Newbie considering DMing, which 5e products are worth it? /u/jan_Zenny DnD: Roll for Initiative!

Hi,

My significant other and I enjoyed our first session of DnD 5e (non-2024) as players, now we’re both also interested in DMing. Personally, I’ve been a fan for years, but never got around to playing – until recently. Before I/we blindly buy everything (and to protect our wallets…), I would like to know about the different products. I’m also a bit confused by the mass of books.

So far, we have the PHB and DMG.

1) MONSTER MANUAL(S) These are confusing to me. There’s the Monster Manual, then the Tome of Foes, then Volo’s Guide, and finally Monsters of the Multiverse. What are the differences? Which is “best”? Should I get one of these, two, all…?

2) ESSENTIALS KIT I’ve read this includes Lost Mines of Phandelver, which was apparently very well received. Maybe a good idea thanks to simplified rules?

3) XANATHAR & TASHA I’ve read and heard so much about these, seems like they are awesome. I’m almost certain I’ll grab them.

4) FIZBAN’S GUIDE TO DRAGONS I’ve seen it mentioned once or twice. Not really worth it?

5) GLORY OF THE GIANTS I’ve seen it mentioned… exactly zero times. Apparently people don’t like or don’t use this book?

6) Any good adventure guides? The Sword Coast Adventure Guide sounds decent, but I don’t see people mentioning it. The bigger adventures, some spanning two whole books, are a bit daunting. Curse of Strahd, afaik is highly recommended, though maybe not for beginners…?

Thanks for your insights and feedback!

Hi,

My significant other and I enjoyed our first session of DnD 5e (non-2024) as players, now we’re both also interested in DMing. Personally, I’ve been a fan for years, but never got around to playing – until recently. Before I/we blindly buy everything (and to protect our wallets…), I would like to know about the different products. I’m also a bit confused by the mass of books.

So far, we have the PHB and DMG.

1) MONSTER MANUAL(S) These are confusing to me. There’s the Monster Manual, then the Tome of Foes, then Volo’s Guide, and finally Monsters of the Multiverse. What are the differences? Which is “best”? Should I get one of these, two, all…?

2) ESSENTIALS KIT I’ve read this includes Lost Mines of Phandelver, which was apparently very well received. Maybe a good idea thanks to simplified rules?

3) XANATHAR & TASHA I’ve read and heard so much about these, seems like they are awesome. I’m almost certain I’ll grab them.

4) FIZBAN’S GUIDE TO DRAGONS I’ve seen it mentioned once or twice. Not really worth it?

5) GLORY OF THE GIANTS I’ve seen it mentioned… exactly zero times. Apparently people don’t like or don’t use this book?

6) Any good adventure guides? The Sword Coast Adventure Guide sounds decent, but I don’t see people mentioning it. The bigger adventures, some spanning two whole books, are a bit daunting. Curse of Strahd, afaik is highly recommended, though maybe not for beginners…?

Thanks for your insights and feedback!