Xanathar has good options and info for players. If you are not going to be a DM then the DMG doesn’t apply to you and you really shouldn’t by reading the Monster Manual because you will eventually be in danger of meta gaming.
The DMG really isn't necessary, even as a DM. Xanathar's Guide has answers to a lot of stuff in the DMG, but often done better, like random encounter tables, magic item tables, backstory ideas, etc. For stuff not covered in Xanathar's, just ask here on DnD Beyond. As a player AND as a DM, I recommend Xanathar's Guide to Everything.
Considering the price, I would buy a boxed set of PHB - DMG - PHB and loan your current copy of the PHB to your friends. Later, pick up the others because they are all worth a read just for the stimulation of your imagination.
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All three are good books. If you're not the DM, then IMO, you shouldn't get the DM's Guide or the Monster manual, as the information contained in them would give you info that you're character wouldn't have.
Rather than get the DM guide, I would print out a free DM screen like this: https://imgur.com/a/IXjjg
I printed it and put it in a binder (in plastic sleeves), along with some other stuff (like price lists for standard adventuring gear, and rules for grappling or other weird combat situations), for easy reference. Plus a few monster stat blocks, some level 3 pregen character sheets, etc.
My goal is to be able to run a whole game out of a small binder, rather than hundreds of pages of books. Those few DM screen pages contain the most useful rules that are scattered across 3 books. (The 3 core rule books are utterly awful for running a game from--why there aren't a few pages at the beginning with these basic rules is beyond me.)
I think it's helpful if the players have access to those DM screen rules, so they have a better idea of what they can do, or what various conditions mean.
I only have the PH, and I want to buy another book, which one should I get?
Thanks for your suggestion, I'm leaning towards Xanathar's guide, just because of all the subclass options.
Xanathar has good options and info for players. If you are not going to be a DM then the DMG doesn’t apply to you and you really shouldn’t by reading the Monster Manual because you will eventually be in danger of meta gaming.
All of them. Start with the DMG.
SAUCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The DMG really isn't necessary, even as a DM. Xanathar's Guide has answers to a lot of stuff in the DMG, but often done better, like random encounter tables, magic item tables, backstory ideas, etc. For stuff not covered in Xanathar's, just ask here on DnD Beyond. As a player AND as a DM, I recommend Xanathar's Guide to Everything.
Considering the price, I would buy a boxed set of PHB - DMG - PHB and loan your current copy of the PHB to your friends. Later, pick up the others because they are all worth a read just for the stimulation of your imagination.
Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt
All three are good books. If you're not the DM, then IMO, you shouldn't get the DM's Guide or the Monster manual, as the information contained in them would give you info that you're character wouldn't have.
Rather than get the DM guide, I would print out a free DM screen like this: https://imgur.com/a/IXjjg
I printed it and put it in a binder (in plastic sleeves), along with some other stuff (like price lists for standard adventuring gear, and rules for grappling or other weird combat situations), for easy reference. Plus a few monster stat blocks, some level 3 pregen character sheets, etc.
My goal is to be able to run a whole game out of a small binder, rather than hundreds of pages of books. Those few DM screen pages contain the most useful rules that are scattered across 3 books. (The 3 core rule books are utterly awful for running a game from--why there aren't a few pages at the beginning with these basic rules is beyond me.)
I think it's helpful if the players have access to those DM screen rules, so they have a better idea of what they can do, or what various conditions mean.