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Why Monsters, and Why So Many? (lemmy.world)

submitted 3 days ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I was watching some RPG YouTube, and of course there was talk about Monsters. And with the recent OMG CONTROVERSY with the newest Monster Manual, I got to thinking about something that is more inherent in D&D and in fantasy games in general, why so many monsters? I've played various other games, and read many books, watched many movies, but it seems that fantasy games, with D&D leading the charge, seem to have more monsters than any other medium in the genre, or other genre's in particular. So yeah, why are there so many monsters?

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[–] [email protected] 17 points 3 days ago (1 children)

A) because the fantasy setting lends itself to actually having monsters.

B) the often slower-paced gaming style can make a better use of a diverse "cast", as you have the time for Monster analysis, e.g. elemental resistance, magic resistance, etc.

C) it didn't plop out of the writers pen all at once. It's a vast "ecosystem" which has grown for decades, with a myriad of writers adding to the environment, as compared to a single writer who'd have to keep track of all of those monsters in one go. Compare it to let's say Egyptian or Greek mythology, same story.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 3 days ago

Compare it to let’s say Egyptian or Greek mythology, same story.

Also DnD likes to add in monsters from different mythologies so there is that. Lots of inspirations to draw on