The 4th edition of the Dungeons & Dragons tabletop role-playing game (see editions of Dungeons & Dragons) was released in 2008. The first book containing monsters to be published was the Heroic Tier adventure Keep on the Shadowfell, followed closely by the release of the first set of "core" rulebooks.
WTC 21718 – Keep on the Shadowfell (2008) Keep on the Shadowfell was the first official 4th edition Dungeons & Dragons product released. It is part one of a three part series of adventures. The monsters appear in the 80-page adventure book booklet and are organized as they appear in the adventure encounters.
Creature Page Other Appearances Variants Description
WTC 21720 – Monster Manual (2008) This is the first monster book for the Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition, published in 2008. This book features an alphabetical listing of monsters on page 3, an introduction on pages 4–7, the monster descriptions on pages 8–275, instructions for converting some monsters into NPCs and PCs on pages 276–279, a glossary on pages 280–283, and a list of the monsters in the book ranked by level on pages 284–287.
Creature Page Other Appearances Variants Description
WTC 21828 – Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide (2008) Released in August 2008, this book details the Forgotten Realms campaign setting. It includes unique creatures, such as the zairtail, as well as a number of servants of the various groups and cults across the Realms. The table below is organized by the order the creatures first appear.
Creature Page Other Appearances Variants Description
WTC 21783 – Adventurer's Vault (2008) This book, published in September 2008, details various weapons, armor, vehicles, mounts, and other magical items. All of the monsters found in this book are mounts and/or creatures summoned through the use of magic items. The table below is organized by the order the creatures first appear.
Creature Page Other Appearances Variants Description
239667200 – Monster Manual 2 (2009)
253840000 – Monster Manual 3 (2010)
253840000 – Dark Sun Creature Catalog (2010)
244650000 – Monster Vault (2010) A boxed set that includes a book with a revised and streamlined core listing of monsters for the Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition game, published in 2010 as part of the Essentials line. The book features an introduction on pages 4–11, the monster descriptions on pages 12–295, an appendix of animals on pages 296–304, a glossary on pages 305–312, and a list of the monsters in the book ranked by level on pages 313–319.
Creature Page Other Appearances Variants Description
283640000 – Monster Vault: Threats to the Nentir Vale (2011) A sourcebook for monsters and NPCs from the Nentir Vale setting for the Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition game, published in 2011 as part of the Essentials line. The book features an introduction (including details on the Nentir Vale) on pages 4–13, the monster descriptions on pages 14–121, a glossary on pages 122–125, and a list of the monsters in the book ranked by level on pages 126–127.
Creature Page Other Appearances Variants Description
See also Monsters in Dungeons & Dragons List of Dungeons & Dragons monsters (1974–76) List of Dungeons & Dragons monsters (1977–94) List of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition monsters List of Dungeons & Dragons 3rd edition monsters List of Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition monsters
References