Dungeons & Dragons Expert Set The Expert expansi sion on boxed boxed set for for the Expert Set is an expan game. It was was Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. first published in 1981 as an expansion to the Basic Set .
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Publi Publica cati tion on histo history ry 1981 1981 vers versio ion n
The Basic saw a majo majorr revi revisi sion on in 1981 1981 by Tom Mold Mold-Basic Set saw [1] vay.. The overarching goal of the revision was to provay vide subsequent expansions to the game, each describing a specific set of levels of character development. [2] The Basic Set described character levels 1 through 3, as had its immediate predecessor, the Basic Set edited edited by J. by J. Eric Holmes in 1977. The Moldva Moldvay y Basic was immediately immediately Basic Set was followed by the release of the Expert Set edited by Dave by Dave Cook,, supporting character levels 4 through 14. [3] The Cook revised Basic (Moldvay) (Moldvay) rules can be distinguished from the original (Holmes) ones by the color of the covers: the Holmes Basic booklet had a pale blue cover, while the Moldvay Basic and and Cook Expert booklets had bright red and blue covers, respectively. [4] The Isle of Dread was was included in the set as an example of an outdoor adventure and setting.[5] The set included dice, and featured cover art by Erol by Erol Otus. Otus.[6]
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Cover of the 1983 version; art by Larry by Larry Elmore
modules AC2 AC2,, AC3 AC3,, B1 B1,, B2 B2,, and M1, Bliz Blizzard zard Pass; Pass; Player Character Record Sheets; Sheets ; and dice; this set was limite limited d to 1,000 1,000 copi copies, es, and was sold sold by mail and at [6]:147 :147 GenCon 17. GenCon 17.[6]
1983 1983 revis revisio ion n
The Basic Set was revised once more in 1983 by Frank Mentzer,, this time as Dungeon Mentzer Dungeonss & Dragon Dragonss Set 1: BaBetween 1983 and 1985 1985 this system system was resic Rules . Between vised and expanded by Mentzer as a series of five boxed sets, including the Basic Rules , Expert Rules (supporting (supporting character levels 4 through 14), [7] Companion Rules (sup (sup[8] porting levels 15 through 25), Master Rules (supporting (supporting [9] levels 26 through 36), and Immortal Rules (supporting (supporting Immortals - characters who had transcended levels). [10] The first four sets were later compiled as a single hardcover book, the Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia (1991).[11]
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Con Contents
Unlike the other four box sets ( Basic Rules , Companion ), which which each Rules , Master Rules , and Immortal Rules ), conta contain in a playe players rs manual manual and a separ separate ate Dunge Dungeon on Master Masterss rulebook, the Expert consists sts of onl only y one one ruleb rulebook ook and Expert Set consi then an adventure module, X1-The Isle of Dread .[6][12] [7]:2 :2 The Expert Set rulebook rulebook covers character levels 4-14, [7] and begins with an introduction to wilderness adventures and playing a long-term campaign. [6]
The Mentzer Mentzer Expert featured ed art by Larry Elmo Elmore re,, and Expert Set featur was was publ publis ishe hed d as a box boxed set set with with dice dice and and two two book books: s: the the 64-page Expert Set rule book and the 32-page (with an outer folder) module Isle of Dread .[6][12]
The rulebook is then divided into a Player’s section and a Dungeon Master’s Master’s section section.. The Player Player’s ’s section section introduces rules for adventuring in the wilderness, as well as new weapons weapons and equipm equipment. ent. It expands expands the spell lists for the cleric the cleric and and magic-user magic-user classes, classes , and introduces the concept of “reversed spells” (in which some spells
The 10th Anniversary Dungeons & Dragons Collector’s set, published by TSR in 1984, included the Set boxed set, rulebooks from the Basic , Expert , and Companion sets; 1
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may be cast with a result opposite to their normal effect). Because of their special abilities, the three demihuman classes are given maximum levels “to help keep all the character classes in balance": [7]:3 dwarves, elves, and halflings can only raise to 12th, 10th, and 8th level, respectively. When any character reaches a specified “Name” level, depending on their class, they are permitted to build a stronghold, and thus attract lower-level NPC followers. The bulk of the Dungeon Master’s section provides details for creating and running both wilderness adventures and a long-term campaign, including designing the home town and area of player’s characters, and combat rules for various wilderness terrain. The Grand Duchy of Karameikos is presented as a sample wilderness adventure area.[7]:38–39 The lists of magical items and monsters are also expanded. Players who want further expansion are directed to the Companion Set .[6]
REFERENCES
lent suggestions for using the island more than once”.[12] However, Hunter poured scorn on the part of the module offering information on the continent, noting that it “gives the unfortunate impression of having all the various racial homelands and as many varied climate and terrain types as possible crammed into a limited area”.[12] Overall, Hunter thought that this version of the Expert Rules “looks and reads a lot better than the original”. [12] For regular players of the Basic Rules Hunter thought that “sooner or later you'll want this”.[12]
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References
[1] Gygax, Gary, and Dave Arneson [1974], edited by Tom Moldvay. Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set (TSR, 1981) [2] Gygax, Gary (December 1978). “Dungeons & Dragons: What Is It and Where Is It Going?". The Dragon #21 (TSR) III (8): 29–30. ISSN 1062-2101. [3] Gygax, Gary, and Dave Arneson [1974], edited by Dave Cook. Dungeons & Dragons Expert Set (TSR, 1981)
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Reception
Chris Hunter reviewed the 1983 edition for Imagine magazine, giving it a positive review.[12] He thought that, unlike the Basic Set, this was more of a re-organization and re-editing of the original material. Hunter noted that the new edition contained just one rule book, which starts with a player’s section that mainly offers expanded tables for higher levels. There is also a guideline on setting up strongholds and encumbrance as an optional rule. The following DM’s section provides information on special types of combat (aerial, etc.), on magical research and non-player specialists as well as on strongholds and followers. According to Hunter, this is followed by hints on how to design a wilderness. As examples the set provides two maps, one showing the continent on which most of the locations of the B and X series of modules are set and one of the Grand Duchy of Karameikos, which is provided as a “sample wilderness”. [12] Hunter pointed out that there is also a map and description of the town of Threshold plus adventuring ideas in the surrounding area. He found fault with the rules for not making it clear enough that a town is no dungeon or wilderness - in fact there is just one page on towns in the rules. Hunter criticized the movement rules as still being too slow. According to Hunter, the DM’s section also contains combat tables, information on waterborne adventures and a monster section. The latter provides over 50 new creatures but that is “13 less than in the original Expert rules”. [12] Hunter also complained that only four of these creatures are pictured. The remainder of the book provides information on treasure, magic items and “introduces intelligent swords”.[12] Hunter continued his review by pointing out that the Expert Set also contains a revised version of the module X1 which he praised as “a detailed and well thought out island adventure” with “several excel-
[4] “D&D Clones!". White Dwarf (Games Workshop) (24): 29. April–May 1981. [5] Winter, Steve (2007). “Designer Tom Moldvay”. Wizards of the Coast. Retrieved 2007-10-04. [6] Schick, Lawrence (1991). Heroic Worlds: A History and Guide to Role-Playing Games . Prometheus Books. p. 133. ISBN 0-87975-653-5. [7] Gygax, Gary, and Dave Arneson [1974], edited by Frank Mentzer. Dungeons & Dragons Set 2: Expert Rules (TSR, 1983) [8] Mentzer, Frank. Dungeons & Dragons Set 3: Companion Rules (TSR, 1984) [9] Gygax, Gary, Frank Mentzer. Dungeons & Dragons Set 4: Master Rules (TSR, 1985) [10] Mentzer, Frank. Dungeons & Dragons Set 5: Immortal Rules (TSR, 1986) [11] Allston, Aaron, Steven E. Schend, Jon Pickens, and Dori Watry. Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia (TSR, 1991) [12] Hunter, Chris (July 1984). “Game Reviews”. Imagine (review) (TSR Hobbies (UK), Ltd.) (16): 38–39.
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Additional reading
Reviews: Different Worlds #12 (1981), The Space Gamer #38 (1981)
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Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses
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Text Dungeons & Dragons Expert Set Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dungeons_%26_Dragons_Expert_Set?oldid=724236100 Contributors: Oknazevad, Rich Farmbrough, Mindmatrix, Zzyzx11, SmackBot, BOZ, Mclay1, Randy Kryn, Spock of Vulcan, Addbot, Yobot, AnomieBOT, Fortdj33, ZéroBot, BattyBot, ChrisGualtieri, Drow69, OccultZone, Monkbot and Anonymous: 12
Images File:D&D_1981_Expert_Set_cover.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/cf/D%26D_1981_Expert_Set_cover.jpg License: Fair use Contributors: dndclassics.com Original artist: Wizards of the Coast, cover art by Erol Otus. File:Icosahedron.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b7/Icosahedron.svg License: CC-BY-SA-3.0 Contributors: Vectorisation of Image:Icosahedron.jpg Original artist: User:DTR File:TSR2015_Dungeons_&_Dragons_-_Set_2_Expert_Rules.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/13/ TSR2015_Dungeons_%26_Dragons_-_Set_2_Expert_Rules.jpg License: Fair use Contributors: It is believed that the cover art can or could be obtained from the publisher. Original artist: ?
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