Top D&D Books to Watch for in 2025

Dungeons & Dragons is currently experiencing a golden era, fueled by the surge in popularity from shows like Stranger Things, the success of the movie Honor Among Thieves, the rise of tabletop-focused podcasts and YouTube channels, and the phenomenal reception of Baldur's Gate 3. It's an exciting time to dive into the world of D&D and start rolling for initiative.

However, jumping into the Fifth Edition of Dungeons & Dragons (5E) can be daunting for newcomers, given the vast array of high-quality content released by third-party creators over the past decade. 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, don't forget to check out our beginner's guide to D&D.

Before we delve into our recommendations, a couple of important notes: This guide will primarily focus on first-party content, as third-party content tends to cater more to seasoned players looking to enhance their dungeon crawling experiences. Additionally, we'll skip over the essential trio of books: 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 these before exploring further. You can find the latest versions below, or scroll down for 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 Amazon

Since its release in 2017, this sourcebook has become essential for expanding player options. It offers over 25 subclasses, 20 racial feats, new spells, and more. It also provides tools for game masters, such as trap-building guidance, and optional rules to enhance concepts from the core rulebooks, like managing downtime. While more beneficial for players, it's a must-have for those wanting to diversify their party's capabilities, whether it's for Wizards learning War Magic, Paladins taking an Oath of Redemption, or Monks mastering the drunken fighting style.

Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything (Sourcebook)

### Tasha's Cauldron of Everything

5See it at Amazon

Similar to Xanathar's Guide, Tasha's Cauldron offers a wealth of player options and expands on core rulebook concepts. Each class gains optional features, there are new spells to explore, and game masters can utilize new rules for sidekicks, natural hazards, monster negotiations, and supernatural environments. This sourcebook is essential for adding diversity to your D&D party's class selection.

Waterdeep: Dragon Heist (Adventure)

### Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

3See it at Amazon

This adventure stands out for its focus on roleplay, intrigue, and political conflict rather than just dungeon crawls. It kicks off with a famous explorer pulling the party into a conflict between criminal factions, promising hidden riches in the city's shadowy corners. With four interchangeable antagonists, game masters can keep players on their toes even if they've played the adventure before. If you enjoy this, consider the follow-up, Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage, for a dungeon-centric continuation.

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

### Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse

4See it at Amazon

Planescape, centered in the Forgotten Realms, is one of D&D's most intriguing settings and the backdrop for the legendary RPG Planescape: Torment. This three-book bundle excels in detail, covering the setting in Sigil and the Outlands, offering a plethora of factions and landmarks. Morte’s Planar Parade provides a variety of monsters for GMs, and the adventure Turn of Fortune’s Wheel explores unique narrative paths. This bundle is a standout for its comprehensive approach to one of D&D's best settings.

Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk (Adventure)

### Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk

3See it at Amazon

This expansion builds on the iconic Lost Mine of Phandelver, returning players to Phandalin to delve deeper into the mystery of the magical obelisks. The campaign unfolds into a cosmic horror narrative with Mind Flayers at its core, making it a thrilling adventure especially in the wake of Baldur's Gate 3's success. It's a must-play for those seeking a blend of nostalgia and fresh horror elements.

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 elements like floating castles and airships, Eberron offers a departure from the typical Forgotten Realms setting. It introduces new species options called Dragonmarks and includes a campaign set in the eerie Mournland, perfect for roleplay-focused groups seeking a mix of pulp adventure and dark magic.

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, featuring mass combat and dragons. It focuses on the death knight Lord Soth and his draconian army, providing a lengthy and epic campaign. It also includes new player options, making it an exciting addition for those who crave large-scale battles.

Curse of Strahd (Adventure)

### Curse of Strahd

5See it at Amazon

A classic gothic horror adventure, this remake from the first edition of D&D offers a thrilling vampire-centric experience. It's perfect for those who enjoy atmospheric horror and can be supplemented with Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft for deeper immersion into the setting.

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 revolves around a carnival filled with mysteries and non-violent problem-solving options. It introduces new playable species and backgrounds, including the chance to play as a carny, making it ideal for groups that enjoy roleplaying and creative solutions.

Third-party content

While we've focused on first-party content, we can't resist mentioning a few standout third-party titles:

• Strongholds and Followers by MCDM Productions, which adds rules for giving parties bases and NPC allies, influencing upcoming core rulebook revisions.
• Flee, Mortals! by MCDM Productions, a monster manual that revamps existing creatures and introduces new ones, complemented by the adventure book Where Evil Lives.
• Tome of Beasts/Creature Codex by Kobold Press, adding a wide range of monsters, especially useful for high-level challenges.
• Grim Hollow by Ghostfire Gaming, offering a dark fantasy setting filled with war, dark magic, and plagues, perfect for players seeking a grittier experience.

These are our top recommendations for D&D books to consider in 2025. What are your favorites? Let us know in the comments, and don't forget to explore our favorite D&D dice sets and merch for more ways to enhance your gaming experience.