The Best Dungeons and Dragons Books in 2025

Dungeons & Dragons is experiencing a remarkable resurgence. Fueled by the popularity of Stranger Things, the Honor Among Thieves movie, and the explosive success of Baldur’s Gate 3, now is the perfect time to join the adventure. However, navigating the wealth of 5th Edition (5e) content can be daunting for newcomers. This guide highlights the best Dungeons & Dragons books for 2025, focusing on first-party offerings to help you start your journey. For additional tips, check out our beginner's guide to D&D.

First-Party Content

This guide prioritizes first-party content, given the vast array of third-party options best suited for experienced players. We're excluding the essential Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide, and Monster Manual (all updated in 2024), assuming you'll acquire these foundational books first. Find the latest updated versions below, or skip to our recommended sourcebooks.

### Player’s Handbook Core Rulebook

$49.99 at Amazon### Dungeon Master’s Guide Core Rulebook

$49.99 at Amazon### Monster Manual Core Rulebook

$49.99 at Amazon

Xanathar’s Guide to Everything (Sourcebook)

### Xanathar's Guide to Everything

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A cornerstone sourcebook (2017), Xanathar's Guide expands player options with over 25 subclasses, 20 racial feats, new spells, and DM tools (trap building, downtime rules). It's player-focused, offering choices like War Magic Wizards, Oath of Redemption Paladins, and the coveted Drunken Master Monk.

Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything (Sourcebook)

### Tasha's Cauldron of Everything

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Similar to Xanathar's, this sourcebook provides additional player options and expands core rulebook concepts. It features optional class features for every class, new spells, and DM rules for sidekicks, hazards, monster negotiations, and supernatural environments. It's excellent for adding class diversity.

Waterdeep: Dragon Heist (Adventure)

### Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

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This intrigue-driven adventure prioritizes roleplaying over dungeon crawling. The party becomes entangled in a conflict between criminal organizations, searching for hidden riches within Waterdeep's underbelly. It features four selectable antagonists for replayability and a sequel, Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage.

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

### Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse

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This three-book bundle explores the Planescape setting, a multiversal realm. It includes Sigil and the Outlands (setting details), Morte’s Planar Parade (monsters), and Turn of Fortune’s Wheel (adventure). It's a detailed and engaging expansion of a beloved D&D world.

Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk (Adventure)

### Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk

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This expansion to The Lost Mine of Phandelver returns players to Phandalin to investigate a conspiracy involving magical obelisks. It features cosmic horror elements and Mind Flayers, making it a unique and engaging campaign.

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

### Eberron: Rising from the Last War

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This sourcebook presents a war-torn world with floating castles and airships, offering a unique setting alternative to the Forgotten Realms. It includes new Dragonmark playable races and a Mournland-focused campaign.

Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen (Adventure)

### Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

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This adventure introduces the Dragonlance setting, featuring large-scale battles, dragons, and the death knight Lord Soth. It's ideal for players who enjoy massive combat encounters.

Curse of Strahd (Adventure)

### Curse of Strahd

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A gothic horror remake of a classic adventure, Curse of Strahd delivers vampires, blood, and creepy encounters. It's a great choice for those seeking a darker, more atmospheric campaign.

The Wild Beyond the Witchlight (Adventure)

### The Wild Beyond the Witchlight: A Feywild Adventure

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This Feywild adventure emphasizes roleplaying and offers multiple solutions to problems. It includes a carnival setting, new playable races, and backgrounds, including the option to be a carny.

Third-Party Content (brief mentions)

While this guide focuses on first-party content, some notable third-party options include: Strongholds and Followers (MCDM), Flee, Mortals! and Where Evil Lives (MCDM), Tome of Beasts/Creature Codex (Kobold Press), and Grim Hollow (Ghostfire Gaming).

These recommendations offer a starting point for your D&D journey. Let us know your favorites in the comments! Also, check out our favorite D&D dice sets and D&D merchandise.