* * * Wizards Community Thread * * * -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Thread : Help with Basic D&D Started at 07-16-05 02:18 AM by Attila Visit at http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=465153 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 1] Author : Attila Date : 07-16-05 02:18 AM Thread Title : Help with Basic D&D What are the differences between the various versions of Basic D&D? I have the Basic/Expert sets (8th-11th prints) with the fighter + well endowed magic user on the cover) I also downloaded the Rules Cyclopedia from rpgnow. 1) Is the rules Cyclopedia fully compatible with the Basic set (my version)? if not, what did they change? I know there are optional rules added in but did they actually change any. 2) What types of rule differences exist between the various versions? 3) Are downloads of my basic set rulebooks available? Mine have seen better days. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 2] Author : Monteblanco Date : 07-16-05 05:42 PM What are the differences between the various versions of Basic D&D? I have the Basic/Expert sets (8th-11th prints) with the fighter + well endowed magic user on the cover) I also downloaded the Rules Cyclopedia from rpgnow. 1) Is the rules Cyclopedia fully compatible with the Basic set (my version)? if not, what did they change? I know there are optional rules added in but did they actually change any. 2) What types of rule differences exist between the various versions? 3) Are downloads of my basic set rulebooks available? Mine have seen better days. You have what's called the Molday edition of the Basic set. It was latter revised in the Mentzer edition, which is very similar in terms of rules, although it sports a new text and design. Under his guide, TSR released Basic, Expert, Companion, and Master sets, all written or edited by Mentzer. Basically, they are very compatible with your boxed set, although the latter boxed sets adds many more rules to the game. The D&D Rules Cyclopedia is a compilation of nearly all Mentzer boxed set rules, although it also includes some rules and setting information from the Known World Gazetteer series. In my opinion, the Cyclopedia is the best version of D&D ever. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 3] Author : weasel fierce Date : 07-18-05 01:10 PM 1) Is the rules Cyclopedia fully compatible with the Basic set (my version)? if not, what did they change? I know there are optional rules added in but did they actually change any. Not many actual changes. The cyclopedia includes most of the stuff from Mentzers edition (including mass warfare, paladins, druids etc) but its fairly similar 2) What types of rule differences exist between the various versions? Saving throws are a bit different (if I remember right, humans get better saves in the Moldvay version, and demihumans get worse) Moldvay lets anyone use the lance and spear vs charge maneuvers, in Mentzer / Cyclopedia, they are fighter abilities. In Moldvay, you cannot learn spells from scrolls or books. However, you automatically add spells to your spellbook when you gain a level. Moldvay healing is D3 HP per day. Im sure there are other small things 3) Are downloads of my basic set rulebooks available? Mine have seen better days. Try drivethrurpg or whatever they are called. Otherwise, Ebay is usually cheap enough. I got 2 basic and an expert set for about 15 dollars, with one being in mint condition. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 4] Author : RobertFisher Date : 08-04-05 10:45 PM 1) Is the rules Cyclopedia fully compatible with the Basic set (my version)? if not, what did they change? I know there are optional rules added in but did they actually change any. 2) What types of rule differences exist between the various versions? The biggest differences, IMHO, is that the saving throw, spell, & thief skill progressions have been slowed down in the later versions to "make room" for the higher levels. (Personally, I prefer the earlier, quicker progressions for two reasons: (1) I've seldom seen PCs reach levels beyond 14th. (2) I'm perfectly fine with abilities plateauing between 9th & 14th levels.) The RC is pretty much fully compatible with the c. 1981 rules, but you'll want to pick one to be "canon" as far as these progressions go. 3) Are downloads of my basic set rulebooks available? Mine have seen better days. Unfortunately, no. Out of all the editions of D&D & AD&D, only two editions are unavailable as either legal PDF or RTF downloads: OD&D c. 1973 & Basic/Expert c. 1981. Go fig. Although I still have my originals, I was foolish enough to cut them up & try to combine them as the text suggested. So, last year I acquired a Basic Rulebook at a 2nd-hand bookstore & an Expert off of ebay. As I recall the Basic was < $5 & the Expert was about $5. (Although, a 2nd-hand bookstore near me is still trying to get $20 for a Basic in worse shape than the one I bought last year. :rolleyes:) HTH. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 5] Author : Elendur Date : 08-08-05 11:23 AM You cut up your OD&D books? -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 6] Author : RobertFisher Date : 08-09-05 01:11 AM You cut up your OD&D books? I guess I was a bit unclear. I cut up my original (c. 1981) Basic & Expert rule booklets. Not the original (c. 1973) D&D booklets. "Original" as in "the one's I bought in the '80s"; not "original" as in "the original game". They came 3-hole-punched & the text suggested that you could remove the staples, cut the lot down the middle, & combine the 2 booklets into a single 3-ring binder. The page numbers on each page were prefixed with B or X to accomodate this. Each B chapter could be immediately followed by the corresponding X chapter. In the end, though, I just found it more confusing. You still couldn't, e.g., have all the monsters in alphabetical order. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 7] Author : kengar Date : 08-09-05 09:25 AM I keep my Moldvay & Cook rule books in a 3-ring binder, but left the books themselves intact. It easy enough to flip between the 2, and protects the pages from extra wear. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Downloaded from Wizards Community (http://forums.gleemax.com) at 05-10-08 08:16 AM.