fiend)
- Deathless Rider (CR: 5, Type: Undead)
- Dunbarrow Witch (CR: 5, Type: Humanoid)
- Nightmare Haunt (CR: 5, Type: Aberration)
- Witchstalker (CR: 6, Type: Monstrosity)
- Goose Mother (CR: 7, Type: Fey)
- High Fae Impostor (CR: 11, Type: Fey)
- Snapping Hydra (CR: 11, Type: Monstrosity)
- Tempest Hart (CR: 11, Type: Elemental)
- Treefolk (CR: 11, Type: Plant)
- High Fae Kindguard (CR: 12, Type: Fey)
- High Fae Mage (CR: 12, Type: Fey)
- Specter of Night (CR: 12, Type: Undead)
- High Fae Noble (CR: 13, Type: Fey)
- Archon of Boundaries (CR: 15, Type: Celestial)
- Witchkite (CR: 15, Type: Dragon)
- Beanstalk Wurm (CR: 18, Type: Monstrosity)
What are the other Volumes of Monstrous Compendium
Wizards of the Coast has been releasing other compendiums over the past few years, although as noted previously, these were all completely free to D&D Beyond subscribers (including users signed into the free account). Below are the past three volumes:
Final Thoughts
While it’s disappointing that Wizards of the Coast is charging for a product they’ve previously given away for free on D&D Beyond, it is encouraging that they are least producing new content, even if it is from a Magic: The Gathering setting that many players might not have ever heard of.
Still, if you’re looking for some more unusual monsters from the dark side of the Feywilds, you’ll definitely dig this book. It’s also worth noting that the art, creature design and range of challenge ratings are all absolutely top notch.
Below, you can also check out a recent video from D&D with more information on the book.
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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).
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