Top D&D Books of 2025 Revealed

Dungeons & Dragons is currently basking in a golden era, fueled by a resurgence in popularity thanks to shows like Stranger Things, the success of the movie Honor Among Thieves, and the widespread acclaim of tabletop-focused podcasts and YouTube series. The phenomenal success of Baldur’s Gate 3 in recent years only adds to the excitement, making now an ideal time to dive into this iconic role-playing game.

For those new to the world of Dungeons & Dragons, navigating the vast landscape of the Fifth Edition (5E) can be overwhelming, especially with the plethora of high-quality content from third-party creators. If you're eager to start your D&D journey but unsure where to begin, here are our top recommendations for the best Dungeons & Dragons books to explore in 2025. Additionally, don't forget to check out our beginner's guide to D&D for more helpful tips.

Before we delve into our recommendations, a couple of disclaimers: This guide will focus mainly on first-party content, as third-party materials often cater to seasoned players seeking to enhance their dungeon-crawling experiences. Additionally, we will not include 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 for any new player, and you can find the latest versions below. Once you have these core rulebooks, you'll be ready to explore 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 indispensable. It offers a wealth of additional options for players, including over 25 new subclasses, 20 racial feats, and a variety of new spells. It also provides useful tools for Dungeon Masters, such as trap-building guides and optional rules to enhance downtime activities. While primarily beneficial for players, this book is a must-have for anyone looking to diversify their party's abilities and enrich their gameplay experience.

Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything (Sourcebook)

### Tasha's Cauldron of Everything

5See it at Amazon

Similar to Xanathar’s Guide, Tasha’s Cauldron expands on player options and core rulebook concepts. It introduces optional class features for every class, a range of new spells, and new rules for Dungeon Masters to manage sidekicks, natural hazards, monster negotiations, and supernatural environments. This book is essential for injecting diversity into your party and enhancing your D&D experience.

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 the bustling city of Waterdeep, the story begins with a famous explorer drawing the party into a feud between two criminal organizations, all while chasing hidden riches. With four interchangeable antagonists, this book allows for dynamic storytelling, making it a fantastic choice for those who enjoy narrative-driven adventures.

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

### Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse

4See it at Amazon

Planescape, centered in the heart of the Forgotten Realms, offers one of D&D’s most intriguing settings. This three-book bundle provides detailed setting information, a comprehensive monster manual, and an engaging adventure. With rich lore and unique factions, this collection is a must for fans of the multiverse and those looking for a deeply immersive experience.

Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk (Adventure)

### Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk

3See it at Amazon

This adventure expands on the beloved Lost Mine of Phandelver, taking players back to Phandalin to uncover the secrets of mysterious obelisks. As the campaign unfolds, players will face a chilling conspiracy that blends cosmic horror with nostalgia. With Mind Flayers playing a central role, this is an excellent choice for those looking for a thrilling and eerie adventure.

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 fresh setting for those looking to venture beyond the Forgotten Realms. This sourcebook includes new species options called Dragonmarks and a campaign set in the eerie Mournland. It's perfect for groups that enjoy both roleplay and action-packed adventures.

Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen (Adventure)

### Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

1See it at Amazon

Introducing the Dragonlance setting to 5E, this adventure is ideal for those who crave large-scale combat and epic battles against dragons. Focused on the menacing death knight Lord Soth and his draconian army, this lengthy campaign also offers new player options, making it a compelling choice for those looking for a grand, narrative-driven adventure.

Curse of Strahd (Adventure)

### Curse of Strahd

5See it at Amazon

A classic gothic horror adventure, Curse of Strahd is a remake of an iconic first-edition D&D story. Filled with vampires, eerie settings, and chilling encounters, this book is perfect for fans of horror-themed adventures. For further exploration, consider Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft to delve deeper into the setting.

The Wild Beyond the Witchlight (Adventure)

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

0See it at Amazon

For those who enjoy adventures rich in roleplay, The Wild Beyond the Witchlight offers a unique experience set in the Feywild. Featuring a mysterious carnival and multiple problem-solving options, this book is perfect for players who appreciate non-violent solutions. It also introduces new playable species and backgrounds, adding depth to your character creation.

Third-party content

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

• **Strongholds and Followers** by MCDM Productions adds rules for managing bases and NPC allies, inspiring Wizards of the Coast's upcoming Bastion rules.
• **Flee, Mortals!** by MCDM Productions revamps classic D&D monsters and introduces new ones, with a companion dungeon crawl in **Where Evil Lives**.
• **Tome of Beasts/Creature Codex** by Kobold Press provides additional monsters, ideal for high-level challenges.
• **Grim Hollow** by Ghostfire Gaming offers a dark fantasy setting with extensive support materials for those seeking a more intense and grim experience.

These are our top recommendations for Dungeons & Dragons books to explore in 2025. What are your favorites? Let us know in the comments, or check out our favorite D&D dice sets and merch for more inspiration.