It would be cool for the FAQ to clarify the marketplace future of the two books MMM de facto supersedes. MMM doesn't just affect the specific monster and race entires (which the FAQ does make an effort to explain), but a substantial also a not insignificant amount of compendium lore (how many folks refer people to MToF for the best 5e synopsis of the Blood War?). It's not clear to me whether MMM updates any of that content, I'm presuming there's some text in the book besides the stat blocks and race descriptions, perhaps a further articulation of the multiverse. It'll also plus bundle prices (and credits), etc. There's nothing editorial wrong or any shame in revising a FAQ that results in more questions being asked than it produces a content user base.
My guess is DDB will continue to make both books, as is the case with any book, available in the marketplace for as long as WotC considers the books in print. "In print" doesn't necessarily mean WotC is actively printing the book, just that it's still available through its distributors.
Out of curiosity, how are the other big digital licensees to 5e articulating the impact of MMM?
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Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
1. Those who want the two books completely separate so they can pick and choose what to use. (arguably the most favourable option as people don't want to lose old content, lore, etc?)
2. Those who want the existing content updated as the new book is basically errata, no matter what nomenclature is used. (I fall in to this camp)
Option 1 is what WotC/DDB chose to do. This was a no-brainer on their part as they get to sell you the new book. Option 2 would have meant them giving away the 'updates' for free to those who already purchased the old book on DDB.
What they never mentioned until the Dev Update last week, was that the old book would no longer be available to purchase on DDB, once the new book comes out. They didn't mention about print copies of the book, just digital copies on DDB.
They said the old books would be 'vaulted' meaning those who owned it could still fully use it but it would no longer be available to purchase. If you want the new versions of things, you have to pay for it.
What I personally have an issue with, and I know not all feel the same of course, is that 'vaulting' the old book and selling the new book with the same but updated contents is basically what errata is. DDB's mantra of "we always update contents to the latest version" is one that they can no longer claim. I bought in to this premise and I feel let down on this as it sets a precedent going forwards. Again, I know not everybody feels the same way, but that's how I feel about it.
Mellie went on to say that this was WotC's decision, not DDB's, and that we should, politely, send our suggestions their way if we have any to make on the matter.
It would be cool for the FAQ to clarify the marketplace future of the two books MMM de facto supersedes. MMM doesn't just affect the specific monster and race entires (which the FAQ does make an effort to explain), but a substantial also a not insignificant amount of compendium lore (how many folks refer people to MToF for the best 5e synopsis of the Blood War?). It's not clear to me whether MMM updates any of that content, I'm presuming there's some text in the book besides the stat blocks and race descriptions, perhaps a further articulation of the multiverse. It'll also plus bundle prices (and credits), etc. There's nothing editorial wrong or any shame in revising a FAQ that results in more questions being asked than it produces a content user base.
My guess is DDB will continue to make both books, as is the case with any book, available in the marketplace for as long as WotC considers the books in print. "In print" doesn't necessarily mean WotC is actively printing the book, just that it's still available through its distributors.
Out of curiosity, how are the other big digital licensees to 5e articulating the impact of MMM?
Fantasy Grounds doesn't appear to have MMM on pre-order, and while Roll20 does, neither site has much talk about the release in their blogs and/or forums that I could find.
That's a good idea! Perhaps WotC views releases as:
D&D 5.0 - Initial release up to Tasha's.
D&D 5.1 - Tasha's up to D&D 2024.
D&D 5.2 - D&D 2024 onward.
5.0 is compatible with 5.1.
5.1 is compatible with 5.2.
5.0 is not compatible with 5.2.
Therefore it would make sense to let the 5.0 sources sunset once they have been superseded by 5.1 sources.
If that's true, then that would make WotC liars, though. They know that we see all of 5e as one block, PHB through to (but not necessarily including) 2024e. Trying to justify making XGtE incompatible with 2024e by claiming a classification system that is solely in their head is not valid. The only thing that I think could be incompatible (taking their "it will be compatible with 5e" at its face) is the PHB, if they're releasing a new version. I also think it would be bit of a dick move to release XGtE as part of the box set to try and get people to buy it alongside MotM, only to relegate it to incompatible with the new edition 2 years later...that's supposed to be compatible with MotM.
I'm not convinced that any whole volumes will be rendered incompatible with 2024e beyond PHB.
