Table Of Contentm
The revlwd and updated DUNGEON MASTER" Gulde for the AD&D@2 nd Edition game.
TSR, Inc. TSR Ltd.
FOB 756 120 Church End, Cherry Hinton
Lake Genw Cambd@ CB13LB
WI 53147 USA United Kingdom
.
A vast work like the AD&V 2nd Bdltion enough space to mention exactly what each puwn did, each has
game dmn't spring into being from nothing. E8peciaUy not in thir been important to the drvafolmMt of the gam Mmk Acm, Peter
case, since this is the 2nd Edition of the game. The ADhD game Aroruon, Jim Bambra, Brian Blume, Karen Boomgarden, Mike
owes its existence to the efforts of many people. Breault, Mike Can: Sean Cleuy, Troy Dmning, Michael Dob.
The ADhD game probably never would have existed without the Jean-hub Piasson, Joe Fischer, Ed Greenwood, Ernie Gygu, Luke
work of Guy Gygax and Dave Amenon. Together they introduced Gygax, Mary Gygax, Allen Hammack, Neal Healey, Kevin Hen-
the world to the concept of roleplaying gams. Their cfforcl re- dryx, J. Eric Holmea, Tom HoIelnger, Jake Jaqwt, Harold Johnson,
sulted in the DUNGEONS & DRAGON9 game, farrunncl. of the Timothy Jones, Tim W, Jeff Key, Tan Kbby, Rick Krebs, Rob
AD&D system. Guy Gyyx then went on to be the prineip.l QN- Kune, Terry Kuntz, Dave Lpone, Len Lolrdlu, Jeff Leason, Alan
tor and gut- force of the ADhD ntln. His particular vidon set Ludon, Francoh Marcela-Prddcv.l, Steve MMh,D ave Mesprry,
the standards for what,the ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAG Frank Matrp. Tom Moldvay, R o w Moore, Mike Momard,
ON9g ame WM--md what it wasn't. Gram Morris, Brua Namith, Schar NiebIing, WIU Niebling,
A game such u the ADCD game, or MYr ole-playing game, b Ed ohu,J eff Parin, Penny Pefticord, Jon P i h , M ike hier,
more than thework of just oneman. Many oth h a v ew ritten rule Pat Rice, Jean Rabe, Paul Rddn 111, Gregory Rum, Dave and De
books, contributed ideas, playtested, criticized, and added thdr borah Ritchie, Tom Robert60n. EVM Robincon, John Sapiaus, La-
own interpretations of what the game b. Por their efforta, they too wrence Schick, Dous Schwegman, Cul Smith, Curtis Smith, Ed
deserve credit. Nm rule books were written by David "ab" Cook Solkn, Steve Sullivan, Dennis Swtur, Dave Suthaland, Dave
(Olirnhl Admntuns), Jeff Grubb (Manual of the P h ) ,T racy Trampler, Don Tumbull, Jack Vance, Jean W,T ma Wham, Mike
Hwunan (DRAGONLANCP Adurnturn), Kim Mohan (Wildw- Williams, Skip Williams, and Steve Winter dl deserve a share of
nesa Surubal Guide), Douglas Nib (Dungeoneerk SurubaI the credit.
Guide), Jim Wud (Legend#a nd Low, GREYHAWP Adornturn), E m(o , thelist of those to thank bnot wmpkte. It can never be
and Margaret Mkis (DRAGONLANCP AdAdAdAdAdAdAdAdAdAdu ntr.) complete. The ADhD game is continually evolving-each player
Over the years, many popk have written rules, edited manu- and each DM" addshin own touch to thewhole. No lbt of special
scripts, offered suggestions, and ph-. with an tdui&ng thanks can be complete without wcog&hg the mat important
M large an the ADCD game, this list is long, but each of these pee- contributors of &-the milllono of pLyen who, over the yeam,
ple deserves mention for his or her efforts. While there is not have made the ADCD game what it is today.
l%a deri&vative w ork b e do n the orighd ADVANCm) DUNGFXlNS DRAGONS PlalyIn Handbook and Dungeon M ~ t mGui de by Gary
Gywa nd Unearthed Arcana and other matalalr by Gary Gywa nd othm.
M o mH ow and Ib dflIIate comp.nln have rorldwld. dlntributton rights in the book trde fer Rdlhi anruy prdwh of 'mu Inc. !Alrlbuted to the bmk d hobby
trr& in th United Kingdom by TSR Ltd. Mitributed to the toy mnd hobby tmk by r@oJ dlsulbuton. 99w TSR, Inc. AU Ri&b Faervd.
~w~rki~p~tcctldvndcrt~hc~tLmoftheUnltdStatmof~ca..Anyrrpmdurtl~nor~utthhoedn~uu~ualrloafr tw.xk~tedhminlsp
without the lxprni wrltta mmtd TSR, Inc.
Wm38-729-7 3rd printinp Novcmtm 1991 Printed In thn U.S.A.
Foreword
A foreword is normally the place where the author of a book expresses thanks and
gratitude. I’m not going to do that here. It’s not that everyone involved doesn’t deserve
congratulations and praise, it’s just that I already said all those things in the foreword to the
AD&W 2nd Edition Player’s Handbook. Everything I said there is true for this book, too.
On to other things.
