Enrico Poli1
Adventurer
Hi! I'm a Grognard too. I personally use PHB only (NO Sword Coast, Xanathar, or Tasha). I do love Feats, but I don't like Multiclassing. So far I'm satisfied.
For that matter, every race except Standard Human, Dwarf, Elf, and Halfling are expressly called out as optional as well in the Player's Handbook.
My vote: ignore all of the above and download the file found here:
Basic Rules for Dungeons & Dragons | Dungeons & Dragons
It's the complete 20 level game, stripped down to the races and classes you're used to. It's available as a free download from the Wizards of the Coast website.
The easiest approach IMO is to start there and worry about adding more later.
I would suggest PHB only for the first six months. Mainly because as an old AD&D Dm also; I still try to use my AD&D knowledge of spells. As an Adventure League DM the Players +1 is okay too. And then hit the DM's Guild and other locations to find ports of the old AD&D modules which have been updated to 5E.Thanks, good advice so far. Especially regarding resource management...thanks Flamestrike!
I do intend to use RAW as much as possible. Over the years I've developed an aversion to house rules until I'm very familiar with the system.
Welcome aboard. I'm not going to try to tell you what you should be comfortable with in terns of options -- nothing's broken on it's face but things may noy fit your preferences. Limiting the number of books you have to flip through can be helpful, but you know your tolerence best.
Rather, I will strongly advise that you approach 5e as a completely different, new game rather than an rehash of D&D you're familiar with. There are a number of changes under the hood (spells being huge), so approach this as something new and you'll get more out of it. Read the DMG! Even if you already "know how to run" there's a lot in there about how this edition runs.
So, what sources are actually available for options? Apart from the PH, I'm aware of Xanathar's and UA. Then, the setting specific options like the Sword Coast. I'm not familiar with Tashas...