The forthcoming Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual for 2025 promises significant transformations, introducing alternative versions of many iconic creatures. This update follows a series of adjustments over the past year, notably the revised mechanics in the 2024 Player’s Handbook and Dungeon Master’s Guide, alongside several new subclasses released through Unearthed Arcana. The latest revisions mainly target the Monster Manual, an essential guide packed with stat blocks vital for orchestrating enemy encounters in gameplay.
As part of refreshing the Monster Manual, Dungeons & Dragons is phasing out numerous old stat blocks. However, instead of entirely eliminating these entries, the 2025 edition offers a convenient table of replacements, aiding Dungeon Masters (DMs) who may be seeking quick substitutes for their beloved adversaries. Below, you’ll find a comprehensive list of every suggested alternate monster for the 2025 MM, alongside the original 5e variations and insights behind these changes.
Complete Overview of D&D 2025 Monster Manual Conversions
D&D’s Obsolete Monsters & Their New Counterparts
The following table details every monster stat block altered or eliminated in the 2025 Monster Manual, including the recommended alternatives as outlined in the book’s appendices. These substitutes may range from nearly indistinguishable from their 2014 counterparts to entirely new creations, illustrating a diverse approach to monster design.
|
2014 Monster |
2025 Equivalent |
|---|---|
|
Aarakocra |
Aarakocra Skirmisher |
|
Acolyte |
Priest Acolyte |
|
Adult Blue Dracolich |
Dracolich |
|
Androsphinx |
Sphinx of Valor |
|
Azerbaijani |
Azer Sentinel |
|
Bugbear |
Bugbear Warrior |
|
Bullywug |
Bullywug Warrior |
|
Centaur |
Centaur Trooper |
|
Cult Fanatic |
Cultist Fanatic |
|
Cyclops |
Cyclops Sentry |
|
Deep Gnome |
Scout |
|
Drow |
Priest Acolyte |
|
Drow Elite Warrior |
Gladiator |
|
Drow Mage |
Bandit Deceiver |
|
Drow Priestess of Lolth |
Fiend Cultist |
|
Duergar |
Spy |
|
Duodrone |
Modron Duodrone |
|
Faerie Dragon (green, blue, indigo, or violet) |
Faerie Dragon Adult |
|
Faerie Dragon (red, orange, or yellow) |
Faerie Dragon Youth |
|
Fire Snake |
Salamander Fire Snake |
|
Flying Sword |
Animated Flying Sword |
|
Gas Spore |
Gas Spore Fungus |
|
Giant Poisonous Snake |
Giant Venomous Snake |
|
Gnoll |
Gnoll Warrior |
|
Goblin |
Goblin Warrior |
|
Grick Alpha |
Grick Ancient |
|
Gynosphinx |
Sphinx of Lore |
|
Half-Ogre (Ogrillon) |
Ogrillon Ogre |
|
Half-Red Dragon Veteran |
Half-Dragon |
|
Hobgoblin |
Hobgoblin Warrior |
|
Kobold |
Kobold Warrior |
|
Lizard people |
Scout |
|
Lizardfolk Shaman |
Lizardfolk Geomancer |
|
Lizard King/Queen |
Lizardfolk Sovereign |
|
More people |
Merfolk Skirmisher |
|
Minotaur |
Minotaur of Baphomet |
|
Monodrone |
Modron Monodrone |
|
Orc |
Tough |
|
Orc Eye of Gruumsh |
Cultist Fanatic |
|
Orc War Chief |
Tough Boss |
|
Special |
Berserker |
|
Pentadrone |
Modron Pentadrone |
|
Poisonous Snake |
Venomous Snake |
|
Quadrone |
Modron Quadrone |
|
Quaggoth Spore Servant |
Myconic Spore Servant |
|
Quipper |
Piranha |
|
Rug of Smothering |
Animated Rug of Smothering |
|
Sahuagin |
Sahuagin Warrior |
|
Sahuagin Princess |
Sahuagin Priest |
|
Shrieker |
Shrieker Fungus |
|
Swarm of Poisonous Snakes |
Swarm of Venomous Snakes |
|
Swarm of Quippers |
Swarm of Piranhas |
|
Thri-heel |
Thri-heel Marauder |
|
Thug |
Tough |
|
Tribal Warrior |
Warrior Infantry |
|
Tridrones |
Modron Tridrone |
|
Veteran |
Warrior Veteran |
|
Young Red Shadow Dragon |
Shadow Dragon |
|
Yuan-the Pureblood |
Yuan-the Infiltrator |
It is essential to note that in every instance above, the suggested alternative maintains an equivalent Challenge Rating (CR) to the corresponding 2014 original. This approach allows DMs to seamlessly integrate new monsters into existing encounters without the need to overhaul challenges or difficulty levels drastically.
Understanding D&D’s 2025 Monster Manual Replacements
Reasons Behind the Changes in 2025’s Monster Manual
Several factors contribute to the evolution of the Monster Manual in 2025. One of the primary goals has been to address and correct errors from prior editions, as evidenced by the transition from “Poisonous Snake”to “Venomous Snake, ”which clarifies terminology. Consistency is another fundamental driver, illustrated by the inclusion of a clear Modron identifier for various drone types.
Moreover, the revisions reflect DnD’s commitment to moving away from portrayals of inherently evil races and cultures. This shift is visible in the adjustments made to creatures associated with playable races, such as substituting Drow with the more neutral Priest Acolyte—adopting a generic humanoid stat block that accommodates any race. Additionally, the renaming of certain monsters aims to eliminate negative connotations associated with various cultures, such as changing Orc War Chief to Tough Boss and Lizardfolk Shaman to Lizardfolk Geomancer.
Gendered terminology has also been revised; for instance, Lizard King/Queen is replaced by Lizardfolk Sovereign, and Androsphinx and Gynosphinx are now known as Sphinx of Valor and Sphinx of Lore, respectively. Regardless of the motivation behind each change—whether it be lexical accuracy or cultural sensitivity—these efforts ultimately enhance the adaptability of the Monster Manual, making it a far more versatile tool for any Dungeons & Dragons campaign.
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