New D&D Book Releases in 2025: Monster Manual, Anthologies, and More

By Mike Bernier

Published on January 21, 2025, Last modified on January 29th, 2025

Explore D&D’s 2025 release schedule, featuring the new Monster Manual, dragon-filled adventures, a new starter set, Forgotten Realms, and Eberron!

Arcane Eye may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn more.

D&D’s 2025 Release Schedule

In the past, Wizards of the Coast’s release cycle for Dungeons & Dragons books has followed a familiar pattern, with a combination of core rulebooks, expansions, adventures, and accessories. Looking ahead to 2025, we’ll see a busy release schedule to accommodate the release of the 2025 Monster Manual, the last of the new core rulebooks, to roll out in February.

February 18 – A Massive Monster Menagerie

The 2025 Monster Manual will be rolling out to Dungeon Masters everywhere on February 18. D&D Beyond Master Tier subscribers can access the D&D Beyond digital version of the book starting February 4, and Hero Tier subscribers can access starting on February 11.

2025 Monster Manual

Release Date: Feb 18

With over 500 monsters—including 75 new monsters—the 2025 Monster Manual is the biggest of its kind. Each returning monster has been rebalanced for the new core ruleset and a new stat block design will help promote streamlined play.

Q2 – Dive into Dragon-Filled Dungeons

Dragons have always been one of the most exciting elements of D&D, and for the first adventure book using 2025 rules, D&D has decided to return to its roots: Dragons in dungeons. D&D will release an anthology adventure book dedicated to the game’s most iconic creatures—dragons. This book will feature ten short adventures, each weaving dragons and dungeons into thrilling narratives.

Untitled Dragon Anthology

Release Date: Q2 – TBD

In this anthology, the new design of D&D’s dragons in the 2025 Monster Manual will take center stage. Based on what we know, there will a collection of 10 short adventures, and seeing as there are five types of chromatic and metallic dragons each, it seems to reason that the book will focus on a particular dragon for each adventure.

Q3 – New Starter Set

Getting started with the new D&D ruleset will be a breeze thanks to a revamped Starter Set aimed at new players. Like previous Starter Set products, this kit will likely be packed with all the essentials for an unforgettable tabletop experience, including pre-generated characters, simplified rules, and a guided adventure that teaches the game step by step.

Untitled Journey to the Borderlands

Release Date: Q3 – TBD

D&D’s new starter set promises an unparalleled introduction to the game, using components to teach new players the ropes in an engaging, hands-on way. Set in the Borderlands, this box has been confirmed to take adventurers through three key locations: the Keep on the Borderlands, the surrounding wilderness, and the infamous Caves of Chaos.

Q4 – Return to the Forgotten Realms

The Forgotten Realms is one of the most iconic settings in tabletop gaming, and it’s making a grand return with fresh updates for both players and Dungeon Masters. There are two upcoming sourcebooks promised to bring this legendary world to life in exciting new ways: A DM-focused campaign setting and a player-centric book of character options.

Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting

Release Date: Q4 – TBD

The DM-focused Forgotten Realms book provides a gazeteer of iconic locations such as Baldur’s Gate for urban fantasy, Icewind Dale for survival horror, the Dalelands for classic high fantasy, the Moonshae Isles for political intrigue, and finally the exotic land of Calimshan. If other sourcebooks are anything to go by, it will also contain one (or many) short adventures, magic items, and more.

Forgotten Realms Player Guide

Release Date: Q4 – TBD

This book supposedly caters to players and has been confirmed to include new subclasses, feats, backgrounds, spells, and information on joining factions like the Harpers and the Red Wizards of Thay.

TBA – Eberron

The world of Eberron, with its unique blend of noir and magic, is set to make waves again. Wizards of the Coast has hinted at big things for this setting, and fans are eagerly awaiting what’s next.

Untitled Eberron Book

Release Date: TBA

Eberron is a land where magic and industry intertwine to create a setting unlike any other. Wizards of the Coast released UA for the new Artificer class, which was originally introduced in an Eberron book, meaning a new, unannounced  book may be on the horizon.

Mike Bernier

Mike Bernier is the lead content writer and founder of Arcane Eye. He is a Adamantine best-selling author of Strixhaven: A Syllabus of Sorcery on DMs Guild and is a contributing author at D&D Beyond. Follow Mike on Twitter.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.