This is a small post about the history of "Basic D&D", plus some of its greatest versions (including B/X) and clones.
What is "Basic D&D"?
Basic D&D is a line of D&D products that started in 1977 and ended a bit before 2000. The first version (Holmes- see below)was meant as an introduction to D&D, but since 1981 (B/X - see below) it became a separate line of products, with its own rules, settings (most notably Blackmoor and Mystara/Known World), adventures, etc. I won't talk about these settings and adventures here; suffice to say, they were separate from the AD&D line.
FromWikipedia(emphasis mine):
After the release of theAD&Dgame, theBasic Setsaw a major revision in1981by editorTom Moldvay.[2]The game was not brought in line withAD&Dbut instead further away from that ruleset, and thusthe basicD&Dgame became a separate and distinct product line fromAD&D. The former was promoted as a continuation of the tone of originalD&D, whileAD&Dwas an advancement of the mechanics.
[...]
With the revision of theBasic Set, discrete rulesets for higher character levels were introduced as expansions for the basic game.The MoldvayBasic Setwas immediately followed by the accompanying release of anExpert Setedited byDave CookwithSteve Marshthat supported character levels four through fourteen, with the intent that players would continue with theExpert Set.
Basic D&D has some idiosyncrasies when compared to other editions of D&D, most notably "race as class": you can choose to be an elf OR a fighter, but not both. In addition, there are many small differences (different classes, races, spells, monsters, settings, deities, etc.) that can be considered boons or banes, depending on your taste. I think it is fair to say that both AD&D and BD&D have their own unique and awesome bits.
This graph from Wikipedia is accurate, but remember Holmes is still part of the "original edition" (the separate line starting with B/X).
What is B/X, and why so popular?
B/Xis an abbreviation ofBasic/ExpertD&D - the two books picture below, published in 1981.
This edition is noteworthy because, for many people,it is the best/easiest iteration of D&D, ever.
Moldvay'sBasicmight the best D&D ever written, indeed. Only 64-pages, and contains answers to questions that have been discussed for ages - before and after this book. I've written multiple posts on the subject, calling it an oracle and a . Cook/Marsh'sExpert completes the game with wilderness stuff, domain management, and more tools for adventuring.
Some of its qualities:
- Much simpler and leaner than AD&D or BECMI (see below).
- Still, a complete game, with dungeons, wilderness, domain building, etc.
- Clearer and better organized than the original D&D (1974) and Holmes Basic.
- Streamlined ability scores, with bonuses going from -3 to +3 across every ability.
B/X is the basis of my current game, despite heavy house-ruling. I think it is a great game but not with its flaws (also, some idiosyncrasies that are not to everyone's liking - for example, dwarves and elves are classes). There are LOTS of room for improvement and even corrections to be made, IMO.
Still - probably the best, as explained in the links above.
Other official "Basic D&D" products
B/X should not be confused with Holmes' Basic (1977)or BECMI (1983+).
Holmes' Basic (1977) was written as an introduction to D&D (the original 1974 game). While a good game in itself, it feels incomplete because of that (it has only three levels). It also has some quirks: it lacks some very popular innovations such as different weapon damage, while simultaneously having strange/broken rules such as a dagger attacking twice, for example.
BECMI (1983-1985)is a later revision that adds lots of stuff compared to B/X. BECMI stands for Basic, Expert, Companion, Master and Immortal - each a separate book, like B/X. They are also known as "Mentzer's Basic", "Mentzer's Expert", etc. It has a "tutorial" format, good for introducing beginners to the D&D rules. Many changes are positive (e.g., the cleric), and it has tons of cool options, but it eventually adds too much IMO, including adventuring beyond the 36th level. The first two books (BE) are very similar to B/X.
TheRules Cyclopedia (1991)compiles most of the BECMI rules, and it might be the most complete D&D book ever, including 36 levels, immortals, monsters, and DM advice in a single book. Again, great for inspiration, but too much to use at once IMO.
The basic line ended a few years before 2000, when the "basic" and "advanced" versions were merged into a single game (D&D 3e). There were other products called "Basic D&D" after this time, but these were not usually meant as a distinct line of products,
All these products are more or less compatible, but B/X and its clones remain the most popular.
