PHB

PHB stands for Player's Handbook, a core rulebook in several editions of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy tabletop role-playing game. The acronym is widely used within the game's community to refer to the player-facing reference book for a given edition. The Player's Handbook provides the rules and content that players use to create and advance characters, including ability scores, classes, races (or species), backgrounds, proficiency rules, equipment, and class features. It also contains the spell lists and spellcasting rules for magic-using characters and general adventuring rules such as combat, skills, ability checks, saving throws, and conditions treated from a player's perspective. The PHB is designed to be complemented by the Dungeon Master's Guide and the Monster Manual, which provide game master-oriented rules and monster statistics, respectively.

In the 5th edition of D&D, released in 2014 by Wizards of the Coast, the PHB consolidates core player options: races, subclasses for each class, backgrounds, equipment, and a unified spellcasting system. It emphasizes streamlined mechanics, standardized ability checks, and a balance framework for party play. The 5e PHB has appeared in multiple printings and digital formats, with errata and updates published periodically. Beyond 5e, the term PHB has been used for similar player handbooks in earlier editions (for example, the 3rd edition and 3.5 edition Player's Handbook), each with edition-specific rules and terminology.

Overall, the PHB remains a fundamental reference for players, defining how characters are created, advanced, and used in play, while the DMG and Monster Manual cover the tools needed by the game master and the game's creatures.