Dungeons & Dragons is experiencing a remarkable resurgence in popularity, fueled by factors like the success of Stranger Things, the Honor Among Thieves movie, and the explosive popularity of Baldur's Gate 3. This makes it an ideal time to join the game, but navigating the wealth of 5th Edition (5e) content can be daunting. This guide focuses primarily on official Wizards of the Coast publications, excluding the essential Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide, and Monster Manual (all updated in 2024), assuming you already possess these core rulebooks.
First-Party Content Recommendations:
- Xanathar's Guide to Everything (Sourcebook): A crucial sourcebook (2017) offering numerous player options, including subclasses, racial feats, and spells. It also includes helpful tools for Dungeon Masters (DMs) and optional rules. Highly recommended for expanding player choices.
- Tasha's Cauldron of Everything (Sourcebook): Similar to Xanathar's, this sourcebook expands player options and core rulebook concepts. It provides optional class features, new spells, and DM tools for sidekicks, hazards, and more. Excellent for class diversity.
- Waterdeep: Dragon Heist (Adventure): A compelling adventure focusing on intrigue, social encounters, and political conflict within the city of Waterdeep. It features multiple antagonists for replayability. A follow-up, Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage, offers a different style of gameplay.
- Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse (Sourcebook/Adventure Bundle): A fantastic exploration of the Planescape setting, including a setting book (Sigil and the Outlands), a monster manual (Morte's Planar Parade), and an adventure (Turn of Fortune's Wheel). Highly detailed and engaging.
- Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk (Adventure): A significant expansion to The Lost Mine of Phandelver, returning players to Phandalin and delving into a cosmic horror mystery involving Mind Flayers. A unique and engaging campaign.
- Eberron: Rising from the Last War (Sourcebook/Adventure): A unique setting featuring a war-torn world with airships and floating castles. Introduces Dragonmarks and offers both roleplaying and action-oriented gameplay.
- Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen (Adventure): Introduces the Dragonlance setting (also featured in The Practically Complete Guide to Dragons) and focuses on large-scale combat encounters with dragons and draconians.
- Curse of Strahd (Adventure): A gothic horror adventure featuring vampires and creepy settings, a remake of a classic AD&D adventure. A supplement, Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft, is available.
- The Wild Beyond the Witchlight (Adventure): A Feywild adventure set in a carnival atmosphere, emphasizing roleplaying and offering multiple solutions to problems. Includes new playable races and backgrounds.
Brief Mention of Third-Party Content:
While this guide focuses on first-party content, notable third-party options include Strongholds and Followers, Flee, Mortals!, Tome of Beasts/Creature Codex, and Grim Hollow, each offering unique expansions to the game.
These recommendations provide a solid starting point for expanding your D&D experience beyond the core rulebooks. Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
