The 2 Best Parts of the New D&D Monster Manual
The 2024 Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual marks the third and final core rulebook update for the year, bringing fresh energy and thoughtful updates to the fifth edition. While it doesn’t rewrite the core mechanics, it does reshape how monster information is presented—particularly in ways that are super helpful for DMs, especially those new to the game.
Two sections stand out for me: the How to Use a Monster section and Appendix B: The Monster Lists.
The How to Use a Monster section is only a few pages long, but it’s a real gem. It breaks down every part of the stat block in plain language, showing how it fits into combat and narrative play. It’s an approachable, practical guide for DMs who want to run creatures smoothly without getting lost in the numbers.
Appendix B: The Monster Lists is a huge boon for encounter building. It organizes every monster by challenge rating, habitat, creature type, and related groupings—making it so much easier to find exactly what you need. There’s even a conversion list for the 2014 Monster Manual entries, which is incredibly useful if you’re updating older campaigns or homebrew adventures.
These sections alone don’t necessarily justify replacing your old Monster Manual, but they make the new one a great resource if you’re just starting out as a DM or if you want a faster, easier prep process.
If you want to hear more about how these updates work in practice, I cover them in more detail in the video linked above. Let me know in the comments what you think of the new Monster Manual—what you love, what you’re still on the fence about, and how it’s changing the way you prep your games.
Cheers,
Brian