Dungeons & Dragons is currently basking in a golden era, thanks to the renewed interest sparked by shows like *Stranger Things*, the success of the *Honor Among Thieves* movie, the proliferation of tabletop-focused podcasts and YouTube channels, and the overwhelming popularity of *Baldur's Gate 3* in recent years. There's truly never been a more exciting time to dive into the world of D&D and start rolling for initiative.
However, navigating the vast landscape of the Fifth Edition (5E) of Dungeons & Dragons can be overwhelming for newcomers, especially given the flood 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 consider in 2025. For additional guidance, be sure to check out our beginner's guide to D&D.
AnswerSee ResultsFirst-party contentBefore we dive into our recommendations, a few disclaimers: This guide focuses primarily on first-party content, as third-party material often caters to seasoned players looking to enhance their dungeon crawling experiences. Additionally, we're omitting the three essential core rulebooks: **The Player’s Handbook**, **The Dungeon Master’s Guide**, and **The Monster Manual**. These were updated in 2024 and are fundamental to the game, so you'll want to have them before exploring further. Below, you'll find the latest versions of these core books, followed by our recommended sourcebooks and adventures.
### 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 new player options. With over 25 subclasses, 20 racial feats, and a variety of new spells, it's a treasure trove for players. Dungeon Masters will also find useful tools for crafting traps and optional rules that enrich the core game mechanics, such as guidelines for managing downtime. While more player-focused, this sourcebook is crucial for parties seeking diverse options, from Wizards delving into War Magic to Monks mastering the art of Drunken Boxing.
Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything (Sourcebook)
### Tasha's Cauldron of Everything
5See it at Amazon
Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything mirrors the expansiveness of Xanathar’s Guide, offering new class features for every class, a host of fresh spells, and innovative rules for Dungeon Masters. From sidekicks to supernatural environments, this sourcebook injects much-needed diversity into your party's class composition, making it essential for those looking to spice up their gameplay.
Waterdeep: Dragon Heist (Adventure)
### Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
3See it at Amazon
Waterdeep: Dragon Heist stands out as a thrilling roleplay-centric adventure brimming with intrigue and deadly feuds. Unlike many D&D adventures that focus on dungeon crawls, this one thrives on social encounters, political conflicts, and subterfuge. The story kicks off with a famous explorer embroiling the party in a bitter conflict between rival criminal enterprises, chasing after hidden riches. With four possible antagonists to choose from, game masters can tailor the experience, ensuring replayability and surprise even for seasoned adventurers. If you enjoy this, consider the 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 masterful three-book bundle that dives deep into one of D&D's most fascinating settings. Unlike the disappointing Spelljammer, this expansion is rich in detail, from the vibrant setting book, Sigil and the Outlands, to the monster-filled Morte’s Planar Parade, and the intriguing adventure Turn of Fortune’s Wheel. This bundle breathes new life into the multiversal setting, offering endless possibilities for Dungeon Masters and players alike.
Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk (Adventure)
### Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk
3See it at Amazon
Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk is a gripping expansion to the beloved Lost Mine of Phandelver. It returns players to Phandalin to unravel the mystery of magical obelisks, leading to a conspiracy that veers into cosmic horror. With the inclusion of Mind Flayers and the nostalgia of Phandalin, this adventure is a must-play, especially in the wake of Baldur’s Gate 3.
Eberron: Rising from the Last War (Sourcebook/Adventure)
### Eberron: Rising from the Last War
9See it at Amazon
Eberron: Rising from the Last War transports players to a unique war-torn world filled with floating castles, skyscrapers, and airships. The setting offers a blend of pulp adventure and dark fantasy, with new species options like Dragonmarks. The included campaign delves into the eerie Mournland, providing rich roleplaying opportunities and swashbuckling excitement.
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 epic setting of Dragonlance to 5E, featuring mass combat and dragon-centric encounters. This lengthy adventure pits players against the death knight Lord Soth and his draconian army, with new player options to enhance the experience.
Curse of Strahd (Adventure)
### Curse of Strahd
5See it at Amazon
A timeless classic, Curse of Strahd brings gothic horror to the forefront with its vampire-laden setting. This adventure, a remake from the first edition, offers a chilling experience filled with eerie encounters. For those who enjoy this, Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft provides further depth to the setting, though the core adventure itself is a complete experience.
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 journey through the Feywild, centered around a mysterious carnival. This adventure is perfect for groups that thrive on roleplay and creative problem-solving, with multiple non-violent solutions available. It also introduces new playable species and backgrounds, including the chance to live out your character's dream of joining the circus.
Third-party content
While our focus has been on first-party content, we can't resist mentioning a few standout third-party titles worth exploring:
**Strongholds and Followers** by MCDM Productions introduces rules for giving parties bases and NPC allies, a concept that Wizards of the Coast has since adopted in their upcoming Bastion rules.
**Flee, Mortals!** also from MCDM Productions, revamps classic D&D monsters and introduces new ones, accompanied by the adventure *Where Evil Lives*.
**Tome of Beasts/Creature Codex** by Kobold Press expands the monster roster, especially useful for high-level challenges.
**Grim Hollow** by Ghostfire Gaming offers a dark fantasy setting ripe with war, dark magic, and plagues, perfect for those seeking a grittier D&D experience.
These are our top recommendations for the best Dungeons & Dragons books to consider in 2025. What are your favorites? Did we miss any gems? Let us know in the comments, or explore our favorite D&D dice sets and D&D merch and gift ideas.
