Top D&D Books of 2025 Revealed

It's safe to say that Dungeons & Dragons is currently experiencing a golden era. From the renewed interest sparked by the hit series Stranger Things to the blockbuster success of the Honor Among Thieves movie, and from the surge in tabletop-focused podcasts and YouTube shows to the phenomenal popularity of Baldur’s Gate 3 in recent years, there has never been a more exciting time to dive into the world of D&D and start rolling for initiative.

However, navigating the extensive universe of Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition (5E), which has dominated the scene for nearly a decade, can be overwhelming for newcomers, especially with the vast array of high-quality content produced by third-party creators. If you're new to the hobby and unsure where to begin, here are our top recommendations for the best Dungeons & Dragons books to buy in 2025. Additionally, for more guidance, be sure to check out our beginner's guide to D&D.

Before we delve into our recommendations, a couple of disclaimers: First, this guide will primarily focus on first-party content, as the vast array of third-party materials is often geared towards seasoned players looking to enhance their traditional dungeon crawls. Secondly, we will not be recommending the three essential core rulebooks: **The Player’s Handbook**, **The Dungeon Master’s Guide**, and **The Monster Manual**. These foundational texts received updated editions in 2024, and while they are indispensable, we assume you'll already have them before exploring further. If you don't have these core rulebooks, make sure to acquire them. Below, you'll find the latest editions, or you can jump directly to our recommended sourcebooks and adventures.

### 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 essential sourcebook, offering a wealth of additional player options, including over 25 subclasses, 20 racial feats, new spells, and much more. It also provides valuable tools for game masters, such as trap-building guides and optional rules that enrich core concepts like downtime activities. While it's more player-focused, this sourcebook is invaluable for expanding your party's options. Whether you're interested in Wizards mastering War Magic, Paladins taking the Oath of Redemption, or Monks embracing the Drunken Master style, this is a must-have for any D&D collection.

Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything (Sourcebook)

### Tasha's Cauldron of Everything

5See it at Amazon

Similar to Xanathar's Guide, Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything enriches the game with new player options and expands on core rulebook concepts. It introduces optional class features for every class, a variety of new spells, and new rules for game masters to consider, such as sidekicks, natural hazards, and interactions with monsters and supernatural environments. This sourcebook is essential for injecting diversity into your party's class choices, making it a vital addition to any D&D enthusiast's library.

Waterdeep: Dragon Heist (Adventure)

### Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

3See it at Amazon

Waterdeep: Dragon Heist stands out as one of the most engaging adventures published by Wizards of the Coast, emphasizing roleplay, intrigue, and political conflict over traditional dungeon crawling. The adventure kicks off with a renowned explorer drawing the party into a fierce rivalry between two criminal organizations, all while chasing a treasure hidden within the city's shadows. With four possible antagonists that can be swapped by the game master, this adventure offers flexibility and replayability. If you enjoy this quest, consider its follow-up, Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage, which shifts 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 is a comprehensive three-book bundle that brings the fascinating multiversal setting of D&D to life. Unlike the less-received Spelljammer release, this expansion delivers rich detail and depth. The setting book, Sigil and the Outlands, is packed with information on landmarks and factions, while Morte’s Planar Parade offers a diverse array of monsters for GMs. The adventure, Turn of Fortune’s Wheel, takes players on an intriguing journey through the planes. This bundle is a testament to the potential of one of D&D's most beloved settings.

Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk (Adventure)

### Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk

3See it at Amazon

Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk expands on the classic Lost Mine of Phandelver, taking players back to Phandalin to explore the deeper mystery of the magical obelisks. This lengthy campaign unfolds into a gripping cosmic horror narrative, featuring Mind Flayers prominently, a timely nod to the success of Baldur’s Gate 3. This adventure offers a unique experience that blends nostalgia with fresh storytelling, making it one of the most compelling campaigns currently available.

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 floating castles, skyscrapers, and airships, set in a world recovering from war. It includes new species options called Dragonmarks and offers a campaign set in the eerie Mournland. This sourcebook is perfect for those seeking a departure from traditional settings, providing 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 brings the iconic setting of Dragonlance to 5E, featuring mass combat encounters and epic battles against dragons. This lengthy adventure focuses on the menacing death knight Lord Soth and his draconian army, while also offering new player options. It's an excellent choice for those who relish large-scale conflicts and dragon-centric storytelling.

Curse of Strahd (Adventure)

### Curse of Strahd

5See it at Amazon

Curse of Strahd is a classic gothic horror adventure that has been remade for 5E. With its dark atmosphere, vampires, and eerie elements, it's a timeless favorite. If you enjoy this chilling experience, consider the supplementary book, 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

The Wild Beyond the Witchlight is an adventure set in the enchanting Feywild, featuring a carnival setting with plenty of roleplaying opportunities. This book encourages creative problem-solving and introduces new playable species and backgrounds, including the chance to be a carny. It's ideal for parties who enjoy non-violent resolutions and immersive storytelling.

Third-party content

While our focus has been on first-party content, we can't resist mentioning a few noteworthy third-party titles. **Strongholds and Followers** by MCDM Productions adds rules for GMs to give parties bases and NPC allies, influencing upcoming revisions in D&D's core rulebooks. **Flee, Mortals!** and its companion **Where Evil Lives** also from MCDM, offer revamped and new monsters for more engaging combat. **Tome of Beasts** and **Creature Codex** by Kobold Press provide extensive monster options, especially useful for high-level play. Lastly, **Grim Hollow** by Ghostfire Gaming introduces a dark fantasy setting, perfect for those looking to explore darker themes and narratives.

These are our top recommendations for the best Dungeons & Dragons books to buy in 2025. What are your favorites? Did we miss any must-haves? Share your thoughts in the comments below, or explore our favorite D&D dice sets and D&D merch and gift ideas for more inspiration.