The 2024 Monster Manual is the third and final core rulebook updated for Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition. As you might expect it has a bunch of monsters. It is similar to the Monster Manual from 2014, but there are differences. Some changes are to make monsters easier to use and others are to keep things in step with the 2024 update.

DnD 2024 Monster Manual Description:

The 2024 Monster Manual has over 500 monsters in it. Most are the same but updated from earlier editions, some are renamed, and others new. After the table of contents, the book starts with an overview and sample monster stat block. Then a section that tells you what all the different stats, headers, and sections mean.

There are a handful of changes to every monster’s listing. First you will notice a one line description of the monster under its name. For example, the Gargoyle’s is “Sculpted Sentinel Hidden in Plain Sight”. Below that it lists their habitat and treasure they might have. Another change is the monster’s initiative is near the top of the stat block. Ability scores are listed as before but now show the modifier and save next to them. In general the descriptions, actions, and traits have been simplified and are less wordy.

Appendix A has animal stats, making it easy for druids that shapeshift. Appendix B has different listings of monsters. First is a list of monsters that were converted or replaced from the 2014 5th edition Monster Manual. It also lists monsters by their habitat in ascending CR. Then there is a list sectioned by creature type and another by CR.

Quick Review of the D&D 2024 Monster Manual:

The updated 2024 Monster Manual is easier to use, has great art, and is compatible with the other 2024 core rulebooks. There are lots of things to like about it and a few things that could still be improved.

One of my favorite additions is the one line description of the monster. It can help you gain a quick understanding of the monster and its MO. The monsters are more challenging and deadly, but simpler to run than their 2014 counterparts.

Another positive change impacts martial characters. Many monsters in the 2014 Monster Manual had resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage from non-magical weapons. There is much less of it in the updated book. To compensate, monsters have more hit points and sometimes higher AC.

Some things are missing. Like the listings in Appendix B of monsters by Type, Group and CR not giving page numbers. It would have been easy to add these and there is space for them. While not a huge deal it keeps you from having to flip to the table of contents as often.

There is also no guide to make your own monsters. Nothing. All we got was the info in the Dungeon Master’s Guide. DMs, especially newer ones, that want to homebrew monsters have little direction for creating their own unique monsters.

This book also contains less lore than the previous edition. But you might find that as an opportunity to create your own or be annoyed there is less official information on a monster. Again this is probably something that would help newer DMs. Experienced ones already know lore or might make up their own.

If you have purchased the other updated core rulebooks then picking up the 2024 Monster Manual is a no brainer. PCs are more powerful and require the monsters to keep pace. If you didn’t buy the updated Dungeon Master’s Guide or Player’s Handbook, I am not sure just buying this makes a lot of sense.