Dungeons & Dragons Master Rules
Encyclopedia
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
.
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 Master Rules set was a boxed set which included a 32-page Master Player's Book and a 64-page Master DM's Book. The books were written by Frank Mentzer
and edited by Barbara Green Deer
, Anne C. Gray
, and Mike Breault
, with cover artwork by Larry Elmore
and interior illustrations by Jeff Easley
and Roger Raupp
.
, magic-user
, and druid
classes
. The book adds to the range of attack ranks for demihuman characters. The book provides rules for Weapons Mastery, a form of weapon specialization and proficiency, where the character starts as a Novice and rises to the rank of Grand Master. There is also a table listing all the weapons found in the D&D game, including all the restrictions (two-handed, use only in melee, etc.), costs, weights, damage at different levels of Mastery, defense uses, and special effects. This book includes experience rules, abilities, and spells for higher-level characters, new armor and weapons, and guidelines for sieges and siege equipment.
The bulk of the Master DM's Book is taken up with an expansion to the lists of magical items
and monsters. This book provides a set of firm guidelines for the DM on how to cope with such a high-magic, super-powerful campaign, including how to cope with the paperwork of having players run small empires, and a section on balancing encounters. The book introduces the concept of Anti-Magic, a property possessed by the game's Immortals, and certain monsters like beholders, which reduces or nullifies the effects of magic within its sphere of influence. This book covers rules for character-ruled realms, reality shifts, nonhuman spellcasters, and artifacts.
magazine (January 1986), rating it 8 out of 10 overall. Cockburn felt that "the Masters Set doesn't leave you gasping for something simple" and it is "an intelligent, subtle and interesting extension to the game". Cockburn complimented the Weapons Mastery rules, stating that, while the system is simple, it is also enough, and made all the more usable by the table listing all the weapons in the D&D game. Cockburn liked the guidelines on how to cope with a high-level campaign, calling this help needed, and noting that while some people may feel that "all this information should around in earlier sets, but Masters is where most people would start running into serious problems. It is very sound advice in this context." Cockburn also liked the invention of Anti-Magic, as a method of keeping control of high-level play: "It's a terrific idea. I can think of nothing more ironic than having the party magic-user reduced to the same effectiveness he had when he fired off one sleep every twenty-four hours. Actually, as a means of halting the escalation of magic use, it's quite good." Cockburn concluded the review by stating that the Master Set would be a very useful set to anyone whose campaign would have characters of high enough level.
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 1985 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
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 (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 Master Rules set was a boxed set which included a 32-page Master Player's Book and a 64-page Master DM's Book. The books were written 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...
and edited by Barbara Green Deer
Barbara G. Young
Barbara G. Young is an editor who has worked on several game products and articles for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game from TSR. She was an assistant editor on Dragon and Dungeon magazines from 1987 to 1995....
, Anne C. 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:...
, and Mike Breault
Michael Breault
Michael Breault is a game designer and editor, and an author of several products for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game from TSR.-Early life and education:...
, with cover artwork 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 interior illustrations by Jeff Easley
Jeff Easley
Jeff Easley is an oil painter who creates fantasy artwork in the tradition of Frank Frazetta.-Early life:...
and Roger Raupp
Roger Raupp
Roger Raupp is an artist whose work has appeared in games such as the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game from TSR, and the collectible card game Magic: the Gathering from Wizards of the Coast....
.
Contents
The Master Player's Book expands the spell lists for the clericCleric (Dungeons & Dragons)
The cleric is one of the standard playable character class in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. In the game, clerics are versatile figures, both capable in combat and skilled in the use of divine magic. Clerics are powerful healers due to the large number of healing and curative...
, magic-user
Wizard (Dungeons & Dragons)
The wizard is one of the standard character class in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. A wizard uses arcane magic, and is considered less effective in melee combat than other classes.-Creative origins:...
, and druid
Druid (Dungeons & Dragons)
The druid is a playable character class in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Druids wield nature-themed magic. Prior to 4th edition, they gain divine magic from being at one with nature, or from one of several patron gods of the wild, while in 4th edition, they gain primal magic...
classes
Character 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...
. The book adds to the range of attack ranks for demihuman characters. The book provides rules for Weapons Mastery, a form of weapon specialization and proficiency, where the character starts as a Novice and rises to the rank of Grand Master. There is also a table listing all the weapons found in the D&D game, including all the restrictions (two-handed, use only in melee, etc.), costs, weights, damage at different levels of Mastery, defense uses, and special effects. This book includes experience rules, abilities, and spells for higher-level characters, new armor and weapons, and guidelines for sieges and siege equipment.
The bulk of the Master DM's Book is taken up with an expansion to the lists of magical items
Magic item (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, a magic item is any object that has magical powers inherent in it. These may act on their own or be the tools of the character in whose hands they fall into. Magic items have been prevalent in the game in every edition and setting, from the...
and monsters. This book provides a set of firm guidelines for the DM on how to cope with such a high-magic, super-powerful campaign, including how to cope with the paperwork of having players run small empires, and a section on balancing encounters. The book introduces the concept of Anti-Magic, a property possessed by the game's Immortals, and certain monsters like beholders, which reduces or nullifies the effects of magic within its sphere of influence. This book covers rules for character-ruled realms, reality shifts, nonhuman spellcasters, and artifacts.
Reception
The Master Rules set was reviewed by Paul Cockburn in issue 73 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 1986), rating it 8 out of 10 overall. Cockburn felt that "the Masters Set doesn't leave you gasping for something simple" and it is "an intelligent, subtle and interesting extension to the game". Cockburn complimented the Weapons Mastery rules, stating that, while the system is simple, it is also enough, and made all the more usable by the table listing all the weapons in the D&D game. Cockburn liked the guidelines on how to cope with a high-level campaign, calling this help needed, and noting that while some people may feel that "all this information should around in earlier sets, but Masters is where most people would start running into serious problems. It is very sound advice in this context." Cockburn also liked the invention of Anti-Magic, as a method of keeping control of high-level play: "It's a terrific idea. I can think of nothing more ironic than having the party magic-user reduced to the same effectiveness he had when he fired off one sleep every twenty-four hours. Actually, as a means of halting the escalation of magic use, it's quite good." Cockburn concluded the review by stating that the Master Set would be a very useful set to anyone whose campaign would have characters of high enough level.