The New 2024 DnD Monster Manual (Deep Dive)
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The Monster Manual has been a key part of Dungeons & Dragons going back to the earliest edition of the game. Chalked full of stat blocks, background info and art, these books are essemtoa; to running successful adventures and have helped shape the overall lore of DnD, introducing iconic creatures like owlbears, beholders and mimics.
The last Monster Manual was published back in 2014 for fifth edition DnD and contained over 300 unique creatures of all types and challenge ratings. The book, however, isn’t without its detractors, with many veteran players complaining about a lack of more difficult monsters, organizational issues and certain elements growing somewhat stale as the game has evolved over the past decade.
Now, Wizards of the Coast has just unleashed the new 2024 Monster Manual, which seeks to address many of these issues, while also updating to the new DnD 2024 rules set. It’s available now for order on D&D Beyond and Amazon. (As a full disclosure we received a review copy courtesy of Wizards of the Coast but have not received any further financial compensation or any mandates on how we cover the new book).
So just what new creature features are lurking in this new Monster Manual? Below, we break out all the details.
Table of Contents
- What is the New Monster Manual?
- Is the New Monster Manual Fifth Edition?
- How is the new MM different from the old one?
- When will the new Monster Manual be released?
- How much will the new Monster Manual be?
- Is there a variant Monster Manual cover?
- What other tie-in products are available?
- Is the new 2024 MM worth picking up?
- Final thoughts and review score
What is the New 2024 Monster Manual?
The new Monster Manual is a sourcebook for Dungeons & Dragons fifth edition that introduces a number of new creatures, updates stat blocks for existing monsters and addresses player concerns over rules such as Challenge Ratings, statblock structure and organization. Additionally, the book integrates with content from other related publications, including Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes and Volo’s Guide to Monsters.
Notably, the new Monster Manual was originally supposed to be be part of the Dungeons & Dragons 50th anniversary celebration in 2024. During that time a new Dungeon Masters Guide and new Player’s Handbook were released, with the three books collectively referred to as the “DnD Core Books” by Wizards of the Coast. Unfortunately, the Monster Manual didn’t quite make it to 2024 and instead is scheduled for release in February 2025. Wizards of the Coast, however, still refers to it as the “2024 Monster Manual” despite its publication in 2025.
Notably, the book comes in at 384 pages (a slight increase over the 352 pages featured in the 2014 MM) and includes more tables for random encounters and more in-depth details on the monsters’ ecology and background to accompany their stat blocks.
Is the new Monster Manual still 5th edition?
Yes. The new 2025 Monster Manual still uses the DnD 5e core rule set. The book remains compatible with all previously published 5e materials. It does not fall under DnD 6e, nor is it a “5.5” edition (something which happened with the 3rd edition of DnD, which released a “3.5” version). Notably, both players and Wizards of the Coast seem to be divided on what to call this new version. Most fans seemed to have settled on calling this version “DnD 2024.,” while a smaller subset refer to it as DnD 5.5.
Regardless of the name for the new 2024 edition of DnD, there are some sigifnicant changes to the stat blocks and features of existing monsters found in the 2014 Monster Manual. This includes changes to key mechanics such as Surprise and Exhaustion.
How is the 2024 Monster Manual different from the 2014 version?
There are a number of major changes to the updated MM compared to the previous version for fifth edition. This includes:
More Monsters
The new Monster Manual features. over 500 monsters. This is a significant increase over the 300 monsters featured in the 2014 Monster Manual and includes 85 completely brand new monsters, having never before appeared in any previously published materials. This includes new high level CR monsters such as the Blob of Annihilation and Arch-hag, as well as lower CR versions of powerful creatures such as Death Knights and Vampires.
Changes to Challenge Ratings
The new Monster Manual has made some significant changes to the way Challenge Ratings (CR) to balance gameplay. Previously, CRs were calculated assuming optimal use of a monster’s abilities, which could lead to inconsistent encounters (depending on the DM). Now, CRs are designed to reflect a monster’s power regardless of how its abilities are used. Legendary creatures, in particular, have been retuned so that their CR remains consistent no matter which legendary actions the DM chooses.