The three main clones: LL, BFRPG and OSE
There has been several "clones" of B/X, and they are some of the most popular OSR products. These are the three most important ones (due to popularity, sales, and being very close to B/X). They all have free versions, both in PDF and online format (or both), linked below.
Labyrinth Lord (LL) - A version of B/X with very small changes (adds more levels to some classes, streamlines the cleric's weird spell progression and gives them spells on level 1). It was a pioneer in many aspects.
The main draw:Goblinoid Games was the firstretro-clonepublisher to both make most content open under the OGL and create afreetrademarklicense[...]. The material contained in the LL rules is available to others with few restrictions, allowing fans and other publishers alike to create their own derivative material for use with the system.[2](Wikipedia). OSE is a derivative of the LL text IIRC, and I considered using it for one of my own games - it is really good.
[notice that the OGL is going through a ruckus caused by WotC at the time of this post, so I wouldn't advise using it at this moment].
Basic Fantasy RPG (BFRPG) - Another early clone with small changes, mainly ascending armor class and separation of character race and class. Also streamlines the cleric in addition to the thief (skills always use percentages). Here is the freeSRD.
The main draw:BFRPG has an open/free philosophy, encouraging people to participate and create their own stuff, which fosters an amazing community with lots of free tools, in addition to cheap physical books and good rules (the basic book has few but worthy innovations). It has a CC-BY-SA version too. Check it here.
Old-School Essentials (OSE) - This is a newer clone (c. 2019). It is a strict B/X clone - as close to B/X as possible. Doesn't fix, add or change almost anything, but makes the rules clearer, has a clean layout and wonderful presentation: indexed, organization, great art, etc. It is the best looking of the three IMO. Rules-wise, it lacks the additions/corrections of the other two. Here is the free SRD.
The main draw:The presentation, amazing looks and faithfulness to the original rules. The SRD is also amazing.
Advanced versions
Both LLand OSE have "advanced" versions, bringing ideas from AD&D (race separated from class, more races, classes, monsters, items, etc.).
BFRPG has no advanced version "per se", but you can findrules for more classes, races etc., here.
Other "clones": LotFP, DCC and DFB
These are not exact clones, but clearly inspired by Basic D&D. The OSR clones are endless, but many are inspired by other editions of D&D instead of Basic(or no specific edition). Maybe one day I'll try to tackle at least a few dozen... but I chose three "clones" for this post.
Lamentations of the Flame Princess (LotFP)- Famous for its gory, mature, bloody art and themes, and some interesting adventures, but for me the rules are the best part: well organized, streamlined, and even somewhat rebalanced. Seems inspired by Mentzer's B/E. It strays a bit further from Basic than any of the ones mentioned above, but still roughly compatible. I find most of the changes (cleric, turn undead, 1d6 thief skills, encumbrance, the summon spell, etc.) very positive and preferable to the original rules and other clones. The basic rules do not contain anything explicit or gory except for one spell (summon) that might cause sexual violence.Free version here.
Dungeon Crawl Classics (DCC RPG) - this one is ALSO famous for its cool art (but funny/retro instead of gory) and great adventures. System-wise, it uses a 3.5e basis but turns it into an OSR game. It is barely a "B/X clone", renaming attributes, creating new mechanic's and using lots of random tables. I think it deserves mention due to its popularity, coolness, and keeping of some B/X idiosyncrasies (race-as-class, fewer levels, etc.). You can find it here (free quickstart here).
Dark Fantasy Basic(DFB)- My own clone! Instead of copying mechanics from B/X, I took Moldvay's Basic and rewrote it page by page, adding some stuff from 3e and 5e (also some DCC and Target 20 inspiration). I am still using it to this day, but with some revisions, since I published in 2017. It still roughly compatible with B/X and I use it with published adventures from other clones, but it has a few bits of its own. You can find it here (alas, no free version available yet; I'll probably make a free version of the next update, but for now here is a discount coupon).
In conclusion...
As said above, Basic D&D, in its many forms (including clones), is considered by many as the best version of D&D. If you haven't tried it, you're missing out!
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