I got the new Monster Manual - here’s what’s changed

[@GinnyDi]

Get your Humblewood tails 🐭 on over to today's sponsor, Hit Point Press, to check out their new adventure book, Humblewood Tales! hitpointpress.com/collections/humblewood-tales?aff=73

[@jeffk3801]

New sub here. Did you build those mimics?! Are there videos about them? They are incredibly rad.

[@timlieder9324]

@@jeffk3801 I got your back Jack! kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZyzpIWZnrqInqM "I made a life-sized mimic for Halloween"

[@JohnMichaelKervin]

@@jeffk3801 Yes she did! And yes, there is, check it out, it's relatively recent. Also, to this day, Ginny, you are the only content creator who's sponsor segments I actually enjoy, keep up the uhh I don't know, just keep up!

[@davidjennings2179]

​@@jeffk3801Yep, Ginny built them, check out her videos, it was a few months back.

[@MarsM13]

Props to the dedication needed to put on all that goblin makeup for a seconds-long cameo.

[@Boone_Faustus]

"As a certified Monster F-Fan" could probably be a new gif, lol. I'm really loving everything I've heard about the new MM so far.

[@GinnyDi]

I support the creation of this gif 😂

[@CaMags_07]

i literally did it after reading your reply

[@Sirfinchyyy]

As a Certified Monster, She approves... wait Fan, Monster Fan... hehe

[@edwardsmith7131]

​@@GinnyDiyou are SOOO on tumblr

[@FizzyMcPhysics]

I liked the video just for the stutter, And I paused it just to come and tell you.

[@CrimsonTemplar2]

NGL, when I heard “Human Familiar” I immediately heard Pointy Hat summoning Antonio in my head.

[@enderex040]

Literally same, I did a double take because I became so positive that I was watching a pointy hat video

[@vernedejonghedinoman5]

HUMAN FAMILIAAAARRR

[@AtaraxianWist]

I read this in your comment before that part of the video, abs I had to sing it.

[@GinnyDi]

Until he messaged me about it today I literally didn't realize I'd said "human familiar" instead of "vampire familiar" 😂

[@Dunybrook]

@@GinnyDi I was really excited for this book for 1 second.

[@WonderfulWorldofDarklord]

"which monsters you'd kill, which monsters you'd marry, and which monsters you'd fan?"

[@renard2195]

We need to know!

[@imissnewspapers]

The Birds and the Beholders lives in my head now.

[@karmadyllic]

Rule 34.

[@lukamurphy2021]

Hey, it's cool Ginny, you're amongst allies here - we're certified monster friends too!

[@AlienValkyrie]

Holy heck Ginny you're spoiling us with not just one, but _multiple_ times pulling out your sword for us- -wait that sounded better in my head- 😅

[@AtaraxianWist]

Wait, why would it be in your head?!

[@francisdoherty5580]

@AtaraxianWist Maybe @GinniDi heard him groan at her joke?

[@Sirfinchyyy]

The Battle Maiden does not dissapoint😂.

[@sihrig]

The “cutting off a trolls arm“ joke was pretty funny. 😂

[@GinnyDi]

Thank you! You get to keep your limbs for another comment 😂

[@sebastianevangelista4921]

@@GinnyDi Gotta give you a hand there...I'll see myself out now.

[@stephenadams8712]

What is the difference between a troll in the monster manual and a troll online? One is a sunlight hating foul creature the other is in the monster manual

[@CheeseWyrm]

Dare I ask - does this therefore allow for other free-roaming Troll appendages? I shudder to think!

[@bobathan280]

Ginny, you always knock it out of the park with your outfits fr. They are so great each video

[@GinnyDi]

Thank you so much!

[@ticijevish]

Did you make the shirt you're wearing?

[@iananelson8256]

@@GinnyDi that shirt is amazing!

[@GinnyDi]

Nope, it's from Black Milk's D&D collection!

[@danielmclellan1522]

​@@GinnyDi I love that shirt, I'm going to have to see if they make it in my size, because it looks so dang comfy!

[@ohdrinn]

The monster f... joke was A+++! 🤣

[@eatblueshell]

I didn’t get it 😢

[@calebwidogussy452]

@@eatblueshell Oh sweet sweet child of Summer. Blessed be thy name

[@AlexanderEiffel]

Joke?