Let’s assume that since you’re reading this, you are, or plan to be, a DUNGEON
MASTER”, By now, you should be familiar with the rules in the Player‘s Handbook. You’ve
probably already noticed things you like or things you would have done differently. If you
have, congratulations. You‘ve got the spirit every Dungeon Master needs. Curiosity and the
desire to make changes, to do things differently because your idea is better than the other
guy’s-these are the most important things a Dungeon Master needs. As you go through this
rule book, I encourage you to continue to make these choices.
Choice is what the AD&D 2nd Edition game is all about. We’ve tried to offer you what
think are the best choices for your AD&D campaign, but each of us has different likes
-.1
I dislikes. The game that I enjoy may be quite different from your own campaign. But it
is not for me to say what is right or wrong for your game. True, I and everyone working on
the ADkD 2nd Edition game have had to make fundamental decisions, but we’ve tried to
woid being dogmatic and inflexible. The AD&D game is yours, it’s mine, it‘s every player’s
game.
So is there an ”official” AD&D game? Yes, but only when there needs to be. Although I
don’t have a crystal ball, it‘s likely that tournaments and other official events will use all of
the core rules in these books. Optional rules may or may not be used, but it‘s fair to say that
all players need to know about them even if they don’t have them memorized.
The Player’s Handbook and the DUNGEON MASTER” Guide give you what you‘re
expected to know, but that doesn’t mean the game begins and ends there. Your game will go
in directions not yet explored and your players will try things others think strange.
Sometimes these strange things will work; sometimes they won’t. Just accept this, be ready
for it, and enjoy it.
Take the time to have fun with the AD&D rules. Add, create, expand, and extrapolate.
Don’t just let the game sit there, and don’t become a rules lawyer worrying about each
piddly little detail. If you can’t figure out the answer, MAKE IT UP1 And whatever you do,
don’t fall into the trap of believing these rules are complete. They are not. You cannot sit
back and let the rule book do everything for you. Take the time and effort to become not
just a good D W ,b ut a brilliant one.
At conventions, in letters, and over the phone I’m often asked for the instant answer to a
fine point of the game rules. More often than not, I come back with a question-what do
you feel is right? And the people asking the questions discover that not only can they create
an answer, but that their answer is as good as anyone else‘s. The rules are only guidelines.
At the beginning of the first DUNGEON MASTER” Guide, Gary Gygax stressed that
each of us, working from a common base, would make the ADBD game grow in a variety
of different directions. That is more true today than ever. Don’t be afraid of
experimentation, but do be careful. As a Dungeon Master, you have great power, and “with
great power comes great responsibility.” Use it wisely.
David “Zeb Cook
2/9/89
3
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Int.Ir\ h o\tzd 'Puoircndte b AAnsb.to uotf -Bizdantigo na. D W .7 ChDCKalneeaelgwipibni enAgrg abA tPieilli iCatgiymnhemar..ns e ginnet ..t..h e.. ..D...a..r..k...... .....................?... a ..?? .aa a ITD(OJheeeptt etmclnoalninntai ilonn Rfggu Sl SRpep)eme U.l l.rR .cc.oa.hmm.. T.pr.ico.mh.n.e.e...n .... t..s.. ............ ........ ...UI 4u
CGChhiMMMpvoiomneeesttgthhi tn hPooigddld Pa aI y1Il l 1eCa((12r yh(Msd 3aaSW6rd Ca. 6hc, b.ta 1erur T rCuahnemtgyaet Wdl Ao tboanln tMtkta.ys.e t t..Ierh..)ooc... rd.a..e.....r) ... ....... .... .. .... 9. 99999 WUeICncnhvtscuo otlounifn nsCcgtai hotrhayuen s C( CCllhhnh-ag. an nAggele. ig... n...m........e....n....t . ............................ ........ ....?...?.a? ..a2 a 8 uvTphAR(ecCd rIa@drm rlIonprtngocSahr atIiax nNnRpgce uaeEw kxho )tSfr rpa.Ee. eW.x.l.lp ..tiez.o.r.a l..t.er.h.dn..e..c . s.Se...pp.... et....U..*.. ... .B......o......o ...k....... .A .... UUU 5
Wod IV (3d6 twice. arranged to taste) .10 Weapon Profid..e.n.d.e..a. ................. 30 Too Little or Too. M...u.c..h..... ............. .U
Method V (4d6, dmp.. lo.w..e.s.t,. .......... MinlMaxlng. ..................... .Jo Constant. .G...~..l..i.. ................... .I.s_
arrqe as desired). ...........1 0 NPC Proflcimdw ................J o Fun.. .................. AS
Method VI (pints. p. hi did ........... IO Nonmapon Rofidenciea ...............J o Character Sun.h..r.a.l. ................. A5
Super Characters.. .10 Ad- New Profldmcies .31 Improvement M
... .... ........................
IDduenlitnifgy iwngit Th oTox-P-Powom h\l Cahraacratecrtse rs.. ..1I11 chC.po(nwtr o6ll1inM go thnee yM &onndey Iq SuuCppnlny - ..... ..3322 VaSritaobryle G Gooal&s .. ................................. ...... %U
Monetary Systems.. ........ ......... .31 kpCerrokunpc Ae Pwoairndt ,A. .w..a.r.d.8. .............. ..%.%
A GLSheotooterdtrs sH o.if.r t.Co.rr.ey.d o.If t..C.. .o.r..n.. . ............. . 333222 I(nodpivtlidoudai R Euxlep)e r.k.n..c.e. .A..w..a.r.d.,. ......... ......Y
COBiaNrt.e. r.. ......................... . .......... .. 3333 wEfhfeucrts t oof AEwxpacrdrk Emxrp e.r.i.e.n.c...e.. P...o..i..n..t.s.. ......... ....
