Quote from ChoirOfFire >>

So, why did it take so long to add the information about VGtM and MToF becoming unavailable? It seems like Beyond had the information for over a month before adding it to the website at all.

Also, I'm amused by the decision to reference MToF in the introduction, considering. "Golly," says the hypothetical newbie on May 18, "Mordenkainen wrote another book too? I want both of them! I'll have a complete Mordenkainen collection!"

 
Because WotC told them to hush it up.

Quote from IamSposta >>

Quote from ChoirOfFire >>

So, why did it take so long to add the information about VGtM and MToF becoming unavailable? It seems like Beyond had the information for over a month before adding it to the website at all.

Also, I'm amused by the decision to reference MToF in the introduction, considering. "Golly," says the hypothetical newbie on May 18, "Mordenkainen wrote another book too? I want both of them! I'll have a complete Mordenkainen collection!"

 
Because WotC told them to hush it up.

 This is the only correct answer. Also it should’ve been well publicized that you have to buy this book to get the (let’s call it what it is here) errata updates to the races instead of getting them for free like I’m sure most of us assumed. It shouldn’t have been the one single dev update that if you missed you’d never know unless you came looking for it.

At risk of repeating a question in previous comments on this thread:

Will the "Create Monster" Homebrew section have a revised format reflecting the updated changes in the new "streamlined" statblocks presented in MMotM?

Quote from Sylvanborn >>

At risk of repeating a question in previous comments on this thread:

Will the "Create Monster" Homebrew section have a revised format reflecting the updated changes in the new "streamlined" statblocks presented in MMotM?

 This is actually a great question that I haven’t seen asked

Quote from Sylvanborn >>

At risk of repeating a question in previous comments on this thread:

Will the "Create Monster" Homebrew section have a revised format reflecting the updated changes in the new "streamlined" statblocks presented in MMotM?

The homebrew tools already reflect the relevant layout changes and have done for some time; that's where the Bonus Action section originates from (and why it's not fully supported across the site and tools, such as in the app and extras). Other than that section, there aren't really any major changes to how monsters are entered into the system, homebrew or otherwise.

Somewhat annoyed that I won't be able to purchase the Variant Tieflings moving forward given that they appear in MToF but not in MMotU. Guess I'll have to find someone with access to them if I ever want to play one.

Also not thrilled about losing access to all the lore in those books.

It seems silly to take the old books off the market place if you're still maintaining the statistics and information from them for people who already bought it. I mean, what purpose does it serve? It's not freeing up space for information, the old information is still there. It's not for monetary reasons, they've reduced the number of products by removing 2 books after introducing 1. It makes no sense.

Quote from SpiteRider >>

It seems silly to take the old books off the market place if you're still maintaining the statistics and information from them for people who already bought it. I mean, what purpose does it serve? It's not freeing up space for information, the old information is still there. It's not for monetary reasons, they've reduced the number of products by removing 2 books after introducing 1. It makes no sense.

It's because Wizards of the Coast are discontinuing the physical books, but I agree that it's stupid; the digital books cost nothing to keep selling, so why not take all the free money?

All they need to do is add a note indicating that there's a new book that supersedes them (so people aren't buying the books without knowing there's a newer replacement); even better, release a digital "legacy" pack that contains the old versions of races that have been replaced (not simply improved, but majorly changed), as these are the things people are most unhappy about, alongside wanting the old compendium content.

I'm still pissed they're replacing the Volo's Guide Kobold; it's more characterful than the new one IMO, the new one should just be a new variant. Same with the other updates that majorly change older races, new players should still have the choice, not be forced to use the more generic toolkit-y versions.

You have until May 16th to purchase this content, because as of may 17th it will be removed... so go to the marketplace and buy the content you want before its gone... or not, I'm not your Dad or anything... 

Quote from DLtheDM >>

You have until May 16th to purchase this content, because as of may 17th it will be removed... so go to the marketplace and buy the content you want before its gone... or not, I'm not your Dad or anything... 

Unfortunately it isn't in the budget this month.

I am quite confused, hasn't DDB said that they will always keep all the content updated to the latest errata? If that is no longer the case then shouldn't we have access to every verion of the errata for the various versions of the content, for instance, the separate changeling abilities in WGtE, ERLW and MPMotM.

MMotM IS the effective updated content. And the previous versions are considered archived, which means anyone who currently have access to them will get to retain access after the 17th. After the 17th, consider those races errata'd to the new update.

Essentially, everything you mentioned, they're doing. 

Why exactly are those books being discontinued? I know there's a lot of redundancy in the monster stat blocks, but there's also a ton of lore in those books that, unless I'm mistaken, Monsters of the Multiverse doesn't have. Is WotC/D&D taking the stance that these books will be made obsolete by MotM?