[@edwardsmith7131]

Somebody's gotta tell em

[@chrisdecker9732]

New GinnyDi content! The January break is finally over lets gooooo!

[@GinnyDi]

Lets gooooo! 🙌

[@CrimsonTemplar2]

Huzzah!

[@ianschank]

January was a long year

[@jmac5454]

That's how you tell we're nerds, we're arguing over the table of contents of a text book... I feel so seen!

[@NichM]

@6:13 What's bizarre is that these lists *did* exist--just not in the Monster Manual. They were an appendix in the 2014 DMG, for some reason. Nothing like having to cross-reference an entirely separate book to get what you need...

[@GinnyDi]

AHA! That explains why I was so convinced it existed somewhere!

[@digifreak90]

If memory serves, the reason the gave on why those lists were in the 2014 DMG was because they felt that the 2014 MM was already getting to big (350 pages compared to the DMG's 320, index included), but I could be wrong.

[@herrhartmann3036]

Actually, having those lists in a separate book does make some sense: That way you can keep one book open on the page with the list while rummaging through the other.

[@100vampires4]

I was about to point out the lists in the 2014 DMG where they belong, along with the Combat Encounter Builder rules/suggestions are. It's bad enough when players memorize the MM, having them know what to expect when they are making their way across grasslands, or tromping through the sewers just makes a surprise encounter less. Honestly really looking forward to the book. It seems like they're leaning backwards towards 4th Editions Monster Manual, which is a good thing.

[@eddarby469]

I found, because I like and use the books, it was helpful to have the terrain group table in one book so we didn't lose the table's page as we flipped through the other. Reprinting the table in both books, along with the CR group table, would be nice. It would only be a couple extra pages.

[@mildlycornfield]

Okay, but who else wants a video where Ginny plays F.M.K. with every monster in the book?????

[@benthegreat1]

The "it's not delivery" joke was really good!😀

[@Wee_Catalyst]

❤❤❤🎉

[@CheeseWyrm]

It's Devilry! ;)

[@darkmatterbuildrplays]

Technically in greek mythological dryad lore, there are already male dryads. theyre just called drus

[@UltimateMustacheX]

That's my issue on the topic. By all means add the opposite sex as an option, but when the name is specifically meant for one, then adjust it. Like Medusa is a specific individual, so it was already stupid to not call them Gorgons from the start, but especially now that there's a male version. Or male hags should have been a variant stat block called Codgers or something, since that's a close enough equivalent. They could have had a slightly different style of magic, or maybe add more weapon use to compliment the Hag's magic.

[@murphieslaw6932]

Yes, fantasy incels should calm the fuck down. Usually totally unfamiliar with the source and then completely dogmatic about it ? Shame on you, alright. In good fantasy/mythology we need a CREDIBLE reason a single-sex species exists. Either they kidnap or deal with other species for procreation, or they just don´t procreate at all... Or just split up and multiply like a slime fungus ? XD Otherwise they have to have both sexes, makes perfect sense to me. And just as Ginny said, nobody HAS to use those new options if they dislike it. Makes a lot sense to de-couple the trope of 'dream-eating fiend' and the trope of 'lust-fiend' from sexes, too. Why not a male Succubus ? Or a female Incubus ? In the lore they basically can be made from (and back into !) devils of the other sex, being not exactly the same as a normal organic being. So it is in line with the world-building already. I feel like this is a vast improvement, overall.

[@HalNordmann]

Yeah, they should've given that a mention. Same with the banshee

[@Lucky13Ravens]

​@UltimateMustacheX Yeah, but the people who made this aren't Nerds. They're theatre kids. You can't expect them to understand the source material or even D&D considering the aforementioned Medusa did have a differently named male in previous versions.

[@Feranogame]

I see it like "cow". It can mean specifically the female version of the creature, but also works as a catch-all term and you can still specify either using a modifier, context or the male name.

[@hadesgaming353]

the delivery on the 'we treat our druid like a private jet' delivery combined with the quick cut after was way too funny for me

[@GhoulishGlee]

That shirt is the offical D&D Gelatinous Cube shirt by BlackMilk, btw. And it is glorious!!!

[@hrayz]

Looked great (like everything she wears... Were's... Lyc and Sub...)

