Here’s how to read and organize the 2025 Monster Manual.

Several creaturesnames and stat blocks have been changedin an attempt to ensure they align with what the creature does.

You’ll need to use the converted stat block name to find the correct creature you want to use.

Dungeons & Dragons image showing an ancient green dragon.

Ancient Green Dragon (2025 Monster Manual) by Alexander Ostrowski

The Monster Manual breaks down the creatuers you’ll want to use by habitat.

The book has the following habitats with creatures available.

The Any Habitat section is great for quick creatures to put into any climate.

Collage of D&D fifth edition, showing a five-headed dragon and a halfling descending on a rope

Cultists by Aurore Folny

Below isevery creature typethat is classified in this section.

For the most part monsters can be used interchangably despite loaction, appereance group and more.

What you really don’t want to ignore when choosing monsters is their challenge rating.

A group of cultists hold daggers and sumon a demon lord in Dungeons & Dragons.

Cultists by Aurore Folny

Dungeons & Dragons, pirates forcing someone to walk the plank by Alexandre Honore.

Pirates by Alexandre Honore

A Vampire dances with Fey creatures in the gate-town of Sylvania

Sylvania by Michele Giorgi

Dungeons & Dragons Arch Hags around a pit in the 2025 Monster Manual.

Arch Hag by Dario Jelusic

Dungeons & Dragons art of Blob of Annihilation with a massive skull inside by Mathias Kollros.

Blob of Annihilation by Mathias Kollros

Dungeons & Dragons image showing an ancient dragon with dragon wyrmlings, adventurers against a beholder, and a cloud giant.

Tabletop

Dungeon & Dragons