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If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
The fact that nobody from the D&D Beyond staff has clarified whether or not this is actually going to happen is some cause for concern. I still find it suspicious that the Dev Update where this was allegedly stated was deleted from Twitch. This week there wasn't even a QnA.
DDB staff are usually quick to read and address this stuff, so I find it very odd that something like this isn't being addressed. Unless it's true, of course. In which case they probably don't want people to know until just before the book is released.
They likely shouldn't have said what they did, said it before they should have done, 'blamed' WotC when it fact it was a DDB decision or some other contractual reason.
We'll all find out soon I'm sure, when they're able to comment further.
It must suck running a company that's sole existence is based on a contract from just one company. They ain't gonna bite the hand that feeds them. My best guess is that they accidentally did. :-/
The fact that nobody from the D&D Beyond staff has clarified whether or not this is actually going to happen is some cause for concern. I still find it suspicious that the Dev Update where this was allegedly stated was deleted from Twitch. This week there wasn't even a QnA.
DDB staff are usually quick to read and address this stuff, so I find it very odd that something like this isn't being addressed. Unless it's true, of course. In which case they probably don't want people to know until just before the book is released.
i think reality is WotC is probably either giving mixed messages, or holding back info, to DDB staff. So we get this cone of silence while they wait on news they can disseminate to the public. At first they think, "oh, we'll just need a few days then we'll have clarity" and a few days turns into a few weeks, and the next message is "well, we're waiting on WotC before we can tell you what's up, sorry for the delay"
I've heard enough people that have claimed to hear the stream where the news was mentioned that i have to believe it. But the lack of tangible evidence and silence on Fandom's part is a touch frustrating. It also may mean that WotC is revisiting the plan and may change their minds. So we may not hear anything until WotC makes a plan official.
This morning I listened to yesterday’s Dev Update, and nothing was said either way. Nor did they take questions from viewers. It was a very interesting update, with more info about character sheet service changes and the upcoming general features system, but nothing about MMM. My guess is it’s a matter of ordered “radio silence” and a gaffe last week.
There is no conjectures, WotC Removes both those books from purchase because they want the new works to be used instead. when monsters of the multiverse qill be coming out... volo and modenkainent tome of foes will be unavaillable for purschase. those who have bou8ght them already will be able to keep their perks and the books. they will still be availlable to those who bought them. those who didn't bought them, will not be able to buy them anymore. DDB is sorry for this, but this is a WotC thing and they have to follow that. that is part of their contract. that is what was said in dev updates.
so if you want to keep them, you have to buy them now. because later on you will never be able to buy them anymore.
why do WotC do that ? its like ERRATA. simply said, the older books are now deprecated and thus its obvious they wont be selling them anymore.
EDUCATED GUESS they are doing with D&D the same thing they are doing with MTG. basically if they make a change they are trying to force people into that change. its obviously a way to sell books, but hey they are a company so i'm not suprised. aside from that guess...
its also obvious they are reworking 5th edition to suit more of the peoples need. most of the changes to the races, there is nothing new int he book... i repeat, nothing new int he bok. its all OLD content reworked. all of it is mostly what the majority of us folks have been crying about. aka stats points, aka aarakocra 50ft ludicrous speed. all of those things have changed. because we asked for those changes. so that book is fan service to rebalance the races and monsters. but again as i said... there is nothing new in that book. how do we know ? because its been out since the beginning of the year as a hard cover. we already know whats in it and we already know there is nothing new to the game. no new races, no new monsters, its alll old contents that already exists in other books.
so the biggest point is... if you dont want to lose your stuff, buy it now... for it will be unavaillable for purchase once monster of the multiverse comes out. its not removed from DDB. those who have it, keeps it. but nobody will be able to buy them after the release of the new book. again this is not DDB fault... this is WotC dictating their laws.
PS: it was talked about in the DEV Update about a month ago ! it was actually answered in 1 question if i remember... its true they didn't say much, it was easy to miss... but from what i gathered, what i said above is the truth. both books will become unavaillable for purchase for newer people.... but will be kept working on DDB for those who already boguht them. i'm trying to find it back, but its hard to find it back because those things are huge and long. i found the place where they say we wont lose anything. those who have the stuff keeps it. but i'm still searching for when he said the books wont be avaiallable for purchase anymore.
