* * * Wizards Community Thread * * * -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Thread : D&D Cyclopedia Started at 09-05-03 04:00 PM by RedScorpion Visit at http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=94759 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 1] Author : RedScorpion Date : 09-05-03 04:00 PM Thread Title : D&D Cyclopedia Any input on this book? This came out after I stopped playing but it sounds like it has everything the basic,expert,companion, & master set had. Could someone tell me if this is a far replacement for the four mentioned?? I am trying to teach my son how to play, but I don't want to have to track down all these sets individually if I don't need to. After so many years of not playing, I don't feel comfortable enough to learn the new AD&D. From what I saw, the new 3.5 edition is not similar, except in name to the original AD&D. Please some help here?? -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 2] Author : Myrridin Date : 09-05-03 04:05 PM I think that book is for regular D&D, not any of the advanced versions. I used to have it about a decade ago, but don't anymore. So I'm not really sure. But yeah, I think it's regular D&D. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 3] Author : Lost_and_Damned Date : 09-05-03 05:38 PM the Cyclopeida contains all the rules from the basic, expert, companion and masters set into one organised book, and yes it did replace all the box sets.... -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 4] Author : Shoegaze99 Date : 09-05-03 06:10 PM Thread Title : Re: D&D Cyclopedia Originally posted by RedScorpion Any input on this book? This came out after I stopped playing but it sounds like it has everything the basic,expert,companion, & master set had. Could someone tell me if this is a far replacement for the four mentioned?? Yes, it is. The main reason why I no longer own my boxed sets is because of that hardcover, as it combined all of those rules into one book. All the rules you need for Basic D&D play are contained in that one tome, from stats to monsters to spells to magic items. Only the Immortal set rules are left out (thankfully). Keep in mind, the volume is not made for new players. It's not an introductory tome. There is no ease-you-into-the-game flavor text or examples on character making or any of the other things to get new players moving along featured in the Basic set. It's purely a stat compilation. If you plan on teaching your son, however, that shouldn't be a problem. A very good purchase, that. Durable, too. You'll have the basic rules forever. Buy it. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 5] Author : Zyphus Date : 09-05-03 07:46 PM If you plan to teach your kid how to play, I would get the 3.5 Player's Handbook, and have him be a Fighter or Thief (Rogue). It isn't that different from AD&D, and would make more sense to someone not experienced in the game. Actually you could just print the pages off the SRD - just avoid classes that use spells or make the spell list VERY simple. It also makes it easier for your kids to play with other kids, since they can all get the current rules, and out of print stuff is, at times, hard to find. If you want your child to RUN a game, then the Rules Encyclopedia is a great resource. It is packed with far more information than anything else I can name, and overall is a good gaming reference. While the 1st Ed AD&D and 3.0+ DMGs are better dealing with magic items, this book is better for giving a "world view" for someone wanting to run a campaign. Personally, I would buy the Rules Encyclopedia and the 3.5 PH and run a game for my child. You both could learn the current rules, but use all the old stuff which isn't around anymore. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 6] Author : Solaris Date : 09-05-03 08:04 PM The compilation was a good idea, but I hated the artwork. I wish they'd managed to retain the Elmore/Easley stuff. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 7] Author : WizO_Paradox Date : 09-05-03 08:05 PM I should also note that the book doesn't really teach you how to play. It doesn't contain all the "how to" examples that the boxed sets did. It is, after all, a "cyclopedia". -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 8] Author : Stonebeard Date : 09-05-03 09:06 PM The D&D Rules Cyclopedia does not include all the rules from the 4 boxed sets you mention. It does contain all the essential rules for playing OD&D but also includes information and rules from some of the Gazeteer series. It did not so much replace the boxed sets rules but rather it seemed to be more of a 6th edition of D&D. 5th Edition being that black covered basic book that covered levels 1 to 5. Prior to that all basic sets covered levels 1-3. The ruels cyclopedia is the only book other than a basic set that contains information for making a character. You should also be aware that mistakes have been found in the book and indeed have been compiled in an unofficial rules cyclopedia erratta. You can find it here... http://www.rpg.net/etrigan/files/rcerrata.txt -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 9] Author : NeutralNeutral Date : 09-06-03 09:01 AM Buy a cheap Basic rulebook first. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Downloaded from Wizards Community (http://forums.gleemax.com) at 05-10-08 08:18 AM.