D&D Guidebooks Dominate Bookshelves in '25

Dungeons & Dragons is experiencing a remarkable resurgence in popularity. From the impact of Stranger Things and the Honor Among Thieves movie to the rise of D&D podcasts and YouTube channels, and the phenomenal success of Baldur's Gate 3, it's a fantastic time to join the game.

However, navigating the wealth of 5th Edition (5e) content, especially from third-party creators, can be daunting for newcomers. This guide focuses primarily on official Wizards of the Coast publications, excluding the essential Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide, and Monster Manual (updated in 2024), assuming you've already acquired these core rulebooks. If not, acquire them first! You can find the latest editions linked below.

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First-Party Content Recommendations:

Core Rulebooks:

12$49.99 at Amazon

7$49.99 at Amazon

5$49.99 at Amazon

Sourcebooks & Adventures:

Xanathar's Guide to Everything

10See it at Amazon

A crucial sourcebook (2017) expanding player options with subclasses, feats, spells, and DM tools. Highly beneficial for players seeking diverse character builds.

Tasha's Cauldron of Everything

5See it at Amazon

Similar to Xanathar's, this sourcebook offers expanded player options, new spells, and DM tools for sidekicks, hazards, and more. Enhances class diversity.

Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

3See it at Amazon

A roleplaying-focused adventure emphasizing intrigue and social encounters, offering multiple antagonists for replayability. A great alternative to dungeon crawls.

Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse

4See it at Amazon

A three-book bundle exploring the Planescape setting. Includes a setting guide, monster manual, and adventure, offering rich detail and unique gameplay experiences.

Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk

3See it at Amazon

A massive expansion to The Lost Mine of Phandelver, delving deeper into the mystery of magical obelisks and introducing cosmic horror elements.

Eberron: Rising from the Last War

9See it at Amazon

A sourcebook set in a unique war-torn world with airships and floating castles, featuring new playable races (Dragonmarks) and opportunities for roleplaying and action.

Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

1See it at Amazon

An adventure introducing the Dragonlance setting, focusing on large-scale battles and dragon encounters.

Curse of Strahd

5See it at Amazon

A classic gothic horror adventure with vampires and creepy encounters.

The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

0See it at Amazon

A Feywild adventure with a carnival setting, offering multiple solutions and roleplaying opportunities.

Notable Third-Party Content (brief mentions):

• Strongholds and Followers (MCDM Productions): Adds rules for player bases and NPCs.
• Flee, Mortals!/Where Evil Lives (MCDM Productions): Redesigned monsters and a dungeon.
• Tome of Beasts/Creature Codex (Kobold Press): Additional monsters, especially for high-level play.
• Grim Hollow (Ghostfire Gaming): A dark fantasy setting.

This list provides a strong starting point for expanding your D&D experience beyond the core rulebooks. Let us know your favorites in the comments!