Dungeons & Dragons Lore Wiki

Welcome to the Dungeons & Dragons Lore Wiki, an encyclopedia of official first-party D&D canon from 1974 to the current day.

We need editors! See the editing guidelines for ways to contribute.

READ MORE

Dungeons & Dragons Lore Wiki
Advertisement

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 This is likely due to its being superceded by the Monstrous Manual (1993).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[]

References[]

  1. Tweet. Ben Riggs, July 26, 2022.
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition Monstrous Compendiums
Core rules
Volume OneVolume TwoMonstrous Manual
Appendices
Fiend FolioOuter Planes
Al-QadimDark SunDark Sun IIDragonlanceForgotten Realms (MC3)Forgotten Realms (MC11)GreyhawkKara-TurMystaraRavenloftRavenloft IIRavenloft I & IIRavenloft IIISavage CoastSpelljammer (MC7)Spelljammer (MC9)
Annuals
Volume OneVolume TwoVolume ThreeVolume Four
Related
Birthright: Blood Spawn
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition
Core rules
Player's HandbookDungeon Master Guide
Monstrous Compendium Volume OneMonstrous Compendium Volume TwoMonstrous Manual
First QuestIntroduction to Advanced Dungeons & Dragons GameThe Complete Starter SetDungeons & Dragons Adventure Game
Optional core rules
Player's Option: Combat & TacticsPlayer's Option: Skills & PowersPlayer's Option: Spells & Magic
Dungeon Master Option: High-Level CampaignsCampaign Option: Council of Wyrms
Supplement lines
Player's Handbook Rules SupplementDungeon Master's Guide Rules Supplement
Monstrous Compendium AppendixMonstrous Compendium Annual
Encyclopedia MagicaHistorical ReferenceThe Magic EncyclopediaMonstrous ArcanaPriest's Spell CompendiumWizard's Spell Compendium
Other supplements
Bastion of FaithBook of ArtifactsCastle SitesChronomancerCity SitesCollege of WizardryCountry SitesDen of ThievesDungeon Builder's GuidebookGuide to HellLegends & LoreRogues' GalleryShamanTome of MagicThe Vortex of Madness and Other Planar PerilsWarriors of HeavenWorld Builder's Guidebook
Adventures
The Apocalypse StoneAxe of the Dwarvish LordsCleric's Challenge (II) • The Dancing Hut of Baba YagaDestiny of KingsDie Vecna Die!Dragon MountainDungeons of DespairFighter's Challenge (II) • The Gates of Firestorm PeakA Hero's TaleLabyrinth of MadnessThe Lost Shrine of BundushaturMoonlight MadnessThe Murky DeepNight Below: An Underdark CampaignA Paladin in HellReturn to the Tomb of HorrorsReverse DungeonRoad to DangerThe Rod of Seven PartsThe Shattered CircleThe Silver KeySwamplightTale of the CometTales of EnchantmentTemple, Tower, & TombThief's Challenge (II) • TSR Jam 1999Wizard's Challenge (II)
Advertisement