D&D 5E DMs which books do allow players to use

[el-remmen]

Not sure what to vote.

I started with PHB only but have been slowly allowing players to substitute for some abilities in Tasha's/Xanathar's if they are interested and it makes sense to me and I only introduce spells from those sources as in-game finds/events.

If it were a choice I'd vote: Core + case by case basis.

 

[Burnside]

My default isn't listed, which would be that I pretty much always allow PHB, Volo's, Tasha's, Xanathar's, Mordenkainen's, and now Fizban's - i.e. the stuff that isn't setting-specific.

Other sourcebooks would be based on the campaign setting. So if the campaign is set in FR, add SCAG to the list. If it's in Eberron, add Rising from the Last War, etc.

If a player wants to use something from a book I'm not including, we'll talk about it and see if it can work as an add-in, or if there is maybe some way to get at their character concept while using the materials on offer.

For something like Curse of Strahd where characters can be drawn into Barovia from pretty much anywhere, I would allow almost any official material.

Having said that, the Echo Knight from Explorer's Guide to Wildemount is on my banned list, and the Twilight Cleric from Tasha's is on thin ice with me.

 

[not-so-newguy]

I restricted my campaign options to PHB only. Most of the players are first-timers to 5e (or ttrpg's in general). I have trouble enough having to track & teach spell casting for the Wizard, Bard, Warlock, Cleric et al. Throw in another hardback book with players options and I'll go bonkers.

Don't get me wrong; I think this is the best group of players that I ever DM'ed. We're four months into the campaign and they're still very enthusiastic to play. Also they trust my judgement. (Aside: I think a lot of problems of DM vs Players boils down to trust.)

 

[JiffyPopTart]

How was there not an option for "All WotC content"? That's my table.

 

[Maxperson]

I put down anything, but that's not entirely accurate. I allow any WotC product to be used, but reserve the right to change or ban specific things for reasons. 3rd party products have to be explicitly approved on a case-by-case basis. Just because I allow a feat or subclass from a 3rd party product, does not mean that all feats or subclasses from that product will be allowed.

 

[Scribe]

It's been just WotC 'anything' but curated however with Level Up and a few other 3rd Party item I'm looking at I'm going to expand that.

 

[Eltab]

PHB + Xanathar + current campaign book (if any). Add + Tasha to the equation after I finally get around to reading it.

Anything official I will look at presuming it will be added.

Anything third-party I will look at presuming it will not be added.
But it might turn out to be neat and effective and not a headache to use, so I might accept it after all.

 

[Hussar]

Anything goes. Last campaign had a sentient skeleton as a PC. Current campaign features an Aboleth's dream that has taken human form.

Very much open to anything.

 

[Swarmkeeper]

Current Curse of Strahd/Ravenloft West Marches campaign: All WotC published hard covers are fair game but not Tasha's custom lineage or (at least to start) Ravenloft Lineages. Monstrous races, Theros, and Ravnica are off limits after the first 3 characters (players in our campaign may have a pool of 3 PCs - if one dies or retires, they can create a new level 1 PC).
Most players are currently unaware: if their character dies at 2nd level or higher and the body is unaccounted for, they can return (minus a level) as a Ravenloft lineage at some later point, if the player wants. Three (of 13 non-DM) players do know this but haven't invoked it yet.

 

[Greg K]

If I was to run 5e, it will be the online beginner set + select items from the PHB and Xanathar's + possibly, the fighter stuff from Tasha's (-the subclasses) + a bunch of select third party material.