DM of two gaming groups. Likes to create stuff. Check out my homebrew --> Monsters --> Magical Items --> Races --> Subclasses If you like --> Upvote, If you wanna comment --> Comment
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Not like errata - it is errata! If it was an 'alternate version' then both books would remain on sale.
The sole reason this has been handled in this exact manner is to extract more money from people.
I wonder at what point the old books are no longer allowed to be used in Adventurer's League. Surely if they are 'alternate versions' then they'll remain legal...
PS: it was talked about in the DEV Update about a month ago ! it was actually answered in 1 question if i remember... its true they didn't say much, it was easy to miss... but from what i gathered, what i said above is the truth. both books will become unavaillable for purchase for newer people.... but will be kept working on DDB for those who already boguht them. i'm trying to find it back, but its hard to find it back because those things are huge and long. i found the place where they say we wont lose anything. those who have the stuff keeps it. but i'm still searching for when he said the books wont be avaiallable for purchase anymore.
According to at least two other people, the discussion about these books becoming unpurchaseable occurred during the March 24th dev update. As far as I can tell, the recording of this dev update was never posted. Therefore, I agree with some of the other posters on this thread that D&D Beyond most likely spoke out of turn and are not saying anything further on the matter.
Does anyone know if the lore included in Volo's Guide to Monsters and Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes got reprinted in MMM?
Myself I have both MORDENKAINEN'S TOME OF FOES and VOLO'S GUIDE TO MONSTERS in both dead tree and here so I have the rules and I'm good. But I will be buying MMM in dead tree and here as I want to see the new race format and options are good, I'm excited about all the races that can now be small or medium and all the small ones having a 30' movement which will most likely be added to all small races in 24. I'm really wondering if humans/elves and other races will have a size choice?
According to at least two other people, the discussion about these books becoming unpurchaseable occurred during the March 24th dev update. As far as I can tell, the recording of this dev update was never posted. Therefore, I agree with some of the other posters on this thread that D&D Beyond most likely spoke out of turn and are not saying anything further on the matter.
Which is really a weird communication strategy between WotC and its DDB "partner." There is really nothing wrong, and much to be admired in admitting one misspoke or didn't get some information right. Copping to a (in this case incredibly minor) mistake is sort of writing and communications integrity 101 in terms of maintaining credibility. It really isn't hard to say "We put some untimely or inaccurate info out on the March 24 Update, so won't be posting it, etc. (not on DDB's payroll so won't take up personal bandwidth showing them how communication works beyond that)." The present state is weirdly Orwellian, which is at least the second sorta silent speak thing from DDB regarding this book, so lessons not learned....
Does anyone know if the lore included in Volo's Guide to Monsters and Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes got reprinted in MMM?
It's my understanding that the lore is not reproduced; which I think would be good cause to allow DDB to continue to sell the two books for at least as a long as WotC allows the books to be sold in physical retail. Someone, I think Linklite has a good thread where they give an overview of what's actually in MMM.
Myself I have both MORDENKAINEN'S TOME OF FOES and VOLO'S GUIDE TO MONSTERS in both dead tree and here so I have the rules and I'm good. But I will be buying MMM in dead tree and here as I want to see the new race format and options are good
Me too, though I'm holding off on MMM digitally, as I'm treating the updates as a homebrewing exercise. I'll also say as a DM, I gave my campaign links to my Volo's write up of Kobolds to get some background, maybe not campaign definitive background but still background, on them. I imagine I'm not the only DM who does that and I imagine future DMs might do that too were the books still available (as long as WotC has the books available, if they're delisted, I get it).
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Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
I'm also excited about seeing the sunlight sensitivity going away for PC's, I mean someone made sunglasses all the way back in 2nd edition and being outside eyes will become accustomed to daylight over time.
As for the lore...that's a hard question to answer. The problem is that the layout is different - VgtM and MToF apparently had sections dedicated to explaining the lore for the monsters, MotM does not. However, there is is plenty of lore attached to the monsters themselves in an introductory segment for each kind of monster. So for example, the Drow will have an introductory section explaining their origin etc, and then a series of statblocks for each kind of Drow. I don't have a copy of the other two books to compare, so it could be that the lore is still there but broken up from the individual large section into small bits and attached to the various creatures, it could be that the lore was reduced or it was completely taken out and new lore put in. Without a copy of those books, it would be impossible for me to tell There were claims that I was all taken out, but the person claiming it didn'town a copy ofnMotM, so I'm not sure how to take it. If you really want to know, you could gift me a copy and I could check ;) But seriously, if there are any specific questions, ask them on that thread and I'll try and answer them to the best of my ability.
