Abstract
- Strahd von Zarovich is omitted from the 2025 Monster Handbook, whereas Astarion from Baldur’s Gate 3 is talked about.
- The absence of Strahd within the new guide is shocking, as he performed a major position in earlier editions.
- The exclusion of Strahd raises questions on future content material and whether or not Astarion is changing into extra distinguished in D&D lore.
The 2025 Dungeons & Dragons Monster Handbook failed to say one of many recreation’s most iconic villains, whereas concurrently throwing the highlight onto one of many well-liked heroes of Baldur’s Gate 3.
Vampires are a standard enemy in D&D and a comparatively simple one, as a consequence of what number of weaknesses they’ve that carry over from folklore. Nonetheless, there’s one bloodsucker who strikes concern into the hearts of adventurers across the multiverse: Depend Strahd von Zarovich.
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Strahd is the vampire ruler of Barovia, a realm lower off from the remainder of the multiverse. He has appeared in quite a few adventures since 1983, with the newest being the extremely well-liked Curse of Strahd marketing campaign for D&D 5e, which was launched in 2016.
D&D vampires have simply acquired an replace within the 2025 Monster Handbook, but there’s one large change from the 2014 model of the guide involving Strahd and Baldur’s Gate 3 that’s surprising to see.
Astarion Is Talked about In The Monster Handbook (However Strahd Isn’t)
Within the vampire part of the brand new Monster Handbook, there’s a humorous quote attributed to Astarion from Baldur’s Gate 3. This is sensible, contemplating he’s a vampire (and extremely well-liked in addition.)
Nonetheless, Strahd isn’t talked about as soon as, neither is Barovia or Fortress Ravenloft. That is regardless of Strahd having an enormous portion of the vampire part within the 2014 Monster Handbook devoted to him.
It’s not as if the brand new Monster Handbook dodges references to traditional D&D lore, as characters like Lord Soth from Dragonlance and Acererak are name-dropped within the textual content.
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It’s not shocking to see Baldur’s Gate content material within the new D&D books, contemplating how the forged has primarily turn into the face of the tabletop recreation.
The large query is why Strahd received snubbed? The truth that he’s not talked about as soon as within the vampires part whereas Astarion is could be very suspicious.
Might or not it’s that Wizards of the Coast is retaining Strahd data imprecise as a consequence of him being the main target of a brand new guide, or has Astarion’s allure overthrown the lord of Fortress Ravenloft for good? Solely time will inform.
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