I think the new D&D Monster Manual cover is best, and the artist behind each rulebook agrees

Tabletop GamingDungeons and DragonsI think the new D&D Monster Manual cover is best, and the artist behind each rulebook agreesWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

Tabletop GamingDungeons and DragonsI think the new D&D Monster Manual cover is best, and the artist behind each rulebook agreesWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Tyler Jacobson)

A beholder opens its mouth wide to grab two characters on ruined steps

The new D&D Monster Manual cover has been revealed, and with it, the curtain’s been pulled back on all of the core rulebooks. Honestly? It’s my favorite.

(Image credit: Tyler Jacobson)

The new front cover for the Monster Manual

Shown off for the first timeat IGN, this is hands down my favorite cover out of the new core rulebooks. Don’t get me wrong, I liked the others. I think thenew D&D Player’s Handbook art is a promising start to the game’s big update, while theDungeon Master’s Guide delivers some big ’80s nostalgia. But the Monster Manual pips them to the post so far as I’m concerned.

As it happens, the artist of this piece – Tyler Jacobson – also thinks that it might be the best of the three covers. And because he put them all together, that’s saying something.

“It was truly an honor and a privilege to be trusted with all three of the core books. I might like this cover the most,” Jacobson saidon Twitter / X.

For me, the composition is excellent. Your eyes are naturally drawn up to the heroes as they battle that beholder, while the horde at their feet makes for a satisfying base of this visual pyramid.

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(Image credit: Tyler Jacobson)

An array of D&D monsters, all looking into the foreground

The back cover is similar. It’s a who’s who of D&D monsters, with everything from owlbears to mind flayers staring up at the viewer.

Now we just need to wait until the alternate cover for the Monster Manual turns up. These tend to get revealed shortly after the standard version (we showed one off ourselves, andit channels every DM’s inner schemer), so the Monster Manual one shouldn’t be far away.

Want something new to play while you wait for the revamped D&D rulebooks? Take a look at thebest board games, or theseboard games for 2 players.

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1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”

Nemesis board game models and tokens laid out on a board

1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”

1

Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”

2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”

2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”

2

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5

Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”

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Shadow brandishes a gun in Sonic The Hedgehog 3

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2

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3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”

3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”

3

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4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”

4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”

4

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5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”

5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”

5

Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”

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Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor and Nicola Coughlan as Joy in Doctor Who Christmas special Joy to the World

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1

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2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”

2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”

2

Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”

3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”

3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”

3

Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”

4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”

4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”

4

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5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”

5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”

5

Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”

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