With the release of so many source books lately, its hard to find an updated buyers guide that includes the more recent ones.
That being said, What is the best +1 for my $$? Thinking of buying a new one, but want as many player options as possible unlocked when I do. Thoughts?
I'll second Xanathar's Guide for players options. In addition to the above reasons, you also get common magic items. (And the subclasses and spells are great.)
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A fool pulls the leaves. A brute chops the trunk. A sage digs the roots.
Xanathar's Guide, far and away. It's got a ton of subclasses for every class, plus lots of extra spells.
This. Xanathar's gives the most, best content out of the +1 options. The only reason to pick one of the others is some kind of niche builds that rely on special content, such as the melee cantrips in the SCAG.
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Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Xanathar's is definitely the best if you plan on using any of the included spells or sub-classes. That said, if you plan on making a more melee-centric build, SCAG and EEPG both have very good options and I gather that the new Wildmount guide also has a couple very powerful sub-classes and a selection of new spells (though it is not currently AL legal).
So, if you are not playing a spell-focused class and the sub-classes in XGtE don't thrill you, definitely check out the other sources first. But if you do like those types of classes/sub-classes, then Xanathar's should be your go-to.
Edit:
The only full-caster class that I might make without using Xanathar's as my +1 would be a wizard.
I may be mistaken, but I've been told that spell scrolls count as mundane equipment, so you can still buy spell scrolls from the XGtE selection. But, even if spell scrolls are not available at your table (for whatever reason), you can still scribe scrolls from other wizards, who will most likely have selected XGtE as their +1, giving you access to those spells regardless of your own +1 and helping them gain access to non-XGtE spells.
Thus, the grand benefit of being a wizard with a spell book.
On that note, be careful to remember that subclasses from non-Forgotten Realms books (Eberron, Wildemount, Ravnica) are not legal in adventurer's league! It would stink to buy a book for a particular subclass and then realize you can't use it.
No doubt Xanathar but for a particular character that you really want to try out you certainly can be effective with another, such as playing the Triton Paladin.
With the release of so many source books lately, its hard to find an updated buyers guide that includes the more recent ones.
That being said, What is the best +1 for my $$? Thinking of buying a new one, but want as many player options as possible unlocked when I do. Thoughts?
Xanathar's Guide, far and away. It's got a ton of subclasses for every class, plus lots of extra spells.
Wizard (Gandalf) of the Tolkien Club
I'll second Xanathar's Guide for players options. In addition to the above reasons, you also get common magic items. (And the subclasses and spells are great.)
A fool pulls the leaves. A brute chops the trunk. A sage digs the roots.
My Improved Lineage System
This. Xanathar's gives the most, best content out of the +1 options. The only reason to pick one of the others is some kind of niche builds that rely on special content, such as the melee cantrips in the SCAG.
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Tasha
Xanathar's is definitely the best if you plan on using any of the included spells or sub-classes. That said, if you plan on making a more melee-centric build, SCAG and EEPG both have very good options and I gather that the new Wildmount guide also has a couple very powerful sub-classes and a selection of new spells (though it is not currently AL legal).
So, if you are not playing a spell-focused class and the sub-classes in XGtE don't thrill you, definitely check out the other sources first. But if you do like those types of classes/sub-classes, then Xanathar's should be your go-to.
Edit:
The only full-caster class that I might make without using Xanathar's as my +1 would be a wizard.
I may be mistaken, but I've been told that spell scrolls count as mundane equipment, so you can still buy spell scrolls from the XGtE selection. But, even if spell scrolls are not available at your table (for whatever reason), you can still scribe scrolls from other wizards, who will most likely have selected XGtE as their +1, giving you access to those spells regardless of your own +1 and helping them gain access to non-XGtE spells.
Thus, the grand benefit of being a wizard with a spell book.
On that note, be careful to remember that subclasses from non-Forgotten Realms books (Eberron, Wildemount, Ravnica) are not legal in adventurer's league! It would stink to buy a book for a particular subclass and then realize you can't use it.
Wizard (Gandalf) of the Tolkien Club
No doubt Xanathar but for a particular character that you really want to try out you certainly can be effective with another, such as playing the Triton Paladin.
Marked with the sign of the Z!
Can't beat the spell selection from XGtE, unless you're playing melee and want the SCAG spells to go with it... my 2₵