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MOAR! Monsters Know What They're Doing
From the author of The Monsters Know What They’re Doing comes a follow-up strategy guide with MOAR! monster tactics for Dungeon Masters playing fifth edition Dungeons & Dragons.
Keith Ammann’s first book based on his popular blog, The Monsters Know What They’re Doing, unpacks strategies, tactics, and motivations for creatures found in the Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual. Now, in MOAR! Monsters Know What They’re Doing, he analyzes the likely combat behaviors of more than 100 new enemies found in Volo’s Guide to Monsters and Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes. Your campaign will never be the same!
Keith Ammann’s first book based on his popular blog, The Monsters Know What They’re Doing, unpacks strategies, tactics, and motivations for creatures found in the Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual. Now, in MOAR! Monsters Know What They’re Doing, he analyzes the likely combat behaviors of more than 100 new enemies found in Volo’s Guide to Monsters and Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes. Your campaign will never be the same!
1 pages, Audio CD
Published January 4, 2022
88 people are currently reading
2324 people want to read
About the author
Keith Ammann
12 books96 followersKeith Ammann is the ENNIE-winning author of The Monsters Know What They’re Doing: Combat Tactics for Dungeon Masters, MOAR! Monsters Know What They’re Doing, How to Defend Your Lair, and most recently Making Enemies: Monster Design Inspiration for Tabletop Roleplaying Games, as well as the blog The Monsters Know What They’re Doing (themonstersknow.com). He’s been a role-playing gamer and game master for more than thirty years. He likes to play outwardly abrasive helpers, out-of-their-element helpers, and genuinely nice, helpful helpers. Mostly, though, he plays non-player characters. And monsters.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
May 26, 2022
For those who enjoyed Keith's first book, The Monsters Know What They're Doing, here's the sequel.
The books are derived from his blog of the same title. I've not checked it out, so I don't know how much (if any) is new to this book versus how much is taken straight from the online version. My personal preference is for physical media, so this book suits me just fine.
Intended as an RPG source book, Moar! Monsters Know What They're Doing goes through the 5th edition Dungeons & Dragons books, Volo's Guide to Monsters and Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes, and comes up with combat strategies for most of the creatures and entities within. Because monsters who simply run up and go Raaah! Stab! Stab! get boring pretty quickly. Amman analyzes blocks of statistics and flavor text, and creates personalities. He also talks about his process in general so that readers can apply it to anything not covered in his books or his blog.
While this may sound like something intended for gamers only, I feel like I should point out that, although it's been literally decades since the last time I played in or ran an RPG, nor do I have any plans to do so in the foreseeable future, I still found this book fascinating. I suppose it's not for everyone, but even a general interest in fantasy literature, or simple curiosity about gaming might be enough to help this book engage you. Recommended for gamers, at the very least, but do check it out if it sounds intriguing.
The books are derived from his blog of the same title. I've not checked it out, so I don't know how much (if any) is new to this book versus how much is taken straight from the online version. My personal preference is for physical media, so this book suits me just fine.
Intended as an RPG source book, Moar! Monsters Know What They're Doing goes through the 5th edition Dungeons & Dragons books, Volo's Guide to Monsters and Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes, and comes up with combat strategies for most of the creatures and entities within. Because monsters who simply run up and go Raaah! Stab! Stab! get boring pretty quickly. Amman analyzes blocks of statistics and flavor text, and creates personalities. He also talks about his process in general so that readers can apply it to anything not covered in his books or his blog.
While this may sound like something intended for gamers only, I feel like I should point out that, although it's been literally decades since the last time I played in or ran an RPG, nor do I have any plans to do so in the foreseeable future, I still found this book fascinating. I suppose it's not for everyone, but even a general interest in fantasy literature, or simple curiosity about gaming might be enough to help this book engage you. Recommended for gamers, at the very least, but do check it out if it sounds intriguing.
January 15, 2022
More tactics and strategy for D&D monsters. Rigorously tight on the fighting side of things, including mentioning that this book or that one has other details not relevant to fighting and so to be skipped. Does discuss the monsters' motives for fighting.
Some sidebars on topics such as flanking tactics.
Some sidebars on topics such as flanking tactics.
May 2, 2022
A must have for all DMs, especially if you struggle to run certain monsters and npc
January 19, 2022
I won this book through a Goodreads Giveaway, and didn't realize how lucky I was until I read it. Thank you, Mr. Ammann and Simon & Schuster for this great strategy guide about D&D enemies. I'll probably buy the first book because it includes monsters from "The Monster Manual", while the second volume deals with monsters from two other play books.
This is a collection of analyses of various monsters and enemies from the D&D universe. Each entry provides helpful descriptions and tips about each of the monsters, and how they can be used effectively in a campaign. And it's not just monsters and animals, it's humanoids and people as well!