................... Tralning (OptidR ule).
Type of. .C..o.i.n.s... .................... L. .33 Rate of Advancement .............
ExpMn .A .............
..................
Squalid Conditions. ................... .34 Uvptcr91COmbat ..........
... Poor Conditions.. ..............3 4 Creating VivM Combat SmK, ...... .5l
OUA pNMon 2-%Ht tuamyn W CoLrlUd.u. tr In .t4 MWiedadltbhyC 1C.oun dCitMiodn.ist..i.o. .n...s. .................... .......U . .a DeMfinoirteio Tnsh .n..J .u..t..H ....e..c...k...-..a..n...d...-..S...h..h.... ....... ....5511
Racial Level Reat~ictiom Draining the Coffers .34 The Attack Roll. .5l
... .......... ...........
SSltoawn dAuddv Canlcuerm aenndt L(Oevpetli oWnal uRu.l. e ). .14 AExltpearinndgin Pgr itchees E.q..u.i.p.m..e.n..t .L.i.s.t.s. ....... ..3344 FMlgowdilfniegr sth teo Tthoe-H Aitt tNacuk mRokll .......... .3522
. ............
Exmdingkel Limits (optionai Rul.e.). .. IS Equipment by Thne Pe.r.io.d..... . ..... .A5 Weapon Type n.A ..n.n..o.r. .M...o.d..W..m... ..
Creating New Player Character Ram ... .15 The Ancient Wo.r.ld. ........ ...... % (Optional Rule) ....... .52
cmw 3, riaynCbuacterU.ua.. .t7 The Dark Agw ......... .... .35 The Various Typm of Wupo.n.r. .......,. 52
QW, Lwei, and the Common Man.. ..... 17 The Middle Ages ................... A5 lmporrlble To31it N.u.m..b.e.n. ..........,..5.3
0-he1 Characters.. ....................1 7 TheRmsiuuna... ..............J s Calculating THACO. ...............5 3
Adventvrrn and Society ......... Adjusting Equipment U..b.. ............J.b Combat and Encounte.r.s..... ...............5 3
Quslity of Equip.m...e.n.t.... ............... .Jb The Combat R d . ....... Q
Lock Quality ...................... .A what You can Doh .o.n.e. R...o..d.. ......5.(
Hone Quality. ...........3 6 The Comb.a.t. .S.e.q..u.e.n.c.e. ................ .5(
Hone Tralh (Optional Ru.l.e.) ............ M Initiative ........ .55
Risks of Hone Buy.in.g..... ...............3 7 Standard IniUative p.m..cc.d.u.r.e. ........,.5.5
Weapon Quslity.. .37 Initiative Modifiers .55
Ornamentation. ..................... .37 Group Idtiative (Optional Rule). .......... .%
chuuter u.ua in Yo Armor Ma& of U..n.u..s.u.a.l. .M..e.t.a.l.s. .... Individual Initiative (optioatlR .ul.e.).. .....5 6
High-Lwei Characters.. . (Optional Rule) ..................3.7 Multlple Attacks and Initia.tl.v.e. .......% ..
Dmaglng Equipment .............3 8 speucuting and InitllHve. ,.57
General Weapm Damage. .38 WNpOn sped and Initiative
.................. .....................
Attack Pomu ............... 39 (Options.1. R..u.l.e.). .................... .57
ChInapittiearl W71 iMzarud leSp ells ....................t4 11 AtNtaucmkibnegr. .o.f.A ..t.ta..c.k..... ........ . ............55. .77 _
Playa Choice.. ..................... .41 Facing .......... ..... .57
............ Weapon Lmgth .57
.. PIayerlDM Collaboration ... 41
(Optional Rule) , , Acquisition of Spells B.e.y.o.nd. .1.s.t. L.ev.e.l.... .....I1 Pole Amu and Weapn F&&
CGoopinygin Ugp f irno Lm eSvpeel#ll Books.. ............4 411 ~C@onaRl ule) ..................... .58
.................... S Wend Wrrpon Prontlge
Scroll h r c h . . .4l .....................
............_ ... (Optional Rule) .58
Study with a Mentor.. .41 ................
........ Hltthg a Swific T w .58
DSpMASeUpl lC e hlSol lnBhrtonroo. akl n o.Pdf. r .sSe .pp.hr.aal.rpl.a e.At..i co...qn..u....i. .s..i..t.i..o...n.... ............... ............U 4U4 21 MMCoamolvleeedmn Steh niont tiC*n. o M.m..eb.l.ea.et....., . ........................................ ............... 555. 888
................... Mwemmt and Mlde Combat.. .58
AlAignlimmenetn otf o Mf RudbiglloI ntrm .u..... ................. 26 ExHSppaoenwldl iBMnogao tkhn eyC SPocysht.o.io.n lr aof SMpeaU& B.o o.k.?... .........., 4 UA23 CRhaergaitn . g. .a.n.. w....e..n...t..... ............................. ............ SS
Magical Alignment Chaw .................. Attacking Without Killing .S
Adding New Spells .43 ..............
