Dungeons & Dragons is currently experiencing a golden age, fueled by renewed interest from the likes of the hit series *Stranger Things*, the blockbuster film *Honor Among Thieves*, the surge in tabletop-focused podcasts and YouTube shows, and the massive success of *Baldur's Gate 3*. It's an exhilarating time to dive into the world of D&D and start rolling for initiative.

However, navigating the vast landscape of the Fifth Edition (5E) can be overwhelming for newcomers, especially with the plethora of high-quality content from third-party creators. If you're new to the hobby and unsure where to begin, we've compiled a list of the best Dungeons & Dragons books to check out in 2025. For more guidance, be sure to explore our beginner's guide to D&D.

Before we dive into our recommendations, let's clarify a couple of points: This guide will focus primarily on first-party content, as third-party content tends to cater to seasoned players looking to enhance their dungeon crawling experiences. Additionally, we'll skip over the three essential books: **The Player’s Handbook**, the **Dungeon Master’s Guide**, and the **Monster Manual**. These foundational texts, updated in 2024, are crucial and should be your starting point. You can find the latest editions below or jump directly to our recommended sourcebooks.

Player’s Handbook Core Rulebook

12$49.99 at Amazon

Dungeon Master’s Guide Core Rulebook

7$49.99 at Amazon

Monster Manual Core Rulebook

5$49.99 at Amazon

Xanathar’s Guide to Everything (Sourcebook)

Xanathar's Guide to Everything

10See it at Amazon

Since its release in 2017, **Xanathar’s Guide to Everything** has become an indispensable sourcebook, offering a wealth of additional player options. With over 25 subclasses, 20 racial feats, new spells, and more, it's a treasure trove for players. It also includes valuable tools for game masters, such as guidelines for building traps and optional rules to enhance the core rulebooks. This book is particularly beneficial for players looking to expand their character's abilities, from Wizards learning War Magic to Monks mastering the art of drunken fighting.

Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything (Sourcebook)

Tasha's Cauldron of Everything

5See it at Amazon

**Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything** follows in the footsteps of Xanathar’s Guide, offering a plethora of new player options and expanding on concepts from the core rulebooks. It introduces optional class features for every class, new spells, and innovative rules for game masters, including sidekicks, natural hazards, and supernatural environments. This sourcebook is essential for injecting diversity into your party's character options.

Waterdeep: Dragon Heist (Adventure)

Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

3See it at Amazon

**Waterdeep: Dragon Heist** is a standout adventure that emphasizes roleplay, intrigue, and political maneuvering over traditional dungeon crawling. The adventure kicks off with the party getting entangled in a conflict between rival criminal factions, chasing after hidden riches within the city. With four potential antagonists to choose from, this book offers flexibility and replayability. If you enjoy this, consider its follow-up, **Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage**, which shifts focus to dungeon exploration.

Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse (Sourcebook/Adventure Bundle)

Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse

4See it at Amazon

**Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse** is a comprehensive three-book set that delves into one of D&D's most fascinating settings. This bundle, unlike the less-received Spelljammer, offers rich details on Sigil and the Outlands, complete with landmarks and factions. The accompanying monster manual, **Morte’s Planar Parade**, and the adventure, **Turn of Fortune’s Wheel**, provide a robust framework for a memorable campaign. This collection truly brings the multiverse to life.

Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk (Adventure)

Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk

3See it at Amazon

**Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk** expands on the beloved **Lost Mine of Phandelver**, returning players to Phandalin to unravel the mystery of magical obelisks. This adventure blends nostalgia with cosmic horror, featuring Mind Flayers and a gripping narrative. It's an excellent choice for those looking to explore a deeper, darker side of D&D's world.

Eberron: Rising from the Last War (Sourcebook/Adventure)

Eberron: Rising from the Last War

9See it at Amazon

**Eberron: Rising from the Last War** introduces a unique setting filled with war-torn landscapes, floating castles, and airships. This book is perfect for players seeking a departure from the traditional Forgotten Realms, offering new species options like Dragonmarks. It includes a campaign set in the eerie Mournland, providing a rich backdrop for both roleplay and adventure.

Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen (Adventure)

Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

1See it at Amazon

**Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen** introduces the Dragonlance setting to 5E, featuring epic mass combat and the menacing presence of dragons. This lengthy adventure focuses on the death knight Lord Soth and his draconian army, with new player options to enhance your campaign.

Curse of Strahd (Adventure)

Curse of Strahd

5See it at Amazon

**Curse of Strahd** is a timeless gothic horror adventure, remade from a classic first edition module. Filled with vampires and eerie atmospheres, it's a must-play for fans of horror. For further exploration, consider **Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft**, which expands on the setting.

The Wild Beyond the Witchlight (Adventure)

The Wild Beyond the Witchlight: A Feywild Adventure

0See it at Amazon

**The Wild Beyond the Witchlight** offers a whimsical adventure in the Feywild, centered around a mysterious carnival. It's perfect for parties that enjoy multiple problem-solving approaches, including non-violent solutions. The book also introduces new playable species and backgrounds, such as the carny, adding depth to character creation.

Third-party content

While our focus has been on first-party content, we can't overlook some exceptional third-party resources. Here are a few noteworthy titles:

**Strongholds and Followers** by MCDM Productions introduces rules for game masters to manage player bases and NPCs, a concept that has influenced upcoming revisions to the core rulebooks.

**Flee, Mortals!** and its companion **Where Evil Lives** from MCDM Productions offer innovative monster designs and a thrilling dungeon adventure, respectively.

**Tome of Beasts** and **Creature Codex** by Kobold Press provide extensive monster collections, particularly useful for high-level campaigns.

**Grim Hollow** by Ghostfire Gaming offers a dark fantasy setting with a focus on war, dark magic, and plagues, supported by multiple books for a deep dive into its world.

That wraps up our top recommendations for Dungeons & Dragons books in 2025. Did we miss any of your favorites? Share your thoughts in the comments, or explore our picks for the best D&D dice sets and other D&D merchandise and gift ideas.