Dungeons & Dragons 5e – how to choose the right rulebook?

Dungeons & Dragons is an RPG phenomenon with a history dating back to 1974, constantly gaining new fans worldwide. If the name Dungeons & Dragons doesn't ring a bell, you can read more about this tabletop role-playing game in our article. The fifth edition (5e) of the game was released in 2014, and you can currently choose from over fifty official rulebooks. What should beginners pick? Which books are essential? And how do you choose the right one to bring you dozens of hours of fun and an engaging story?

New and improved Starter Set – Dragons of Stormwreck Isle

Wizards of the Coast regularly releases products perfectly suited for beginners and their first introduction to the game. Traditionally, players chose between the classic Starter Set and the Essentials Kit. Both products are now a thing of the past, and only the last remaining stock is available.

Themed Starter Sets are also released for special occasions. In the past, we've seen limited editions for Rick and Morty or Stranger Things.

Currently, there is a perfect product for beginners that takes the best from its predecessors: the improved Starter Set subtitled Dragons of Stormwreck Isle. Inside, you'll find a rulebook to guide you through your first adventure, condensed rules for playing characters, pre-generated character sheets, and a set of polyhedral dice. Then, you're all set to embark on your adventure!

Core Dungeons & Dragons rulebooks – what's inside?

All the Dungeons & Dragons rules you need to play are found in the three core rulebooks – the Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide, and Monster Manual. These beautifully illustrated hardcover books alone will provide hundreds of hours of fun before you decide to add expansion books.

What will you learn in each book? Do you need them all? And in what order should you buy them? If you already know you enjoy the game, all three books are available in a gift box, which will always look great on your shelf and includes a Dungeon Master's screen.

If you're still not convinced or want to invest in the game gradually, definitely start with the Player's Handbook. This book contains everything necessary for character creation and progression from level one to twenty. It also covers all the important rules for spellcasting, travel, combat, and everything else your characters will be doing.

Dungeon Master's Guide is the perfect tool for aspiring Dungeon Masters. The book helps you create your own world and advises on aspects you'll need during the game – how to build adventures, handle random encounters, and provides a list of magic items and treasures your heroes will want to loot.

If you already have experience running games and mainly need inspiration, you'll find the Monster Manual useful – a massive database of monsters containing all the stats important for the game. Beyond the numbers, each monster includes a description detailing its behavior, motivations, and how it interacts with other creatures. An experienced storyteller will find plenty of inspiration for many standalone adventures in this book.

Expansion books – which one to get?

Xanathar's Guide to Everything, Tasha's Cauldron of Everything, Monsters of the Multiverse, Volo’s Guide to Monsters – grand titles for beautiful hardcover books that bring a huge amount of bonus content to the game. Is it worth buying these books? And which one should you choose?

The answer depends on your playstyle. The core rulebooks are perfectly sufficient for playing Dungeons & Dragons, but if you like adding new elements and are looking for variety, each of these books will be a treasure trove of fun. Read our follow-up article to learn what's inside and which one is right for you.

Campaign and adventure books – how to choose?

Campaign and adventure books are perfect tools for every Dungeon Master. Some contain descriptions of regions or entire worlds where you can play – the book provides details on differences, new races, unique inhabitants, and everything that comes with exploring an unknown land.

In campaign books, you'll find a series of pre-prepared adventures that are playable either standalone or as a series of interconnected stories. Among the most famous representatives of these books are Curse of Strahd, Candlekeep Mysteries, or perhaps Guildmasters Guide to Ravnica, which transports Dungeons & Dragons players to the world of Magic: The Gathering. How do you navigate these books and choose the right one? Check out our article that breaks down the individual adventure books.

Books compatible with the fifth edition – what does that mean?

Besides the official books published by Wizards of the Coast, you may encounter other books labeled 5e/5th edition compatible. Such books offer new monsters, player races, classes, and entire new worlds where you can play while still using the Dungeons & Dragons fifth edition rules. You can try playing in Arthurian legends, on islands inspired by Philippine culture, or play Dungeons & Dragons in a modern world of international espionage. Simply put, compatible books offer you a lot of new possibilities.

author: Michal Dlouhý