Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia
Encyclopedia
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. This 304-page hardback book features cover artwork by Jeff Easley
and interior art by Terry Dykstra
.
The Rules Cyclopedia contained all the major rules, compiled and edited from the Dungeons & Dragons Basic Rules, as well as the Expert Rules
, Companion Rules
, and Master Rules
boxed set
s. Therefore, this single sourcebook now contained all the guidelines a player would need to develop and play characters from levels 1-36. The book also contained an overview of the Known World (Mystara)
and Hollow World campaign settings, as well as rules on how to convert characters from the Dungeons & Dragons game to the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons second edition game, and back again.
The Rules Cyclopedia includes two optional classes to the game: the druid
(introduced in the Companion ruleset) and the mystic
(introduced in the Master ruleset).
TSR, Inc.
Blume and Gygax, the remaining owners, incorporated a new company called TSR Hobbies, Inc., with Blume and his father, Melvin Blume, owning the larger share. The former assets of the partnership were transferred to TSR Hobbies, Inc....
in 1991, as a continuation of the basic edition of 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...
, which ran concurrently with Advanced Dungeons & Dragons. Its product designation was TSR 1071. This 304-page hardback book features cover artwork by Jeff Easley
Jeff Easley
Jeff Easley is an oil painter who creates fantasy artwork in the tradition of Frank Frazetta.-Early life:...
and interior art by Terry Dykstra
Terry Dykstra
-Works:Terry Dykstra has produced interior illustrations for many Dungeons & Dragons books and Dragon magazine throughout the 1990s.Dykstra also illustrated a number of Endless Quest series books.-External links:*...
.
The Rules Cyclopedia contained all the major rules, compiled and edited from the Dungeons & Dragons Basic Rules, as well as the 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...
, 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:...
, and 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:...
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:...
s. Therefore, this single sourcebook now contained all the guidelines a player would need to develop and play characters from levels 1-36. The book also contained an overview of the Known World (Mystara)
Mystara
Mystara is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role playing game. Although it has officially been dropped from production by its creators, many fans continue to develop and evolve this fantasy setting jointly, continuing its original theme of group development.-Development:It...
and Hollow World campaign settings, as well as rules on how to convert characters from the Dungeons & Dragons game to the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons second edition game, and back again.
The Rules Cyclopedia includes two optional classes to the game: the 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...
(introduced in the Companion ruleset) and the mystic
Monk (Dungeons & Dragons)
The monk is a playable character class in most editions of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. A D&D monk is a fantasy martial artist, specializing in unarmed combat.-Dungeons & Dragons :...
(introduced in the Master ruleset).
Additional reading
- Steven E. Schend, "The grand old game–complete at last!" DragonDragon (magazine)Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
#177.