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Although this one is not from the Basic rules, it does seem relevant. The PHB predated Moldvay's rules by three years. My suspicion is that when the Basic rules were written this detail about the thieves' ability was already so well understood as to be assumed, so that neither Moldvay nor his proofreaders ever noticed that he failed to state it explicitly.

• Module B3 Palace of the Silver Princess by Tom Moldvay, Entry 53, Page 12

Although Moldvay is credited as author of the module, he did not necessarily write this inconvenient passage. Module B3 had a complicated history (read the Wikipedia article). It credits several people with "Development" in addition to Moldvay and he is not listed under "Editing". Furthermore, the awkward structure and multiple grammatical errors suggest to me at least the possibility that someone other than Moldvay could have written it. And let's not overlook that the rule itself simply beggars common sense. That venerable Moldvay wrote those words with full cognizance seems unfathomable to me. Yet there they stand, and his name on the cover. Each man must reconcile the fact in his own thoughts.

Grudging thanks to Kaique de Oliveira for bringing this rather unfortunate passage to my attention in his answer on this page.

Although this one is not from the Basic rules, it does seem acutely relevant. The PHB predated Moldvay's rules by three years. Could it be that when the Basic rules were written this detail about the thieves' ability was already so well understood as to be assumed, so that neither Moldvay nor his proofreaders ever noticed that he failed to state it explicitly?

• Palace of the Silver Princess (Module B3) by Tom Moldvay, Entry 53, Page 12

Now let's not all start hyperventilating. Although Moldvay is credited as author of the module, he was not necessarily the author this particular passage. Module B3 had a complicated history (read the Wikipedia article). It credits several people with "Development" in addition to Moldvay and he is not listed under "Editing". Furthermore, the awkward structure and multiple grammatical errors in this passage suggest to me at least the possibility that someone other than Moldvay could have written it. And let's not overlook that the rule itself simply beggars common sense! That venerable Moldvay wrote those words with full cognizance seems unfathomable to me. Yet there they are, and his name on the cover. Each man must do bloody battle with the fact in the coliseum of his own mind.

Grudging thanks to Kaique de Oliveira for bringing to light this intriguing, if inconvenient, piece of the puzzle.

Although this one is not from the Basic rules, it does seem relevant. The PHB predated Moldvay's Basic rules by three years. My suspicion is that when he wrote his rules this detail about the thieves' ability was already so well understood as to be assumed, so that neither Moldvay nor his proofreaders ever noticed that he failed to state it explicitly.

Thanks to Kaique de Oliveira for bringing this unfortunate passage to my attention in his answer on this page.

Although this one is not from the Basic rules, it does seem relevant. The PHB predated Moldvay's rules by three years. My suspicion is that when the Basic rules were written this detail about the thieves' ability was already so well understood as to be assumed, so that neither Moldvay nor his proofreaders ever noticed that he failed to state it explicitly.

Grudging thanks to Kaique de Oliveira for bringing this rather unfortunate passage to my attention in his answer on this page.

There are many passages in the text which support the notion that Moldvay saw a distinction between the kinds of traps that any adventurer can find and the kind that thieves alone can find and remove. Equally important, there are no passages which contradict the notion.

• Module B3 Palace of the Silver Princess, Entry 53, Page 12

Although Moldvay is credited as author of the module, he did not necessarily write this inconvenient passage. Module B3 had a complicated history. It credits several people with "Development" in addition to Moldvay and he is not listed under "Editing". Furthermore, the awkward structure and multiple grammatical errors suggest to me at least the possibility that someone other than Moldvay could have written it. And let's not overlook that the rule itself simply beggars common sense. That venerable Moldvay wrote those words with full cognizance seems unfathomable to me. Yet there they stand, and his name on the cover. Each man must reconcile the fact in his own thoughts.

There are many passages in the text which support the notion that Moldvay saw a distinction between the kinds of traps that any adventurer can find and the kind that thieves alone can find and remove. Equally important, there are no passages in the Basic Rule Book which contradict the notion.

• Module B3 Palace of the Silver Princess by Tom Moldvay, Entry 53, Page 12

Although Moldvay is credited as author of the module, he did not necessarily write this inconvenient passage. Module B3 had a complicated history (read the Wikipedia article). It credits several people with "Development" in addition to Moldvay and he is not listed under "Editing". Furthermore, the awkward structure and multiple grammatical errors suggest to me at least the possibility that someone other than Moldvay could have written it. And let's not overlook that the rule itself simply beggars common sense. That venerable Moldvay wrote those words with full cognizance seems unfathomable to me. Yet there they stand, and his name on the cover. Each man must reconcile the fact in his own thoughts.

Thanks to Kaique de Oliveira for bringing this unfortunate passage to my attention in his answer on this page.