Today Dungeons & Dragons dropped a monster; rather, monsters.
The Rules Expansion Gift Set launches today and includes the largest rules expansion set in D&D history. The gift set (which retails for $169.99 US, though I found prices ranging from $149.99-$174.99 Canadian) includes updated editions of Tasha's Cauldron of Everything and Xanathar's Guide to Everything, but perhaps, most spectacularly, introduces Mordenkainen Presents Monsters of the Multiverse.
It also includes a new DM screen collected in a slip case. Like previous books, this set will include a deluxe soft touch cover edition that will be unique to your friendly local game stores. Grab that while you can, they're limited, and they're spectacular.
It's worth noting though each of the three books do have foil covers, even if you don't get the limited edition game store ones, and they will only available through this release.
Tasha's and Xanathar's are the same books you know, beyond minor updates for errata. Monsters of the Multiverse, however, is the new deal.
First, let's talk abyssal chicken. Er, turkey.
"[It's] a perfect set for players and Dungeon Masters looking to expand their game with additional rules and character options."
For new players coming into the game, the rules expansion gift set is a must have. It collects all the character building goodness that they could possibly want! For long time players that may already own Tasha's and Xanathar's though, Monsters of the Multiverse will be getting a standalone release on May 17th of this year.
So if you own the books, you could wait...or you could get the set now, with the fancy covers 'cause you can't.
But you COULD wait is what I'm saying.
Monsters of the Multiverse includes more than 250 monsters collected from across D&D lore (hence the multiverse.) The book includes, and updates, monsters from books like Mordenkainen's Book of Foes and Volo's Guide to Monsters.
They've made spellcasters simpler to run, and more streamlined, making them more accessible to more DMs.
Some monsters also got a power boost by adding additional damage, resistances, or abilities. One thing you'll also notice is that the stat blocks themselves have been reorganized and refined.
The book also includes tidbits of wisdom from Mordenkainen himself, which I mean, he's an archmage, so that's pretty good, right?
The book includes 30 playable races, including all the setting agnostic playable races, and puts them in one place. It's handy for character creation, since you no longer need to look all over for races. It also brings these races more into line with the redeveloped approach to character generation that began in Tasha's. You can expect to see a lot of these refinements in the first major game update for 5e coming in 2024 to coincide with the game's 50th anniversary.
The book also includes updates to monster lore that refocuses stories on the multiverse instead of any one particular world.
The gift set, and Monsters of the Multiverse, is a welcome addition to the D&D family! Grab your gift set and dine with Tasha, Xanathar, and Mordenkainen now, or book a table for two in May when Mordenkainen Presents the Monsters of the Multiverse releases on its own.
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