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
As for the lore...that's a hard question to answer. The problem is that the layout is different - VgtM and MToF apparently had sections dedicated to explaining the lore for the monsters, MotM does not. However, there is is plenty of lore attached to the monsters themselves in an introductory segment for each kind of monster. So for example, the Drow will have an introductory section explaining their origin etc, and then a series of statblocks for each kind of Drow. I don't have a copy of the other two books to compare, so it could be that the lore is still there but broken up from the individual large section into small bits and attached to the various creatures, it could be that the lore was reduced or it was completely taken out and new lore put in. Without a copy of those books, it would be impossible for me to tell There were claims that I was all taken out, but the person claiming it didn'town a copy ofnMotM, so I'm not sure how to take it. If you really want to know, you could gift me a copy and I could check ;) But seriously, if there are any specific questions, ask them on that thread and I'll try and answer them to the best of my ability.
Maybe we can nail it down. Volo's Guide has nine chapters going into greater detail on specific types of monsters: Beholders, giants, gnolls, goblinoids, hags, kobolds, mind flayers, orcs, and yuan-ti. Let's take a look at orcs. Within their chapter, there are sections titled as follows: Gods of the Orcs, Life in the Tribe, Orc Cultures and Beliefs, Roleplaying an Orc, Orc Names, and Orc Lairs. Each of these is broken down into subsections, with the Names section containing a randomization table and the Lairs section including a detailed map and a randomization table of loot.
Aside from those chapters, there are blocks of text about the orcs within the main text of the book. Here's part of the Orcs introduction from Volo's, if someone wants to check for it within Monsters of the Multiverse:
To the common folk of the world, an orc is an orc. They know that any one of these savages can tear an ordinary person to pieces, so no further distinction is necessary.
Then, of course, each monster has its own descriptive text explaining its place in the world, its behaviors, etc. Here's the beginning of one:
Yurtrus is the orc god of death and disease. He is a horrifying abomination covered in rot and infection, except for his perfect, smooth white hands.
Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes is structured similarly. It opens with five chapters going in-depth: The Blood War (fiends), Elves, Dwarves and Duergar, Gith and Their Endless War, and Halflings and Gnomes. Here's a bit from the Gith chapter:
Vlaakith commands the loyalty of the githyanki from her personal stronghold, Susurrus, also called the Palace of Whispers, which is located deep inside the floating city.
They have tables for randomizing names, as well as personality traits. There are also tables for generating groups of gith and the monsters that travel with them, and some story seeds. (This is the shortest chapter.)
Within the monster index, there's a similar introductory blurb for the gith, which starts like this:
The descendants of an ancient people — so old their original name has been lost — have turned against each other, becoming vicious enemies divided over mortality, purpose, and the machinations of their leaders.
And the individual monsters have similar writeups. Here's the start of one:
Their keen minds and psionic gifts allow the githyanki to master magic.
I don't want to post a lot of the text, but hopefully these can serve as representative examples. If these are unchanged and present in Monsters of the Multiverse, then it's probably an accurate reissue of the materials in the other two books. Otherwise, a lot has been left behind.
I think this needs to be a lot more public...although i can see WoTC trying to keep this on the DL. Obviously they wont be printing any new copies of the books after the 17th, but there will still be a lot of physical copies out there in the world. But for DnDBEyond, the 17th will be it. One week left to pick them up if you want to have both resources going forward.
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Not fake news I'm afraid. I didn't make that up I assure you - I heard it along with the many other people who were watching that live stream.
I can't link you, even if you were to say please (!), as there is no VOD as yet. My guess is that they just haven't got around to uploading it yet.
It would be cool for the FAQ to clarify the marketplace future of the two books MMM de facto supersedes. MMM doesn't just affect the specific monster and race entires (which the FAQ does make an effort to explain), but a substantial also a not insignificant amount of compendium lore (how many folks refer people to MToF for the best 5e synopsis of the Blood War?). It's not clear to me whether MMM updates any of that content, I'm presuming there's some text in the book besides the stat blocks and race descriptions, perhaps a further articulation of the multiverse. It'll also plus bundle prices (and credits), etc. There's nothing editorial wrong or any shame in revising a FAQ that results in more questions being asked than it produces a content user base.
