Level Up A5E: Which Core Book Should You Buy First?
By Modiphius US | Published: 2026-10-21
Category: Buying Guides
New to Level Up A5E? This guide helps you decide which core book to buy first: the Adventurers Guide, Monstrous Menagerie, Trials & Treasures, or the Starter Box.
Quick answer
Start with the Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition - Adventurers Guide if you want the complete player and GM core rules in one book. If you're on a budget or just testing the system, the Starter Box is a better first purchase.
Why the Adventurers Guide is the true starting point
The Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition - Adventurers Guide is the main rulebook. It contains all the rules for creating characters, running combat, casting spells, and building strongholds. Without it, you lack the core mechanics needed to play the game. The other books—Monstrous Menagerie and Trials & Treasures—are supplements that expand on specific areas.
The Starter Box as an alternative entry
If you're unsure about committing to the full system, the Starter Box offers a condensed experience at a lower price. It includes pre-generated characters, a short adventure, and simplified rules. This is a great way to see if the deeper character options and exploration rules of A5E suit your group before investing in the full Adventurers Guide.
When to buy Monstrous Menagerie or Trials & Treasures first
If you already own the Adventurers Guide, the next best purchase depends on your campaign needs. The Monstrous Menagerie is essential for GMs who want a wide variety of monsters and templates. Trials & Treasures is ideal if your game focuses on travel, exploration, and magic item crafting. Neither replaces the core rulebook.
How to choose your first Level Up A5E book
- You want the full game experience: Buy the Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition - Adventurers Guide. It's the only book that contains all the core rules for players and GMs.
- You're new to A5E and want a low-cost trial: Start with the Starter Box. It includes a simplified version of the rules and a short adventure to test the system. If you enjoy the Starter Box, upgrade to the Adventurers Guide next.
- You already own the Adventurers Guide and need monsters: Add the Monstrous Menagerie. It provides nearly 600 monsters, variants, and templates to populate your game.
- You already own the Adventurers Guide and focus on exploration or magic items: Add Trials & Treasures. It contains journey and exploration rules, over 500 magic items, and crafting rules.
Product facts
- Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition - Adventurers Guide: This 600+ page core rulebook includes an origin system with heritage, culture, background, and destiny, plus details on adventuring gear. You need this book to create characters and run the game; it's the only book that covers the full rules for play.
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition - Adventurers Guide - Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition - Starter Box: Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition (A5E) is a standalone game that enhances the 5E ruleset, developed through extensive public playtests and surveys. The Starter Box gives you a low-cost way to try the enhanced rules without buying the full core rulebook.
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition - Starter Box
Who should buy what
Best for
- New players and GMs who want the complete rules in one book: Adventurers Guide
- Budget-conscious or curious players: Starter Box
Not for
- Players who already own the Adventurers Guide and want to expand their game: the Starter Box is too basic
