D&D RELATIONSHIPS,
THE PARTS AND THE WHOLE
Comments on the state of the game

by Gary Gygax

 

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Dragon 14	-	Best of Dragon, Vol. II	-	Dragon

Not a few D&D enthusiasts are puzzled about what is going on
with the game. They are wondering what the ‘new “Basic Set” of D&D
is, will the Original game be around much longer, and what ADVANCED D&D is and when it will be available. As briefly as possible,
I will attempt to answer all such questions, for we have no desire to
confuse DMs and players as to what is taking place

Before the third supplement (ELDRITCH WIZARDRY) was in
print, it had been decided that some major steps would have to be taken
to unify and clarify the D&D game system. This project began then, but
such a long and complex. task cannot be accomplished quickly if it is to
be done right, and if nothing else we were determined to do it right! Organizational work was in progress when correspondence with J. Eric
Holmes, professor, author and incidentally a respected neurologist,
disclosed that the Good Doctor was interested in undertaking the first
stage of the project — the rewriting and editing necessary to extract a
beginner’s set of D&D from the basic set and its supplements. The result of his labors is the “Basic Set” of D&D.

“Basic” D&D does not differ greatly from the Original except that
it is far better structured — thus far more understandable for an individual previously not acquainted with the concept of fantasy role playing. The rules clarify things and are changed in a few minor areas which
do not materially affect existing campaigns. There are a few new first
and second level spells. It is important to note, however, that the
“Basic Set” is NOT aimed at the existing group of enthusiasts, it is designed solely for new players. It has rules which take players only
through the first three experience levels! If they enjoy the game they
must then obtain either AD&D or D&D. As advertisements have boldly
proclaimed, the set has everything needed to BEGIN PLAYING D&D,
Whether or not the work is purchased for purposes of having a complete collection of D&D material, IT IS NOT NECESSARY FOR
PLAYERS ALREADY ACQUAINTED WITH THE MECHANICS
OF DUNGEONS & DRAGONS. Well then, what about references in
the new work which direct the reader to ADVANCED DUNGEONS &
DRAGONS? you might well ask.

The “Basic Set” was done with care, and it can lead to either the
Original game or to the new, as yet unfinished, ADVANCED D&D.
Because of the numerous supplements and articles necessary to make
D&D a more easily understandable and multifaceted game, we decided
that a whole new game was in order. There were too many gray areas in
the Original, too many different books, too many varying approaches
offered. However, the first work will never be done away with, for it
offers a system which still attracts many persons. Whether from a nostaliga standpoint, from a desire to collect anything pertaining to D&D,
or because of the content which will be excluded from the concept of
the new game, we at TSR are certain that Original D&D will always be
in demand. The-only part of the system which will be revised to fit into
ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS is Supplement IV, GODS,
DEMI-GODS, & HEROES. Here is what the new game will consist of:

ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, MONSTER
MANUAL was anticipated to be ready prior to Christmas. (As usual,
there were delays, mainly from the printer and the binder.) I am drafting the final manuscript for the player’s book, and a rough outline of
the referee’s volume is on hand, so work on that can commence as soon
as the former is completed. Furthermore, Messrs. Kuntz and Ward are
hard at work revising the G, D-G, H supplement so that it will be ready

to go into print late in 1978 or in early ‘79. The player’s and referee’s
books should be available in the summer of ‘78. Thus, AD&D will consist of four books — three main parts and a supplement. The MONSTER MANUAL and GODS, DEMIGODS, & HEROES will fit into
the Original game system with a bit of care on the part of the Dungeon
Master, if such is desired. But all-in-all, ADVANCED DUNGEONS &
DRAGONS is a new game. To state this in terms of existing boardgames, for example, AD&D and D&D will bear the same relationship
as STALINGRAD does to RUSSIAN CAMPAIGN. The former is a
truly classic game, but the latter is even better. Nonetheless, devotees
will wish to have both! Furthermore, to carry the analogy a bit further,
parts of RUSSIAN CAMPAIGN can be incorporated into STALINGRAD to give the latter new horizons in respect to the strategies and
tactics of play. While each game will retain a following which adhere
only to one or the other, most players will certainly wish to have both
regardless of which they find themselves playing more frequently.

In summation, the “Basic Set” of D&D is aimed at new players,
those persons as yet uninitiated to the wonders of fantasy role playing.
While it channels these new adventurers towards the ADVANCED
game, with its better ordered and more clear rules, it suits such players
for play of the Original game just as well. Nearly all of the Original
booklets will remain unchanged and in print, only G, D-G, & H will be
revised to fit into ADVANCED D&D. The whole of AD&D will be a
better, cleaner system aimed at improving the understanding of the role
playing game system. The first three books, the main part, will be ready
in mid-1978 if all goes as expected. I am certain that you will find them
worth the wait!