The manual also introduces more high-CR threats across various monster types, such as celestials, fey and constructs. Low and mid-level monsters have been refined for smoother gameplay, with adjusted stats and new abilities ensuring balance across all levels. Monster families, like goblins and vampires, now also feature group mechanics, which are designed to make larger battles more challenging and dynamic.
More Legendary Monsters
The book also includes a number of high CR monsters that are perfect for use as BBEGs or as final encounters at the end of a campaign (this is typically in the CR 21 to 22 range). This includes new Titanic-sized monsters like the Elemental Cataclysm, a force of power power that can literally wipe out entire worlds.
In all cases, these high-level threats have new streamlined stat blocks and revised Legendary Actions that are designed to be easier to use while also challenging higher-level player characters and parties. Additionally, high-CR monsters, like ancient dragons and the Tarrasque, have been expanded with new abilities and tactical options integrated directly into their stat blocks, making encounters with these creatures more dynamic and streamlined.
More NPC Stat blocks
The new MM also introduces some major updates to NPC stat blocks, offering a much wider range of CR options, something that was sorely lacking in the 2014 Monster Manual, in which NPCs were fairly low CR, with the rare exception of options like the Assassin. This includes an expansion of NPC categories such as cultists, priests, and mages, all of which have been enhanced with new abilities and mechanics. Additionally, the manual adds some new options, including performers and pirates, as well new variants. A great example is the new Bandit Crime Lord, a CR 11 NPC that’s perfect for use as a boss in a low to mid-tier game.
The updates also include improvements to organization and usability. Each NPC stat block now highlights key abilities and features for easier use at the table. Many of the updated NPCs also feature expanded roleplay potential with new lore and motivations to make it easier to drop them into existing campaigns.
More Monster Variants
The book also offers significant more monster variants, many of which are tweaks on classic creatures. For example, the Goblin Hexer is a spellcasting variant, while the book also introduces a low-CR Goblin Minion, which are perfect for cannon fodder. Similarly, the vampire family now features new low, mid, and high-CR options, including the Vampire Familiar (CR 3) and the Vampire Umbral Lord (CR 5).
Monster variants also include expanded narrative elements, such as motivations and lore, as well as new thematic abilities. This is something we’ve seen with other third-party monster books, which often offer a fresh take on traditional designs and stat blocks.
New Stat Block Design
The new 2024 MM also includes a complete redesign of the DnD stablock. This includes some subtle but impactful changes. For example, Initiative is now called out at the beginning of a creature’s stat block (in the 2014 Monster Manual you would have to manually calculate a creature’s Initiative based on their Dexterity score). Ability scores modifiers and saving throws are also listed together (again in the 2014 rules they were separate) and immunities are also grouped together.
Stat blocks also now include a new “Gear” secction that includes any standard items that a monster might carry, such as weapons, armor, spellbooks or wands. Most importantly, however, is that actions are now grouped together. For example, the 2024 version of the ancient gold dragon now has a single Rend attack that combines multiple attacks into one action.
Recategorization of Creature Types
One major aspect of any Monster Manual is the inclusion of Creature Types. In DnD 5e there are currently 14 types: Aberration, Beast, Celestial, Construct, Dragon, Elemental, Fey, Fiend, Giant, Humanoid, Monstrosity, Ooze, Plant and Undead. And while none of these types have been removed or altered in the new 2024 Monster Manual, the book has recategorized a number of creatures.
For example, in the 2014 Monster Manual Goblins were considered Humanoids. In 2024, they now fall under the Fey creature type (reflecting their true otherworldly nature). Similarly, the Roper has been moved from the Monstrosity creature type to Aberrations (reflecting the influence of the Far Realm on its creation). Even more surprising, Gnolls are now considered Fiends (rather than Humanoids) reflecting their demonic origins.
These changes, however, also have a significant in-game impact in terms of mechanics, as certain weapons and spells may no longer apply. For example, the Charm Person spell, which targets Humanoids, would no longer be effective on Githyanki (who have been moved from the Humanoid to Aberration type).
New Lore & Backgrounds
The new Monster Manual also looks beyond just stat blocks to include more updated lore and background information on various monsters. Additionally, there’s inclusion of more information on the ecology and lairs of various creatures. For example, the Kuo-Toa have far more information on their history and the gods they worship.
