mach1.9pants
Hero
Jeez hard to say, but B/X goes to level 14, and doesn't include much extras. Well written, for the time, and covers all the basics (classes, equip, magic items, monsters). Thieves max out at level 14, with the idea of new abilities in the never written Companion set (heaps of OSR have made a B/X Companion tho). A Map of Karamerikos with a bit of infoMy first games was with AD&D 2nd ed, so this is "before my time". I do have a question:
I know that the Cyclopedia is a reorg of BECMI (and that the I, ie immortal rules, aren't there)... but can someone explain to me the differences between BX and BECMI? Some people seem to be making a big deal out of that, but I haven't been able to find out what the big distinction is...
BECMI/RC has a lot of extra, new classes (Druid, Monk), sub classes (Paladin, etc), more and in depth rules on all the good DnD stuff (water travel, planar travel, strongholds, mass combat), attack ranks for demi-humans (cos humans go all the way to 36), weapon mastery making Fighters way better, a ton more monsters, spells (incl level 7 up) and magic items. The Thief gets screwed as his already pathetic skills chances are dragged out over double or more levels, saves are dragged out for everyone. More maps of The Known World (laterly known as Mystara) and more info on different areas.
B/X has got all you need (think 5E basic rules) BECMI/RC has the PHB, DMG, MM, Volo, XGtE, etc
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