User blog comment:RisingFusion/Beings vs. Monsters/@comment-26342384-20150604014453

Short Answer: Monsters are more physical, while beings are more corporeal.

Long Answer: Monsters:

A. Cannot change shape (typically; those that can are not capable of doing so to a large degree) and have (mostly) definite forms.

B. Have few (if any) paranormal capabilities (i.e., telepathy, telekinesis, spontaneous generation, etc.).

C. More animalistic and predatory in nature; prefer to immediately display aggression towards potential victims.

Beings, meanwhile:

A. Can change form; form is not necessarily constant. (Most do prefer appearing in a "default" form for purposes of differentiation from other beings, however.)

B. Express signs of sentience and varying levels of intelligence and ability to communicate.

C. Craftier; most tend not to immediately become aggressive/harmful, preferring to play "mind games" or "bargain" with their future victims.

D. Have paranormal capabilities (see above).