Original Dungeons & Dragons refers to the initial edition of the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, released between 1974 and 1976. It consists primarily of the original Dungeons & Dragons 3-Volume Set (1974) and four Supplements.
Original Dungeons & Dragons is also referred to as OD&D, 0th edition, or 0e. It was succeded by a branch into two versions of the game: Basic Dungeons & Dragons and Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition.
Works[]
Original Dungeons & Dragons began with the first D&D product, the Dungeons & Dragons 3-Volume Set (1974). This boxed set defined the core rules of the game.
This was followed by a series of supplements: Greyhawk (1975), named for Gary Gygax's home campaign and adding rules which wouldn't fit in the original set; Blackmoor (1975), named for Dave Arneson's home campaign and introducing the first adventure module; Eldritch Wizardry (1976), a collection of additional game content; Gods, Demi-Gods & Heroes (1976), detailing deities of various mythoi; and Swords & Spells (1976), a set of rules for large-scale battles.
Additional works released in this era which may be included in OD&D are the sourcebook Palace of the Vampire Queen (1976), the Monster & Treasure Assortment books (Monster & Treasure Assortment Set One: Levels One-Three (1977), Monster & Treasure Assortment Set Two: Levels Four-Six (1977)), and the "Geomorphs" tiles sets (Outdoor Geomorphs Set One: Walled City (1977), Dungeon Geomorphs Set One: Basic Dungeon (1976), Dungeon Geomorphs Set Two: Caves & Caverns (1977), Dungeon Geomorphs Set Three: Lower Dungeons (1977)).
Additionally, between 1974 and 1976, all seven issues of Strategic Review magazine were published, followed by the first four issues of Dragon Magazine. The exact cutoff point for which Dragon issues refer to "OD&D" is perhaps somewhat arbitrary; the Dragondex refers to one article in Dragon #29 (Sep 1979) as OD&D.
Features[]
- See also: Dungeons & Dragons 3-Volume Set
The original Dungeons & Dragons defined much of the core of D&D. Key D&D rules introduced in OD&D include the use of polyhedral dice, character classes, races, magic items, alignment, ability scores, hirelings/retainers, morale, equipment loadout (including encumbrance), coinage, experience and levelling up, hit points, armor class, the use of a d20 to attack and make saving throws, spells of up to 6th level, turn undead, dungeon maps, magic items including random item charts, monsters including gold dragons and the five colors of chromatic dragons, dungeons, overworld travel, wilderness encounters, and upkeep costs.
The original boxed set notably lacked ten-sided dice, the term "Dungeon Master" ("referee" was used, following wargaming terminology), weapon damage dice other than d6, and character classes other than fighter, magic user and cleric. These would all be added by the OD&D supplements.
OD&D allowed theoretically unlimited level advancement; this distinguishes it from the "Basic" D&D editions, which limited character level sharply. Another quirk is the use of the Chainmail miniatures game rules for combat, although in practice many players used the "alternative" combat system included in the rules.
OD&D sourcebooks are generally characterized by the use of small (under 40 page) booklets, amateurish art due to budgetary constraints, and a lack of clear organization. Later editions would have greater publication.
Development[]
- Main article: Dungeons & Dragons 3-Volume Set#Release
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Announcement and release[]
- Main article: Dungeons & Dragons 3-Volume Set#Release
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Reception and influence[]
- Main article: Dungeons & Dragons 3-Volume Set#Reception and influence
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Retro-clones[]
- Main article: Retro-clone
Several more recent tabletop RPGs intentionally attempt to recreate the sense of Original D&D and its supplements in particular. "Retro-clones" which focus speficially on OD&D include Swords & Wizardry, Seven Voyages of Zylarthen, the minimalist Microlite74, Delving Deeper, and White Box: Fantastic Medieval Adventure Game.
External links[]
References[]
| Original Dungeons & Dragons |
|---|
| Core rules |
| Dungeons & Dragons 3-Volume Set |
| Supplements |
| Greyhawk • Blackmoor • Eldritch Wizardry • Gods, Demi-Gods & Heroes • Swords & Spells |