Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set

The Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set is a set of rulebooks for the Dungeons &
Dungeons & Dragons
Dragons (D&D) fantasy role-playing game. First published in 1977, it saw a handful
of revisions and reprintings. The first edition was written byJ. Eric Holmes based on
Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson's original work. Later editions were edited by Tom
Moldvay, Dave Cook, and Frank Mentzer.

The Basic Set details the essential concepts of the D&D game. It gives rules for
character creation and advancement for player characters at beginning levels. It also
includes information on how to play adventures inside dungeons for both players
and the Dungeon Master.

Contents
1977 version Dungeons & Dragons 1977 Basic
1981 revision Set boxart
1983 revision Author Based on the work of
1991 revision Gary Gygax and Dave
1994 revision Arneson
Reception J. Eric Holmes (1977
References version)
External links Tom Moldvay (1981
version)
Frank Mentzer (1983
version)
1977 version Troy Denning (1991
The original Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set (TSR 1001) was published by TSR, version)
Inc. in 1977.[1] Doug Stewart (1994
version)
TSR hired outside writer John Eric Holmes to produce the Basic Set as an
Genre Role-playing game
introductory version of the D&D game. It incorporates concepts from the original
1974 D&D boxed set plus the Supplement I: Greyhawk.[2] The rulebook covers Publisher TSR, Inc.
characters of levels one through three, rules for adventuring in dungeons, and Publication 1977, 1981, 1983,
introduces the concepts of the game, and explained the game's concepts and method date 1991, 1994
of play in terms that made it accessible to new players ages twelve and above who
Media type Boxed set
might not be familiar with tabletop miniatures wargaming. Although the Basic Set
was not fully compatible withAdvanced Dungeons & Dragons, players were expected to continue play beyond third level by moving
to AD&D,[2][3] which began to be released later that year.Holmes preferred a lighter tone with more room for personal improvisation,
while Gary Gygax, who wrote the advanced game, wanted an expansive game with rulings on any conceivable situation which might
[2]
come up during play, a document which could be used to arbitrate disputes at tournaments.

The first Basic Set was available as a 48-page stand-alone rulebook featuring artwork by David C. Sutherland III, or as part of a
boxed set, which was packaged in a larger, more visually appealing box than the original boxed set, allowing the game to be stocked
on retail shelves and targeted at the general public via toy stores.[4] The boxed set included a set of polyhedral dice and supplemental
materials.[2] In that same year, Games Workshop (U.K.) published their own version of the rulebook, with a cover by John Blanche,
and illustrations by Fangorn.[2] Supplemental materials appearing in the boxed set included geomorphs, monster and treasure lists,
and a set of polyhedral dice.[5]

For a period in 1979, TSR experienced a dice shortage. Basic sets published during this time frame came with two sheets of
[6] The rulebook also
numbered cutout cardstock chits that functioned in lieu of dice, along with a coupon for ordering dice from TSR.
included a brief sample dungeon with a full-page map. Starting with the fourth printing in 1978, the two booklets of maps, encounter
tables, and treasure lists were replaced with the module B1 In Search of the Unknown;[2] printings six through eleven (1979–1982)
featured the module B2The Keep on the Borderlands instead.[2]

1981 revision
After the release of the AD&D game, the Basic Set saw a major revision in 1981 by
editor Tom Moldvay.[2] The game was not brought in line with AD&D but instead
further away from that ruleset, and thus the basic D&D game became a separate and
distinct product from TSR’s flagship game AD&D. The former was promoted as a
continuation of the tone of original D&D, while AD&D was an advancement of the
mechanics.[7]

The revised version of the set included a larger, sixty-four page rule book with a red
border and a color cover by Erol Otus, the module B2 The Keep on the Borderlands,
six polyhedral dice,[2] and a marking crayon.[6] The book was predrilled for use in a
three-ringed binder, and the complete set of polyhedral dice came in a heat-sealed
bag with a small black wax crayon to use in marking the dice.[8] Cardboard chits
[2]
were briefly included in place of dice when TSR's source dried up.

