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Questions tagged [dnd-becmi]

For questions about BECMI D&D. BECMI stands for Basic, Expert, Companion, Masters, and Immortals, and refers to Frank Mentzer's 1983 Basic Dungeons & Dragons boxed sets of those names (and the Rules Cyclopedia combo thereof).

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Is there an AI that is capable of DMing using the 1983 Mentzer Basic DnD rules? [closed]

I'd like to solo play using the 1983 Mentzer Basic DnD rules (red box). Is there an AI that can deploy the rule set if I provide dice rolls and do the record keeping? Either published modules or ...
artSam's user avatar
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19 votes
1 answer
1k views

What is the typeface used on the 'red box' Basic D&D boxed set exterior logo?

Just what the title says. The typeface is not Filmotype's Quentin which was used for the logo in the first version of AD&D. Filmotype Quentin: What is the typeface below?
Lexible's user avatar
  • 6,148
5 votes
2 answers
806 views

How to convert BECMI monster's speed into modern D&D?

Monster speed in BECMI-like rules systems is written as, for example: Move 90' (30') What is a reasonable way of converting such a movement rate to modern D&D, such as the fifth edition (but 3rd,...
Tommi's user avatar
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15 votes
1 answer
314 views

How did Immortal boxed-set campaigns work in practice?

At the end of a long campaign, my player group's PCs ascended to immortality. Since I had a copy of the Immortals boxed set lying around, I attempted to continue the campaign using those rules, and ...
ucbpaladin's user avatar
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7 votes
1 answer
337 views

I'm trying to find a module I played as a kid

What I remember is a dungeon crawl sort of module laid out as an inverted pyramid. There was art that depicted the builders vision of the souls travel to the afterlife. At the apex of the pyramid, ...
Lee Morgan's user avatar
13 votes
1 answer
515 views

Did Castle Amber influence Magic: The Gathering?

Has a published source cited the adventure module Castle Amber as an inspiration for Magic: The Gathering? Alternatively, has a published source dismissed the seeming connections between Castle Amber ...
Hey I Can Chan's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
89 views

Boxed Set of Undead Hunting Adventures Compatable with the Rules Cyclopedia

During my early years of playing D&D (focused around the Rules Cyclopedia), I remember I had a set of adventures (I think it was 3?) that came in a boxed set. They could be run separately, or the ...
AliasedSeries's user avatar
6 votes
0 answers
127 views

What is the overview of TSR's Basic editions of D&D? [duplicate]

There are a variety of editions of D&D published by TSR in parallel to AD&D that get collectively called “Basic D&D”, but the overall relationship of the editions to each other — and which ...
SevenSidedDie's user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
832 views

How much is “full damage” when not avoiding a dragon's Crush maneuver?

So I am planning on running an OD&D game and I came across this nifty ability: Crush: This maneuver is often used if the dragon surprises nonhuman victims, or possibly against any opponents ...
Ratguard's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
613 views

Do Basic D&D and 2nd edition AD&D Mystara have separate canon timelines?

I've been DMing a 2nd Ed. AD&D Mystara Campaing for a while, but the more I read about the lore of the old suplements from the setting (basic D&D), the more I think the timeline in the 2nd Ed. ...
Garou Wolf's user avatar
21 votes
1 answer
7k views

How do I Convert Basic D&D modules to 5E?

I am a new DM back from the ancient days of D&D Basic (the original Red Box). I have a collection of old basic modules that I would like to use in 5E, for example, B5 Horror on the Hill. So far I ...
Grumbly's user avatar
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13 votes
1 answer
869 views

What are the gambling games in the "Black Box" edition of Basic D&D?

I have a vague memory of my father teaching me about dice probabilities from a "mini-game" within the Black box set, at the beginning of being in jail in the salt mines. The other prisoners, is ...
GMNoob's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
479 views

Are there mechanics for determining a starting age in D&D BECMI?

Is there a mechanical determination for 1st Level character ages in BECMI/Rules Cyclopedia? Appendix 3 character sheets and most 3rd Party sheets suggest that an age should be provided, but I can't ...
javafueled's user avatar
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13 votes
5 answers
26k views

Are there rules for increasing ability scores after character creation in Basic D&D?

Are there any rules (house or otherwise) for increasing ability scores after character creation in Basic D&D or any of its retro clones? (Other than magic items or wishes.) When we generated ...
Discord's user avatar
  • 7,470
8 votes
3 answers
4k views

Differences between Mentzer BECM D&D and Allston Rules Cyclopedia D&D

The D&D Rules Cyclopedia is supposed to cover the same ruleset as the Basic, Expert, Companion and Masters D&D Boxed Sets. Are the rules the same? Does it use the same text, or is it a ...
Sean McMillan's user avatar
10 votes
1 answer
2k views

What was the D&D Challenger Series?

As I try to get a handle on the incredibly numerous variations within "basic" and "original" D&D, I've come across a few sets of books that are related by some common title that doesn't seem well ...
rjbs's user avatar
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16 votes
6 answers
11k views

In early D&D, why would chainmail ever be preferred over plate armor?

In early D&D, both chainmail and plate armor were considered metal armor, and to slow the wearer to 60' per turn. Chainmail cost 40gp, and plate armor 60gp. Their encumbrance was 400 or 500 coins ...
Matt Joiner's user avatar
14 votes
4 answers
847 views

Is there any popular contemporary "classic" D&D material? [duplicate]

I've played the gamut of D&D editions from 2e, 3e, 4e, and the classic BECMI system, and after a year long hiatus from 4th edition, I'm considering running some "classic" D&D again. I'm aware ...
Matt Joiner's user avatar
15 votes
6 answers
2k views

Using 2x on d12 instead of x on a d6 in OD&D/Classic D&D/Clones

A staple of of early D&D is the "1 in 6" or "2 in 6" chance for surprise, finding secret doors, and so on. Recently, some of the retro-clones, mostly noticeably Lamentations of the Flame Princess ...
HerbN's user avatar
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70 votes
8 answers
41k views

What are the differences between Holmes, Moldvay, and Mentzer D&D?

What are the differences between Holmes, Moldvay, and Mentzer D&D? Also, which one came first?
Ry St's user avatar
  • 3,500