What do monks, rich people, and spellcasting dragons have in common? We had no idea either—until this week’s episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast. Join us as we dive into the 2024 Monster Manual, where over 80 new creatures are ready to terrify and delight. From Haunting Revenants to a revamped lineup of vampires, there’s something for every adventurer to fear.

We also explore the evolution of dragons, now more terrifying than ever with spellcasting abilities and complex mechanics that make them true forces of nature. And in case you missed it, kobolds are officially dragons now, so prepare your campaigns accordingly.

Oh, and apparently rich people might collect monks like rare treasures. It’s a thing.

Links

• DnDBeyond Blog Post
• YouTube Video on new Dragons
• YouTube Video on new Monster Manual
• Compilation of stat block previews on ENWorld
• Other Stuff
  • Count Chocula  (affiliate link)
  • Double Stuff Oreos (affiliate link)
  • The Darkest House (affiliate link)

Summary

The hosts kick things off with a spirited discussion about the finer things in life: their choice of beverages, the strange allure of monastic life, and, apparently, why rich people might consider monks the latest luxury accessory. Naturally, this segues into the real meat of the episode—exploring the juicy details of the 2024 Monster Manual and its cavalcade of new creatures for tabletop RPGs, particularly Dungeons and Dragons.

With over 80 fresh monsters to drool over, the hosts dissect everything from revamped high CR nightmares to quirky additions like the Haunting Revenant and Ghast Gravecaller. They marvel at the diversity of vampires, debate the artistic and mechanical evolution of dragons, and even grapple with the introduction of creatures like the "concubus," which is either a typo or the funniest twist on infernal lore ever.

The conversation spirals into the exciting changes coming to classic beasts. Dragons, the rock stars of D&D, are getting a glow-up: they’re confirmed spellcasters now, complete with terrifyingly complex mechanics for fear and charm effects. Gargantuan creatures defy physics, kobolds are dragons now (deal with it), and green dragons might just have depth beyond being scaly jerks.

Along the way, the hosts dive into the artistry behind the manual, storytelling opportunities baked into monster lore, and the importance of keeping players on their toes with creative creature designs. Whether it's reimagined cyclopes or the Death Knight Aspirant filling the undead middle-management void, the new content promises a blend of challenge and storytelling gold.

Takeaways:

• Drinks & Drama: The hosts enjoy their drinks as much as their discussions, setting a relaxed, comedic tone.
• Monastic Mysteries: Monks are weirdly versatile—both in D&D and in conversations about rich people.
• Monster Mayhem: The 2024 Monster Manual introduces 80+ creatures to terrify and delight players.
• Dragon Drama: Dragons are evolving into spell-slinging, fear-inducing nightmares, and honestly, we’re all for it.
• Artistic Flair: The new designs focus on unique silhouettes and storytelling potential, bringing creatures to life in ways that excite both players and DMs.
• Lore & Laughter: From Medusa vs. Gorgons to undead promotion paths, the hosts balance humor with deep dives into game design.
• Biggest Twist: Kobolds are dragons now. Let that sink in.

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Tyler Kamstra

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Ash Ely

• Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games
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Randall James

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• Amateurjack.com

Producer Dan

• @Lzr_illuminati