Top D&D Books for 2025 Revealed

Dungeons & Dragons is currently basking in a golden era, fueled by the surge in popularity from cultural phenomena like Stranger Things, the cinematic triumph of Honor Among Thieves, the rise of tabletop-focused media, and the overwhelming success of Baldur's Gate 3. It's truly an exciting time to delve into the world of D&D and start rolling for initiative.

However, the vast expanse of content available for the Fifth Edition (5E) of D&D, especially from third-party creators, can be overwhelming for newcomers. If you're new to the hobby and unsure where to start, our curated list of the best Dungeons & Dragons books for 2025 is here to guide you. For additional tips, don't forget to check out our beginner's guide to D&D.

Before we dive into our recommendations, a couple of disclaimers: This guide focuses primarily on first-party content, as third-party materials often cater to seasoned players looking to enhance their dungeon-crawling experiences. Additionally, we'll exclude the three essential books: The Player’s Handbook, the Dungeon Master’s Guide, and the Monster Manual. These foundational texts, updated in 2024, are crucial and should be your starting point before exploring further. You can find the latest versions below or skip 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 Amazon

Since its release in 2017, Xanathar’s Guide to Everything has become an indispensable sourcebook, enriching the game with over 25 subclasses, 20 racial feats, new spells, and more. It's particularly valuable for players seeking more character options, such as Wizards learning War Magic, Paladins swearing the Oath of Redemption, or Monks mastering the Drunken fighting style. While it also offers tools for game masters, like trap-building and optional rules for downtime, it's primarily a treasure trove for players.

Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything (Sourcebook)

### Tasha's Cauldron of Everything

5See it at Amazon

Much like Xanathar’s Guide, Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything expands player options with optional class features, new spells, and rules for sidekicks, natural hazards, and supernatural environments. This sourcebook is essential for injecting diversity into your party, providing fresh and exciting choices for every class.

Waterdeep: Dragon Heist (Adventure)

### Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

3See it at Amazon

Waterdeep: Dragon Heist stands out as a roleplay-rich adventure, brimming with intrigue and deadly feuds. Unlike many D&D adventures that focus on dungeon crawls, this one immerses players in a world of social encounters, political conflict, and subterfuge. The journey begins with a famous explorer drawing the party into a bitter conflict between criminal enterprises, with hidden riches awaiting in the city's shadowy corners. The book offers flexibility with four possible antagonists, allowing game masters to tailor the experience to their group's preferences. If you enjoy this adventure, consider its 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: Adventures in the Multiverse brings to life one of D&D's most fascinating settings, the multiversal hub of the Forgotten Realms. This three-book bundle, unlike the less detailed Spelljammer, is packed with rich setting details, including major landmarks and intriguing factions. The monster manual, Morte’s Planar Parade, offers a variety of creatures for game masters, while the adventure, Turn of Fortune’s Wheel, promises a captivating narrative. This collection truly showcases the depth and potential of the Planescape setting.

Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk (Adventure)

### Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk

3See it at Amazon

Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk expands upon the beloved Lost Mine of Phandelver, taking players back to Phandalin to explore the mysteries of magical obelisks. This campaign unfolds into a cosmic horror narrative involving Mind Flayers, making it a thrilling and unique adventure. Given its connection to the popular Baldur’s Gate 3 and its nostalgic return to Phandalin, it's one of the top campaigns to run in the current D&D landscape.

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

### Eberron: Rising from the Last War

9See it at Amazon

Eberron: Rising from the Last War introduces a unique setting filled with war-torn landscapes, floating castles, skyscrapers, and airships. It's an excellent choice for those looking to venture beyond the traditional Forgotten Realms. The sourcebook offers new species options called Dragonmarks and a campaign set in the eerie Mournland, providing ample opportunities for roleplay and swashbuckling adventures.

Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen (Adventure)

### Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

1See it at Amazon

Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen brings the iconic setting of Dragonlance to 5E, featuring mass combat and epic battles against dragons. The adventure focuses on the menacing Lord Soth and his draconian army, offering a lengthy and engaging narrative. Additionally, it includes new player options to enhance your gameplay experience.

Curse of Strahd (Adventure)

### Curse of Strahd

5See it at Amazon

Curse of Strahd is a classic gothic horror adventure, remade from the first edition of D&D. It's filled with vampires, blood, and eerie elements, making it a must-play for fans of dark and atmospheric storytelling. For a deeper dive into the setting, consider the supplement, Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft.

The Wild Beyond the Witchlight (Adventure)

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

0See it at Amazon

The Wild Beyond the Witchlight offers a delightful journey into the Feywild, featuring a carnival setting ripe with roleplaying potential. This adventure encourages creative problem-solving and introduces new playable species and backgrounds, including the option to be a carny, perfect for those dreaming of circus life.

Third-party content

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

Strongholds and Followers by MCDM Productions introduces rules for game masters to manage party bases and NPC allies, offering a rich expansion to gameplay. Wizards of the Coast seems to have taken inspiration from this for their upcoming Bastion rules.

Flee, Mortals! also from MCDM Productions, reimagines D&D monsters to be more engaging and includes new creatures. Its companion book, Where Evil Lives, offers a single dungeon for groups to explore.

Tome of Beasts/Creature Codex by Kobold Press expands the monster roster, with the three volumes of Tome of Beasts being particularly useful for high-level groups seeking challenging encounters.

Grim Hollow by Ghostfire Gaming provides a dark fantasy setting filled with war, dark magic, and plagues, ideal for those looking to explore beyond traditional D&D settings. With numerous supporting books, it offers a deep dive into a grim world.

There you have it: our top recommendations for the best Dungeons & Dragons books to consider in 2025. What are your favorites? Have we missed any must-haves? Share your thoughts in the comments, and while you're at it, check out our favorite D&D dice sets and D&D merch and gift ideas.