Moldvay vs. Mentzer... FIGHT!

[ExploderWizard]

Never even looked at the Mentzer version. I owned Moldvay, and moved on to AD&D, so why did I need another Basic Set?

Aleena?

I like the Moldvay version for overall clarity, layout, and art. The Mentzer set had more value for learning the basics without an immediate play group to game with though.

Bargle!!!!!....................

 

[Gentlegamer]

Mostly because I didn't know there was a Moldvay expert.

D'oh.

Technically, there isn't. The Expert set following Moldvay was edited by David "Zeb" Cook.

 

[pdiddy]

I voted Moldvay.
To me the Moldvay/Cook/Marsh Basic/Expert is the best version of D&D ever.

It is a concise, complete game in 128 pages.
I like the way it treats clerics (flavour) and thieves (mechanics) better than Mentzer.
I like the conservative and limited use of spellbooks for M-Us and elves.
I like the tighter power scale with a max of 14th level - I know this one is serendipitous given the unpublished Companion Supplement but I think the power level of the Expert set is about perfect for my games.
I like the layout and art.

I would vote Holmes Basic for my second favorite basic set.