On September 30, 2014, the "D&D" 5th edition "Monster Manual" was the second core book released for the new edition. On the staggered release schedule, Jeremy Crawford wrote "our small team couldn’t finish the books at the same time and also ensure their high quality. [...] We could either stagger their releases, or we could sit on the books until all three were finished". Crawford and Mike Mearls co-lead design for the Fifth Edition of "Dungeons & Dragons". The cover depicts the beholder Xanathar attacking adventurers in the Underdark.