Dungeons \u0026 Dragons Basic Rules, Set 1 by Frank Mentzer

Dungeons \u0026 Dragons Basic Rules, Set 1 Reviews

• 
  Juho Pohjalainen

  I prefer the Moldvay rules, on the whole, but the Mentzer edition is written more concisely and is easier to get a hang on for a beginner. Even after thirty years, it continues to be the absolute best introduction to Dungeons & Dragons for all ages.
• 
  David Sarkies

  My very first Dungeons & Dragons product
  3 December 2011
  
  Some may wonder why I am writing a review of a rulebook. It is not a novel nor is it a non-fiction piece, but I still believe that it is worth a review. I guess in a way it is how I blog. I generally don't sit down and write down random thoughts (though that is not a bad thing in itself) but rather I will select something, such as a book, and write down the thoughts that are generated by this topic.
  This is most likely out of print now and a collectors edition. While it is still possible to get products relating to this game, most, if not all, are now out of print. Dungeons and Dragons has gone through numerous transformations since this piece (and this was not the original either). Back in those days you had the basic set for beginners and the advanced. I started off playing the basic, but when I met a group at the State Library of South Australia I began playing the advanced.
  I originally became addicted to Dungeons and Dragons when I was a kid. My Dad was probably one of the very few people in my suburb that owned a computer, and he had built it himself. There were a couple of others around, and sure enough their Dads had also built their computers. While we had video games in those days, they were very basic and most of them were found in shops and video arcades.
  What got me into Dungeons and Dragons was the humble adventure game. This was a game where the computer gave you a brief description of your location and you interacted with the location by using one or two word commands. Through this interaction you attempted to solve the adventure. The first I ever played was called Adventureland, where you explored a world collecting treasures and bringing them back to a location. I became addicted to adventure games, but there were very few around to satisfy my craving, and it was when I was wondering through a toystore with my dad that I stumbled across Dungeons and Dragons (the version that we bought was probably the edition that was prior to this one) and he bought it for me.
  Now the game involves a small group of players and a dungeon master. The dungeon master does not play, but rather runs the game. Like the adventure game, the dungeon master gives the location and the players then interact with that location. The dungeon master then responds by telling them the results of their interactions. Each of the players creates a character, their alter-ego in the world, and interacts with the world through their characters.
  Now the game have evolved a lot since its humble beginnings. Originally the game was simply a war game with magic. It then evolved from that to become a fully fledged game in itself. One of the main aspects of the game was combat, however back in the original form, the only time dice were rolled was when combat occurred. Any other actions were left up to the dungeon master. As mentioned, a lot has changed since then, but I make a toast to the humble beginnings of what has become a very enjoyable game.
• 
  Ken

  A great introductory set for D&D; the choose-your-own adventure at the start is fun.
• 
  Daniel Gonçalves

  Reread it after thirty two years to start a new campaign with novice players. It remains a very nice and concise way to get everyone playing quickly (and fun)!
• 
  Marcus Pan

  Where it all began! Almost...
• 
  Conan The Librarian

  Leer este libro a sido toda una experiencia. No cabe la menor duda de por qué este juego a sido y sigue siendo tan popular.
• 
  Bradley

  Ancient beginnings of roleplaying. I became a gaming geek instead of playing sports like normal kids. Who knew? =)
• 
  Darren

  Gateway drug.