Dungeons & Dragons RPG: Monster Cards - Challenge 0–5

This review really covers these as well as the CR6-16 set.

I'll begin with the good. I find these cards a great resource whilst running the game. They are nicely made, the stats are all there for me to use in battle, and the pictures are really fun to show my players. However, with these and the accompanying set of 6-16 CR cards I am left noticing two big cons.

First, the art is all lifted from the monster manual, with nothing new. Given that the combined cost of both sets is greater than the monster manual itself, I'm left disappointed they didn't even commission new art. This is really obvious with some monsters where there are multiple version sharing the exact same art work.

The second and bigger issue is that not every monster is included! Between this set and the CR 6-16 set the following monsters are not included: Aboleth, Behir, Beholder, Beholder Death Tyrant, Dinosaur, Half-Dragon, Medusa, Myconid Quaggoth Spore Servant, Myconid Sovereigh, Skeletons Warhorse, Slaad Tadpole, Sphinxes, Unicorn, Vampire, Beholder Zombie. I believe these are included in the upcoming "Epic monsters" set, but even from the original publisher (galeforce9) they are only on 'preorder', along with a set of the NPC's from the monster manual, which also aren't included. Simply put this product line is incomplete.

Both these issues make me feel that even though at it's core there is a good idea here, the choice of the publisher was to put in the minimum amount of effort possible, whilst marking up the price as much as possible. Just looking at the manufacturers RRP, to get all 4 sets it's $91. Compared to the complete monster manual for $49 RRP this just feels like a shame, as there is nothing new added.

So, whilst the product is good, it's just incomplete, and to me there is something wrong with a set of monster cards that doesn't even include the Beholder, the most iconic of D&D monsters.

Brilliant. At last, the monster cards I've been looking for. Nicely presented and reasonably robust, and super convenient for running sessions. Just a couple of qualms:
- would love the inclusion of mundane/non-magical enemy cards (bandit, wolf, cultist etc.).
- Illustrations are mostly great but a few are a bit sleazy with unnecessary 'seductress-y' vibes (I'd call it fanservice but, as a fan, this only serves to alienate me - it's the 21st century, come on!) I should note that the illustrations are the same as in 5th ed MM
- Where to store cards once the (fairly weak) cardboard box is open? I'm on the lookout for a suitable mystical-looking wooden box, but maybe the Wizards of the Coast or their affiliates could turn their massive brains onto an elegant solution!
All that said, very happy with these cards. Otherwise exactly what I was hoping for: nice to handle, easy to read, complete information and (generally) excellent illustrations. Makes my life behind the screen a whole lot easier :)

All your favourite monsters...on cards! The main use is in planning encounters and having the stats ready to hand without the need for lots of book diving or post-it notes or photocopying. You can have all your stats visible at once, and also ready to go on the fly if you want to change up and encounter or throw in an extra one. Brilliant DM utility. The pictures are great for showing players - no more holding up the book while trying to hide large areas of text. Good stuff.