With the revision of the Basic Set, discrete rulesets for higher character levels were
introduced as expansions for the basic game.[9] The Moldvay Basic Set was The cover of the rulebook from the
immediately followed by the accompanying release of an Expert Set edited by Dave 1981 Basic Set. Cover art by Erol
Otus.
Cook that supported character levels four through fourteen, with the intent that
players would continue with the Expert Set.[2][10] The revised rulebooks were
visually distinct from the original rules: the Holmes booklet had a blueprint-style pale blue cover, while the Moldvay Basic Set and
.[11]
Cook Expert Set booklets had bright red and blue covers, respectively

1983 revision
In 1983, the Basic Set was revised again, this time by Frank Mentzer, and redubbed Dungeons & Dragons Set 1: Basic Rules. The set
included a sixty-four pagePlayers Manual,[12] a forty-eight page Dungeon Masters Rulebook,[12] six dice,[2] and in sets in which the
dice were not painted, a crayon.[6] The 1983 revision was packaged in a distinctive red box, and featured cover art by Larry
Elmore.[2] Between 1983 and 1985, the system was revised and expanded by Mentzer as a series of five boxed sets, including the
Basic Rules (red cover), Expert Rules (blue),[13] Companion Rules (teal, supporting levels fifteen through twenty-five),[14] Master
Rules (black, supporting levels twenty-six through thirty-six),[15] and Immortal Rules (gold, supporting Immortals, characters who
had transcended levels).[16] Instead of an adventure module, the Basic Set rulebooks included a solo adventure and an introductory
scenario to be run by the Dungeon Master.[2]

The rules for the game were little changed from the Moldvay set, but the presentation was overhauled into a more tutorial form, to
[17]
make the game easier for younger players to learn.

The 10th Anniversary Dungeons & Dragons Collector's Set boxed set, published by TSR in 1984, included the rulebooks from the
Basic, Expert, and Companion sets; modules AC2, AC3, B1, B2, and M1 Blizzard Pass; Player Character Record Sheets; and dice.
This set was limited to a thousand copies, and was sold by mail and atGenCon 17.[2]:147
1991 revision
In 1991, TSR released a new version of the Basic Set, labeled as The New Easy-to-
Master Dungeons & Dragons Game, and nicknamed the "black box". This version
was principally designed by Troy Denning and made very few changes to the game.
It included support for characters up to fifth level, instead of the third-level limit of
prior Basic Set versions.[18]

The rules are presented twice, once in a 64-page rule book and again in the Dungeon
Card Learning Pack, a set of 48 cards that also includes four-page supplementary
mini-adventures. Inspired by the SRA reading program,[18] the front of each card
features a discussion of a single facet of the rules, such as non-player characters, hit
dice, or initiative rolls. The back of the card describes a brief scenario to illustrate
the rules discussed on the front.[19] The set also includes a Dungeon Master's
[19]
Screen, fold-up cardboard pawns, a color map sheet, and dice.

The cover of the player's rulebook

The Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia was published by TSR the same year,
from the 1983 version of theBasic
compiling and revising the rules from the Basic, Expert, Companion, and Master
Set. Cover art by Larry Elmore.
[18]
Rules box sets to allow players to continue beyond the black box.

1994 revision
A final version of the set was produced in 1994, entitled The Classic Dungeons &
Dragons Game. Edited by Doug Stewart, it removed the tutorial cards of the "black
box", incorporating the material into sidebars within the single 128-page Rules and
Adventure Book. The set also included a Dungeon Master's Screen, a set of six
plastic miniatures for players, 24 foldable cardboard enemy standees, a poster map,
and a set of dice. It was packaged in a tan-sided box.
Cover art for the 1991 boxed set
Reception
Clayton Miner reviewed the 1981 version of the Basic Set for Pegasus magazine #1
(1981).[8] Miner commented that "the book is a vast improvement over the earlier
version. Better organization and well written rules are the main features of this
edition.[8]