[@eddarby469]

Thanks for the info

[@siderisanon7860]

Ginny, not just your party. The number of times I'd had to come up with details of nameless thug #3 is crazy. Then I will have to write all of it in my notes, because I've also had the a player do things like bring up a random maid from six months ago because she delivered a message to the character.

[@GinnyDi]

😂😂 We need to make a support group

[@tonysladky8925]

One of my favorite DMs I ever had assigned this job to players, and mainly so we could differentiate them in Theater of the Mind combat. First player to damage a bad guy tells the class what's distinct about him, and now we all know that thug as "broken nose" for the rest of combat.

[@danielmclellan1522]

​@@tonysladky8925"Broken Nose, One-Eye, Toothless, and Stumpy are all at half health. Their leader, Lefty, is barely standing, and drinks a potion he took from the cleric he just downed. And starts screaming, because that was alchemist's fire, not a health potion. He's not getting back up. The others suddenly look open to negotiate."

[@DnDDeepDive]

Ooo… this the earliest I’ve ever been to a Ginny video! And I’m not sorry for having nothing else interesting to say! New MM is awesome!

[@GinnyDi]

We both made super long videos about the MM. We're out of interesting things to say 😂🥰

[@DnDDeepDive]

@ hey at least your long MM vid was funny! Mine is mostly there to function as ASMR for nerds. As long as we each have our niches, I guess 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@sebastianevangelista4921]

@@GinnyDi Have you ever considered doing a super long video covering Mazes and Monsters?

[@watts1012]

@@DnDDeepDiveas someone who devours reference books, I appreciate your deep dives. However, given the above and the fact I am a self-identified nerd, I’m afraid I am may not be disproving your point 😋

[@docmike8601]

I just want to say the black and green shirt has got to be one of the coolest I have ever seen.

[@murphieslaw6932]

Sometimes I cannot believe this kinda shite even exists. Just a few years in the past some anime artists would come up with the weirdest and most nerdy fashion and style ideas. And everybody was like 'yeah, as if that´d ever happen' +insert Shrek meme here+ Nowadays, yeah, it just exists. Seriously, the sword earrings and little guillotines already cracked me up. That girl seriously has the coolest nerdy wardrobe this side of Wonderland XD

[@Digivolution3]

Ginny!? That outfit, hair and makeup is absolutely INCREDIBLE omfg I literally gasped when you came into the scene! Haha ❤

[@notadocmartin]

Legit, as a librarian, I'm just happy there is an index this time. When I noticed the indices in the books I made a loud yell of happiness that drew my husband, worried, from another room. Look, I just like an organizational scheme.

[@NearsightedNarhwal]

Referring to neurotypical as “standard issue brains” is so iconic

[@MatthewToner-o4r]

The effort put into that perfect 2 second goblin boss cutaway gag is why you're the best DnD content creator.

[@jreed3842]

“As as certified Monster F…an” made me laugh out loud. ‘Beauty and the Beast’ is my favorite Disney movie. So yeah. I can certainly relate ;D

[@danielmclellan1522]

The disappointed look of "Can... can you change back?" on Belle's face in that scene was just wild.

[@richard_n]

Ginny the time you took off was evidently well worth it. This video is hands down the best one I've seen on the new MM. Plus your outfits were A+, I particularly liked the green and black eyeshadow you did.

[@perlanera3402]

Ginny’s back!!! 🥳🥳😄😄👍👍

[@GinnyDi]

Hii!! How was January? 😂

[@perlanera3402]

@@GinnyDi 🤣🤣😂

[@sebastianevangelista4921]

@@GinnyDi "January has been a long year" - Ashley Johnson

[@jmac5454]

The Ginnys back, and there's gonna be trouble ......

[@danielmclellan1522]

​@@GinnyDi January was a rough decade, but I think we made it through, for the most part. You have definitely been missed, though, my friend!

[@Astrobay13]

How does the writing in these videos never miss? Every single video has at least two jokes that make me actually laugh. They are consistently so well written. Production and writing are also way higher quality than any other youtuber I regularly watch.

[@GinnyDi]

Thank you! I have my college degree in writing, although I admit that neither me nor my professors thought it would applied in this way 😅

[@julianb4157]

@@GinnyDi My wife's politely accepting of my D&D escapes. At best. Even she found the joke about the index funny (after she came into the room to see what I was laughing about).

