Dungeons & Dragons is currently experiencing a golden age, fueled by the cultural phenomenon of "Stranger Things," the cinematic success of "Honor Among Thieves," the rise of tabletop-focused media, and the overwhelming popularity of "Baldur's Gate 3." This surge in interest makes it an exciting time to dive into the world of D&D, rolling dice and weaving tales of adventure. However, for newcomers, the wealth of content from the Fifth Edition (5E), especially the high-quality third-party creations, can be overwhelming. If you're new to the hobby and unsure where to start, here are our top picks for 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 delve into our recommendations, a couple of things to note: This guide primarily focuses on first-party content, as third-party materials often cater to seasoned players seeking to enhance their dungeon crawls. Additionally, we'll skip over the essential trio of the Player’s Handbook, Dungeon Master’s Guide, and Monster Manual. These foundational texts, updated in 2024, are crucial, but you'll likely want to acquire them before exploring further. You can find the latest editions below or jump straight 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 AmazonSince its release in 2017, this sourcebook has become indispensable, offering a wealth of new options for players, including over 25 subclasses, 20 racial feats, and new spells. It also provides valuable tools for game masters, such as trap-building guides and optional rules to enhance core concepts like downtime. While it's more player-focused, it's a must-have for groups looking to expand their character-building possibilities, from Wizards mastering War Magic to Monks embracing the drunken fighting style.
Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything (Sourcebook)
### Tasha's Cauldron of Everything
5See it at AmazonMuch like Xanathar’s Guide, this book enriches player options and builds on core rulebook ideas. It introduces optional class features for all classes, a variety of new spells, and new rules for game masters concerning sidekicks, natural hazards, and supernatural environments. It's an excellent resource for injecting diversity and excitement into your D&D party.
Waterdeep: Dragon Heist (Adventure)
### Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
3See it at AmazonThis adventure stands out for its focus on roleplay, intrigue, and political maneuvering. Unlike many D&D adventures that lean heavily on combat, Waterdeep: Dragon Heist offers a rich narrative centered around a treasure hunt amidst rival criminal factions. The story starts with the party getting entangled in a conflict over a legendary treasure, with four possible antagonists to keep the story fresh. If you enjoy this, consider its sequel, Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage, for a shift to more dungeon-focused gameplay.
Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse (Sourcebook/Adventure Bundle)
### Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse
4See it at AmazonPlanescape is one of D&D’s most intriguing settings, and this three-book bundle does it justice. Unlike the less successful Spelljammer, this set dives deep into the multiverse, with detailed lore on Sigil and the Outlands, a comprehensive monster manual, and an engaging adventure. It's perfect for those who want to explore beyond the traditional Forgotten Realms.
Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk (Adventure)
### Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk
3See it at AmazonAn expansion of the beloved Lost Mine of Phandelver, this adventure takes players back to Phandalin to uncover a deeper mystery involving magical obelisks and a cosmic horror conspiracy. With the popularity of Mind Flayers surging thanks to "Baldur’s Gate 3," this is a timely and thrilling campaign to explore.
Eberron: Rising from the Last War (Sourcebook/Adventure)
### Eberron: Rising from the Last War
9See it at AmazonSet in a unique world of floating castles and airships, Eberron offers a fresh take on D&D settings. It includes new species options called Dragonmarks and a campaign set in the eerie Mournland. This setting is perfect for groups interested in both deep roleplay and adventurous action.
Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen (Adventure)
### Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen
1See it at AmazonIntroducing the Dragonlance setting to 5E, this adventure focuses on epic battles and dragon-centric conflicts. It features a lengthy campaign against the death knight Lord Soth and his draconian army, along with new player options.
Curse of Strahd (Adventure)
### Curse of Strahd
5See it at AmazonA classic gothic horror adventure, this remake of an old favorite brings vampires and chilling atmosphere to the forefront. If you enjoy it, consider the supplement Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft for more depth, though the core adventure stands strong on its own.
The Wild Beyond the Witchlight (Adventure)
### The Wild Beyond the Witchlight: A Feywild Adventure
0See it at AmazonThis Feywild-based adventure is ideal for groups that enjoy roleplay and creative problem-solving. Set in a carnival with plenty of intrigue, it offers new playable species and backgrounds, including the chance to be a carny and live out circus dreams.
Third-party content
While our focus is on first-party content, we can't ignore the exceptional third-party contributions. Here are a few notable mentions:
Strongholds and Followers by MCDM Productions adds rules for player bases and NPC allies, influencing even Wizards' upcoming Bastion rules.
Flee, Mortals! also from MCDM, revamps D&D monsters and introduces new ones, with a companion adventure in Where Evil Lives.
Tome of Beasts/Creature Codex by Kobold Press provides additional monsters, especially useful for high-level play.
Grim Hollow by Ghostfire Gaming offers a dark fantasy setting with multiple supporting books for deep immersion.
And there you have it: Our top recommendations for D&D books to consider in 2025. What are your thoughts? Have we missed any of your favorites? Let us know in the comments, or explore our favorite D&D dice sets and merch for more inspiration.