Doug Cowie reviewed the 1983 version of the Basic Set for Imagine magazine and
gave it a positive review.[12] According to Cowie, while the rules stay the same, thus
allowing those with the older version to continue using their sets, the presentation
has changed. He approved of the fact that "at long last",[12] a game company
released a product that explains to someone new to role-playing games how to get
started. Cowie ended his review by stating that "Basic is a lot closer to the spirit of
the original game than is the rambling, unwieldy and sometimes pompous
Advanced" and that "for one-off dungeon type games I would recommend Basic to
anyone, beginner and veteran alike."[12]
The cover of the 1994 version of the

References boxed set

1. "The History of TSR" (https://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.

wizards.com/dnd/DnDArchives_History .asp&date=2008-10-04). Wizards
 of the Coast. Archived from the original (http://www.wizards.com/dnd/Dn
DArchives_History.asp) on 2008-10-04. Retrieved 2005-08-20.
2. Schick, Lawrence (1991).Heroic Worlds: A History and Guide to Role-
Playing Games. Prometheus Books. pp. 130–131.ISBN 0-87975-653-5.
3. Gygax & Arneson (1977) p. 6. states "...experience levels that high are
not discussed in this book and the reader is referred to the more
complete rules in Advanced Dungeons & Dragons"
4. Tresca, Michael J. (2010),The Evolution of Fantasy Role-Playing
Games (https://books.google.com/books?id=8H8bzqj6S4sC&pg=P A63),
McFarland, p. 63, ISBN 078645895X
5. Turnbull, Don (December 1978 – January 1979). "Open Box: Players
Handbook". White Dwarf (review). Games Workshop (10): 17.
6. "D&D Basic Set" (http://www.acaeum.com/ddindexes/setpages/basic.ht
ml). The Acaeum. Retrieved 2011-10-08.
7. Gygax, Gary (June 1979). "D&D, AD&D and Gaming".The Dragon #26.
TSR. III (12): 29–30. ISSN 1062-2101 (https://www.worldcat.org/issn/10
62-2101).
8. Miner, Clayton (1981). "D&D Basic Set".Pegasus (review). Judges
Guild (1): 85.
9. Gygax, Gary (December 1978). "Dungeons & Dragons: What Is It and
Where Is It Going?". The Dragon #21. TSR. III (8): 29–30. ISSN 1062-
2101 (https://www.worldcat.org/issn/1062-2101).
10. Gygax, Gary, and Dave Arneson [1974], edited by Dave Cook.
Dungeons & Dragons Expert Set(TSR, 1981)
11. "D&D Clones!". White Dwarf. Games Workshop (24): 29. April–May
1981.
12. Cowie, Doug (October 1983). "Game Reviews".Imagine (review). TSR
Hobbies (UK), Ltd. (7): 42.
13. Gygax, Gary, and Dave Arneson [1974], edited by Frank Mentzer.
Dungeons & Dragons Set 2: Expert Rules(TSR, 1983)
14. Mentzer, Frank. Dungeons & Dragons Set 3: Companion Rules(TSR,
1984)
15. Gygax, Gary, Frank Mentzer. Dungeons & Dragons Set 4: Master Rules
(TSR, 1985)
16. Mentzer, Frank. Dungeons & Dragons Set 5: Immortal Rules(TSR,
1986)
17. Appelcline, Shannon. "D&D Basic Set - DM's Rulebook (BECMI ed.)
(Basic)" (http://www.dndclassics.com/product/116619/DD-Basic-Set--D
Ms-Rulebook-BECMI-ed-Basic?src=also_purchased) . dndclassics.com.
Retrieved June 26, 2015.
18. Appelcline, Shannon. "D&D Rules Cyclopedia"(http://www.dmsguild.co
m/product/17171/DD-Rules-Cyclopedia-Basic?it=1&filters=0_0_44699) .
Retrieved July 22, 2016.
19. Swan, Rick (August 1992). "Role-playing Reviews".Dragon. Lake
Geneva, Wisconsin: TSR (#184): 73–74.

Reviews: Different Worlds #12 (1981), Different Worlds #34 (1984), Dragon #84 (1984)

External links
The Inside Scoop on Gaming - RPGnet
The Inside Scoop on Gaming - RPGnet
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