The 10 Best DnD Books of 2024
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2024 was a huge year for Dungeons & Dragons, with the game celebrating it’s 50th anniversary and seeing the launch of a new updated version of the fifth edition rules. Over the course of the year there were also a number of major new DnD books hitting both physical and digital shelves.
So which ones are actually worth adding to your collection? To help sort through the library of new releases we’ve put together a few of our favorite picks from both Wizards of the Coast and third-party publishers. So prepare for a look back at some of the biggest critical hits of the past year as we crack open… the 10 best DnD books of 2024.
10. The Book of Many Things
Release Date: January 5th, 2024
Why We Picked It: Inspired by the legendary Deck of Many Things—a magical artifact infamous for derailing countless DnD campaigns—The Book of Many Things is a complete box set that includes a deck of 66 cards, an 80-page reference guide, and a 192-page sourcebook with new backgrounds, magic items and monster statblocks. While it might not have resonated with all fans, we thought it was a unique product packed with a ton of content that can be easily shuffled into just about DnD campaign.
9. Vecna: Eve of Ruin
Release Date: May 21st, 2024
Why We Picked It: Over the past few years, one of the biggest complaints among DnD players is that there aren’t enough high level campaigns. That’s why Vecna: Eve of Ruin was a much needed entry in 2024, taking players from Levels 10 to 20 on an epic journey through the multiverse to thwart one of DnD’s most infamous villains. While the campaign may have had a touch too much railroading at times, it’s still a solid high level adventure that’s worth picking up and is definitely worth running if your group is looking for a challenge.
8. The Griffon’s Saddlebag: Book Two
Release Date: December 18th, 2024
Why We Picked It: One amazing things we saw in 2024 was the inclusion of more third-party content on D&D Beyond. A great example of this is Hit Point Press’The Griffon’s Saddlebag: Book Two. This 416 page title includes 500 illustrated magic items, along with 100 monster stat blocks, a dozen new subclasses, two new playable races and several new campaign settings with accompanying adventure hooks and NPCs. It’s an amazing sourcebook that’s an absolute treasure trove of DnD 5e content and proves that the best DnD content is often being produced outside of Wizards of the Coast.
7. Book of Ebon Tides
Release Date: August 26th, 2024
Why We Picked It: Originally published by Kobold Press in 2022 and re-released for D&D Beyond in 2024, Book of Ebon Tides is a 250 page supplement that explores the Shadow Realm, a mysterious plane of existence filled with a range of unique creatures and characters. The book includes new subclasses, species, magic items, monsters and spells. The end result is an amazing third-party sourcebook for DnD 5e that explores one of the most unusual and overlooked corners of the multiverse.
6. Humblewood Campaign Setting
Release Date: February 12th, 2024
Why We Picked It: Another excellent third-party DnD offering from Hit Point Press, Humblewood Campaign Setting was first published in 2019 but re-released for D&D Beyond in 2024. In the book players take on the role of anthropomorphic animals in a unique fantasy forest known as Everden. The book includes a complete adventure designed to take characters from Levels 1 to 5, plus features new races, subclasses, backgrounds, feats, spells, magic items and monsters. It’s one of the most compelling DnD settings in recent years and something that fans of all ages will likely love.
5. Frontiers of Eberron: Quickstone
Release Date: September 2nd, 2024
Why We Picked It: In 2024 we saw a triumphant return to the DnD campaign setting of Eberron. Written by award-winning designer Keith Baker (the original creator of Eberron), Quickstone blends traditional fantasy tropes with a Wild West theme. The book also includes a gazetteer of a previously unexplored region of Eberron, plus new subclasses, backgrounds, species, feats, magic items and new rules for arcane duelling – all of which are compatible with the DnD 2024 rules. It also includes an adventure arc by game designer Imogen Gingell that takes characters from Levels 1 to 5. It’s an incredible supplement that fans of Eberron will love but also has plenty of compelling content that can be ported over into other campaign settings.
4. The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying
Release Date: November 25th, 2024
Why We Picked It: It’s no secret that the original Dungeons & Dragons game was heavily influenced by J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings books. In 2024, things have come full circle, with the world of Middle Earth officially appearing on D&D Beyond. Created by Free League (and based on the original One Ring RPG), The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying includes new classes, species, backgrounds, feats and monster stats. It also introduces new rules for travelling and acquiring patrons, in addition to offering a full setting guide to the kingdom of Eriador in the period just prior to the legendary War of the Ring. The end result is a major milestone in the history of both DnD and Middle Earth.
3. Quests from the Infinite Staircase
Release Date: July 16th, 2024
Why We Picked It: This epic collection features six of the most famous adventures in DnD history, all of which are updated for the fifth edition rules. Quests from the Infinite Staircase also includes additional lore around the legendary “Infinite Staircase” and introduces the new character of Nafas, a powerful genie who hears wishes made throughout the multiverse and recruits heroes to fulfill them. It’s an absolute must-have for both new and longtime Dungeons & Dragons fans, and breathes new life into some of the game’s most iconic modules.
2. New Player’s Handbook
Release Date: September 17th, 2024
What is It: In 2024 we witnessed one of the biggest DnD book releases in over a decade: the new Player’s Handbook. While technically it’s a revised version of the existing fifth edition Player’s Handbook published back in 2014, the book also introduces some significant changes, including updates to all major classes and subclasses, along with a new approach to backgrounds and species. The book also features a new Weapons Mastery system, along with new Crafting rules. It’s also been overhauled in terms of its structure, making it more accessible for both new and returning players. It’s a significant improvement to the rules and a major step forward in the evolution of Dungeons & Dragons.
1. New Dungeon Master’s Guide
Release Date: November 12th, 2024
What Is It: Another milestone in DnD histor, the 2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide represents a massive improvement over its 2014 iteration. The book features an revised structure that makes it easier for DMs find rules and content, and even features a sample campaign world on the legendary Greyhawk setting. It also introduces a number of new and enhanced rules, including the new Bastion system. It’s easily one of the best DMGs of all time and hands down our top pick for the best DnD book of 2024.
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Ollie Delano is a Staff Writer who lives in Chicago, Illinois where he majored in Journalism at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. He’s been playing Dungeons & Dragons for over 10 years and currently plays in a weekly game group where he rolls way too many natural 1s and chugs way too much Mountain Dew. His favorite D&D campaign setting is Eberron and his favorite character to play was a Tiefling rogue named Draxiss who enjoys both literal and figurative backstabbing.
