Dungeons & Dragons Teases Changes to Visual Designs of Demons and Devils

As a long-time enthusiast of Dungeons & Dragons, I can hardly contain my excitement at the prospect of seeing some fresh takes on classic monsters. The redesign of the dragons has certainly whet my appetite for more visual updates, and demons and devils are at the top of my list!

In the upcoming revisions to Dungeons & Dragons, the appearances of demons and devils might be altered significantly. Notably, the game’s iconic chromatic and metallic dragons have been given fresh new designs as part of Wizards of the Coast’s marketing push for the 50th anniversary of D&D. Some fans are speculating that other classic monsters in Dungeons & Dragons might also receive similar visual overhauls.

During Gen Con this past month, ComicBook had a chat with D&D art designer Josh Herman to learn whether other creatures would be getting a facelift in the upcoming 2025 Monster Manual. Herman replied, “It’s a mix of yes and no.” Some designs are timeless and don’t require change, like the Gelatinous Cube, which remains as we like it. However, there will be updates to some creatures due to design tweaks or to better align with certain families or groups. Additionally, some creatures might just be showing their age a bit, so visual updates are in order. Finally, some designs will receive a complete overhaul to give them a fresh feel. Essentially, it depends on the specific creature.

Herman hinted that demons and devils could undergo changes in their designs soon. He compared this to the detailed artwork seen on dragons, suggesting it would be used for specific types of characters or villains. To clarify, not all 500 monsters in the Monster Manual will receive new designs. However, a significant number are being considered, and demons and devils are one such group undergoing reevaluation. The main concern is to ensure that illustrations of these fiends are distinct enough so viewers can identify which category they belong to. Currently, some depictions do not clearly fall into either the demon or devil group.

Since the initial release of Dungeons & Dragons, demons and devils have been integral elements. However, their folklore has experienced substantial transformations over time. One of the most remarkable adjustments was renaming them “baatezu” and “tanar’ri”, a move made to differentiate the game from the Satanic Panic incidents in the 1980s.

Herman pointed out Demogorgon as a fitting illustration for a creature with hidden depths. “Demogorgon is indeed an appropriate example,” Herman explained. “While it might maintain its overall appearance, imagine if there were layers beneath the surface that we hadn’t realized existed before. It would be like enhancing or expanding upon what we can create, adding some intrigue and personality to it. Perhaps we could bring this out in creative visuals, giving the character a bit more depth and revealing aspects of it that have been hidden all along.”

We’ll see more of the new monster designs when the 2025 Monster Manual comes out next year.

2024-08-25 16:09

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