This is something that hasn’t been covered in-depth in the 2014 edition of the book, but is appearing in similar books such as Flee, Mortals from MCDM. This also includes a significant amount of content that can be used in social encounters and as part of larger campaign narratives. The goal is to provide more than just stat blocks and to really make the creatures feel like part of the larger worlds around them.
New Artwork & Gender Variants
The the book will feature over 300 new images from multiple artists. Notably, Wizard of the Coast has come under fire recently after it was reported that one of their artists had – unbeknownst to WotC – used AI to touch up in an illustration Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants. The company has since released an official policy that bans any AI-generated artwork in their products.
It’s also worth noting that in many cases creatures have been redesigned with new a look and feel. For example, the gold dragon has a completely new look (in fact, all of the dragons have been redesigned). The Wizards of the Coast art team has also created visual variants of iconic creatures. For example, the Hag (which is typically a female creature) now has art which features a male version. This is also the case with the Satyr and the Succubus, both which now include alternate gender variants.
Reorganization & Alphabetization
Another major change in the new book is how it approaches its overall organization. Specifically, creatures are now listed in alphabetical order. This might not seem like significant, but it’s a huge departure over the 2014 version, in which creatures were largely grouped together.
For example, in the 2014 version, if you wanted to find the green dragon, you would look under “D” for dragons. In the new 2024 Monster Manual, however, the new green dragon would live under “G” in the table of contents. It’s a subtle change, but one that makes it easier for players to find what they’re looking for. This is especially useful for inexperienced Dungeon Masters who might not know that a Lemure is (in the 2014 rules, this creature would have been found under “Devil”).
That being said, the book also include appendixes with tables that Monsters by Habitat (i.e. arctic, desert, forest, hill etc.) and Group (i.e. angels, demons, dragons, lycanthropes etc.), as well as by Creature Type and Challenge Rating. It’s a novel approach, and honestly, something Wizards of the Coast probably should have done decades ago.
Monster Conversions from 2014
If you’re worried about what you might be losing by switching to the new Monster Manual, the book does provide a table of creature conversions. It provides the 2014 creature name with an option from the 2024 materials that has similar abilities, challenge ratings and thematic potential. For example, the Drow Mage stat block from 2014 can be substituted for the new 2024 Bandit Deceiver stat block.
While it doesn’t cover every possible creature that’s been published for DnD 5e, it’s a solid list that should cover the vast majority of commonly used monsters and potentially assuage the concerns of players who may be worried about having obsolete materials.
Random Tables
Additionally, the book includes new tables that can be used for both random encounters as well as for determining a monster’s motivations. For example, a mimic’s table offers creative ideas for what forms it might take, while animated objects might have tables suggesting why they’ve been brought to life. Similarly, the new 2024 Lich includes a table of random “Spirit Jars” (which in the 2014 rules was known as a phylactery).
The goal with these tables is to make encounters more unique and to help DMs more easily drop in creatures into an adventure. It also offers a way to build out the lore of a monster in a few quick rolls.
New Advice on Running Monsters
The new 2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide offers new DMs a ton of information on how to get started running a game. The 2025 Monster Manual takes a similar approach, with a revamped “How to Use a Monster” chapter at the very start of the which breaks down stat blocks with clear explanations of how to use them. The detail here is pretty in-depth, but worth reviewing, even for experienced DMs, given some of the new rule changes.
Ultimately thought, it’s a much more user friendly introduction than the 2014 version and is something new DMs will likely appreciated.
When will the new Monster Manual be released?
The new Monster Manual will be released on February 18th, 2025. As with other current D&D 5e books, if you pre-ordered the physical and digital bundle on D&D Beyond, you were able to access the digital version on February 4th, 2025 (this is also the case if you pre-ordered a physical copy from your local game store).
One thing to note is that if you have purchased digital versions of the 2014 Monster Manual on D&D Beyond you will not automatically receive an updated version of the new book. Instead you’ll have to purchase the new 2025 version separately.
How much in the new Monster Manual going for?
The new 2025 Monster Manual will retail for $49.99 USD for the physical print version and $29.99 USD for the digital version on D&D Beyond.
As with other DnD 5e books, there is also a physical-digital bundle, which in this case is all three Core Rulebooks, which retails for $179.97 if you purchase it on D&D Beyond. This represents a savings of $60 (given that all three books would otherwise retail for $240 USD).