My guess is DDB will continue to make both books, as is the case with any book, available in the marketplace for as long as WotC considers the books in print. "In print" doesn't necessarily mean WotC is actively printing the book, just that it's still available through its distributors.
Out of curiosity, how are the other big digital licensees to 5e articulating the impact of MMM?
Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
There are two camps of people broadly speaking.
1. Those who want the two books completely separate so they can pick and choose what to use. (arguably the most favourable option as people don't want to lose old content, lore, etc?)
2. Those who want the existing content updated as the new book is basically errata, no matter what nomenclature is used. (I fall in to this camp)
Option 1 is what WotC/DDB chose to do. This was a no-brainer on their part as they get to sell you the new book. Option 2 would have meant them giving away the 'updates' for free to those who already purchased the old book on DDB.
What they never mentioned until the Dev Update last week, was that the old book would no longer be available to purchase on DDB, once the new book comes out. They didn't mention about print copies of the book, just digital copies on DDB.
They said the old books would be 'vaulted' meaning those who owned it could still fully use it but it would no longer be available to purchase. If you want the new versions of things, you have to pay for it.
What I personally have an issue with, and I know not all feel the same of course, is that 'vaulting' the old book and selling the new book with the same but updated contents is basically what errata is. DDB's mantra of "we always update contents to the latest version" is one that they can no longer claim. I bought in to this premise and I feel let down on this as it sets a precedent going forwards. Again, I know not everybody feels the same way, but that's how I feel about it.
Mellie went on to say that this was WotC's decision, not DDB's, and that we should, politely, send our suggestions their way if we have any to make on the matter.
I could see dndbeyond starting to segregate 5e core from 5e+ compatible books. This might be the first step in that process.
Fantasy Grounds doesn't appear to have MMM on pre-order, and while Roll20 does, neither site has much talk about the release in their blogs and/or forums that I could find.
That's a good idea! Perhaps WotC views releases as:
Therefore it would make sense to let the 5.0 sources sunset once they have been superseded by 5.1 sources.
If that's true, then that would make WotC liars, though. They know that we see all of 5e as one block, PHB through to (but not necessarily including) 2024e. Trying to justify making XGtE incompatible with 2024e by claiming a classification system that is solely in their head is not valid. The only thing that I think could be incompatible (taking their "it will be compatible with 5e" at its face) is the PHB, if they're releasing a new version. I also think it would be bit of a dick move to release XGtE as part of the box set to try and get people to buy it alongside MotM, only to relegate it to incompatible with the new edition 2 years later...that's supposed to be compatible with MotM.
I'm not convinced that any whole volumes will be rendered incompatible with 2024e beyond PHB.
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
The fact that nobody from the D&D Beyond staff has clarified whether or not this is actually going to happen is some cause for concern. I still find it suspicious that the Dev Update where this was allegedly stated was deleted from Twitch. This week there wasn't even a QnA.
DDB staff are usually quick to read and address this stuff, so I find it very odd that something like this isn't being addressed. Unless it's true, of course. In which case they probably don't want people to know until just before the book is released.
A bit of a mystery isn't it?!
They likely shouldn't have said what they did, said it before they should have done, 'blamed' WotC when it fact it was a DDB decision or some other contractual reason.
We'll all find out soon I'm sure, when they're able to comment further.
It must suck running a company that's sole existence is based on a contract from just one company. They ain't gonna bite the hand that feeds them. My best guess is that they accidentally did. :-/
i think reality is WotC is probably either giving mixed messages, or holding back info, to DDB staff. So we get this cone of silence while they wait on news they can disseminate to the public. At first they think, "oh, we'll just need a few days then we'll have clarity" and a few days turns into a few weeks, and the next message is "well, we're waiting on WotC before we can tell you what's up, sorry for the delay"
I've heard enough people that have claimed to hear the stream where the news was mentioned that i have to believe it. But the lack of tangible evidence and silence on Fandom's part is a touch frustrating. It also may mean that WotC is revisiting the plan and may change their minds. So we may not hear anything until WotC makes a plan official.