I'm a new DM, and this book will make running campaigns so much more fun! My campaigns will be more interesting for my players, and I'll have a lot more fun myself because I get to play all these great characters (and my players will only get one).
Highly recommended for any level of DM. This book will improve your storytelling because your NPCs and monsters will be well rounded. You'll be more interested in playing them, and your players will be more interested in fighting and interacting with them. And that's what a good campaign really boils down to - great characters and an interesting story.
This is a collection of analyses of various monsters and enemies from the D&D universe. Each entry provides helpful descriptions and tips about each of the monsters, and how they can be used effectively in a campaign. And it's not just monsters and animals, it's humanoids and people as well!
I'm a new DM, and this book will make running campaigns so much more fun! My campaigns will be more interesting for my players, and I'll have a lot more fun myself because I get to play all these great characters (and my players will only get one).
Highly recommended for any level of DM. This book will improve your storytelling because your NPCs and monsters will be well rounded. You'll be more interested in playing them, and your players will be more interested in fighting and interacting with them. And that's what a good campaign really boils down to - great characters and an interesting story.
May 28, 2022
An in-depth look at how D&D monster statblocks translate into behaviors. This book is an excellent resource for DMs for a variety of reasons, not limited to:
-Realistic behaviors make for better immersion.
-Realistic reactions add variety to fights. (We've all seen too many fights where the baddies stand in one place until they're whacked to death.)
-Realistic responses add for predictability and player strategy.
-Not homebrew dependent. (No adding homebrew abilities or changing stats.)
-Balance encounters mid-combat.
There are a lot of people who make good homebrew D&D 5e content, but Keith Ammann is the only one who makes official content better.
-Realistic behaviors make for better immersion.
-Realistic reactions add variety to fights. (We've all seen too many fights where the baddies stand in one place until they're whacked to death.)
-Realistic responses add for predictability and player strategy.
-Not homebrew dependent. (No adding homebrew abilities or changing stats.)
-Balance encounters mid-combat.
There are a lot of people who make good homebrew D&D 5e content, but Keith Ammann is the only one who makes official content better.
February 2, 2022
A fantastic resource for Dungeon Masters who are looking to breathe more life into their campaigns. This has been a great reference for session prep in order to make each creature feel unique and memorable to the players. Even more helpful than the official material. Only criticism is that some creatures get more attention than others.
December 13, 2022
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads, and I am grateful for this opportunity.
If there's one thing Keith deserves credit for here, it's his meticulous attention to detail in D&D, combined with his ability to creatively pieces together all the little details to determine what they really mean in gameplay. He can take the arbitrary statement that Barghests prey on Goblins and come up with a reasoning for it within the setting, or explain how a Girallon's speed and senses make for swift and deadly ambushes, or figure out the best environment for a Leucrotta to use its voice mimicry (fog). There is so much detail packed in this book, and I keep finding more and more fascinating tips on how to play the different monsters to their full potential.
That said, I disliked a couple of things in the book, which I feel tie to a larger issue it has. First, I'm disappointed that there are very few illustrations. One of the things I generally like in the Monster Manuals is how nearly every monster has its own distinct illustration. These help readers better imagine the monsters, and understand how the tips apply to the creatures. I can readily envision some of the more memorable creatures of D&D lore like Mindflayers and Orcs, but what about the Nabassu, which has no clear description? It doesn't help that some of the illustrations don't quite align with the current monster being discussed - for instance, there's a picture of spider monsters that I think are Neogi, but the illustration is in the middle of the section on the Star Spawn, which might lead to confusion if you're not aware that Star Spawn do not resemble arachnids.
The second thing that sort of disappointed me is that there isn't nearly as much attention put into the culture/society of the monsters. It explains the most effective ways to use monsters, and gives reasoning for their tactics, but it doesn't go into as much detail on what motivates them. In addition, there isn't much thought put into how different subtypes of monsters might cooperate in combat. For example, the book does explain how Orc spellcasters like Claws and Hands effectively use their support spells on allies, but it doesn't in turn show how a commander like the Blade of Ilneval might utilize those support buffs in its own strategy as a frontline leader. I was really hoping that, instead of just a type-by-type analysis, we'd get a look into how the subtypes can work with each other as an interlinked force against the party, using their respective abilities to better support each other. There is some level of connectivity - he explains how the deployment of Meazels might vary depending on whether they're led by a Lich or Shadar-Kai, for instance, but not enough to really satisfy me.
