Top Dungeons & Dragons Books of 2025

Dungeons & Dragons is currently experiencing a renaissance, fueled by cultural phenomena like Stranger Things, the blockbuster success of Honor Among Thieves, and the widespread popularity of tabletop-focused media, including podcasts and YouTube shows. The monumental impact of Baldur’s Gate 3 has further cemented this golden era, making it an ideal 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 with the continuous stream of high-quality content from third-party creators. If you're new to the hobby and looking for a starting point, here are our top recommendations for the best Dungeons & Dragons books to consider in 2025. For more guidance, don't forget to check out our beginner's guide to D&D.

Before we delve into our recommendations, a few notes: This guide focuses primarily on first-party content, as the vast array of third-party options is more suited for seasoned players seeking to enhance their dungeon crawling experiences. We'll also exclude the essential trio of the **Player’s Handbook**, **Dungeon Master’s Guide**, and **Monster Manual**. These core rulebooks, updated in 2024, are fundamental and should be acquired before exploring further. Below, you'll find the latest versions of these core books, followed by our top picks for additional 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 Amazon

This sourcebook, released in 2017, is a must-have for expanding your D&D experience. It offers over 25 subclasses, 20 racial feats, new spells, and more, primarily benefiting players. Game masters will find useful tools for building traps and optional rules to enrich gameplay elements like downtime. Whether you're interested in War Magic for Wizards, the Oath of Redemption for Paladins, or the unique Drunken Master style for Monks, this book is an essential addition to your collection.

Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything (Sourcebook)

### Tasha's Cauldron of Everything

5See it at Amazon

Similar to Xanathar’s Guide, this sourcebook enhances player options and builds on core concepts. It introduces optional class features for every class, new spells, and rules for game masters to incorporate sidekicks, natural hazards, and supernatural environments. This book is key for diversifying your party and enriching your gameplay.

Waterdeep: Dragon Heist (Adventure)

### Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

3See it at Amazon

This adventure stands out for its focus on roleplay, intrigue, and political conflict. Set in Waterdeep, the party becomes entangled in a feud between criminal enterprises, chasing hidden riches. With four possible antagonists, the game master can tailor the experience, making it fresh even for repeat players. If you enjoy this, consider the follow-up, Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage, which shifts the focus to dungeon exploration.

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

### Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse

4See it at Amazon

Planescape's multiversal setting is one of D&D's most fascinating, and this three-book bundle does it justice. From the detailed setting in Sigil and the Outlands to the monster-filled Morte’s Planar Parade, and the intriguing Turn of Fortune’s Wheel adventure, this bundle is a comprehensive and impressive expansion. It's a must-have for fans of the setting and newcomers alike.

Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk (Adventure)

### Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk

3See it at Amazon

This expansion builds on the beloved Lost Mine of Phandelver, returning players to Phandalin to explore the mystery of magical obelisks. As the campaign progresses, it delves into cosmic horror with Mind Flayers, offering a unique and thrilling experience that resonates with the current popularity of Baldur’s Gate 3.

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

### Eberron: Rising from the Last War

9See it at Amazon

Eberron offers a unique setting with its war-torn world, featuring floating castles, skyscrapers, and airships. This sourcebook introduces Dragonmarks and a campaign set in the eerie Mournland, providing rich opportunities for roleplay 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 to 5E, focusing on mass combat and epic battles against dragons and draconians. Led by the death knight Lord Soth, the narrative offers a lengthy and engaging experience with new player options to explore.

Curse of Strahd (Adventure)

### Curse of Strahd

5See it at Amazon

A classic gothic horror adventure, Curse of Strahd brings the eerie atmosphere of Ravenloft to life with vampires and dark magic. For those who enjoy this setting, Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft provides further depth, though the core adventure offers a complete experience on its own.

The Wild Beyond the Witchlight (Adventure)

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

0See it at Amazon

Set in the enchanting Feywild, this adventure centers around a carnival with plenty of roleplaying opportunities. It introduces new playable species and backgrounds, including the chance to play as a carnival worker, adding a unique flavor to your campaign.

Third-party content

While our focus has been on first-party content, we can't resist highlighting a few standout third-party titles:

• Strongholds and Followers by MCDM Productions introduces rules for managing bases and NPC allies, enhancing the game master's toolkit.
• Flee, Mortals! also from MCDM, reimagines D&D monsters and includes a companion dungeon adventure, Where Evil Lives.
• Tome of Beasts/Creature Codex by Kobold Press adds a plethora of new monsters, ideal for high-level challenges.
• Grim Hollow by Ghostfire Gaming offers a dark fantasy setting filled with war, dark magic, and plagues, supported by multiple expansion books.

These are our top recommendations for Dungeons & Dragons books to consider in 2025. What are your favorites? Let us know in the comments, or explore our curated lists of the best D&D dice sets and D&D merchandise and gift ideas.