. Punching and Wrestling .S
Alignmenti in Conflict . SpEelxl pRaemseioanrc Th h.r.o.u.g.h. C.a.m..p.a.ig.n.. .D .et.ai.l... ..4.3. ..a Overbearing ......................... ..... a
Swestlng a New Spell.. ..............4 3 Weapons In Non-Lethal Combat.. . .. m
Analyzing a Spell.. ................... 43 Non-Lethal Combat and .C.r.e.a.t.u.n.s. ., ., ., ...W
Detecting Alignment.. Touch Spell8 and Combat. .W
ACsukti@ng . a. .Sp.e.l.l . ........... a2 7 SSoetltviinngg L t hSep Pelrl'os bLleemvesl o.f. a. .N.e.w. .S.p.e.ll. ,. ,. ,. .,.Au 4 CrWitihcayl NHol hC (rOiptltido Hnaitl RTuablel)e d, -.6611
4
TCwrioti cWalo Prkuamblbel Ca.r i.t.i.c.a.l. .H....lt.. .S....p...t..m.....u.. ........... 66 11 TMteaalnsuhrlen iTnagb Blawl.a.n .c.e. ................................................ .........d 8 Z2 PmNMP\Cu :-r"M pyi ..d.I..t..s..r...u..... .................................. .........
Purylnp (Optional Rule) ............. 61 Too Little T .- .............. P Walk& N. PCl ...................
Miuile We.a.p.o.n.s. .i.n. C..o..m..b.a.t... ......... .61 Monty Haul cu..n.p....i..e.n.,..,. .......... ..Pa SigrlHCanI .N.WTU~ ........
blgc.. ........................ .62 Myid Items.. .......... 0th .N..P.C.. .ch .*at.arr.licrrt....................
Rate of Fin. . .62 Creatum and Myical. I.t.e.m.s. ............d 3 Loyalty ....................
APlbriilnigt yi nMtoo ad UMleenle ien. .M..i.d..e. C.o..m.b.a..t...... .,. ..... 6 622 Meuyyiince-Mb.eB leo.rl ICteommsm on ........................8 3a QuMkokrNalFe.c Y ..................
T a mC ova A@mt .M.l.u.i.le. .F.ir.e.. .......6 2 Rnrurhing M.e*.l Items. . .&
Gmde-Wh Mld.w.. .................a The Nature of M..e..i.u..l .F.a..b.r.!.u..H..o.n.... , , .84 cL.pb131vwOnnd. ~
Tscyaptteorf [email protected] UbMiuil.a. ................. 66.35 Sasoelrhou asn .d.. P....o..t..i..o..n..s.. .................................... . ..8855 6ff&eCintls o sf eLai&l.t ..S..o..u.r.m...... .............. ....
Spheciual Ai thtauc k Ms..W ...e..W ..e..a.p..n.s.. ....... ..... .6655 CrPeOattiinOgN O tha Myical Item.s. ........................a, 8 ?7 UgChrte Taitiucmb .aa.nn.d.d. n.L.ia&..pt. ...S.. O..U...IW........ ........... ....
Attack@ Wlth.. C..h..u.m..e..d. .C..r.e.a.t.u..m.. .63 Rechr(ling M@al Items.. ............,.M Infravlllon .............
GInanzaet eA AtmMdHut ia. ................................... .......6M 4 DArwtitfraocytsln asn Md R@eclhd (IOtepmtsi.o.n al Ru.l.e.).. ............. 88 99 I%nfarnadviusido hn f(Orwptbioinoan.l. .R..u .le.). ......... ....
Breath Weapons.... ................... .M Dn4plineanArtUactorW.c. .........9 0 Other Form..s. o..f. .S.I.@... .........
Tsphea Sida* DefrTmherso.w. .. ...................................6.M 4 Sample Artifacts and Mic.a. ...........9l DInvUIsibhllit.y. . .......................... ....
RSa- olling TSharvoinwg Plhrlomrity ...................... 66 55 ~Wl hlalt iEa ann Ewncomuntet a.. ............... ......... 9. p41 Detecting Invielbk Creatura..
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.............................
ChDaeraatcht afr oDmea Pth.o h . ............................ 77 44 sSpmiwn ........................................................ .,I10066 AppCmOInNd. h...I.I..k..r..r.v..w...*..l. ...
DIRneaaaiduthnp sfa rtbohlmee DMDeeaaaudt hiv .e.. .O........w............. ............,., .. 777555 S6moDpldmloiYlmpint.gi. o Hnl rorfU Twic .q. T...y.p... .................s...1.lC o od89 Gobemlasa . ..o.f..A .r.t. ............................ ....... ...
HLoopvtelorirnvsl oRnul De)m .th..'s. ..D..o.o..r.. ................ .....,7 5 WDehpoopMuWlaltteB aet OYoffumr Od.we.d.n .. R....b..k..... .....................,. 1 1 0099 -1: MagkaIIutemsu... .l...*......r......m.................. .
