Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set
Dungeons & Dragons 1977 Basic Set boxart
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| Author | Based on the work of Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson J. Eric Holmes (1977 version) Tom Moldvay (1981 version) Frank Mentzer (1983 version) Troy Denning (1991 version) |
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| Genre | Role-playing game |
| Publisher | TSR, Inc. |
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Publication date
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1977, 1981, 1983, 1991 |
| Media type | Boxed set |
The Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set is a set of rulebooks for the Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) fantasy role-playing game. First published in 1977, it saw a handful of revisions and reprintings. The first edition was written by J. Eric Holmes based on Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson's original work. Later editions were edited by Tom Moldvay, Dave Cook, and Frank Mentzer.
The Basic Set details the essential concepts of the D&D game. It gives rules for character creation and level-advancement for player characters of levels 1–3. It also includes information on how to play adventures inside dungeons for both players and the Dungeon Master.
The original Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set (TSR 1001) was published by TSR, Inc. in 1977.
TSR hired outside writer John Eric Holmes to produce the Basic Set as an introductory version of the D&D game. It incorporates concepts from the original 1974 D&D boxed set plus the Supplement I: Greyhawk. The rulebook covers characters of levels one through three, rules for adventuring in dungeons, and introduces the concepts of the game, and explained the game's concepts and method of play in terms that made it accessible to new players ages twelve and above who might not be familiar with tabletop miniatures wargaming. Although the Basic Set was not fully compatible with Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, players were expected to continue play beyond third level by moving to AD&D, which began to be released later that year. Holmes preferred a lighter tone with more room for personal improvisation, while Gary Gygax, who wrote the advanced game, wanted an expansive game with rulings on any conceivable situation which might come up during play, a document which could be used to arbitrate disputes at tournaments.
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