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What monster manuals are your favorites? I assume anybody who has run D&D 3.5 will have used the first Monster Manual *ad nauseam*. But was it your favorite?
My favorites – the ones that got used the most:
1. **Swords & Wizardry Monster Book: 0e Reloaded** – it’s spartan, but the short stat blocks are all that I need. My favorite resource at the table.
2. *Monster Manual IV* for D&D 3.5 – I loved the connected monsters; I based a whole campaign on the *Dark Talon* lizardfolk entries and Yarshag is *still* out there! I also used all the dragon folk variants in another campaign.
3. *Monster Manual II* for AD&D – the first book with all the demons and devils and monads: as a kid, I was hooked.
I know the kids love the newer monster manuals with their gorgeous artwork. I don’t use them too often, though. When I bought Paizo’s *Bestiary* 1 & 2 I had already stopped running Pathfinder. I have not used the *Tomb of Horrors* at the table (neither the Swords & Wizardry nor the Pathfinder version). I have used very little of *Monster Manuals* II and III for D&D 3E and 3.5. I was already disenchanted with D&D 3.5 when I bought the *Monster Manual* V so I didn’t get to play much. I would have loved to use *Lords of Madness* and *Fiendish Codex* I & II more. The *Lords of Madness* book in particular has inspired me again and again to add alien factions to my campaigns. Currently I’m still using an undercurrent of beholders and beholder kin (from *The Complete Guide to Beholders*).
But really, *0e Reloaded* rules. Or, as Tim Shorts says:
When I mention my favorite monster manuals this one right up at the top. Before the Tome of Horrors and the new Hacklopedia of Beasts it was my favorite. Those beautifully simple stat blocks. Even with the two heavy weight tomes I mentioned I will still refer to this one often. – Favorite OSR Products
And it’s available in an editable format! Awesome!
available in an editable format
I’m not sure whether I like Matt Finch’s plans to add more art to the book. Yes, art is what the kids love. It’s what I loved. But if I want beautiful art, I might decide to buy Paizo’s Bestiary 3 instead. A tricky question. I did like the old school illustrations by Steve Zieser, Sean Aaberg and Jeremy Pea in the *Advanced Edition Companion* for Labyrinth Lord. I’m on the fence regarding the addition of art to such a perfect product.
What do you think?
#RPG
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I like helping to visualize monsters and other stuff because it’s a fast way to get everyone on the same page in terms of what the current “thing” is about.
– Harald 2012-02-05 12:28 UTC