QwPUsoncUAMAsurksenasnoNur du!ki ~Iaoda&naGlflm t w CeCCT -~ldraooo.ue tMmCmma as obOb buCnmraaaWeotttb mS(.(?a OT..Iu tb..~o r.p.a...u.Ultt.....ir ..oH..n.n...n......uO...qa...n....lN... a.R..w....n ....u....t...l ..R....e ..m....).u.........l ..e.a........)...... .n.. ...... .............. ....*.... ... .......#....,.... 78 8777m 7.. a0070566 m OSHpfHTeRTTAsFfeniirihohlntndmclkele eedhdN M smP-rWims.PinP nlatIsOCaeengma etyn fydh khBfP..aiiSel..nc ay. c b Toee.R. mcW.. c saaHoi..gWl,k..ma kuaeh..gann..iktRae .o.dOcP .wa.a nh.e..v Pn.tm ..oho.ak..lp..er g.l..a.in.e...tc...... i.. .....m.h. ........n..u.......u...........n....... ...................,....... .... ..., .... . .........., ..... ........... .,... ,. 1 1111. IIIi 11n11x0 1iI112021131I9o1 - SPcsomuCPsIWAtdiopoInomIttumnstinco od ro b.fna f rYi.. PeWnD .la.h.oiwn. nu.ltlS.d.lsr .um oa. PP.Sift.p.Ouh io..Som t.it.le.nc.*Oi.l..o.mrd..N... n.ns.... ..r . ......w....... ........v,. ....... .,.... . ...... .. ..,, ... .. .. ,.... . . ,,. .... ... .......,, ., .. . . .. ..........,...., . ...,
.81 b PCionndvininec ain Sgp aenl lNcPuCta t.o. I.M..P.. ... ., . ......,,1 11133 MUCMse.He onifu Usl Scsmcplmlu uS P bpalllku r.e..... .., ., .., . .......,,
.. ..... . . 5
.........
pwmthccotcio.nn uMrI s emH.lf.lf. Sc.pm. ..l.ll.7.... ......... 'UU Tabkmal: mC RV ALBUEAS .N...R....B...~..E... .....A 7 TabbM #O): DAlpElBRRIASL . .M...O.V..B..M..B..N..T.. .....
spdlMRuy.c.. .................. 45 Tabk 52: HIT DICE VALUR MOD-. .A7 Tabk 81: CHANCE OP G.6.n..lN..G. .........
Mcu.npe d.. s.u..o.l.la.. ........................... ....., 114466 TableA 3W3:A RCDOSM .M...O..N.. I.N..D..M...D..U..A..L. ... .18 TabkH(IO2m: LaOSSSTLMYO LDOISPTI BRS ............
Lim .o.f. P..r.o..w.c.H..a.,.. S.m...l.L...... ....... .146
RLn(p ........................ .147 Tbbk 34: INDMDUAL CLASS AH.W..ID..S..., .. 48 Tabk83: CHA..N..C..E..T..o..I.D..n..a..A..R..E..
List.d..R..h..g..#. ..................... 147 Tabk 35: COMBAT MODlFlXRS.. .52 BY RACE ..........
Rd. ..... u1 Tabk 36: WBAPON T.Y..P.E.. V..S.... A..R..M..O..R.. nble 1)1; T.Y..P.B..S.... ............m
stCLCaboomkmm o rf.mm .R.vn.Ol.dd.Q W.W.. ....oo....d...d... ...(( ...OO.........pp......tt.....hl...d...l... RR ......uU...l...Me...)... ........ 1Wwl5U1lI TTaabblkeM 33O8h:D TClpHAIALBCCRUOs.L A..A.D TVBADN TCHBAMC.OB..N ..T.... .................... WU.U rTTiaabbbkke e8s67::: GOcEBwMJETvCATmB3O LnFB AoRwT ...................................... www(((
LLt d S.t.a.v..e.9. ..................... .15( Table 39: CRESTLIRE THACO .Sa Tabk 0:M AGICAL M. ...........l a5
wCaadm.n. md Wo.r..b. .(O..p..H..o.n.a..l .R..u.l.e.). .. ...,. 115566 Table'Io 10 :I NSITTAUNTDIAVBR.D. .M ..o.D..I.p.W..l.s. ........ 55 TTaabbkk9e09:: FSCuRrOIoLNLSs A..N..D...o..R..9.. ........ 11858s
MAMrLcg*m.iitmacoglolrollfdwrwuSialuahlp&o*oofl l&nMur .wy..... w... ........I....t....e.......m................ .................................... .. ......ll1ww.B.e5 1a6 TTaabblleeFT 4O4o21R ::I NWAOIRPRTMTIEAISOOTTRINLV IAMEN.LGO. M.D. . .IO.P..I.DB...IR.F..S.I. .E..S... ................. 55.45 TTTTaaaabbbblIkeke 9999423l:::: RRSWTOAlNADNVGSD ESS.S. ..,..... . ............................................................................ .. .. ..llll33336666
UWnktnGowanr nort lUonnu sual Q..u.d.l.t.k.s.... ............ 1l (8122 TabkW 4R3:E SPTUUNNCGH RINBGs uALNTDs .............. TabkL 9IB5R AMMISSC, .M MAANGUIACL ~SB. TODOMKB5S, ). .... .la7
Myw Weapan List... ..............., 183 Table 44: COVBR AND.. .C..O..N..C..B..A..L..M..D..i T
hte-t Wupon.. ......., 187 MODIPIBRS.... 62 Tabk 96: MISC. MAGIC WWBLS.., ........
htdhgUlk Wupon. .A.U..g.N.n.e.n.t... ........l 87 -45: GRENAX-LKEMlsgLBBpIBcrs.63 J!mfFmY, Pnnh-) u1
Weapon AMw..*..... ................. .le7 -46: ~ C T w s A ~ T H R o W..6s5 Table 97: MISC. MAGIC ............