Is there a variant Monster Manual cover?
Yes, there is an alternate cover that’s also available for purchase. This version features original artwork from longtime Wizards of the Coast illustrator Lena Richards with gold framing by Simen Meyer. The alternate Monster Manual cover features a single mind flayer holding out a tadpole.
The back of the alternate cover also features the 50th anniversary logo in a stylized format. Notably, the alternate cover will be the same price as the primary cover version.
What other tie-in products are available?
There are a number of related products available. This includes WizKids’ new Monster Manual Collection, which features miniatures of several of the new 2024 monsters, including the including Gnoll Demoniac and the redesigned red dragon.
The Monster Manual is also available on a variety of virtual tabletops, including Roll20 and Foundry, which includes stat blocks, tokens and full integration with the new DnD 2024 rules.
Is the new 2024 Monster Manual worth picking up?
If you’re thinking of making the leap from DnD 2014 to DnD 2024, there are a few things to bear in mind with the new MM.
Pros
- Significant Increase in Monsters: The new Monster Manual features over 500 creatures (compared to the 300 from 2014), including 85 brand-new monsters. This expanded roster offers fresh challenges and far greater variety for Dungeon Masters and players alike.
- Improved Organization and Stat Block Design: Monsters are now listed alphabetically instead of grouped by category, making it easier for DMs to quickly find a specific creature. Updated stat blocks also feature grouped actions and easier-to-reference stats and abilities.
- Enhanced Lore, Ecology, and Roleplay Elements: Beyond the raw stats, the new MM adds more in-depth background information, ecology details, random tables and story hooks for each creature. DMs looking to weave monsters more organically into their campaigns will find plenty of new narrative inspiration.
- Broader Range of CRs and NPC Stat Blocks: The book also introduces a wider selection of NPCs with a much wider range of CR options.I t also refines challenge ratings for consistency, providing more balanced, varied threats for both low and high-level parties.
Cons
- No Rules or Advice On Monster Building: While there are plenty of official monsters to run with, there’s no information in the book whatsoever on how you can your build your very own monsters (something that both new and experienced DMs would probably like to try).
- Rules Impact from Recategorization: While the shift of many creatures to new types makes sense narratively, it doesn’t seem like something that players were necessarily clamoring for (did anyone care that Goblins were Humanoids rather than Fey?). The impact on gameplay, however, is significant, and may bother some fans given how it will alter how certain magic items, spells and abilities actually work at the table.
- Missing Creatures: While this definitely isn’t a deal breaker, some fans may be disappointed to learn that a few monsters have been removed. This includes Orcs, Duergar, Drow, and Deep Gnomes. That being said, this is a minor quibble at most and reflects the larger shift within the rules towards playable species.
- Missing Treasure Lists: While it’s great to see the inclusion of the new “Gear” section, which lists items players can loot from a slain monster, it would have been even more useful to have suggested treasure listed (even if it’s just a recommendation for what table to roll on in the DMG). Again, this is a minor issue at best.
Final Thoughts & Review Score
Monsters remain a critical component of Dungeons & Dragons and one that’s often been expanded by a number of third-party DnD monster books. The new 2024 DnD Monster Manual seeks to evolve the vast menagerie of creatures to not only work with the updated DnD 5e rules, but also add new challenges, more options and more background to bring these beings to life.
The end result is easily the best Monster Manual that’s ever been created for the game. With fantastic art, incredible design and improved ease of use, it’s something that players and Dungeon Masters of all experience levels are going to get a ton of use out of. In short, if you’re planning on running with the new DnD 2024 rules, then this is an absolute must have.
Final Review Score: 19 out of 20
The new 2024 Monster Manual is available now on D&D Beyond and Amazon.
Below is also a recent video from Wizards of the Coast breaking out all the details on what to expect in the new MM.
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Ollie Delano is a Staff Writer who lives in Chicago, Illinois where he majored in Journalism at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. He’s been playing Dungeons & Dragons for over 10 years and currently plays in a weekly game group where he rolls way too many natural 1s and chugs way too much Mountain Dew. His favorite D&D campaign setting is Eberron and his favorite character to play was a Tiefling rogue named Draxiss who enjoys both literal and figurative backstabbing.
