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 explosion of D&D podcasts and YouTube channels, and the phenomenal success 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 for those just starting their journey. For even more 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. We're excluding the essential Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide, and Monster Manual (updated in 2024), assuming you'll acquire these foundational books first. If you haven't already, these are essential purchases.

### 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 cornerstone sourcebook (2017), Xanathar's Guide offers expanded player options: over 25 subclasses, 20 racial feats, new spells, and more. It also includes helpful DM tools (trap building) and optional rules enhancing core rulebook concepts (downtime). More player-focused, it's invaluable for adding variety to character builds. Want War Magic Wizards, Oaths of Redemption Paladins, or Drunken Master Monks? This is your book.

Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything (Sourcebook)

### Tasha's Cauldron of Everything

5See it at Amazon

Similar to Xanathar's, this sourcebook expands player options and core rulebook ideas. It includes optional class features for every class, new spells, and DM rules for sidekicks, natural hazards, monster parlaying, and supernatural environments. Essential for injecting class diversity into your game.

Waterdeep: Dragon Heist (Adventure)

### Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

3See it at Amazon

A standout adventure, Waterdeep: Dragon Heist is rich in intrigue and deadly feuds. Unlike many dungeon-crawl heavy adventures, it emphasizes social encounters, political conflict, and subterfuge. The adventure presents four possible antagonists, offering replayability and surprises.

A direct sequel, Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage, offers a contrasting dungeon-crawl experience for an extended campaign.

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, a multiverse hub and setting for the acclaimed RPG Planescape: Torment. It includes a setting book (Sigil and the Outlands), a monster manual (Morte's Planar Parade), and an adventure (Turn of Fortune's Wheel). A highly detailed and engaging expansion for experienced players.

Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk (Adventure)

### Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk

3See it at Amazon

An expansion to The Lost Mine of Phandelver, this adventure returns players to Phandalin, unraveling a cosmic horror conspiracy. Featuring Mind Flayers and a nostalgic return to Phandalin, it's a unique and engaging campaign.

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

### Eberron: Rising from the Last War

9See it at Amazon

Set in a war-torn world with unique features like floating castles and airships, Eberron offers a departure from the Forgotten Realms. It introduces Dragonmarks and provides opportunities for both roleplaying and action-oriented gameplay.

Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen (Adventure)

### Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

1See it at Amazon

This adventure introduces the Dragonlance setting, recently incorporated into The Practically Complete Guide to Dragons. It features large-scale combat encounters with dragons and a lengthy campaign focused on the death knight Lord Soth.

Curse of Strahd (Adventure)

### Curse of Strahd

5See it at Amazon

A gothic horror classic, this remake of an older adventure delivers vampires, blood, and creepy encounters. A supplement, Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft, further supports the setting.

The Wild Beyond the Witchlight (Adventure)

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

0See it at Amazon

Set in the Feywild, this adventure features a carnival setting and emphasizes roleplaying and problem-solving beyond combat. It also includes two new playable species and backgrounds.

Third-Party Content

While primarily focused on first-party content, here are a few notable third-party titles:

• Strongholds and Followers (MCDM Productions): Adds rules for player bases and NPCs.
• Flee, Mortals! and Where Evil Lives (MCDM Productions): Redesigned and new monsters, plus a dungeon.
• Tome of Beasts/Creature Codex (Kobold Press): Monster manuals, particularly useful for high-level play.
• Grim Hollow (Ghostfire Gaming): A dark fantasy setting.

These are our top recommendations for 2025. Let us know your favorites in the comments, or explore our D&D dice sets and merchandise!