Dungeons & Dragons is currently basking in a golden era, fueled by the cultural impact of shows like Stranger Things, the cinematic success of Honor Among Thieves, the proliferation of tabletop-focused media, and the phenomenal rise of Baldur's Gate 3. This surge in popularity makes it an ideal time to dive into the world of D&D and roll for initiative.

For newcomers, the vast expanse of content in the Fifth Edition (5E) of Dungeons & Dragons can seem overwhelming, especially with the abundance of high-quality material from third-party creators. 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. Additionally, don't miss our beginner's guide to D&D for more tips to get started.

Before we delve into our recommendations, a couple of important points: this guide focuses mainly on first-party content, as third-party materials often cater to seasoned players looking to enhance their dungeon-crawling experiences. Additionally, we've omitted the three essential core books: the **Player’s Handbook**, the **Dungeon Master’s Guide**, and the **Monster Manual**. These foundational texts, updated in 2024, are crucial for any player, so if you're starting from scratch, you'll want to secure these first. Below, you'll find the latest versions of these core books, or you can jump directly 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, offering a wealth of additional player options. With over 25 subclasses, 20 racial feats, new spells, and more, this expansion enhances the game for both players and game masters. It provides tools like trap-building guidelines and optional rules to deepen the experience, such as managing downtime. While it's more player-oriented, it's essential for diversifying your party's capabilities. If you're interested in unique character builds like War Magic Wizards, Oath of Redemption Paladins, or Drunken Master Monks, this sourcebook is a must-have.

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 enriches the game with more player options and expands upon the core rulebooks. Each class gains access to new features, and there are numerous new spells to explore. Game masters can utilize new rules for sidekicks, natural hazards, monster negotiations, and supernatural environments. This sourcebook is vital for adding variety to your party and enhancing your D&D experience.

Waterdeep: Dragon Heist (Adventure)

### Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

3See it at Amazon

Waterdeep: Dragon Heist stands out as one of the most engaging adventures from Wizards of the Coast, emphasizing roleplay, intrigue, and political maneuvering. Unlike typical D&D adventures filled with dungeon crawls, this quest focuses on social encounters and subterfuge. It begins with a famous explorer drawing the party into a conflict between rival criminal factions, with the promise of hidden treasure. The book offers four different antagonists, allowing for customizable experiences. For an extended campaign, 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, a setting at the heart of the Forgotten Realms, is brought to life in this comprehensive three-book bundle. It includes detailed setting descriptions, a monster manual, and an adventure, all of which showcase the rich world of Sigil and its factions. This expansion is a testament to Wizards of the Coast's commitment to quality, offering an immersive experience that honors the legacy of Planescape: Torment. Whether you're a fan of the setting or new to it, this bundle is highly recommended.

Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk (Adventure)

### Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk

3See it at Amazon

Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk is a thrilling expansion to the iconic The Lost Mine of Phandelver, taking players back to Phandalin to explore mysterious obelisks. This adventure blends nostalgia with cosmic horror, featuring Mind Flayers as central antagonists. It's a unique and compelling campaign that's perfect for players looking for something different, especially following the success of Baldur’s Gate 3.

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 distinctive setting filled with war-torn landscapes, floating castles, and airships. It's perfect for players looking to explore beyond the traditional Forgotten Realms. The book includes new species options like Dragonmarks and offers a campaign set in the eerie Mournland. This setting provides ample opportunities for both roleplay and action-packed adventures.

Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen (Adventure)

### Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

1See it at Amazon

Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen introduces the classic Dragonlance setting to 5E, featuring epic mass combat and dragon-centric battles. The adventure revolves around the menacing Lord Soth and his draconian army, providing a lengthy and intense experience. It also includes new player options, making it a compelling choice for those who crave large-scale conflicts.

Curse of Strahd (Adventure)

### Curse of Strahd

5See it at Amazon

Curse of Strahd is a revered classic from Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, remade for 5E. This gothic horror adventure is packed with vampires, eerie toys, and a haunting atmosphere. If you're a fan of dark and mysterious settings, this is a must-play. For further exploration, 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 whimsical adventure in the Feywild, centered around a carnival with hidden mysteries. This book is ideal for groups who enjoy solving problems through roleplay rather than combat. It introduces two new playable species and additional backgrounds, allowing players to fully immerse themselves in the Feywild's enchanting world.

Third-party content

While our focus has been on first-party content, we couldn't resist mentioning a few standout third-party titles. Consider checking out **Strongholds and Followers** by MCDM Productions, which provides rules for managing bases and NPC allies, a concept that Wizards of the Coast will expand upon in future core rulebook revisions. **Flee, Mortals!** by MCDM Productions reimagines D&D monsters and includes a companion dungeon adventure. **Tome of Beasts/Creature Codex** by Kobold Press offers additional monsters, perfect for high-level challenges. Finally, **Grim Hollow** by Ghostfire Gaming presents a dark fantasy setting with extensive support material, ideal for those seeking a grittier experience.

There you have it: our top picks for Dungeons & Dragons books to buy in 2025. Do you have any favorites we missed? Let us know in the comments, and explore our favorite D&D dice sets or D&D merchandise and gift ideas for more ways to enhance your gaming experience.