[@mistysteps93]

the vibes are immaculate, we love the monster friends - glad you're back!

[@andyvanhout]

My jaw dropped when you just casually and nonchalantly referenced James Joyce's Ulysses in the context of "complete sentences." That was savage and I want you to know there are at least five literary nerds out here who understood that was savage on multiple levels. Wow.

[@lindafreeman7030]

It could have been worse; it could have been William Faulkner sentences.

[@FizzyMcPhysics]

My 3 year old's verdict on this video: "The pretty lady has blue hair!"

[@henryohenry1504]

Friday at lunch finally get to sit down and watch the newest ginny video I've been waiting for. My soul is healing 😊 and it's 30 minutes long!!!

[@TheRainbowZip]

Loved the cameo from goblin boss

[@GinnyDi]

She works smarter, not harder 😂

[@SirGrey]

I’m glad that fellow monster f- friends are enjoying the new MM. I’m glad they degendered monsters, I think more variety is just better. I’m running a very human-centered campaign at the moment and I am genuinely looking forward to having more cultist stat blocks, it’s great timing for me. Good to have you back, Ginny!

[@DeuceCovington]

24:20 "We aren't trapped by whatever the people before us made up. We can rewrite our fantasy to reflect our current values." So well put.

[@thanesgames9685]

"Tradition is peer pressure from dead people"

[@CallumFinlayson]

Grouping modrons (for example) together but not grouping demons (for example) feels a bit arbitrary. More generally, the 5e 2014 MM felt like they'd forgotten a whole bunch of things from 3.5 about what to include appendices for

[@OfficialPizza]

Yeah, I was hoping we'd see monsters alphabetically within their type -- all fiends in one section, all beasts in another, all aberrations, etc. Honestly having D&D beyond filters to just sort it how we need in the moment makes a paper monster manual a bit obsolete imo.

[@MarkoSeldo]

No, grouping modrons makes sense, provided you're grouping them in the bin.

[@AndrewCook-b2x]

"And the list of plant type creatures, for when I want a monster to hold in my heart and love forever." As a player who once adopted a twig blight, I feel you.

[@Soliprem]

When I personally needed her the most, she's back!!! (please help me exams are taking my soul)

[@GinnyDi]

Good luck with your exams!

[@Soliprem]

@@GinnyDi I survived! Now to go into a three months slumber (P.S. thanks for making awesome content. I don't do much 5e anymore (

[@dedprice3142]

certified monster f- threw me through a loop. i was like "12 SECONDS IN THE VIDEO AND ~THIS~ IS WHERE WERE HEADED!?!"

[@theunluckybard7517]

I love the way you've done your eye makeup for this video. It's fantastic and impressive.

[@PunkJr]

I'm really happy with the new stat blocks & love how much stronger they feel in combat!

[@shanegallant9018]

Wow... Ginny Di threatened me with a sword... That was... AWESOME! More please! 😁

[@beyondzion]

Artwork with backgrounds for every monster makes this my go-to for inspiring encounters. Also, wish they would make a Lore Encyclopedia, like a full book. (Or multiple volumes even) The DMG pages are great but I would love to gather up all the monster lore that got dumped and all of the 50 years of lore that’s floating around. I’d eat up 3 volumes of that. But yeah, I’m that type of nerd. Hehe.

[@ChrisBerch-u6q]

I actually had the same thought. I would love to see this, not just for orc but for the "goblinoid" races like Hobgoblins, bug bears and goblins. There could be a book specifically about Gruumsh (orc god) and Maglubiyet (goblin and hobgoblin god) and the struggle between their followers. I would kind of like to see this with gnolls to but they don't really have the same kind of rivalry with anyone.

[@mightymanu4721]

What a great overview Video, thank you for that. :)

[@sebastianevangelista4921]

I haven't been feeling all too great today, so thanks for uploading, Ginny. That's a great look for you btw.

[@GinnyDi]

Thank you! I really hope you feel better soon 😊

[@sebastianevangelista4921]

@@GinnyDi Thank you so much! Hopefully my evening will be alright.

[@RusselHarder]

The time spent on that 2 second cutaway for a gag punchline at 17:03, on make-up alone? Incredible. You're a national treasure Ginny Di!

