Dungeons & Dragons Expert Set
Encyclopedia
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
.
saw a major revision in 1981 by Tom Moldvay
. With the revision of the Basic Set, discrete sets of increasing power levels began to be introduced as expansions for the basic game. The Moldvay Basic Set was immediately followed by the accompanying release of the Expert Set edited by Dave Cook
, supporting character levels 4 through 14. The revised Basic (Moldvay) rules can be distinguished from the original (Holmes
) ones by the color of the covers: the Holmes Basic booklet had a blueprint-style pale blue cover, while the Moldvay Basic and Cook Expert booklets had bright red and blue covers, respectively. The Isle of Dread was included in every copy of the 1980 version of the D&D Expert Set as an example of an outdoor adventure and setting.
The concepts in the Expert Set were drawn from the original D&D set
by Gary Gygax
and Dave Arneson
. The Expert Set was edited by Dave Cook
, and was published by TSR in 1980 as a boxed set with cover art by Erol Otus
; the set included dice, and two books—a 64-page book and a 32-page book—with an outer folder.
, 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 first four sets were later compiled as a single hardcover book, the Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia
(1991).
This revised version of the Expert Set was revised by Frank Mentzer
, with art by Larry Elmore
, and published in 1983 as a boxed set with dice and two books—a 64-page book and a 32-page book—with an outer folder.
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.
.
#12 (1981), The Space Gamer
#38 (1981)
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 1981 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...
.
1981 printing
The D&D 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...
saw a major revision in 1981 by Tom Moldvay
Tom Moldvay
Tom Moldvay was a game designer and author most notable for his work on early materials for the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons .-Career:...
. With the revision of the Basic Set, discrete sets of increasing power levels began to be introduced as expansions for the basic game. The Moldvay Basic Set was immediately followed by the accompanying release of the Expert Set edited by Dave Cook
David Cook (game designer)
David "Zeb" Cook is an American game designer best known for his work at TSR, Inc., where he was employed for over fifteen years.-Early life:...
, supporting character levels 4 through 14. The revised Basic (Moldvay) rules can be distinguished from the original (Holmes
John Eric Holmes
John Eric Holmes, M.D. , was a former associate professor of neurology at the University of Southern California School of Medicine, an author and promoter of fantasy role-playing games, a noted fan and enthusiast of Edgar Rice Burroughs, and an American writer of non-fiction, fantasy and science...
) ones by the color of the covers: the Holmes Basic booklet had a blueprint-style pale blue cover, while the Moldvay Basic and Cook Expert booklets had bright red and blue covers, respectively. The Isle of Dread was included in every copy of the 1980 version of the D&D Expert Set as an example of an outdoor adventure and setting.
The concepts in the Expert Set were drawn from the original D&D set
Dungeons & Dragons (1974)
The original Dungeons & Dragons boxed set by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson was published by TSR, Inc. in 1974. It initially included the original edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game...
by Gary Gygax
Gary Gygax
Ernest Gary Gygax was an American writer and game designer best known for co-creating the pioneering role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons with Dave Arneson. Gygax is generally acknowledged as the father of role-playing games....
and Dave Arneson
Dave Arneson
David Lance "Dave" Arneson was an American game designer best known for co-developing the first published role-playing game , Dungeons & Dragons, with Gary Gygax, in the early 1970s...
. The Expert Set was edited by Dave Cook
David Cook (game designer)
David "Zeb" Cook is an American game designer best known for his work at TSR, Inc., where he was employed for over fifteen years.-Early life:...
, and was published by TSR in 1980 as a boxed set with cover art by Erol Otus
Erol Otus
Erol Otus is an American artist and game designer, known internationally for his contributions to the fantasy RPG genre, most notably for the early Dungeons & Dragons franchise...
; the set included dice, and two books—a 64-page book and a 32-page book—with an outer folder.
1983 printing
The Basic Set was revised once more in 1983 by Frank MentzerFrank 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 (supporting character levels 4 through 14), Companion Rules
Dungeons & Dragons Companion Set
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.-Publication history:...
(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 first four sets were later compiled as a single hardcover book, the Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia
Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia
The Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia was published by TSR, Inc. in 1991, as a continuation of the basic edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, which ran concurrently with Advanced Dungeons & Dragons. Its product designation was TSR 1071...
(1991).
This revised version of the Expert Set was revised 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...
, 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 published in 1983 as a boxed set with dice and two books—a 64-page book and a 32-page book—with an outer folder.
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, and Companion
Dungeons & Dragons Companion Set
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.-Publication history:...
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 Expert Set rulebook covers character levels 4-14, and details wilderness adventures, placing an emphasis on running a long-term campaign. Players who want further expansion are directed to the Companion SetDungeons & Dragons Companion Set
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.-Publication history:...
.
Additional reading
Reviews: Different WorldsDifferent Worlds
Different Worlds was an American role-playing games' magazine, now defunct.-History:Different Worlds was launched in 1979 by Greg Stafford to promote the role-playing games from his own editing house, Chaosium...
#12 (1981), The Space Gamer
The Space Gamer
The Space Gamer was a magazine dedicated to the subject of science fiction and fantasy board games and role-playing games. It quickly grew in importance and was an important and influential magazine in its subject matter from the late 70s through the mid-80s...
#38 (1981)