Dungeons & Dragons: How To Use Monster Listings In The 2025 Monster Manual

So you've got your hands on the 2025 Monster Manual and you'e been able to see all the differences the book brings with it. Streamlining the process of reading monster stat blocks and finding the perfect monster for every scenario, the Dugneons & Dragons experience is quite different and much more intuitive.

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Given the option, you'll be able to locate whatever you need for thanks to the classifications provided with the Monster Manual. So, what does the Monster Manual look like and how exactly are the changes classified to amke things easier for the DM? Here's how to read and organize the 2025 Monster Manual.

Changes To Creature Names And Stat Blocks

One of the first changes you'll notice is the change to certain monsters in the from the 2014 version of the Monster Manual. Several creatures names and stat blocks have been changed in an attempt to ensure they align with what the creature does.

This includes changes such as changing the Giant Poisonous Snake to the Giant Venomous Snake, or an Acoltye to a Priest Acolyte, properly aligning with what you can do with the creature.

You should use the new converted statblock of the creature you're looking for with the name of the older editions. You'll need to use the converted stat block name to find the correct creature you want to use.

Monsters Classified By Habitat

One of the easiest ways to find a monster you're looking for based on your adventure is finding the creature by habitat. The Monster Manual breaks down the creatuers you'll want to use by habitat.

The book has the following habitats with creatures available.

Habitat

Monster Examples

Any Habitat

Bandits, Demilich and Arch Hags

Arctic

White Dragon, Mammoth, Ice Mephit

Coastal

Crab, Dragon Turtle, Chuul

Desert

Mummy Lord, Dust Mephit, Camel

Forest

Couatl, Brown Bear, Ape

Grassland

Cockatrice Regent, Boar, Elephant

Hill

Bulette, Roc, Gian Goat

Mountain

Basilisk, Stone Giant, Azer Sentinel

Swamp

Hydra, Giant Crocodile, Frog

Underdark

Bat, Beholder, Basilisk

Underwater

Dragon Turtle, Kraken, Giant Octopus

Urban

Rakshasa, Vampire, Ghost

The book has great options if you're looking for quick creatuers to fill based on the setting of your campaign. Or, if you're building your campaign you've got an easy list of creatures to play with depending on your region.

The Any Habitat section is great for quick creatures to put into any climate.

Monsters By Creature Type

This section works particulalrly well if you're looking for a specific creature and know what type they are. Mostly for experienced DMs who have mmorized several monsters by creature type after years of using them, it can also be helpful to find out what exactly a creature is classified as.

Below is every creature type that is classified in this section.

All Creature Types

Aberration

Beast

Celestial

Construct

Dragon

Elemental

Fet

Fiend

Giant

Humanoid

Monstrosity

Ooze

Plant

Undead

/

As some creatures have changed, be sure yo identify the proper monster you're looking for, as they may have a new creature typing.

Monsters By Group

Similar to creature type, group classifies monsters in the Monster Manual by similar groups that are not necessarily represented by their names.

This means there may be creatures in groups you were not aware of previously, and if you're looking for a specific gorup like Angels, you'll be able to quickly find every creature type under that group, whether it's inherently obvious they belong there or not.

All the avaialbe gropus are as follows:

• Angels
• Beholders
• Demons
• Devils
• Dinosaurs
• Dragons, Chromatic
• Dragons, Metallic
• Genies
• Goblinoids
• Lycanthropes
• Titans
• Yugoloths

Monsters By Challenge Rating

Finally, if you're looking for a quick monster that's level appropriate, the best option is to grab a monster by challenge rating from the Monster Manual.

For the most part monsters can be used interchangably despite loaction, appereance group and more. What you really don't want to ignore when choosing monsters is their challenge rating.

Challenge ratings go from 0 to 30, providing several options for every level of campaign. New higher level monsters have also been added to ensure you don't have to use the same high level creatures over and over as previous editions required based on limited options.

Challenge ratings and monster intenstiy has been adjustwd in the 2025 Monster Manual to align with the power players recieved from the 2024 Player's Handbook. It's advised that you take a look carefully at the monsters you're using to ensure your group can handle their new power.

Dungeons & Dragons: 2025 Monster Manual FAQ

Here's everything you need to know about the 2025 Monster Manual, including what's new, what's changed, and what you'll find inside.