The Best Dungeons and Dragons Books in 2025

Dungeons & Dragons is experiencing a remarkable resurgence in popularity. From the influence of shows like Stranger Things and the success of Honor Among Thieves, to the rise of D&D podcasts and YouTube channels, and the massive popularity of Baldur's Gate 3, it's a fantastic time to join the adventure. However, navigating the wealth of 5th Edition (5e) content can be daunting for newcomers. This guide focuses on the best first-party D&D books for 2025, offering recommendations to help you begin your journey. For additional tips, check out our beginner's guide to D&D.

First-Party Content

This guide prioritizes first-party content due to the vast amount of third-party material available. We'll exclude the essential Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide, and Monster Manual (updated versions available in 2024), assuming you already possess these core rulebooks. If not, acquire them first; links to the latest editions are provided below.

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

A pivotal sourcebook (2017), expanding player options with subclasses, feats, spells, and helpful DM tools. Highly beneficial for players seeking diverse character builds, including War Magic Wizards, Oath of Redemption Paladins, and Drunken Master Monks.

Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything (Sourcebook)

Tasha's Cauldron of Everything

5See it at Amazon

Similar to Xanathar's Guide, this sourcebook offers expanded player options and rules for sidekicks, hazards, and monster interactions, enhancing class diversity and providing DMs with creative tools.

Waterdeep: Dragon Heist (Adventure)

Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

3See it at Amazon

A compelling adventure rich in intrigue and social encounters, focusing on conflict between criminal organizations and hidden treasures. It offers multiple antagonists, providing replayability and surprise elements.

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

Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse

4See it at Amazon

This three-book bundle explores the Planescape setting, offering detailed setting information, new monsters, and a captivating adventure. A must-have for fans of unique settings and multiversal adventures.

Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk (Adventure)

Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk

3See it at Amazon

A significant expansion to The Lost Mine of Phandelver, this adventure delves into a cosmic horror mystery involving Mind Flayers, offering a unique and nostalgic experience.

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

Eberron: Rising from the Last War

9See it at Amazon

This sourcebook presents a unique war-torn world with airships and floating castles, featuring Dragonmarks and offering opportunities for both roleplaying and action-packed adventures.

Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen (Adventure)

Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

1See it at Amazon

This adventure introduces the Dragonlance setting, focusing on large-scale combat encounters with dragons and a formidable death knight antagonist.

Curse of Strahd (Adventure)

Curse of Strahd

5See it at Amazon

A classic gothic horror adventure featuring vampires and creepy environments, offering a chilling experience for players.

The Wild Beyond the Witchlight (Adventure)

The Wild Beyond the Witchlight: A Feywild Adventure

0See it at Amazon

This Feywild adventure emphasizes roleplaying and offers multiple solutions to challenges, featuring a unique carnival setting and new playable races and backgrounds.

Third-Party Content

While this guide focuses on first-party content, some notable third-party titles deserve mention:

• Strongholds and Followers (MCDM Productions): Adds rules for player bases and NPCs.
• Flee, Mortals! and Where Evil Lives (MCDM Productions): Redesigns and adds monsters, along with a dungeon.
• Tome of Beasts/Creature Codex (Kobold Press): Monster manuals with challenges for high-level groups.
• Grim Hollow (Ghostfire Gaming): A dark fantasy setting with war, dark magic, and plagues.

These are our top recommendations for D&D books in 2025. Let us know your favorites in the comments! You might also enjoy browsing our favorite D&D dice sets or D&D merchandise and gift ideas.