For example, Gary on variant rules: "I fervently desire to put the matter of variants, particularly “realistic” variants, to rest once and for all, so as to get on to other more important things, but it keeps springing up every time a sound stroke is dealt to it. Additions to and augmentations of certain parts of the D&D rules are fine. Variants which change the rules so as to imbalance the game or change it are most certainly not." (and then lists examples of destructive rules such as allowing wizards to wield swords or fighters to use wands, and critical hit/miss systems).
