All Monster Replacements in D&D’s Upcoming 2025 Monster Manual

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

D&D official wallpaper depicting a variety of iconic monsters including mindflayers, dragons, and goblins.

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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