[@ashleyhallgrimson3696]

When I'm trying to listen to Ginny but her slightly less gelatinous shirt is my new favorite thing and I'm pretty sure I need one.

[@jeffm9770]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think the 3e MM listed all the animals by themselves in an appendix. I'm glad they went back to that.

[@tirneldragonslayer]

Great high-level breakdown of the whole book- I found the bit about how managing extra abilities and resources for Legendary monsters has changed particularly helpful. I’m definitely more excited about this book than the other two, as someone who’s sticking mainly with 2014 rules while pulling a few things I like from the new books. Your outfit is super cute by the way!

[@dejatwo]

I loved seeing your video on this! Been a loyal viewer ever since Pointy Hat introduced me to you through Kraken Week!

[@WooBunny]

Fun fact... you can surround a mimic with a gelatinous cube and it looks like a floating chest or Ginny.

[@MakerFishmeal]

I swear, your script-writing gets better every video!! That DiGiorno bit?!! Chef's kiss!

[@RJeremyHoward]

"In the style of James Joyce's Ulysses..." GINNI-FER D! You're slapping me harder than a Solar... damn...

[@AshleyBlakeSchmidt]

I just want to say I really appreciate the amount of work you put into your videos.

[@EpicRandomness555]

12:19 I haven’t heard that exact information. That means that the new Counterspell is really good for players. It may not waste spell slots but it does waste limited uses.

[@FrostSpike]

18:57 The "troll body-parts as monsters" (or something similar) was already in the 2014 MM in the "Loathsome Limbs" variant of the Troll.

[@MatronMugrai]

You weren't kidding about needing a January to yourself, your humour game was on point and overflowing! Glad to see that you've recharged and are ready for the year (as best you can be)

[@GetsLonely]

Great script and delivery! I'm starting to realize how difficult it must be for all my favorite video essay youtubers to write a 30+ minute monologue with a joke sprinkled in every 2 minutes to keep people from getting bored. It's definitely gotta be a lot of work, but it's very much appreciated!

[@9HPRuneScape]

Looks like Ginny upgraded to a Rapier! ⚔️

[@phoebica]

Oh, there are the mimic chests - I love them.

[@lj53004]

I like the changes to monster stats here - seems waaay easier to reference.

[@SagaciousHamster]

I can always count on Ginny to provide several LOL moments. Did not disappoint.

[@AndrewCook-b2x]

I don't know what other people think about this, but I for one am disappointed that they took out Orcs and Drow and such from the monster manual. I understand that not all Orcs and Drow are evil, but as a DM who is currently running a campaign centered around the Drow and Lolth, having easy, coinvent stat blocks for them would be useful. After all, while not all Drow are evil, Lolth, the goddess many of them worship, is, and as such, many DMs may still want to use them as "monsters" (and by that I just mean adversaries or opponents to fight). Not to mention, the Drow and Orc sections of the MM (at least in 2014), actually gave the reader a decent amount of information as to the structure of Drow and Orc society, which they couldn't justify putting for a simple subrace in the PH.

[@MandalorV7]

Yes. Drow have a rich lore that makes them distinct from other elves. It’s more than just appearance. Though the thing about them being dark elves refracts their corruption by Loth and living in the under dark than appearance.I could sort of picture Drow actually have far light skin than other elves because they live without sunlight.

[@DeadmanwalkingXI]

It doesn't help with the lore (and the lack of lore is a real potential problem, I agree, though perhaps one better solved by campaign setting books? I dunno), but they do actually have advice in the MM for how to handle Orc or Drow enemies. The section on sta-block name changes includes which NPC to use for which of the stat blocks from the 2014 Monster Manual like Thug for a random Orc and Gladiator for the Drow Elite Warrior. Or different cultist variants for an Eye of Gruumsh or a Priestess of Lolth. That kind of thing. So it's arguably got more Orc or Drow stat-blocks than it once did, since you can use all the NPCs for either. Now, not all of those are equally appropriate, but the number still goes up, and it sounds like there are rules for adding the species specific stuff to those stat blocks, which sounds pretty workable.

