Top Dungeons & Dragons Books of 2025

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

For those new to the game, the Fifth Edition of Dungeons & Dragons (5E) can feel overwhelming due to the vast array of high-quality content from third-party creators. If you're eager to get started but unsure where to begin, we've curated a list of the best Dungeons & Dragons books for 2025. Additionally, don't forget to check out our beginner's guide to D&D for more tips on getting started.

Before we delve into our recommendations, a couple of disclaimers: This guide will primarily focus on first-party content, as third-party materials often cater to seasoned players looking to enhance their dungeon-crawling experiences. Additionally, we will not include the three core rulebooks—the **Player’s Handbook**, **Dungeon Master’s Guide**, and **Monster Manual**. These books, though essential and updated in 2024, are foundational and assumed to be in your collection before exploring further. If you haven't yet acquired these, you can find the latest editions below or jump straight 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

Published in 2017, this essential sourcebook enriches the game with over 25 subclasses, 20 racial feats, and a plethora of new spells. It's not only a treasure trove for players but also includes handy tools for game masters, such as trap-building guides and optional rules to enhance core concepts like downtime. If you're looking to diversify your party with unique options like Wizards mastering War Magic, Paladins following the Oath of Redemption, or Monks excelling in drunken fighting style, this book is a must-have.

Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything (Sourcebook)

### Tasha's Cauldron of Everything

5See it at Amazon

Similar to Xanathar's Guide, Tasha’s Cauldron introduces a wealth of player options and expands on core rulebook ideas. Each class can benefit from optional features, and there's an extensive array of new spells. For game masters, the book offers new rules for sidekicks, natural hazards, monster negotiations, and supernatural environments. It's an essential addition for injecting diversity into your D&D party.

Waterdeep: Dragon Heist (Adventure)

### Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

3See it at Amazon

This roleplay-heavy adventure from Wizards of the Coast is filled with intrigue and deadly feuds, offering a refreshing break from traditional dungeon crawls. The journey begins with a famous explorer pulling the party into a bitter conflict between criminal enterprises, promising great riches hidden in the city's shadowy corners. With four possible antagonists that can be swapped out, the adventure keeps surprises coming even for returning players. For those who enjoy this, consider the follow-up, Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage, which shifts focus to more dungeon-centric gameplay.

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

### Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse

4See it at Amazon

Planescape, the multiversal setting central to the Forgotten Realms, is brought to life with this three-book bundle. Unlike the less well-received Spelljammer, this expansion is rich in detail, with the setting book, Sigil and the Outlands, offering deep insights into landmarks and factions. The monster manual, Morte’s Planar Parade, provides ample options for GMs, while the adventure, Turn of Fortune’s Wheel, takes players on a fascinating journey. This bundle is a standout for its comprehensive exploration of one of D&D’s most intriguing settings.

Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk (Adventure)

### Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk

3See it at Amazon

This expansion to The Lost Mine of Phandelver takes players back to Phandalin to delve deeper into the mystery of magical obelisks. As the campaign unfolds, the party uncovers a conspiracy that veers into cosmic horror, featuring Mind Flayers prominently. It's a unique adventure that blends nostalgia with fresh narrative twists, making it one of the best campaigns to run currently.

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 floating castles, skyscrapers, and airships, this sourcebook offers a unique setting for those looking to venture beyond the Forgotten Realms. It includes new species options called Dragonmarks and features a campaign centered around the eerie Mournland, ripe with dark magic and intrigue. It's a perfect blend for groups seeking both roleplay and swashbuckling 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 offers thrilling mass combat encounters with dragons and draconians. Focused on the death knight Lord Soth and his army, it also includes new player options, making it an exciting choice for epic battles and immersive storytelling.

Curse of Strahd (Adventure)

### Curse of Strahd

5See it at Amazon

A classic gothic horror adventure remade from the first edition, Curse of Strahd is filled with vampires, blood, and eerie elements. For those who crave more, the supplement Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft provides additional depth to the setting, though the core adventure is compelling on its own.

The Wild Beyond the Witchlight (Adventure)

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

0See it at Amazon

Set in the Feywild, this adventure offers a carnival-themed setting with ample roleplaying opportunities. It includes new playable species and backgrounds, allowing players to embrace their inner carny. It's an excellent choice for groups that enjoy creative problem-solving beyond combat.

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 introduces rules for GMs to give parties bases and NPC allies. Its impact is so significant that Wizards of the Coast seems to have drawn inspiration for their upcoming Bastion rules.

**Flee, Mortals!** also from MCDM, reimagines D&D monsters with added depth and introduces new ones. Its companion book, **Where Evil Lives**, offers a ready-to-run dungeon.

**Tome of Beasts/Creature Codex** by Kobold Press expands the monster roster, particularly useful for high-level play.

**Grim Hollow** by Ghostfire Gaming presents a dark fantasy setting with war, dark magic, and plagues, supported by multiple books for deep immersion.

These are our top recommendations for the best Dungeons & Dragons books to consider in 2025. What are your favorites? Let us know in the comments, or explore our favorite D&D dice sets and D&D merch and gift ideas for more ways to enhance your gaming experience.