Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="MerricB" data-source="post: 1634223" data-attributes="member: 3586">With regard to the evolution of the rules of Basic D&D:Holmes - The rules are based directly on the original D&D game, though with some amendments based on the development of AD&D. Most interesting is the alignment system. There are five alignments used: LG, LE, CG, CE and True Neutral. Original D&D (and later editions of Basic D&D) used just Lawful, Neutral and Chaotic, whilst AD&D used the system we use today in 3E.Another interesting point is the bonuses provided for high ability scores - they ignore the additions added to oD&D in the Greyhawk supplement, and use the oD&D versions. Thus, you gain a bonus or penalty to XP based on your prime requisite score, a bonus to hit points based on your Constitution, and a bonus to hit with missile weapons based on your Dexterity, but nothing else.One trend of later versions of Basic D&D is introduced here: the 'classes' are Fighting Man, Magic-User, Cleric, Thief, Dwarf, Elf and Halfling. For the first time, the future of the elf multi-class is presented: In oD&D, elves had to choose whether to act as a fighter or a magic-user for the duration of the adventure. In Holmes, they can use both functions, but XP is split evenly between the two classes.Compared to later editions of the game, the rules are poorly presented, although even this is a big improvement on original D&D!Moldvay - The edition I began with, and, in my opinion, the best introductory set. (In truth, I started with both Moldvay and AD&D at the same time, but I owned Moldvay before I owned AD&D).Following on from the faltering steps of Holmes, Tom Moldvay constructed a much more robust system. Retained is the system of the seven "classes", although the elf, dwarf and halfling now are self-contained. (Each has their own XP table!)The biggest advance was in the handling of the ability scores: all ability scores has its use, although not to the diverse version of AD&D. Instead, we have the direct ancestor of the 3E ability score table! It's arranged differently, but the idea is the same. (The one exception is the table for Charisma, which adds Loyalty scores).Otherwise, the style of writing and the presentation of the rules made this an extremely accessible introductory set.The corresponding Expert set (levels 4-14) was compiled by David "Zeb" Cook, but it remains a set I don't possess. <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f641.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":(" title="Frown    :("  data-smilie="3"data-shortname=":(" /> Plans were also made to create a Companion set to deal with levels 15-36, but it was overtaken by the next edition.Mentzer - The big change Frank Mentzer brought to the Basic rules was to split them into two booklets: a player's book and a DM's book. I've never cared to really compare the rules in Moldvay and Menzter; they're mostly the same, except for a few minor variances.The change in presentation was the key. My most vivid memory of this set (which I possess, but is currently on extended loan to a friend) is the "Choose your own adventure" was included in the Player's book. All in all, I found Mentzer Basic not as engaging as Moldvay's edition, but it was more professionally presented in terms of art and production values.A revision of Expert D&D followed (surprisingly, only in one book, unlike the rest of the line). This is the edition I possess. At last, Companion Rules D&D came out: levels 15-25. Probably the most interesting thing about this set is that it is dedicated to Brian Blume! Master Rules D&D (levels 26-36) managed to introduce the Weapon Mastery system, which probably meant the ret-conning of characters, and the paths to Immortality, the consequences of which were described in the final box set: Immortal Rules D&D.Allston - Released in 1991, the "New, Easy to Master Dungeons & Dragons Game" or the Black Box set was the first version of Basic D&D to cover levels 1-5 rather than levels 1-3. (I find that the current versions of 3E Basic D&D only cover levels 1-2 is rather annoying!) More significant was the D&D Rules Cyclopedia (edited by Aaron Allston), which combined the Basic, Expert, Companion and Master sets of Mentzer into one volume. This 304-page tome is one of those things that lovers of early D&D should possess. <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" />Also produced at this time was a new version of the Immortals set: Wrath of the Immortals, which, in addition to the new rules, provided an adventure which completely shook up the Known World/Mystara. Unlike the Rules Cyclopedia, Wrath of the Immortals was a new set of rules, only somewhat descended from the previous Immortal Rules.After this, three further versions of the D&D Basic set were produced, but I know little of them.Hope this has been of help!Cheers!</blockquote>

Verification