[@marcweinkauf4727]

What I had wished for is to have the NPC stat blocks all in an appendix for "Humanoid" creature type, and having a section at its beginning, if you an Orc, add these traits, If you want a halfling, add those traits. But well, you can use the PHB ...

[@s1lvert1tan]

I love that giant mimic so freaking much! It's an amazing set piece that no one else has

[@Zombu47]

Absolutely loving the hair! Also Gelatinous Cube is best cube, I wish I could pull off that top.

[@Pyraxian1]

Very excited for the new book, and also damn, absolutely LOVED your more comfortable outfit! That fitted top is very cool.

[@thedrunkenkitsune]

I've been very much avoiding the DMG and the Players Handbook but hoooooh boy am I excited for the monster manual

[@ronwingrove683]

A mimic, a giant skeleton, and a gelatinous cube walked into a basement... It was a Ginny Di video, don't worry about it.

[@GunnerM60]

I am a nurse & I approve the Appendix joke! LOL Do more health jokes! I LOVE IT!!

[@BeCurieUs]

1:58 i bet this was a lot of effort for a 3 second gag, but I loved it

[@carloblanch3893]

Thanks Ginny! This was a great, fun and informative video. Your puns and other jokes were even more on point than usual but I also have to add your look for the majority of the presentation was absolute 🔥

[@GinnyDi]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! I had a lot of fun making it 😁

[@Stray_GM]

I really can't explain why, but the cuts of Ginny trying to read the book in the beginning reminds me of all the scenes of Cheddar in Brooklynn 99 where the camera is low to the ground with him.

[@courtney104]

forever thankful i found your channel!! it's given me the confidence to give being a GM a go (still prepping, but we're nearly ready to begin!) 💜

[@villainessdev]

"It releases in 2 weeks" If only. Here in Oceania, it's delayed until the 4th of April. So unfair.

[@GinnyDi]

Nooo! I'm sorry to hear that 😫

[@louiseah7662]

This is the best MM summary I have seen so far. Thank you 😊

[@navdieverid8018]

She’s back!!

[@Ophelia-F]

This video was so funny and informative! Looks like that break really hit! Also the fit 🔥

[@sjargo11]

18:17 The larva is actually in 5e, its just in the Dungeon masters guide, under avernus i believe, but not in the monster manual

[@CommanderJeph]

It's not just you, I was that guy asking for every NPCs name and backstory. To my DMs credit he had an answer ready for everything.

[@GinnyDi]

(We love players like you, really. You help us justify all the lore we've written 😂)

[@Wee_Catalyst]

5:05 The anatomy jokes are PEAK 😂😂😂

[@tableslam]

skeleton in the background is me waiting for my players to laugh after they encounter my 426th NPC whose name is a play on words or pop culture pun

[@Filloax]

Also, losing original lair actions is kind of sad, they helped make battles naturally more dynamic as they progressed and created a sort of "phase" mechanic even before mythic monsters were a thing.

[@ThatBlob-jh5gn]

This video is so high quality. Very well done and fun to watch. Thank you!

[@Casually_Playing]

0:11 uhhhhhh really my local game shop has it

[@merck__]

Be cool. Don't be a narc!

[@jackhaeberle1958]

lmao same I was so confused when I saw it

[@kailewis8832]

The 2014 lists are in the DM guide

[@chibbersthesquirrel6189]

The one thing I'd really like to hear someone touch on with regard to the new material is how well the revised monsters' stat blocks and associated CRs are specifically balanced against the relative power level of the revised characters in the new PHB. The developers put out a lot of videos about how the new player characters have all new abilities and things that make them more powerful and how "your DM will hate you," but... That wasn't in any way needed. Player characters in the 2014 material were already ridiculously powerful for their comparative CRs. The balance of CR to player level in the 2014 version was already a joke and, like Ginny points out here, DMs often had to go elsewhere to figure out how to build an encounter (which is not a sign of a good system). I really want to know if they've fixed that in the revised edition and made CR into an actually good measure of difficulty but... from what I've heard so far, I'm not optimistic.

[@Samaru163]

Agreed. from what I've read so-far, new monsters lose a lot of their immunities and resistances (especially if it's to non-magical damage), and instead just get more hit points. Spellcasting monsters lose a lot of their best offensive spells and instead get generic spell attacks that are just a re-flavoring of Eltridtch Blast. Maybe that's easier for some people to run, but from my perspective, it takes away their flexibility and means that they're usually just going to default to Eldritch Blast with a new coat of paint. Couple all of this with how martial characters can bully enemies with weapon mastery, one has to wonder if the new monsters are going to be as challenging as the designers claim.

