D&D Expert Set rulebook by Cook/Marsh was released on pdf today. It was designed to accompany Moldvay Basic, together forming what is commonly called B/X now, but it contains a section in the beginning on using it with the previous (Holmes) Basic Set. So in one sense it's the official Expert Set for Holmes Basic.
http://www.dndclassics.com/product/110792/D%26D-Expert-Set-Rulebook-%28Basic%29
My ideal "composite D&D" uses a mixture of Holmes, Cook/Marsh Expert set, the Ready Ref Sheets from Judges Guild, and the 1e Monster Manual. You have to do the opposite of what the Expert book says, though, and have the Holmes book over-rule Cook/Marsh. (Except initiative, where I prefer rolling 1d6.)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the heads up Zach Howard !
ReplyDeleteWayne Rossi That's a really cool "composite D&D"! I've always thought about using the White Box+ Sup1 Greyhawk to "complete" Dr. Holmes' Basic D&D.
ReplyDeleteThat is until Zenopus comes up with his own guidelines to "complete" the game. At that point, I'll use his. ;)
I like composite rules because it avoids the implication that the game is somehow set or complete. Holmes D&D, being wonderfully incomplete, is a great basis for this. I think it's a shame to wrap it up in a neat little package like Moldvay did - making it too "complete," too finished and polished, and therefore less wide-open for expansion and change as your group needs.
ReplyDeleteWayne Rossi Yes! I've said before that the lack of higher levels for Holmes is a feature rather than a bug - it inspires everyone to create their own version.
ReplyDeleteI haven't bought the Expert Set pdf, but I just noticed that the cover is a scan of a 1st printing. Note the black "2" in the upper left corner. The 2nd and later printings have a white circle around this number. My print copy at home is a later printing, and I've never look at the 1st printing. I've been curious if there are any small text differences.
ReplyDeleteThe Moldvay pdf they released last month is a 2nd or later printing with the white circle. Obviously the person making these pdfs isn't checking things at this level of detail.