The Monsters Know What They're Doing

The Monsters Know What They’re Doing

“I’ve always said, the Dungeon Master is the whole world except for his players, and as a result, I spend countless hours prepping for my home group. What Keith gets is that the monsters are the DM’s characters, and his work has been super helpful in adding logic, flavor, and fun in my quest to slaughter my players’ characters and laugh out the window as they cry in their cars afterward.”

Joe Manganiello, actor/producer, author of Evolution, founder/creative director of Death Saves streetwear, and consultant/contributor to Dungeons & Dragons

“One of the most interesting, thoughtful, smart RPG sourcebooks I've ever read. . . . The Monsters Know What They're Doing is a hoot just to read, and transported me back to my days of poring over the Monster Manual and the Fiend Folio.”

Cory Doctorow, co-editor of Boing Boing, author of New York Times bestsellers Little Brother and Homeland

“This book almost instantly made me a better Dungeon Master. If you’re running games, it is a must-have enhancement. I gave copies to the two others in our group who share in the Dungeon Mastering, and both of them came back the next time grinning rather slyly. Keith is a diabolical genius, and I say that with the utmost respect!”

R.A. Salvatore, best-selling author of more than sixty-five books, including the Drizzt novels The Crystal Shard, Timeless, and Boundless

“The best movie villains are the ones you fall in love with. Keith’s book grounds villains in specificity, motivation, and tactics—so much so that players will love to hate ’em. This book will enrich your game immeasurably!”

Matthew Lillard, actor, director, producer, and co-founder of Beadle and Grimm’s Pandemonium Warehouse

“As a Dungeon Master, I am overcome with the sheer usefulness of Keith Ammann’s The Monsters Know What They're Doing. This book is brilliant. It's completely rewriting the way I think about encounters, and making me want to sic a pack of goblins on my players straight away. Highly recommended for any DM of any level of experience.”

Lou Anders, Hugo award winner, author of Once Upon a Unicorn, Star Wars: Pirate’s Price and the Thrones & Bones trilogy

“I have to send this book to my DM!”

Max Gladstone, Hugo award finalist and author of This is How You Lose the Time War

“I hope my DM doesn't read this book.”

Elizabeth Bear, Hugo award-winner and author of Ancestral Night

“Every great DM needs a copy of this book like a player needs a D20 that rolls a lot of critical hits. It won't make the other side happy, but it will make the game more exciting.”

Stina Leicht, two-time Campbell award finalist and author of Cold Iron

”Is a conniving creature with a rational sense of self-preservation really going to take one last swipe at the fighter while on death’s door, or would it run away to fight another day? Depending on the monster, this book has the answer.”

SYFY Wire

“This book is ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL for any D&D DM, whether you’re running monsters straight from the book or not. This should sit prominently on every game shelf and should be pulled out for every session.”

Dice Monkey

How to Defend Your Lair

“How to Defend Your Lair … takes the guesswork out of building the best lair for your game. … Every possible question I could have about how to build a lair has already been thought of and answered in this book. Not only are they answered, but they’re presented in a way that is easy to understand without making the reader feel stupid. … I felt like I was talking to a very enthusiastic friend who is helping me learn how to improve my own gaming experience.”

The Cosmic Circus

“How would a big bad evil wizard actually protect his spellbooks, or his treasury, or his life? How would the ruthless assassin's guild head protect her assassins, her big book of client names, and her escape route? GM long enough and you can come up with some ideas. With this book you can organize the approach based on real world principles and a sensible and logical approach. It's very good stuff.”

Dungeon Fantastic

“Part fantasy thought piece, part nonfiction about the practicalities of lairs, and part dungeon master’s guide to crafting great lairs for TTRPG campaigns. All of it comes together to form a very serious book about a somewhat silly subject that I enjoyed quite a lot.”

Andrew Mather, The Quill to Live

“Ammann's literal decades of expertise, combined with his witty and approachable voice, makes this book a must for your gaming bookshelf.”

Kara Dennison, Ko-fi.com