Wweeaappuonm E hgo wCh arlam ............ lleMe -Tabk 4 7: TURNING UNDBAD ................ 67 Table( C9L6:O MAKISSC A. NMDA GRIOCB ES) ........l a7
uu..................I.1 ...T.ab.le. 46.: .HI T DICE VS. lMMu.M..T..y.... .....6.9 (BOOTS, BRACERS. GLOVES)
Table 49: MORALB RATINGS ... JU Tabk 99: MSC. MAGIC
mbb Table 50: SITUATIONAL MODIP.I.B.R..S.... .... m GIRDLM. HATS. HELMS).... ................. . ~m ..
........ Table 51: POISON 5TRENGTH. .73 Tabk 100: MISC. MAGIC
TTaablbek 2l:: MMBBTTnnOODD II1C CHHAARRAAccrreeRRs s. ............. 9Q. nbb 5523:: SMlRUClUROAmL WmVN~G P ImRB. .. .......77 66 (CBOANGTSA, IBNOERTSIU) .S.,. P , .O.U..C.H..W.., ......., 138
TTTTaaaabbbbkkkk 6354:::: MMMMBBEETTTTHnnHOOOODDDD VVNIII CI CCcHHHHAAAARRRRAAAAcCCCrBTTreREERRRs.sSS ...... ............ 1ll09oo nTTbaabblkkew 5S5I65u::; Fm2D-RU2H0Nm QBGNUEsCOB mONNCu cLN~HoL IVwg CBRLHm T.AA.Na.B.CsL. BE..... O ...F...... ........ .. 9989 TTaabblleeDs 11U00S21mT:: SMM,I )0ISSC.C."... .MM.T.AA.G.SG.I.I.CC.. . .( C.I.NA..CN.E.D.N.L.S.ME. ,, .w
TableL B7:V BRLA LCIIMAILT SC.L .A..S.S.. A..N..D.. ......... .u Table 57: SURPRISE MODlpIBRs .............. lioo21 Tabk( H10O3U: SMEIHSOCL. MD mAGhICis ANDm..0..I..S..).. .w
Tabk 8: PRIME RBQUISITB BONUSES ..... IS Tbbk 58: ENCOUNTBR DISCANCH.. .. . .lo2 (MUSICAL INSTR-) .w
Tabk 9: --LEVELS .....F.O..R. ......... Tabk 59: B"IgR REACTI.O.N..S. ..,. ., 103 Tablec 1m04n: MISC. MAGIC .............
VARUNT RACES. .16 Thbk 60: Npc PROPBSSION.S.... .......... IO5 WEIRD STUpe). .............,. . wp
Tabk 10: HIT POINTS BY mLB. .17 Table 61: PIELDS OF SNDY .............l o1 Tabk 105: ARMOR NPB. .1Jp
TTaabblek Ull:: RCAOCMEB.A. T.. .V.A..L.U..E. .U..S..E.D.. .......... ...... 22 22 TTaabbllee 6652:: SRABGSEW MCOHDl TplIBMRBss .. .......... ..., 1lo087 nIhbbkk m101 : ASPRBMMoA RRMcORL.8. A.....s.....s.....~....... ...W w p
Table W; SAVING THRCW UBL.H.. U.S.B.D.. ,. ..2 2 W e64 : MILITARY OCcupA..n.o.N..s. ,. .,. .. uld nbklca: WBAPONTYPE 110
Tabk 14: HIT DICE PER LEVEL .22 Tabk 65: COMMON WAGES ........... I10 WYklW: l v L I M R o L .L...~... 1.10.
-T'R1a6bb: kk 1157:: AWHRIBTMPAOOPROIN NA.T.S.S.A.WW.U.R.O.L.W..E.B.V..D.E.. .L.. ... ....... ............ 2W 2 TTTaaabbblkke 66M6h:: RBOUIUBRROLNPTIEAGALN IT nm~IT~LmLB~BS .s. ... ...... ........................s.. iI l1 na2 TTTaaabbbllkee 11111lZ10::: FSSFO'RPLTLlBO PNMA CWI LOUBhIAIPBpM.O. l,NM .s.L... l.T..Y.... ..., ..2..I &4l 1a
BmNDP Tn .......... .a Tebk 69: NPC SPELL COSTS .......... .ll3 Tabk 113: WEAPON ...............
Ihbk le: OPTIONAL ABILITIES .W Tabkm: GBNBRALTRAITS. ..I14 AND C A P A B m . .. . la6
-19: llUE?AVBRACBABUlTYTABLB..23 Tabk7l: PgllMAN..W..l.T..M..O..R..A..L..B.. ... Table 114: WBAPON AUG"T., , ,le7
Table 20: RRSTRICTIONS ................ a MODIFIERS. .I16 nbk115: wBApoNPRIMARYABpIIIBG..le7
....
Tabk 21: BASE B)BERIHNCB POINTS .W Table 72: OPTIONA..L.. D..B..C..R.B..B..S. .O..P.. Mk 116: WBA..P..O..N. .W................. Y
TabkL 2IV2:I NPGL AEYXEFR% CNHSEASR. .A.C.T..E.R. ...........3 4 TabkD 7A3R: KTENRERSAS.I.N. . .B..p.l.g.C..T..S. .O..N.. .... .119 T.b*w 1w17B: SI(ws clAL RIRpo6B WBApOEls. .,1le877
TabkW: BQUIPMBNTBYTWIBpgRlOD..35 MOVEMENT .I24 Table 118: LAh'GU..A.G..B.s. .S..F ." . ..B..Y. ....
