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A veteran of 3rd edition, and 3.5, I couldn't wait to get my hands on the new 4th edition of DnD.
The new monster manual is a very interesting book. A large change from previous editions is the introduction of 'Roles' for monsters. To allow for this the book includes multiple versions of each monster at several different level ranges; Kobold Slingers, Wyrmpriests, and Minions, for example. This is a vast improvement as it means you can have variety in encounters whilst still focusing on a single monster, and when you begin mixing races and species, you can create thousands of interesting challenges.
The set-up of the book allows for quick generation of varied, interesting encounters, and to further speed the process, there collections of samples provided after every 'monster' entry to allow GMs to just pick from the list to quickly fill a dungeon with appropriate foes. The provision of common knowledge about the foes, and the skills required to know these details, means that you can give players a few useful peices of info, without having to carefully plan what to reveal.
The production of the book, on good qualitiy paper, full coulour is very nice. Almost every monster has a full coulour illustration, and many iconic monsters have either full or half-page renderings. Each monster is given the same amount of space, with a full description, stat-block, and then even a discussion of appropriate tactics to use in battle.
The range of monsters is large and impressive, though the book does suffer from the fourth editions tendency to focus primarily on the battles. Most of the iconic DnD foes are included, as are few new ones who are doubtless going to become popular, but there are several obvious omissions, particularly amongst the none-combatative foes; the Dryad, and Metalic (but not Chromatic) Dragons, for example.
There is also a slight issue that the level ranges are unbalenced at times, with a lack of monsters particularly in the very late game, which is when the most impressive foes should be brought to the fore. This is not a problem, as such, but could limit the replayability of the upper-tiers, and force you to buy supplements later on, though if you play through, it will be months, if not years, before this is necessary.
All in all, the book is a very impressive, depite it's few shortcomings, and a valuable core rulebook for the fourth edition.
Rating: 8.5
Reviewed by:
ted.swalwell
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