Monster Manual 2025 Stat Block Formatting

[Siravia]

Making a new issue for this, if only because we're on the horizon of OneD&D and as such have a new stat block format for the new Monster Manual. I've provided an image below, but here's a list of changes from the current CritterDB stat block:

1. Different color and border
2. Name has its own section at the top
3. Initiative (as well as passive initiative?) exists in the same area as AC, HP, and Speed
4. "Typically Lawful Good" seems to have been dropped in favor of "Lawful Good" again, but it's probably good to still have an alignment field that can be directly modified
5. No segmenting in the top section between AC/HP/Speed, Ability Scores, and general information
6. Stats abbreviated where possible - Armor Class -> AC, Hit Points -> HP, Challenge -> CR, etc.
7. Ability Scores presented in a table format, with bonus and save bonus included for each. Also, physical ability scores and mental ability scores are shaded a different color.
8. Across-the-board capitalization (speeds, damage resistances, skills, senses, etc)
9. PB included in CR parenthetical
10. Monster Traits now have a title bar similar to Actions
11. Melee/Ranged Weapon/Spell Attack becomes Melee/Ranged Attack Roll, "to hit" dropped from attack bonus, no "one target/creature" clause.
12. Reactions now have a Trigger/Response format, instead of a wall of text.

The fate of legendary actions versus reactions is still unknown, although personally I'm on team legendary actions as both the Book of Many Things and Vecna: Eve of Ruin included them. In addition to these changes above, the CritterDB sheet is still missing the following (from Issue #84)

1. Bonus Actions section
2. Mythic Actions section
3. Reactions section having a modifiable text box

Once the stat block is brought up to speed, I have some other suggestions of my own - the ability to add multiple Actions sections, akin to the Yuan-ti Malison's stat block, the ability to more deeply customize a creature's Hit Points and Armor Class to allow for the creation of stat blocks to go alongside Summon spells, and the ability to modify a creature's CR as "None" (and/or potentially go above 30 without breaking the system).

I'm personally unfamiliar with the source code of critterdb, but if @haswellr can point me in the direction of resources to learn I'm happy to attempt to figure out some of these myself. Otherwise, good luck and happy coding.

[Siravia]

Post-PHB 2024 preview update: Immunites and Condititon Immunities are combined into one section, with a semicolon ; separating them. EG Immunities Poison; Exhaustion, Poisoned

[Siravia]

Post- MM2025 previews update: It appears official - Legendary Actions are gone. I would still recommend keeping the section and adding a Mythic Actions section for those that prefer the old monster design, but otherwise Legendary Actions are a thing of the past. Additionally:

• Some monsters have a Gear section below Immunities but above Senses (see: Skeletons preview)
• Spell uses per day (At will, etc) are now bolded, and spell names are now Capitalized
• Speculative based on the Ancient Green Dragon stat block, but it appears that a monster's Initiative modifier is tied to its Dexterity Saving Throw, instead of its base Dexterity modifier (or perhaps some monsters have proficiency in Initiative). Additionally, anything that gives Advantage on initiative adds 5 to a monster's passive Initiative score.