These two issues tie back to a larger problem: the book exists largely as a supplement to preexisting books. The author heavily draws upon Volo's Guide to Monsters and Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes, and seems to have the expectation that readers have already read through them. He'll refer to one of those books and a point they make (like how Volo's adds in a lot of lore for the Hags) but doesn't elaborate further. He outright says in the introduction, "You'll need to have those books to get any use out of this one." There are so many D&D books out there, it's hard to collect all of them, so I prefer D&D books that, while still tying things to the works of others, can stand on their own. Even if you own the necessary other books, it can be a drag to constantly leap back and forth between this book and the others whenever you want something clarified.
One other small peeve I had with the book is that the sections aren't fully divided from each other; a page might start with the last entry for the Monstrosities section, and then immediately shift to the Dragons section without a page break. I think the readability would be much improved if the sections at least all started on their own separate pages.
Even so, this is still a very enjoyable book. Despite not owning any of the books that Keith references (though I do own some older 2nd/3rd manuals), I could understand a lot of his points. The sheer effort and knowledge put into this over-500-word tome is a testament to his dedication and love for D&D, and his contribution to roleplaying is deeply appreciated. I learn a new thing about monsters every time I look at but one page of his work, and this will be a cherished piece of my D&D library for many years to come.
If there's one thing Keith deserves credit for here, it's his meticulous attention to detail in D&D, combined with his ability to creatively pieces together all the little details to determine what they really mean in gameplay. He can take the arbitrary statement that Barghests prey on Goblins and come up with a reasoning for it within the setting, or explain how a Girallon's speed and senses make for swift and deadly ambushes, or figure out the best environment for a Leucrotta to use its voice mimicry (fog). There is so much detail packed in this book, and I keep finding more and more fascinating tips on how to play the different monsters to their full potential.
That said, I disliked a couple of things in the book, which I feel tie to a larger issue it has. First, I'm disappointed that there are very few illustrations. One of the things I generally like in the Monster Manuals is how nearly every monster has its own distinct illustration. These help readers better imagine the monsters, and understand how the tips apply to the creatures. I can readily envision some of the more memorable creatures of D&D lore like Mindflayers and Orcs, but what about the Nabassu, which has no clear description? It doesn't help that some of the illustrations don't quite align with the current monster being discussed - for instance, there's a picture of spider monsters that I think are Neogi, but the illustration is in the middle of the section on the Star Spawn, which might lead to confusion if you're not aware that Star Spawn do not resemble arachnids.
The second thing that sort of disappointed me is that there isn't nearly as much attention put into the culture/society of the monsters. It explains the most effective ways to use monsters, and gives reasoning for their tactics, but it doesn't go into as much detail on what motivates them. In addition, there isn't much thought put into how different subtypes of monsters might cooperate in combat. For example, the book does explain how Orc spellcasters like Claws and Hands effectively use their support spells on allies, but it doesn't in turn show how a commander like the Blade of Ilneval might utilize those support buffs in its own strategy as a frontline leader. I was really hoping that, instead of just a type-by-type analysis, we'd get a look into how the subtypes can work with each other as an interlinked force against the party, using their respective abilities to better support each other. There is some level of connectivity - he explains how the deployment of Meazels might vary depending on whether they're led by a Lich or Shadar-Kai, for instance, but not enough to really satisfy me.
These two issues tie back to a larger problem: the book exists largely as a supplement to preexisting books. The author heavily draws upon Volo's Guide to Monsters and Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes, and seems to have the expectation that readers have already read through them. He'll refer to one of those books and a point they make (like how Volo's adds in a lot of lore for the Hags) but doesn't elaborate further. He outright says in the introduction, "You'll need to have those books to get any use out of this one." There are so many D&D books out there, it's hard to collect all of them, so I prefer D&D books that, while still tying things to the works of others, can stand on their own. Even if you own the necessary other books, it can be a drag to constantly leap back and forth between this book and the others whenever you want something clarified.
One other small peeve I had with the book is that the sections aren't fully divided from each other; a page might start with the last entry for the Monstrosities section, and then immediately shift to the Dragons section without a page break. I think the readability would be much improved if the sections at least all started on their own separate pages.
Even so, this is still a very enjoyable book. Despite not owning any of the books that Keith references (though I do own some older 2nd/3rd manuals), I could understand a lot of his points. The sheer effort and knowledge put into this over-500-word tome is a testament to his dedication and love for D&D, and his contribution to roleplaying is deeply appreciated. I learn a new thing about monsters every time I look at but one page of his work, and this will be a cherished piece of my D&D library for many years to come.
December 1, 2023
I won a physical copy of this book from a Goodreads giveaway.
I am new to the world of DND, I knew about it but didn't fully understand. I got more interested after I started watching Stranger Things. I popped on Goodreads and as if a sign from the gods this book was up for a giveaway.