T'kabbkk2 2.94:: LHOOCRKSE QQUUAALLITITYY. .. ............................3 36 6 TableO 7v4E: iTLEARNRDAMINO CvOBSMTBSN PQTR .................. l as Tabkm 119: WBAP.ON. E M.,. . ., ........., ..1lM0
................ Tabk 75: TERRAIN MODIPIERS.. .US
nbleB: HORSETRAITS ... 36 Tabk 76: BOAT MOVBMBNT .~.~ ..~ ....~. ~. ~. . lZ6
Tabk 27: UNUSUAL M6TAL ARMO.R..S... .....a 8 lbbkT7: SHlplYpgS ..................1.2 6
TabkM: HlTpOwrSOPM 38
........ Tabk 78: SAILIN.G.. M...O..V.B..M...B.N..T.. ....
-29: ITwlSAVINGTHROWS ..... JQ MODIPIBRS ...... 1M
lbbk 30: SPBU BOOK CAPAcmeS .4a Tabk 79: WEATHER CONDITIONS .U67
6
I
You are one of a very special group of peo- fit his own style and the style of his players. The Fine Art of
ple: ADkPg ame Dungeon Masten. Your You won't find pat answers to .U yous
lob is not easy. It requires wit, imaginstion, questions in this book. Certainly you will Beinp a DM'"
and the ability to think and act extempora- find a lot of information, but it docan't in-
neously. A really good -on Master is clude solutions to a11 your game problems. &insasoodDun-
ewential to a good game. Sometlmes, a single answer just h't appro- geon Master mvolves a lot more than know-
The DUNGEON MASTER" Guide is re- priate. In those COM, what yau will find in- ing the rules. It calla for @& wit, t M d
served for Dungeon Masters. Discourage stead is a discdon of the problem and flak, and a gocd of dramatic
( c ~ e
players from reading this book and certdn- numerous t*em intended to wide you among other thing. Mo& of us can claim
ly don't let playm consult it during the through a thoughtful analysis of the litua- these attributes to some &ret, but thac'l
p-ame.. for two reasons. Hon as it pertains to your campaign. always mom for Improvamt.
Pint, as long ai playen don't know exact- Therulesto theADkD2ndEditiongame Fortunately, skills like these can be
IY whit's in the DUNGEON MASTER' are balanced and easy to use. No role- learned and improved with practice. There
Cuidu, they'll always wonder what you playing game we know of has ever beem are hundreds of trwU, shortcub, and dm-
know that they don't know. It doesn't mat- playtested more heavily than this one. But ple p*dples that can make you a h,
ter whether you have secret information; that doesn't mean it's perfect. What we con-
even if you don't, a8 long the players sider to be *ht may be unbalanced or
think you do, their sense of mystery and anachronistic in your campaign. The only
uncertainty is maintained. thing that can make the ADCD game
Second, this book d mc ontain esmtial "ri&t" for all players is the intelligent appli-
rules that are not d*Nsned in the Playur'o cation of DM dimetion.
Handbook. Some of these the players will A perfect example of this is the limit
learn quickly during play: spedal combat placed on experience levels for demi-
situations, the coats of hiring NPCs, etc. humans. A lot of people complained that
Others, however, cover more esoteric or t h e l imits were too low. We agreed, and
mysterious situations: the nature of arti- we raised the limits. The new limits wm
faas and other magical items, for example. tested, examined, and adjusted until we de-
This information is in the DUNGEON cided they were right. But you may be one
MASTERm Guide so the DM can control of the few people who prefer the older, yean, DRAGON masuine has publirhal
the playen' (and hence the characters') ac- lower limits. Or you may think there uti& on every facet-& r0k-pl.h. It is
cess to it. In a fantasy world, as in this should be no limits at all. In the chapter on invaluable for DMm and playrac Jlkc
world, information is power. What the character classes, you11 find a discussion of If you have never played a rok-playing
characters don't know can hurt them (or this topic that considers the pros and COM game More but are e.gn to learn, our ad-
lead them on a merry chase to nowhere). of level limits. We don't ask you to blindly vice from the Player's Handbook is rHU the
While the playen aren't your enemies, they ampt every limit we've establbhed. But we best: Pind a group of people who already
aren't your allies, either, and you aren't ob- do ask that, More you d ean y changes, play the game and join them for a few YI-
ligated to give anything away for nothtng. you read this chapter and carefully consider sions. If that is impractical for some mason,
If chuacters go hunting wererats without what you are about to do. If, after weighing the best alternative is to @ L copy of the
doing any march beforehand, feel free to the evidence, you decide that a chanse is DUNGEONS h DRAGONSO &cic Game.
throw lots of curves their way. Reward justified in yo& game, by all means & The DUNGEONS t DRAGONS game is a
thole characters who take the time to do the change. lew detailed role-playing game. The D&P
some checking beforehand. In short. follow the rules as they are writ- Basic set includes an introductory role-
&.
