Rules Cyclopedia - Is it worth it?
- Thread starter Halivar
- Start date
Alan Shutko
Explorer
Buy it for me and I'll pay shipping for it.
RCD&D is a consolidated version of Mentzer Basic/Expert/Companion/Master's D&D. It's simpler and more freewheeling in most respects, although it has rules for some things (like domain management, mass combat, weapons mastery) which are past AD&D.
It's a really complete and friendly ruleset in one book. I love it and it's my favorite thing to DM.
Ashtagon
Adventurer
As others have said, it's a compilation of the basic-expert-companion-master rules boxed sets. Highlights include:
* The first ever D&D system for random magic items (random as in random, not random as it pick a pre-assembled item from a list)
* Rules for mass combat that don't require miniatures to play out.
* Rules for domain management (albeit a bit buggy).
* Rules for questing for immortality.
* Rules for 'fighter prestige classes' (they aren't called that, but the similarity is obvious).
* A monk class that doesn't suck.
* A campaign setting that rocks.
* Advanced (optional) weapon mastery rules.
There's also Dark Dungeons, a retro-clone which fixes some of the inconsistencies in the text.
* The first ever D&D system for random magic items (random as in random, not random as it pick a pre-assembled item from a list)
* Rules for mass combat that don't require miniatures to play out.
* Rules for domain management (albeit a bit buggy).
* Rules for questing for immortality.
* Rules for 'fighter prestige classes' (they aren't called that, but the similarity is obvious).
* A monk class that doesn't suck.
* A campaign setting that rocks.
* Advanced (optional) weapon mastery rules.
There's also Dark Dungeons, a retro-clone which fixes some of the inconsistencies in the text.
frankthedm
First Post
If you have buyer's remorse, check your PM's
Viking Bastard
Adventurer
It's an excellent book!
trancejeremy
Adventurer
The biggest difference, and this is a pretty big difference, is that AD&D separates race and class. And not only are classes intertwined with race, it means there's nothing like multiclassing. And no rangers (or assassins).
But other than that, I think RC D&D is the best there is. It has a nice skill system, magic item system, it scales up nicer (there are 36 levels so you increase in power more slower per level), there's an optional weapon mastery system that works quite well (much better than AD&D's Weapon Specialization, albeit more complex), the domain management system works, if not fully fleshed out and not perfect.
But other than that, I think RC D&D is the best there is. It has a nice skill system, magic item system, it scales up nicer (there are 36 levels so you increase in power more slower per level), there's an optional weapon mastery system that works quite well (much better than AD&D's Weapon Specialization, albeit more complex), the domain management system works, if not fully fleshed out and not perfect.
Halivar
First Post
I managed to snag it today as two people were browsing the oft-lonely D&D section at 2nd & Charles. They were looking at the 1st edition boxed settings on the shelf above the RC, so I courteously slipped in for a quick grab (one of them said "oh" when they saw my selection).
So far I am loving what I'm reading.
Here are the things that I am immediately porting into my AD&D game:
The Mystara map in the back will not see much use from me, but wow is it really nicely put together.
BTW, I was wrong about the condition. Only the cover is good. The inner pages are MINT (I can believe this book has never been used). Feel like I found a treasure trove here.
So far I am loving what I'm reading.
Here are the things that I am immediately porting into my AD&D game:
- Skills
- Dominions (I love the intrigue table and resource management!)
- Magic item creation
- More probably forthcoming as I read more of it
The Mystara map in the back will not see much use from me, but wow is it really nicely put together.
BTW, I was wrong about the condition. Only the cover is good. The inner pages are MINT (I can believe this book has never been used). Feel like I found a treasure trove here.
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