Monstrous Compendium Volume One (2e) is a 144-page sourcebook for Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition released in June 1989.
Official synopsis[]
What's a fantasy role-playing game without monsters?
At the heart of any good AD&D adventure, you'll find great monsters -- dragons, giants, trolls, killer oozes, shadows, and who knows what else!
This first Monstrous Compendiium gives DMs and players 144 pages of new and improved monsters, with all-new illustrations, expanded descriptions, and complete statistical data, all in an easy-to-read, easy to reference format. Players can organize the monsters in this pack, alphabetically, according to when they show up in an adventure, according to monster type, or any other way they see fit.
Content[]
Development and release[]
Development[]
The book was written by Jay Batista, Scott Bennie, Grant Boucher, William W. Connors, Steve Gilbert, Heike Kubasch, James Lowder, David Edward Martin, Bruce Nesmith, Jean Rabe, Rick Swan, John J. Terra and Gary L. Thomas. Art was provided by Jeff Easley and James Holloway.
Release[]
Monstrous Compendium Volume One (2e) was released by TSR in June 1989 for $[missing data] US or $[missing data] Canadian.
On May 17, 2016, it was re-released in digital format. It is currently available on DriveThruRPG and Dungeon Masters Guild for $2.99.
Reception and influence[]
Sales[]
Between 1989 and 1995, Monstrous Compendium Volume One sold a total of 293,130 copies.[1]
Year | Sales |
---|---|
1989 | 160,396 |
1990 | 32,737 |
1991 | 25,950 |
1992 | 51,864 |
1993 | 22,404 |
1994 | -208 |
1995 | -13 |
It effectively sold negative copies in 1994 and 1995 due to returns. This is likely due to its being superceded by the Monstrous Manual (1993).
Critical reception[]
As of 2023, Monstrous Compendium Volume One reached the rank of Gold seller on DriveThruRPG.
Influence on other works[]
External links[]
- Monstrous Compendium Volume One (2e) on DriveThruRPG
- Monstrous Compendium Volume One (2e) on Dungeon Masters Guild
References[]
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition Monstrous Compendiums |
---|
Core rules |
Volume One • Volume Two • Monstrous Manual |
Appendices |
Fiend Folio • Outer Planes Al-Qadim • Dark Sun • Dark Sun II • Dragonlance • Forgotten Realms (MC3) • Forgotten Realms (MC11) • Greyhawk • Kara-Tur • Mystara • Ravenloft • Ravenloft II • Ravenloft I & II • Ravenloft III • Savage Coast • Spelljammer (MC7) • Spelljammer (MC9) |
Annuals |
Volume One • Volume Two • Volume Three • Volume Four |
Related |
Birthright: Blood Spawn |