[@singe_malt9609]

Welcome back. Hope you had a wonderful January. Looking forward to getting the monster manual for the art alone. Thanks for the insights! You're the BEST!

[@hrayz]

Lacking grouped monsters is pain. All Dragons in one spot, Dinosaurs, Demons, Devils... Now I'm expected to know every random Demon by name? (The page at the back of them listed is great, but constant flipping back and forth isn't...)

[@VaryShneaky]

I 100% agree. It's such a small thing, but it has huge implications for session prep. The cost of not having things sorted this way is 10-15 minutes of prep per small encounter, and only saves 1-2 seconds *during* the session by having it entirely alphabetical. 9/10 times I know the vibes/kind of monster I need, but not its exact name. So basically I'm forced to use the online compendium and select a bunch of different filters to find something I should be able to find quite simply. The funniest example of this is that there is a category for "Spider" but "Giant Spider" isn't anywhere near it.

[@GKahla]

"Thank Maglubiyet It's Friday, right?!" - Ginny NOT ONLY pronounced that slug of bizarre syllables correctly, but did it with mouth prosthetics! Goals, honestly... Thanks for your analysis; your efforts are helping me sort out my purchase. Cheers! 🍪☕

[@bizzarojerry]

Talking about the classic "Dark Elves," my group is currently invested in a classic D&D campaign, taking inspiration from the Raymond E. Feist novels. One of the major changes we've done to the evil Elves was to play them and the traditional Elves like the Romulans and the Vulcans, respectively. Meaning that the Moredhel and the Eledhel are so identical (because the Moredhel are just Eledhel that swore an evil pact) that can both infiltrate each others' ranks, making for the groundwork for some espionage role-play.

[@digitaljanus]

I loved those books in my teens.

[@bizzarojerry]

A golden dragon taught us how to deactivate a rift gate, helped stop Bargle from escaping on a red dragon, then gave my thief an elven cloak. Now we have to create diversions on the river and main road, to deliver him to justice in Specularum/Mirros, while we actually travel through the woods.

[@porchdragon]

You knocked it out of the park with video, Ginny! Your ability to be snarky and funny but not mean-spirited was spot on. Looking forward to your next video! And as always, your outfits were spot on!

[@genlando327plays2]

Nope... Elemental Cataclysm was the 3.5 Tempest... CR16 at 24 HD with advancement options up to 72 HD...

[@Wrrohm]

Happy to see you bust into February with such an awesome video! Been missing your ideas and insights! This has me pretty excited to grab the new MM.

[@GinnyDi]

Thanks so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it 😄

[@Will-O-King]

I think the Monster Manual did a better job than their older ones at showing ways you can use their monsters for stories. Aside from that though, the monsters are 50/50 with whether they improved them or made them less fun to fight. They also have a phony "create your own monsters" method that just encourages people to reskin their poorly made ones, compared to 3rd party creators that have been making better and more entertaining monsters to battle against since 2014. It might be worth buying on a discount, but I'd suggest looking for people that care more about the game than Wizards if you want a Monster Manual.

[@Obtuse94]

Such an incredible breakdown, I can't fathom anyone else is going to bring this amount of detail and info about the new MM, or gelatinous based outfits!

[@TooMuchThought]

I'm enthusiastic that people can run genderless Hags or Succubi (Non-succubinary?) even if I prefer to keep things more traditional and find my worlds to be more rich with the limits. There is no wrong way to play!

[@LarthV]

Funnily, at least for Succubi or Incubi, the 19th century versions are actually not gendered in that way...

[@catdragon1313]

Great video Ginny! Looking forward to seeing these changes. Also, your makeup was perfect and that plant behind you is ✨thriving✨

[@tuxxle8830]

Honestly, once I looked at the new art on the once-gendered monsters - Harpies with feathered beards and hags that look like Billy Crystal - I was sold. Hag Covens will always be great, but roleplaying a hag couple just sounds like such fun mischief.

[@SanJacintoArtGuild]

Thanks for all your time and effort!