But that was not the end of "Basic" or BECMI D&D. I reviewed into the Maelstrom yesterday and talked about how it had a real proto-90s feel even in 1985. So let's look briefly into the future of the D&D Basic line to see what the 90s has in store.
In 1991 TSR was a very different place than when Gygax and Co. set out to create a new kind of game. Most, if not all, of the old guard, were gone. AD&D 2nd Edition was the house game of choice and the order of the day were the worlds and settings created for it.
At some point, and I have no insight on this, a new version of the D&D game was introduced.
Like the previous games it was in a box and contained some basic information. Unlike those previous games, this box was more like a board game box, the levels went from 1 to 5, and there were maps, dice, and game pieces included.
The New Easy to Master Dungeons & Dragons Game (1991)
This new "Basic", sometimes called "Black Box Basic" was a new attempt at an introductory set of rules for D&D.
The design is by Troy Denning and the rulebook was written by Timothy B. Brown.
In what is sure to be a blow to old-school purists, Gygax, Arneson, and Mentzer are never mentioned in the book. To add insult to injury Lorraine Williams is given a special thanks.
Outside of that and the gimmick of the boardgame style box the rules inside are very clean, easy to read and understand and play with. Obviously, these rules are drawn from the BECMI core and this set is designed to be an introduction to the D&D Rules Cyclopedia.
The box itself is a treasure trove, to be honest.
Dice, card stock characters and monsters, and a 1991 TSR catalog.
Zanzer's Dungeon. The map is really nice and scaled for 1" = 5', so compatible with D&D 3.x, 4e and 5e.
DM's Screen and book.
A 1991 TSR catalog for the D&D line. Let's have a better look at that Rules Cyclopedia...
The underside of the box displaying all the pieces.
Someone will have a cover mocked up of this by next week I am sure.
The DMs Guide and screen with the Players Book. Both came in the Basic set and The Dragon's Den boxed set.
There were also three add-ons, called "Adventure Pack" for this.
I only own The Dragon's Den and it has pieces that compliment the Basic set. The DM's Guide/Screen and Player's Book are included in both. All three are available on DriveThruRPG, but they are not as complete as the physical products.
Although reading online I can't confirm if the Rule Book and the DM's Guide/Screen actually came with the Dragon's Den.
This is the future for the D&D line until the end of the decade.
Yes, that is the Rules Cyclopedia PoD. Here they are all together.
When I decide to run a new Basic-era campaign (instead of a bunch of one-shots) I am going to be overwhelmed with choices.
3 comments:
The black box with the red dragon was the first D&D thing I ever owned, a present for "graduating" from 6th grade.
I wouldn't mind getting my hands on a copy of this or the '94 version.
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