D&D: Our Five Favorite 5E Books This Year
The year is winding down, and that means it’s time to look at our favorite things from this past year. Here are our favorite 5E Books.
2021 was a banner year for 5th Edition. This year saw books that run the gamut from legally distinct Hogwarts to a book about basilisk buds and everything in between. Including an Advanced rules overhaul. There’s a lot to pick from this year, but here are our five favorite 5E Books from 2021.
Vault of Magic – $29.99
This one snuck in during the last couple of months, but it’s absolutely worth grabbing. Vault of Magic is a literal treasure trove of magic items. Each one feels distinct. You can build a whole adventure around folding one of these items. Or you can just add a dash of incredible flavor with a quick magic ring. Whatever you need, this is one of our favorite 5E Books.
“Inside Vault of Magic, you’ll find a vast treasure trove of enchanted items of every imaginable use—more than 900 in all! There are plenty of armors, weapons, potions, rings, and wands, but that’s just for starters. From mirrors to masks, edibles to earrings, and lanterns to lockets, it’s all here, ready for you to use in your 5th Edition game.”
This 240-page volume includes:
- More than 30 unique items developed by special guests, including Patrick Rothfuss, Gail Simone, Deborah Ann Woll, and Luke Gygax
- Fabled items that grow in power as characters rise in levels
- New item themes, such as monster-inspired, clockwork, and apprentice wizards
- Hundreds of full-color illustrations
- 25 treasure-generation tables sorted by rarity and including magic items from the core rules
Minsc And Boo’s Journal of Villainy – $14.95
This book also flew under the radar of many players. But it’s chock full of some of the best villains you could hope to find. With high CR monsters that feel a little more dynamic, this is easily one of our favorite 5E Books.
From the Journal of the Legendary Ranger and his Pet Hamster
A century has passed since the Bhaalspawn fought over the legacy of their father — Bhaal, the Lord of Murder. Two heroes witnessed the epic struggle firsthand — the ranger Minsc and his faithful companion, Boo.
Minsc and Boo were able to track down old friends and hated enemies and find out what they’ve been up to over the past century. They’ve compiled everything into this journal, edited by the traveler extraordinaire, Volo Geddarm.
Included in this journal are four cities, including Athkatla and Baldur’s Gate; ten group patrons led by some of Minsc and Boo’s old friends; a dozen new monsters; six arch villains and eleven dastardly henchmen.
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
Released after a phenomenally successful Kickstarter, Level Up is the answer to your 5th Edition doldrums. With maneuvers for every martial class, an expanded list of spells, and revised monsters that feel like they’re dangerous and dynamic.
“In this guide to Level Up, the advanced roleplaying game, you will find everything you need to play. Create diverse and unique heroes, engage in epic combat with villainous foes, cast powerful spells, and build mighty strongholds!”
This core rulebook includes:
- A unique origin system which allows you to select your heritage, culture, background, and destiny!
- Details of adventuring gear, weapons, armor, vehicles, and strongholds.
- Full rules for combat and adventuring.
- Hundreds of spells, combat maneuvers, exploration knacks, and other exciting abilities!
- An advanced rule system which adds depth to the core 5th Edition rules while maintaining full compatibility.
Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
“Discover the mysteries of Ravenloft, mist-shrouded lands where infamous Darklords lurk among ageless vampires, zombie hordes, cosmic terrors, and worse. Then make your choice. Will you create your own Domains of Dread, settings to host endless terrifying adventures? Or will you join the ranks of haunted heroes who embrace macabre lineages, dual-edged Dark Gifts, haunted subclasses, and other forbidden powers?
Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft contains material for both players and Dungeon Masters to craft a horror-themed campaign for Dungeons & Dragons. Unleash a treasure trove of new story hooks, character options, and campaign customization to bring one of the most exciting Dungeons & Dragons settings to life!”
Arcadia
Not technically a book, per se, but Arcadia is a 5E zine/compendium/codex–whatever you want to call it, it’s a great time. Arcadia feels like a return of the glory days of dungeon. It’s a place for 5E experiments and stories, the sorts of things that spark your own creativity for the game. You can jump in with issue 1 in the MCDM productions shop.
The Workshop Watches by Leon Barillaro. This is a short adventure for 5th-level characters featuring S.A.M.: a sapient magician’s workshop that’s literally developed a mind of its own. 😀
Titan Heart, a new Sorcerer subclass, from Gabe Hicks. Sorcerers who literally have the blood of titans in their veins! Includes new spells, a sample NPC, and even a Titan Heart Sorcerer Retainer!
Jumping on Mounted Combat by Willy Abeel. New rules for taming monsters, and the “mount version” of six existing creatures. Basically, more reasons to use mounts, rather than an alternate mounted combat ruleset. And a short scenario using these new options!
Uqaviel, the Recreant by Sadie Lowry. Two high-CR celestial enemies to use in your game, two fallen angels with a unique story. How you use them is up to you, maybe Uqaviel seeks your help in defeating the dark angel that betrayed him!
What were your favorite 5E books in 2021