Is there going to be an option to hide legacy content? So only current content comes up in search and when going to the different menus e.g. Monsters

Starting on May 16, you can acquire the streamlined and up-to-date creatures and character race options, as well as a plethora of *"exciting" new content, by purchasing Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse. On May 17, Volo's Guide to Monsters and Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes will be discontinued from our digital marketplace.

This is probably the worst part of all this. I hate this. This is barring access to already printed content unless you have bought it already.

I guess if Wizards is wanting to change everything in 5e in the middle of 5e existing, and handling it in the most ham-fisted brute-forced ways they could, they can certainly do that. Sucks to be you if you got invested in 5e at any point in the past 8 years and want to get others into it, and now have to deal with this huge mess they've made and two massive books of inaccessible content because Wizards decided so.

Quote from HyperViper >>

No disrespect, I know you have a job to do, but this is a cash grab. The book has been on a staggered release to try and force people to buy the bundle and is only just going to be purchasable as of May 17th after releasing months ago.

All this after WOTC stated on multiple occasions that they would not be updating previously released content...a spade is a spade. They are updates with a full feature price tag. 

 
Cash grab, and about as close to a bold faced lie as I think Wizards is willing to do for now. The intent is obvious, the fact you will not be able to purchase these two sourcebooks makes it clear they are trying to replace them without outright saying it.

"We will not replace existing content, except that after we bought DnD Beyond you will not be able to purchase our old content that Monsters of the Multiverse clearly exists to replace, and you will not have any access to these two books. Sorry if you got invested in 5e at any point in these past 8 years, but you can't access a massive portion of its content anymore!"

If I had the ability to refund my books on DnD Beyond and delete my account I would, but my players and myself are currently too dependant on DnD Beyond's content sharing to do so. Thank goodness DnD Beyond won't remove your access to the stuff you already bought. Just sucks newer people have all this confusing multiple versions of everything and cannot access the old content anymore. 

DnD is not a live service game, Wizards should not be treating it like one.

1. Will anything that did not get reprinted still be available for purchase? Like the Magic Items, Tiefling Sub variants and any monsters that did not get reprinted.

2. Are the physical copies of the books going out of print?

3. Do I need to have the Master Tier Subscription now in order to be able to share the old versions later?

Quote from Haravikk >>

Quote from SpiteRider >>

It seems silly to take the old books off the market place if you're still maintaining the statistics and information from them for people who already bought it. I mean, what purpose does it serve? It's not freeing up space for information, the old information is still there. It's not for monetary reasons, they've reduced the number of products by removing 2 books after introducing 1. It makes no sense.

It's because Wizards of the Coast are discontinuing the physical books, but I agree that it's stupid; the digital books cost nothing to keep selling, so why not take all the free money?

All they need to do is add a note indicating that there's a new book that supersedes them (so people aren't buying the books without knowing there's a newer replacement); even better, release a digital "legacy" pack that contains the old versions of races that have been replaced (not simply improved, but majorly changed), as these are the things people are most unhappy about, alongside wanting the old compendium content.

I'm still pissed they're replacing the Volo's Guide Kobold; it's more characterful than the new one IMO, the new one should just be a new variant. Same with the other updates that majorly change older races, new players should still have the choice, not be forced to use the more generic toolkit-y versions.

Exactly. Kobolds were a challenge to play mechanically even when sunlight sensitivity didn't come up because they had almost nothing to work with. In exchange, you got an incredible boost with Pact Tactics making them fun to play. Flavor is free. You can change lore all you want (I certainly did), but mechanically they feel bland and generic now. It feels like somebody can do it better while still feeling more unique. Its made it near impossible for me to make a character with it I like outside of one I made during the playtest that thankfully still works. Maybe the community will discover that it is actually a good option as more people play it or as the meta changes but I can't see it right now.

Quote from ummerme >>

Quote from DLtheDM >>

You have until May 16th to purchase this content, because as of may 17th it will be removed... so go to the marketplace and buy the content you want before its gone... or not, I'm not your Dad or anything... 

 

Unfortunately it isn't in the budget this month.

 Yep.

Quote from Kruppethetehol >>

1. Will anything that did not get reprinted still be available for purchase? Like the Magic Items, Tiefling Sub variants and any monsters that did not get reprinted.

2. Are the physical copies of the books going out of print?

3. Do I need to have the Master Tier Subscription now in order to be able to share the old versions later?

1. Dunno, can’t answer that.
2. Yes.
3. If you have the books now, you will need a Master Tier subscription later to activate Content Sharing, but if someone else in the campaign activates Content Sharing then you won’t need any subscription.