I heard it makes changes to several player races. Would these be replacements, or additional options?
For example, The current lizardfolk have a racial ability that lets them make weapons out of corpses, but the new version doesn't. I already own the current lizardfolk, so if I were to buy the book, would my lizardfolk be replaced,thus loseing a very cool ability, or will the new lizardfolk be a additional option under the lizardfolk banner, like how subraces are?
In other words, will they be replacements, or Variants?
Edit: So they will exist alongside the old versions in dndbeyond? That's good. (Sorry for the confusion. I meant like, in the dndbeyond race selector, if there would be 2 versions of lizard folk, or just the new one even if you bought the old one. Seems the answer is no, you will have two copys of lizardfolk, one with bone weapons, and one without.
The new book’s monster stat blocks and races will exist additionally to and alongside the ones from Volo’s Guide and Tome of Foes. They’re not replacements.
All of the rules are really just suggestions to begin with. The reason the rules exist as they do in the first place is because they represent a fully thought out and tested system intended to provide a certain degree of balance and consistency. If and when you decide to change any rules for your game you should consider what the effects of that change might be on other things that change interacts with, but there's nothing stopping your DM saying that everybody starts at first level with a +94 weapon of their choice. I think the reasons for not doing that should be obvious, but I'm sure there are some people that would think that's just an absolutely great idea. That being said, my point is that noting will "replace" the anything previously existing unless the people playing your game (most specifically the DM) decide that it does.
If you're concerned about the stats, traits, etc from the new book roverwriting the ones from pre-existing D&D Beyond content, that exact question has been asked many, many times on this very forum and has, also many times, been answered with direct quotes from DDB representatives stating that they will not. If you have Volo's or Tome of Foes and purchase MotM then you will have two separate things with the same name. If you only have one of the digital books then you will only have the version of any content that came with it.
There are no secret police that will force you to do anything. WotC are not writing laws when they write these books. They aren't straightjackets that force you to do anything. The physical books aren't declared as being replacements (or not), because that's not how it works. The official races and their stats are just ones that have been playtested and provided as a common benchmark. If you want to play a High Elf with a +5 to Cha, and your DM is happy with that, then go ahead. It may or may not break the game, and people may not recognise how you got the stats, but no one is going to be punished over it.
And that's the key. Make sure the DM is happy whichever way you choose to go. They may not even allow MotM versions and insist on using old ones. They may insist on MotM versions. Or both. Or neither. Personally, I'll be trying out the old Kobold because I liked the idea of how it influenced your playstyle. I'm not a fan of how Sunlight Sensitivity generally worked, but the old Kobold did it really well and it appeals to me. The new one is fine, I just like pack tactics and how it provided a realistic method of overcoming your weakness to provide a bit of flavour. So long as my DM is happy with it...no problem.
The only time this is a concern is specifically with DDB. Since it is a digital generic service, it can act as a straightjacket - if it only provides one option, you're stuck. You can homebrew it in, but that almost defies the point of buying the book, does it not? Anyway, no need to. In this case, DDB will be treating it as new content, not errata. If you don't buy the book, you will only have the old version anyway. If you do buy it, it should present you with a choice, although it's not clear exactly how it will work.
Speak to your DM. They are the ones that create the world and how it works. They get to decide which versions are valid, if any at all. If you are the DM, you get to decide!
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I heard it makes changes to several player races. Would these be replacements, or additional options?
For example, The current lizardfolk have a racial ability that lets them make weapons out of corpses, but the new version doesn't. I already own the current lizardfolk, so if I were to buy the book, would my lizardfolk be replaced,thus loseing a very cool ability, or will the new lizardfolk be a additional option under the lizardfolk banner, like how subraces are?
In other words, will they be replacements, or Variants?
Edit: So they will exist alongside the old versions in dndbeyond? That's good. (Sorry for the confusion. I meant like, in the dndbeyond race selector, if there would be 2 versions of lizard folk, or just the new one even if you bought the old one. Seems the answer is no, you will have two copys of lizardfolk, one with bone weapons, and one without.
The new book’s monster stat blocks and races will exist additionally to and alongside the ones from Volo’s Guide and Tome of Foes. They’re not replacements.
All of the rules are really just suggestions to begin with. The reason the rules exist as they do in the first place is because they represent a fully thought out and tested system intended to provide a certain degree of balance and consistency. If and when you decide to change any rules for your game you should consider what the effects of that change might be on other things that change interacts with, but there's nothing stopping your DM saying that everybody starts at first level with a +94 weapon of their choice. I think the reasons for not doing that should be obvious, but I'm sure there are some people that would think that's just an absolutely great idea. That being said, my point is that noting will "replace" the anything previously existing unless the people playing your game (most specifically the DM) decide that it does.
If you're concerned about the stats, traits, etc from the new book roverwriting the ones from pre-existing D&D Beyond content, that exact question has been asked many, many times on this very forum and has, also many times, been answered with direct quotes from DDB representatives stating that they will not. If you have Volo's or Tome of Foes and purchase MotM then you will have two separate things with the same name. If you only have one of the digital books then you will only have the version of any content that came with it.
So long as your DM is happy - whatever you want.
There are no secret police that will force you to do anything. WotC are not writing laws when they write these books. They aren't straightjackets that force you to do anything. The physical books aren't declared as being replacements (or not), because that's not how it works. The official races and their stats are just ones that have been playtested and provided as a common benchmark. If you want to play a High Elf with a +5 to Cha, and your DM is happy with that, then go ahead. It may or may not break the game, and people may not recognise how you got the stats, but no one is going to be punished over it.
And that's the key. Make sure the DM is happy whichever way you choose to go. They may not even allow MotM versions and insist on using old ones. They may insist on MotM versions. Or both. Or neither. Personally, I'll be trying out the old Kobold because I liked the idea of how it influenced your playstyle. I'm not a fan of how Sunlight Sensitivity generally worked, but the old Kobold did it really well and it appeals to me. The new one is fine, I just like pack tactics and how it provided a realistic method of overcoming your weakness to provide a bit of flavour. So long as my DM is happy with it...no problem.
The only time this is a concern is specifically with DDB. Since it is a digital generic service, it can act as a straightjacket - if it only provides one option, you're stuck. You can homebrew it in, but that almost defies the point of buying the book, does it not? Anyway, no need to. In this case, DDB will be treating it as new content, not errata. If you don't buy the book, you will only have the old version anyway. If you do buy it, it should present you with a choice, although it's not clear exactly how it will work.
Speak to your DM. They are the ones that create the world and how it works. They get to decide which versions are valid, if any at all. If you are the DM, you get to decide!
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.