Besides N~Byo,u 'll find that a large por- ten if do@ so improves your But by playing adventure that you CUI play by
tion of this book is devoted to dimwiona the same token, break the rules only if do- yourself. This will chow you whpt g ~ona
of the thinkins and the principles behind the ing so improves your game. during the game and give you stepby-step
des. Along with this are examinations of htNCtiON on how to set up and run a
the pros and cons of ch.nglns the rules to fit game with your friends.
your campaign. The purpose of this book, A Word About
after all, is to better prepare you for your Organlzation
role as game moderator and referern. The
better you understand the game, the better
equipped you'll be to handle unforeseen de- Everything in this
velopments and unusual cirmmrtances. book is b a d o n the assumption that you
One of the principles guiding this project own and are familiar with the Playorb
from the very brslnning, and which is ex- Handbook. To make your job easier,
p m d t hroughout this book, is thil: The the Player's Handbook and DUNGEON
DM har primary mponsiMliry for the suc- MASTERm Guide have parallel orgpniza-
cess of his CR~PR~@rIm d he munt tab m tion. Chapters appear in the same order in
acth hand in guiding it. That ia an impor- both boob. Thit means that if you know
tant concept. If you are skimming through where to find something in the Player'r
this introduction, dow down and read it Handbook, you also know where to find it.
again. It's crucial that you understand what in the DUNGEON MASTERmG uide.
you are Fttiii nto. Also. the index in this book covers both
The DM's "active hand" extends even to the DMG and the Plqyrr's Handbook. You
the rules. Many dedsionn about your cam- can find aU the references to any specific
paign can be ma& by only one person: topic by c h e wt his index.
you. Each DM muat tailor his campaign to
1
Chapter 1 : Player Character Ability Scores
Each player is mpoadbhfor creating hb Handbook).F ive sample dunctem created ideal characters they iaugiru.
phya character. As the DM, however, with each method ilhtlnate typkal out- Exc+ptional playa charactem are rtut
yous dsirlm have a huge impact on the Eomea the different makodr PIC lilrsry to rare, and unusual chanctcr &nes are ((111
process. Furthermore, you have final psoducc. uncommon, but few charactem will have
approval over any playa character M i a below-average scopp.
created. Thia chapter outlines what you
Method I (366, la Ordu):
should consider about character creation ~cthodn~b..i--
and givn guidelines on how to deal with This is the fastest Cceattnetheduracterfakesdightiylesqp
same of the common problem that ark and most stralghtforwd method. There er because there ue more die M &.
during the character meation. are no decisions to make while rolling the Wte the improd ehoka. a shmtter
dice, and dice dingb kept to a minimum. may still net be ellgibk forthe ma&
Ghrlng Players Ability scores range from 3 to 16, but the the player wants.
majority fall in a range from 9 to 12.
what Thcy want Typically, a character wlll have far
scores in the average range, om below-
Players in most
AD&p gPma phy the Mille Chu.CtCr ascvoerrea.g Ae fsecwo rleu,c kayn dp laoyneme awbilol vgee-ta vmeruagde
over nuny game aesdons. Most players
high scares and a few unlucky ones will get
develop strong ties to their charactera and
just the opposite.
get a huge thrill from wltchlng them
advance, grow, and kcome mom w - kry high mres are rare, so character
ful and powerful. A lot of your game's suc- classes that quire high scores (pals-
ranger, illusionist, druid, bard) are corre-
cwa depends on how much your playem
spondinglyrare. Thbmakncharactem who
care about their charactem. Fcr these rea-
m,i t b important to let each player create qualify for those classes very special indeed.
Themajorityofthep~yercharact~willbe
thetypeofchwcmheredlywants toplay.
At the same time, watch out for a tenden- fightem, c l h , m e ,a nd thimb Uur-
cy in wme players to want the most power actm with ability mm will
ful character pdble. Powerful charactem tend to stand out from their comrades.
are fine if thath the sort of campaign you
M.chOdIMdvmt&gE#
want. A problem arises, however, if playem
are .Ilowcd to exploit the ruh, or your This method has two disadvantage%
h t ,s ome p l a pm ay cddert heir char
god M~URt.o create a character who is acters to be hopcldy average. Second, the
much more powrrful than everyone &e's
players don't get many choices.
character. At best, this l e d to an unbal-
a n dg am, at worst, to bored players and Using method 1, only luck enables a play-
huTrht eWreifnogrBe,. before any player in your seirn tcoe hgee th aas c nhoa ncocntetrro dl o .vPepr Uthtek udkl.t1. Mtypoes,t
charactera have llttk choice over which
game cmtn his fint character, decide
class they become: Only one or two
which dirrrom method to allow will
you use method I, any of the five alternate DpHmwillbe opa, to them. You may have
methods, or a corenth method of y wo wn to let players d i d a character who is
totally unwitabk and start over.
depldnB? & prrpurd with an allewer right
away, because thh ia one of the fint qws-
tioru your players will ask1 rdk 1: METHOD I CHARACTERS
UIOoring a Character
mth Method
Despite wme simi- Intelligence 13 8 14 9 12
luit*r. thenuthob uedmrent fmm
another. Some produce more powerful
characten t hot~hvl (although none pm
h extremely pow411 charactera). For
thb wxm, orcq player in your game
s h d t u to ut usingthe name method.
If, at some lata point in your campaign,
you want to change methods. simply
uuunmce thh to your p k p .T ry to amid
makins the announmment just as a player
st& rolling up a new character, lest the
other plam mxume you of favsvorltirnr. 'Iw
know YOU aren't playing favdtea, but it
doan't hurt to avoid the appearme.
The advantssc. and didvantagn of
each dice-rolling method are described
below (dsa page 13 of the P&yu'a
(ICC
9