This morning I listened to yesterday’s Dev Update, and nothing was said either way. Nor did they take questions from viewers. It was a very interesting update, with more info about character sheet service changes and the upcoming general features system, but nothing about MMM. My guess is it’s a matter of ordered “radio silence” and a gaffe last week.
Trying to Decide if DDB is for you? A few helpful threads: A Buyer's Guide to DDB; What I/We Bought and Why; How some DMs use DDB; A Newer Thread on Using DDB to Play
Helpful threads on other topics: Homebrew FAQ by IamSposta; Accessing Content by ConalTheGreat;
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There is no conjectures, WotC Removes both those books from purchase because they want the new works to be used instead.
when monsters of the multiverse qill be coming out... volo and modenkainent tome of foes will be unavaillable for purschase. those who have bou8ght them already will be able to keep their perks and the books. they will still be availlable to those who bought them. those who didn't bought them, will not be able to buy them anymore. DDB is sorry for this, but this is a WotC thing and they have to follow that. that is part of their contract. that is what was said in dev updates.
so if you want to keep them, you have to buy them now. because later on you will never be able to buy them anymore.
why do WotC do that ?
its like ERRATA. simply said, the older books are now deprecated and thus its obvious they wont be selling them anymore.
EDUCATED GUESS
they are doing with D&D the same thing they are doing with MTG.
basically if they make a change they are trying to force people into that change.
its obviously a way to sell books, but hey they are a company so i'm not suprised.
aside from that guess...
its also obvious they are reworking 5th edition to suit more of the peoples need.
most of the changes to the races, there is nothing new int he book... i repeat, nothing new int he bok. its all OLD content reworked.
all of it is mostly what the majority of us folks have been crying about. aka stats points, aka aarakocra 50ft ludicrous speed. all of those things have changed. because we asked for those changes. so that book is fan service to rebalance the races and monsters. but again as i said... there is nothing new in that book. how do we know ? because its been out since the beginning of the year as a hard cover. we already know whats in it and we already know there is nothing new to the game. no new races, no new monsters, its alll old contents that already exists in other books.
so the biggest point is... if you dont want to lose your stuff, buy it now... for it will be unavaillable for purchase once monster of the multiverse comes out.
its not removed from DDB. those who have it, keeps it. but nobody will be able to buy them after the release of the new book.
again this is not DDB fault... this is WotC dictating their laws.
PS: it was talked about in the DEV Update about a month ago !
it was actually answered in 1 question if i remember... its true they didn't say much, it was easy to miss... but from what i gathered, what i said above is the truth. both books will become unavaillable for purchase for newer people.... but will be kept working on DDB for those who already boguht them. i'm trying to find it back, but its hard to find it back because those things are huge and long. i found the place where they say we wont lose anything. those who have the stuff keeps it. but i'm still searching for when he said the books wont be avaiallable for purchase anymore.
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Check out my homebrew --> Monsters --> Magical Items --> Races --> Subclasses
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Not like errata - it is errata! If it was an 'alternate version' then both books would remain on sale.
The sole reason this has been handled in this exact manner is to extract more money from people.
I wonder at what point the old books are no longer allowed to be used in Adventurer's League. Surely if they are 'alternate versions' then they'll remain legal...
According to at least two other people, the discussion about these books becoming unpurchaseable occurred during the March 24th dev update. As far as I can tell, the recording of this dev update was never posted. Therefore, I agree with some of the other posters on this thread that D&D Beyond most likely spoke out of turn and are not saying anything further on the matter.
Does anyone know if the lore included in Volo's Guide to Monsters and Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes got reprinted in MMM?
Myself I have both MORDENKAINEN'S TOME OF FOES and VOLO'S GUIDE TO MONSTERS in both dead tree and here so I have the rules and I'm good. But I will be buying MMM in dead tree and here as I want to see the new race format and options are good, I'm excited about all the races that can now be small or medium and all the small ones having a 30' movement which will most likely be added to all small races in 24. I'm really wondering if humans/elves and other races will have a size choice?