Not believing I really had a chance I entered. To my surprise I won and patiently awaited my book to arrive. When the day came I was more than excited to begin my journey into this book. To learn more so that if I ever found a group of fellow DND players I wouldn't look like a noob.
I started reading and realized this read out as a story that had some knowledge in there. As someone who was still new to this I offered to lend it to a friend who was a huge fan of DND and could help me give an honest review.
She said that it's a good book, she went and bought the other books in the series and she said you don't necessarily need them but having the knowledge of the first books help. She said all in all its knowledgeable and good for both those who are entering the DND world and those who just enjoy DND.
I feel lucky to have this book and I'm glad it helped my friend decide to get the series.
I am new to the world of DND, I knew about it but didn't fully understand. I got more interested after I started watching Stranger Things. I popped on Goodreads and as if a sign from the gods this book was up for a giveaway.
Not believing I really had a chance I entered. To my surprise I won and patiently awaited my book to arrive. When the day came I was more than excited to begin my journey into this book. To learn more so that if I ever found a group of fellow DND players I wouldn't look like a noob.
I started reading and realized this read out as a story that had some knowledge in there. As someone who was still new to this I offered to lend it to a friend who was a huge fan of DND and could help me give an honest review.
She said that it's a good book, she went and bought the other books in the series and she said you don't necessarily need them but having the knowledge of the first books help. She said all in all its knowledgeable and good for both those who are entering the DND world and those who just enjoy DND.
I feel lucky to have this book and I'm glad it helped my friend decide to get the series.
January 24, 2022
Mr. Ammann does a great job creatively interpreting information from two other monster manuals for D&D in painstaking detail. A must-have for DMs who want to add depth to their NPCs and gameplay through challenging monsters with personalities of their own. This is the second in a series. Having received this book as a promotion, I'll likely buy the first in the series to read up on the NPCs from the original monster manual. Without the other books to rely on, I'm basing my review purely on what Mr. Ammann has written. I feel like you'd need to purchase these other two texts to get any real use out of this book. Illustrations are sparse, but I assume the the other texts referenced have plenty of their own. Even without the other texts, you can still add to your arcane knowledge and lore from this 500+ page tome.
March 25, 2025
This is an invaluable tool for DM’s running Dungeons & Dragons sessions or campaigns. Before reading it, I rarely thought about how the monsters in the sessions would act or react. Now, checking this book for information about the monster characters in my session is one of the first things I do in my prep.
February 13, 2022
How to be a scary but fair DM
The author’s three works are mandatory if you are a serious, non-anal retentive player or DM, especially if both. Perfect for the devious but compassionate AL DM.
The author’s three works are mandatory if you are a serious, non-anal retentive player or DM, especially if both. Perfect for the devious but compassionate AL DM.
February 17, 2022
Amazing book, which is no surprise considering the other ones from the same series.
I love the way the Mr. Ammann applies logic and evolutionary behavior to monsters, giving them more realism without losing the grasp of amazing encounters.
I love the way the Mr. Ammann applies logic and evolutionary behavior to monsters, giving them more realism without losing the grasp of amazing encounters.
July 30, 2022
The name is appropriate - this is the original book again but with monsters from Volo’s and Mordenkainen’s, and it’s just as excellent a DMing tool as the original. I particularly like the Archfiends section towards the end, but the whole book is an excellent companion for any DM.
January 16, 2023
Great Ideas of how to run 5e Monsters. Great ideas and plans of how to run 5e monsters. it is a detailed book with lots of information. These books will teach you how to get the most from the monster templates. I highly recommend this book.
May 21, 2024
If you use this book as a reference, you can look up your favorite monster and learn about its best tactics. If you read it all the way through, it's very repetitive and a bit dull, but you'll learn a lot about monster tactics overall, which should make your encounters more interesting as a DM.
March 15, 2022
it was o
March 27, 2022
Must have for all DM's and most players of D&D 5th Edition
March 30, 2022
My son loved this story. Will be rereading this one.
December 12, 2023
The monsters do, in fact know what they're doing. Everybody I DM for hates me for it, but it was worth it.
April 20, 2022
A bit more circumstantial than the first book (not going to throw my PCs against demon lords or archdevils) but still great!
April 3, 2023
More fun. More role playing. More nostalgia.
April 14, 2023
Very helpful for planning out scenarios in 5e and other fantasy systems.
September 2, 2023
Was a great read
November 26, 2024
So much *Moar* than the blog.
March 14, 2024
Useful
November 13, 2024
Some good ideas for how to run monsters. The unfortunate thing is that it is not system agnostic and I am stepping away from 5e.
March 16, 2025
Delivers exactly what it promises
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews