Dungeons & Dragons Companion Set
Encyclopedia
The Companion Set is an expansion boxed set
for the Dungeons & Dragons
fantasy
role-playing game
. It was first published in 1984 as an expansion to the Basic Set
.
was last revised in 1983 by Frank Mentzer
, this time as Dungeons & Dragons Set 1: Basic Rules. Between 1983 and 1985 this system was revised and expanded by Mentzer as a series of five boxed sets, including the Basic Rules, Expert Rules
(supporting character levels 4 through 14), Companion Rules (supporting levels 15 through 25), Master Rules
(supporting levels 26 through 36), and Immortal Rules
(supporting Immortals - characters who had transcended levels). The Companion Rules set was written by Mentzer, with art by Larry Elmore
and Jeff Easley
, and was published by TSR in 1984 as a boxed set
containing a 64-page book and a 32-page book. The set contains two booklets: Player's Companion: Book One and Dungeon Master's Companion: Book Two, which were edited by Anne Gray
.
The 10th Anniversary Dungeons & Dragons Collector's Set boxed set
, published by TSR in 1984, included the rulebooks from the Basic
, Expert
, and Companion sets; modules AC2
, AC3, B1
, B2
, and M1, Blizzard Pass
; Player Character Record Sheets
; and dice. This set was limited to 1,000 copies, and was sold by mail and at GenCon 17.
as they rise in level. This section concentrates wholly on human characters, treating dwarves
, elves
, and halfling
s separately.
The DM's Companion begins with general guidelines on running a campaign and planning adventures for characters of level 15 and higher. The introduction also constructs a feudal system to provide a basis for the dominions which will be granted to or conquered by the player character
s. This section ends with notes on the organization and running of tournaments. The next section is "The War Machine", a method for coping with large scale battles, especially those in the campaign's background. This book covers running high-level campaigns, including mass combat, other worlds and planes, and new monsters and treasure, and contains three mini-scenarios.
magazine (January 1985), rating it a 7 out of 10 overall. Robertson notes that most characters that reach 15th level in the Basic D&D game should be thinking of settling down and retiring, and felt that the D&D Companion Set provides "some ideas for this to be a little more interesting than simple retirement". Robertson felt that the set provides enough detail on running a stronghold "for the owner to determine whether he needs to go and raid a dragon lair or two to meet his next bill", although she felt that the section is "rather scanty for something that should loom large in the characters's mind; and also is strongly orientated towards castles, rather than other types of stronghold that different character classes are expected to build and maintain". Robertson noted that the section on advancing characters deals with non-human player characters differently because of their artificial level limits, and the assumption that they have little interest in the human world and will eventually retreat to their own people, but "if in your world dwarven smiths ply their trade in the towns and elven lords sit in council with human kings, you will have to make some modifications". Robertson felt that the information in the DM's Companion about constructing a feudal system with dominions available would be of most use for the DM while setting up the campaign world, because characters should already be familiar with their world's social structure by the time they reach these levels. Robertson calls the mechanics of this system "quite good", however, as they give "the flavour of feudal times without getting too bogged down in detail, although more work will have to be done by the DM if the players wish to get involved in the day to day affairs of their domains, rather than just use them as bases for further acts of daring." Robertson calls "The War Machine" section "good if mechanistic", but notes that "when characters of the levels considered here take a personal interest in a battle, they are likely to have a far greater effect on the course of events than is allowed for here". Although Robertson felt that player characters of these levels should be at least semi-retired, and that players should spend their time playing lower level characters (who might see the retired characters as patrons, bosses, or even enemies), she felt that the set has a lot of useful information and rules to continue a campaign. She concluded the review by opining, "And finally, is Basic D&D being swamped by too many rules? A competent DM should have worked out his social structure long before his players reach 15th level... if you really want more than the original D&D rules maybe you should play AD&D."
Boxed set
A box set is a compilation of various musical recordings, films, television programs, or other collection of related items that are contained in a box.-Music box sets:...
for the Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
. It was first published in 1984 as an expansion to the Basic Set
Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set
The original Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set boxed set was first published by TSR, Inc. in 1977, and comprised a separate edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, distinct from the first edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons game, which was initially published in the same...
.
Publication history
The Dungeons & Dragons Basic SetDungeons & Dragons Basic Set
The original Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set boxed set was first published by TSR, Inc. in 1977, and comprised a separate edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, distinct from the first edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons game, which was initially published in the same...
was last revised in 1983 by Frank Mentzer
Frank Mentzer
Jacob Franklin "Frank" Mentzer III , is an American fantasy author and game designer best known for his work on early materials for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. He was a performing folk musician from 1968 to 1975, and played one concert at the White House during the...
, this time as Dungeons & Dragons Set 1: Basic Rules. Between 1983 and 1985 this system was revised and expanded by Mentzer as a series of five boxed sets, including the Basic Rules, Expert Rules
Dungeons & Dragons Expert Set
The Expert Set is an expansion boxed set for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It was first published in 1981 as an expansion to the Basic Set.-1981 printing:The D&D Basic Set saw a major revision in 1981 by Tom Moldvay...
(supporting character levels 4 through 14), Companion Rules (supporting levels 15 through 25), Master Rules
Dungeons & Dragons Master Rules
Dungeons & Dragons Master Rules is an expansion boxed set for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It was first published in 1985 as an expansion to the Basic Set.-Publication history:...
(supporting levels 26 through 36), and Immortal Rules
Dungeons & Dragons Immortals Rules
Dungeons & Dragons Immortals Rules is an expansion boxed set for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It was first published in 1986 as an expansion to the Basic Set.-Publication history:...
(supporting Immortals - characters who had transcended levels). The Companion Rules set was written by Mentzer, with art by Larry Elmore
Larry Elmore
Larry Elmore is an American fantasy artist whose work includes creating illustrations for video games, comics, magazines and fantasy books. His list of work includes illustrations for Dungeons & Dragons, Dragonlance, and the comic strip series SnarfQuest...
and Jeff Easley
Jeff Easley
Jeff Easley is an oil painter who creates fantasy artwork in the tradition of Frank Frazetta.-Early life:...
, and was published by TSR in 1984 as a boxed set
Boxed set
A box set is a compilation of various musical recordings, films, television programs, or other collection of related items that are contained in a box.-Music box sets:...
containing a 64-page book and a 32-page book. The set contains two booklets: Player's Companion: Book One and Dungeon Master's Companion: Book Two, which were edited by Anne Gray
Anne Gray McCready
Anne Gray McCready is a game designer and editor who has worked on a number of products for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game from TSR.-Early history:...
.
The 10th Anniversary Dungeons & Dragons Collector's Set boxed set
Boxed set
A box set is a compilation of various musical recordings, films, television programs, or other collection of related items that are contained in a box.-Music box sets:...
, published by TSR in 1984, included the rulebooks from the Basic
Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set
The original Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set boxed set was first published by TSR, Inc. in 1977, and comprised a separate edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, distinct from the first edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons game, which was initially published in the same...
, Expert
Dungeons & Dragons Expert Set
The Expert Set is an expansion boxed set for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It was first published in 1981 as an expansion to the Basic Set.-1981 printing:The D&D Basic Set saw a major revision in 1981 by Tom Moldvay...
, and Companion sets; modules AC2
Combat Shield and Mini-adventure
AC2 Combat Shield and Mini-Adventure is a 14 page accessory designed for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Contents:...
, AC3, B1
In Search of the Unknown
In Search of the Unknown is a module for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, designed for use with the Basic Set of rules. It was written by game designer Mike Carr and was first published in 1979 by TSR, Inc. The module details a hidden complex known as the Caverns of Quasqueton...
, B2
The Keep on the Borderlands
The Keep on the Borderlands is a Dungeons & Dragons module by Gary Gygax, first printed in December 1979. In it, player characters are based at a keep and investigate a nearby series of caves that are filled with a variety of monsters. Designed to be used with the Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set, it...
, and M1, Blizzard Pass
Blizzard Pass
Blizzard Pass is a 1983 solo adventure module for the Basic Rules of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Plot summary:Blizzard Pass is a solo adventure for a thief level 1–3. The thief must cross Blizzard Pass, and then penetrate a cavern system within Blizzard Pass to free the other...
; Player Character Record Sheets
Player Character Record Sheets
Player Character Record Sheets a short accessory designed for the Pen & Paper fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons.-Publication history:...
; and dice. This set was limited to 1,000 copies, and was sold by mail and at GenCon 17.
Contents
The Player's Companion covers information on character levels 15-25. The book begins with commentary on the changes since a character began as an adventurer at first level. The book introduces new weapons, armor types, and unarmed combat rules. The book provides details on running a stronghold and its recurrent costs, such as wages of the castle staff. The Player's Companion details the new abilities and increases in skills, spells, and other abilities that accrue to members of each character classCharacter class (Dungeons & Dragons)
A character class is a fundamental part of the identity and nature of characters in the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. A character's capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses are largely defined by his or her chosen class; choosing a class is one of the first steps a player takes in order to...
as they rise in level. This section concentrates wholly on human characters, treating dwarves
Dwarf (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, dwarves are a humanoid race, one of the primary races available for play as player characters...
, elves
Elf (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, elves are a fictional humanoid race that is one of the primary races available for play as player characters. Elves are renowned for their grace and mastery of magic and weapons such as the sword and bow...
, and halfling
Halfling
Halfling is another name for J. R. R. Tolkien's Hobbit which can be a fictional race sometimes found in fantasy novels and games. In many settings, they are similar to humans except about half the size. Dungeons & Dragons began using the name halfling as an alternative to hobbit for legal reasons...
s separately.
The DM's Companion begins with general guidelines on running a campaign and planning adventures for characters of level 15 and higher. The introduction also constructs a feudal system to provide a basis for the dominions which will be granted to or conquered by the player character
Player character
A player character or playable character is a character in a video game or role playing game who is controlled or controllable by a player, and is typically a protagonist of the story told in the course of the game. A player character is a persona of the player who controls it. Player characters...
s. This section ends with notes on the organization and running of tournaments. The next section is "The War Machine", a method for coping with large scale battles, especially those in the campaign's background. This book covers running high-level campaigns, including mass combat, other worlds and planes, and new monsters and treasure, and contains three mini-scenarios.
Reception
The Companion Set was reviewed by Megan C. Robertson in issue 61 of White DwarfWhite Dwarf (magazine)
White Dwarf is a magazine published by British games manufacturer Games Workshop. Initially covering a wide variety of fantasy and science-fiction role-playing and board games, particularly the role playing games Dungeons & Dragons, RuneQuest and Traveller...
magazine (January 1985), rating it a 7 out of 10 overall. Robertson notes that most characters that reach 15th level in the Basic D&D game should be thinking of settling down and retiring, and felt that the D&D Companion Set provides "some ideas for this to be a little more interesting than simple retirement". Robertson felt that the set provides enough detail on running a stronghold "for the owner to determine whether he needs to go and raid a dragon lair or two to meet his next bill", although she felt that the section is "rather scanty for something that should loom large in the characters's mind; and also is strongly orientated towards castles, rather than other types of stronghold that different character classes are expected to build and maintain". Robertson noted that the section on advancing characters deals with non-human player characters differently because of their artificial level limits, and the assumption that they have little interest in the human world and will eventually retreat to their own people, but "if in your world dwarven smiths ply their trade in the towns and elven lords sit in council with human kings, you will have to make some modifications". Robertson felt that the information in the DM's Companion about constructing a feudal system with dominions available would be of most use for the DM while setting up the campaign world, because characters should already be familiar with their world's social structure by the time they reach these levels. Robertson calls the mechanics of this system "quite good", however, as they give "the flavour of feudal times without getting too bogged down in detail, although more work will have to be done by the DM if the players wish to get involved in the day to day affairs of their domains, rather than just use them as bases for further acts of daring." Robertson calls "The War Machine" section "good if mechanistic", but notes that "when characters of the levels considered here take a personal interest in a battle, they are likely to have a far greater effect on the course of events than is allowed for here". Although Robertson felt that player characters of these levels should be at least semi-retired, and that players should spend their time playing lower level characters (who might see the retired characters as patrons, bosses, or even enemies), she felt that the set has a lot of useful information and rules to continue a campaign. She concluded the review by opining, "And finally, is Basic D&D being swamped by too many rules? A competent DM should have worked out his social structure long before his players reach 15th level... if you really want more than the original D&D rules maybe you should play AD&D."