Which is really a weird communication strategy between WotC and its DDB "partner." There is really nothing wrong, and much to be admired in admitting one misspoke or didn't get some information right. Copping to a (in this case incredibly minor) mistake is sort of writing and communications integrity 101 in terms of maintaining credibility. It really isn't hard to say "We put some untimely or inaccurate info out on the March 24 Update, so won't be posting it, etc. (not on DDB's payroll so won't take up personal bandwidth showing them how communication works beyond that)." The present state is weirdly Orwellian, which is at least the second sorta silent speak thing from DDB regarding this book, so lessons not learned....
It's my understanding that the lore is not reproduced; which I think would be good cause to allow DDB to continue to sell the two books for at least as a long as WotC allows the books to be sold in physical retail. Someone, I think Linklite has a good thread where they give an overview of what's actually in MMM.
Me too, though I'm holding off on MMM digitally, as I'm treating the updates as a homebrewing exercise. I'll also say as a DM, I gave my campaign links to my Volo's write up of Kobolds to get some background, maybe not campaign definitive background but still background, on them. I imagine I'm not the only DM who does that and I imagine future DMs might do that too were the books still available (as long as WotC has the books available, if they're delisted, I get it).
Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
I'm also excited about seeing the sunlight sensitivity going away for PC's, I mean someone made sunglasses all the way back in 2nd edition and being outside eyes will become accustomed to daylight over time.
I believe MidnightPlat was referring to this thread:
https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/general-discussion/131458-for-those-considering-buy-mordenkainen-presents
As for the lore...that's a hard question to answer. The problem is that the layout is different - VgtM and MToF apparently had sections dedicated to explaining the lore for the monsters, MotM does not. However, there is is plenty of lore attached to the monsters themselves in an introductory segment for each kind of monster. So for example, the Drow will have an introductory section explaining their origin etc, and then a series of statblocks for each kind of Drow. I don't have a copy of the other two books to compare, so it could be that the lore is still there but broken up from the individual large section into small bits and attached to the various creatures, it could be that the lore was reduced or it was completely taken out and new lore put in. Without a copy of those books, it would be impossible for me to tell There were claims that I was all taken out, but the person claiming it didn'town a copy ofnMotM, so I'm not sure how to take it. If you really want to know, you could gift me a copy and I could check ;) But seriously, if there are any specific questions, ask them on that thread and I'll try and answer them to the best of my ability.
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
Maybe we can nail it down. Volo's Guide has nine chapters going into greater detail on specific types of monsters: Beholders, giants, gnolls, goblinoids, hags, kobolds, mind flayers, orcs, and yuan-ti. Let's take a look at orcs. Within their chapter, there are sections titled as follows: Gods of the Orcs, Life in the Tribe, Orc Cultures and Beliefs, Roleplaying an Orc, Orc Names, and Orc Lairs. Each of these is broken down into subsections, with the Names section containing a randomization table and the Lairs section including a detailed map and a randomization table of loot.
Aside from those chapters, there are blocks of text about the orcs within the main text of the book. Here's part of the Orcs introduction from Volo's, if someone wants to check for it within Monsters of the Multiverse:
Then, of course, each monster has its own descriptive text explaining its place in the world, its behaviors, etc. Here's the beginning of one:
Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes is structured similarly. It opens with five chapters going in-depth: The Blood War (fiends), Elves, Dwarves and Duergar, Gith and Their Endless War, and Halflings and Gnomes. Here's a bit from the Gith chapter:
They have tables for randomizing names, as well as personality traits. There are also tables for generating groups of gith and the monsters that travel with them, and some story seeds. (This is the shortest chapter.)
Within the monster index, there's a similar introductory blurb for the gith, which starts like this:
And the individual monsters have similar writeups. Here's the start of one:
I don't want to post a lot of the text, but hopefully these can serve as representative examples. If these are unchanged and present in Monsters of the Multiverse, then it's probably an accurate reissue of the materials in the other two books. Otherwise, a lot has been left behind.
https://support.dndbeyond.com/hc/en-us/articles/4815683858327
Scroll to the bottom for evidence of the old books no longer being available for purchase on DDB when M3 releases.
Its also been added to the article from the front page of DDB...
https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1201-faq-for-mordenkainen-presents-monsters-of-the
I think this needs to be a lot more public...although i can see WoTC trying to keep this on the DL. Obviously they wont be printing any new copies of the books after the 17th, but there will still be a lot of physical copies out there in the world. But for DnDBEyond, the 17th will be it. One week left to pick them up if you want to have both resources going forward.