Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse
Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse ("Monsters of the Multiverse") is a sourcebook for the 5th edition of the "Dungeons & Dragons" fantasy role-playing game, originally published as part of a box set in January 2022. It is scheduled to be published as a standalone edition in May 2022. The book is a supplement to the 5th edition "Monster Manual" (2014) and "Player's Handbook" (2014). Contents. The book updates a variety of options for both players and Dungeon Masters: Publication history. The book was originally published as part of the "Dungeons & Dragons Rules  Expansion Gift Set" on January 25, 2022. It is scheduled to have a standalone release on May 17, 2022. "Monsters of the Multiverse" revises previously published aspects of 5th Edition "Dungeons & Dragons" ("D&D"). Both player races and monsters were rebalanced. Jeremy Crawford, principal rules designer for "D&D", said the revised rules are backward compatible. Setting specific lore and alignments were removed to allow for broader story creation by Dungeon Masters and players. "Polygon" highlighted that this "will also give Wizards of the Coast more elbow room to expand its multiverse, either relaunching classic settings like Dragonlance and Spelljammer or unleashing  entirely new settings built from scratch". Monster challenge ratings were not changed; instead, monster stat blocks were adjusted to better represent their challenge rating. "TechRaptor" stated that mechanically for player races the revision means "the removal of set Ability scores, [...] a change that was first introduced in "Tasha's Cauldron of Everything". [...] Races might also get new Traits entirely, or simply have their traits renamed to something more generalized". The book will also be available as a digital product through the following Wizards of the Coast licensees on May 17, 2022: D&D Beyond, Fantasy Grounds, and Roll20. Christian Hoffer, for  ComicBook.com, reported that "with past updates to content, either via errata or updates in new books, D&D Beyond has updated the stat blocks for all of its subscribers regardless as to whether they purchased the updated content or not. [...] However, this will not be the case with "Monsters of the Multiverse," especially as some of the changes made in the book are considered unpopular with a segment of fans. [...] [D&D Beyond head Joe Starr] didn't specify exactly how it would implement the new stat blocks and player races found in the book". Related products. The boxed set, "Dungeons & Dragons  Rules Expansion Gift Set", contains the "Monsters of the Multiverse" along with new printings of "Xanathar's Guide to Everything" (2017) and "Tasha's Cauldron of Everything" (2020). An exclusive edition, with white foil alternate art covers by Joy Ang, is only available through local game stores. Reception. Chris de Hoog, for "CGMagazine", called "Monsters of the Multiverse" a "very straightforward book" and that it "isn't the most flashy or compelling book". de Hoog wrote that "many of the creatures listed within are reprinted from other sources, like the similar "Volo's Guide to Monsters" or "Mordenkainen's Tome  of Foes", but these reprints have subtle updates that make a big difference at the game table. [...] The other benefit of reprinting monsters in central tomes like this is that you don't necessarily need to buy every other book just to get the stats for a couple of baddies you’d like to use—nor do you need to cart as many books to game nights". de Hoog stated that the "Dungeons & Dragons Rules Expansion Gift Set" is "a must-have if you don't already own its tomes", however, ""Monsters of the Multiverse" is a little thin on  its own. It will be a valuable resource, so this is a more compelling way to add it to your library—especially if you can get your hands on the unique version available only at independent game stores". Both "Polygon" and "SyFy Wire" highlighted that "Monsters of the Multiverse" is an indication of the future design direction of "Dungeons & Dragons". Charlie Hall, for "Polygon", commented on the previous "edition wars" when "Dungeons & Dragons" "transitioned from 3rd edition, to 3.5, to 4th edition. Instead, it appears that Wizards will be taking a far more incremental approach this time, weaving in changes  both large and small while still maintaining a connection to what came before". Hall also commented that "Monsters of the Multiverse" was originally intended to be published in time for the winter 2021 holidays as a standalone book and as part of the box set, however, due to "ongoing global supply chain issues" both releases were delayed – "It's an approach to releasing new content that the company has not attempted before in 5th edition, and this time, looks to have backfired, effectively gating off this new content for a period of time unless you’re willing to pay a  premium". Additionally, both "Polygon" and "SyFy Wire" highlighted that the sourcebook's design philosophy attempts to move away from racist elements of "Dungeons & Dragons". James Grebey, for "SyFy Wire", wrote that the updated rules decouple "cultural characteristics from the physical or magical ones" and it "removes setting-specific information about the races, which combined with the more flexible stat alignment should make them easier to slot into any fantasy world [...]. Furthermore, the old way of creating characters made it so some races were poor choices for certain classes. [...] The monsters section of the book aims to make DMs’ lives easier , like by simplifying how monsters cast spells".