A question for basic D&D fans

[johnsemlak]

I've wanted to replace the basic/expert...Master sets that I had years ago.

I'm waiting for the Rules encyclopedia to come out on ESD, but can anybody tell me what that was?

Does it include all the Basic...Master D&D rules? Does it make changes/updates? Does it have include things like weapon mastery, the War Machine rules, Mystara geography, rules for governing kingdoms, etc? Does it include the immortal rules? Does it have all the monsters?

 

[Glyfair]

I'm not a 100% expert, and have sat down with a fine-tooth comb to compare my Cyclopedia with the basic sets. However, it is all of the sets in on book. There is some world information inside. It has been cleaned up & errataed. However, it's not perfect. Somewhere out there on the net is a complete errata file on the book. It's about 2 or 3 pages or so. I don't believe much was major.

There may have been some changes between the original printings & Compendium. Someone with more expertise will have to answer in this area (I haven't actually played any BD&D since '79 or so).

Glyfair of Glamis

 

[Meds]

Hmmm, it's been a while, but as I remember it:
Weapon Mastery: yes, that's there
War Machine: yes
Mystara Geography: yes, in condensed form, with some maps
Rules for Governing Kingdoms: I think so, not sure
All the Monsters: Not sure about 'all', but there's certainly a lot there
Immortal Rules: Not sure, but probably not.

 

[Staffan]

Immortals are mentioned in the Rules Cyclopedia, but not given rules and stuff. That's in Wrath of the Immortals.

 

[johnsemlak]

thanks for the info, guys

I didn't really want the immortal rules, so the D&D Rules Cyclopedia sounds like it will adequaltely replace all four rules sets. I just hope they come out with the esd!

 

[BiggusGeekus]

I'm somewhat pessimistic about that. The boxed sets are all on ESD after all.

 

[Estlor]

IIRC, it has some general kingdom rulership rules - things like determining how much income is received from each hex, what kind of events will happen through the course of a year, and so forth. The weapon mastery and war machine rules are comprehensive. The Cyclopedia combines relevant information from each set into chapters, meaning all the class information is in one chapter, even though the druid and mystic classes arrived in later books. (In other words, it's divided by topic, not by "set".)

The book talks about the Immortals and offers a condensed set of rules on becoming Immortal, but Immortal rules were omitted until the Wrath of the Immortals boxed set came out shortly after.

There is a sort of peacemeil version of the old trail maps in the chapter on Mystara - a little creative viewing and you can follow what is basically a map of the entire Known World (minus Alphatia and things north of the Heldannic Freeholds). It's all set in 1000 AC still - WotI was the first book to advance the timeline. There are short, one paragraph blurbs on most of the major nations and a very brief overview of the Hollow World.

It is THE comprehensive book for OD&D.

 

[diaglo]

if you don't have access to the boxed sets it is well worth having.

 

[Griswold]

I don't know if this helps, there are a few on ebay for sale, here are links

Auction 1

and another

Auction 2


and a third

Auction 3

Gris.