RPG Retro Review: Dungeons and Dragons Basic 1983 (Mentzer)

[@fulminatus6241]

This was the first D&D product I ever owned. My Grandmother bought it for me for my birthday and I can still remember opening the box and the way the brand new dice smelled like it was yesterday.

[@fooferbob9230]

I remember filling in the numbers with the white crayon that came with the dice.

[@manlypedro75]

First time I saw this, it completely blew my mind! I was 10-11 ... My cousin introduced me to it, during a holiday at some of my family's friends home. These ppl had an actual castle for holiday home, in Brazil! Neither of us could read English, so my cousin improvised based on instructions given by an American neighbor who gave him the box set. I ended up with it, as my cousin couldn't be bothered to try and translate it. I pretty much learned to read English trying to understand how to play this most fascinating concept of gaming. Armed with an English/Portuguese dictionary, I went word for word, until it started to make sense. I then set about introducing all my friends to this genius way of imagining things together. I eventually moved to Australia 4 years later and although I still couldn't "speak" English, my reading and writing skills were enough to get me through high school without too much of a lag. I even introduced the game to some of my Australian friends, DMing (!) in broken English, helping me integrate into a complete different culture way ahead of most of my immigrant peers. D&D is an amazing teaching tool, and one of the most civilized social activities imaginative minds can engage in. 30 years later, with the advent of 5e, those same Australian high school friends found me on FB, forcing me out of D&D retirement. But it all started here, with the Red Box- the lay out, the artwork, the dice... an immensely positive influence in my life. Thanks TSR (and all involved) and also Thanks for the vid, great memories!

[@captcorajus]

THAT is an awesome story. Thank you for sharing it with us! Its easy to forget that in the early days, foreign language translations were frequently difficult to come by.

[@danacoleman4007]

I'm relatively certain this is the absolutely coolest d&d story I have ever heard or ever will hear! thank you so much!

[@Arthineas]

The Mentzer red box was my favorite Christmas gift ever. I got it when I was 10 years old and have loved D&D ever since. It also started my love of fantasy art (especially Larry Elmore's art who is my all-time favorite).

[@zombiTrout]

This set was my introduction to D&D and RPG’s.

[@fireworksfactoryshow]

Mine as well. I still have the copies of the books but they seemed to have aged like the Dead Sea scrolls.

[@shaggycan]

Me too. Damn you Bargle!

[@TheRealJoeWilde]

Same here!

[@danacoleman4007]

here too

[@mikegould6590]

I started with the blue cover Basic in 79, and my mom bought me the Erol Otus cover basic in 1981. Now, decades later, I have my own 5E D&D product (Out of the Box Encounters) and I'm still DMing. Loved Basic.

[@JasonBernier-b5r]

This is probably my favourite reviewer of Dungeons and dragons!

[@robbabcock_]

RIP, Aleena!😪 Bargle paid with his life! Elmore is easily my favorite of all the artists TSR used.

[@keithdonohue4631]

I loved the different versions of Basic D&D. They were so much more accessible and fun than AD&D. Of course my friends and I all played the Avanced version of the game, but my heart was always with the Basic version.

[@maxpocalypse]

BECMI and Mystara have become my favorite elements of D&D history over recent years. These videos are fantastic!

[@Dracopol]

I only got into RPGs as a young man, bought the AD&D Player's Handbook, played some games with an organized university club. The Basic D&D box was only the fourth or fifth game I bought to actually run for players, but even after 35 years the sight of the red box fills me with a good feeling, as it must be for millions who started RPGs with it. TSR dared to sell this in a mass-market way to just anyone, through bookstores. A kid could pick it up at a suburban mall (or one of the other boxed games from TSR with other settings), go through the programmed solo learning exercises, and have a decent chance of learning from all the notes what designing and running RPGs was about, and spread it to their friends. And all this without having to smell the rank body-odour of a grognard who might condescendingly share what they knew about AD&D. Okay, okay, I'm sure soap was known to gamers, but this product "jumped away" from the community somewhat and that was good to ensure the spread of D&D. Also, of course, responding to some concerns of the times, there was no talk of gods and no bare-breasted monster art in this version of D&D. For those who thought the game was too baby-ish, boxed sets beyond Basic and Expert were developed, to give a version that was somewhat less rules-intricate than AD&D but therefore freeing you up for more role-playing, with advanced characters engaging in running settlements, kingdoms, and having to do a little mass-combat to secure their power (the War Machine rules in the Companion set, and the Siege Machine rules in the Master set). So it is an interesting version of D&D in its own right that might strike some as being from an alternative universe. Then again, if you ever saw the hair on A Flock of Seagulls, you'd realize *all* of the 80s was an alternative universe...

[@stillmattwest]

Best Xmas gift I ever received as a kid. I used mine until it fell apart but adult me went out and found a replacement set to have on my shelf forever.

[@paulprecour3636]

Larry Elmore dominated artwork at TSR for years. Where would Dragonlance be without his influence?

[@Johnny_Nitro]

Elmore art is great. I bought the Art of Dragonlance back in the day. Speaking of which.... Cap, where dat Dragonlance review at? 😅

[@captcorajus]

Well, I just found out that the book is now a POD at DriveThruRPG for just $19.99! So as soon as i have the funds I'll grab it. I hate trying to scroll through a pdf to do a review... I need to hold the book in my hands with pages and stuff to really enjoy it. Its been a good 20 years since I played DL, so i'll need to read and absorb and then I'll make the video. :)

[@Johnny_Nitro]

@@captcorajus You da man Cap!

[@BlackJar72]

When it comes to artists who've worked on D&D, Larry Elmore is just the best -- subjective of course, but still my favorite by far. I miss his style.

[@pocerojunior1524]

Omg is one of my favourite books!!! And I play with this D&D edition!!! :333 Now all makes sense xdd

[@johnharvath5278]

This is it kids, kick back, have a drink and let the Captain take the helm! This is what did it for about 90% of us. 🐉🐲

[@sith7183]

Yes. My introduction to D&D simpler times.

[@peterlagunas3391]

I remember begging my uncle for an advance on my allowance the summer of '86 to purchase the red box set. I had played Fighting Fantasy and CYOA for years and was looking for something more challenging; D & D saved me from being out on the streets of a rough hood in urban Chicago...

[@captcorajus]

Wow, great story! Thank you for sharing!!

[@paavohirn3728]

My intro to rpg's in the late 80's. This was available in Finnish thankfully even though 2nd ed and Dragonlance saga taught me English later on. I'm happy I was given this and the Expert box by my dear friend whom I unfortunately lost contact with since. He was my childhood best friend and first DM.

[@barnyfraggles]

God that cover art still gives me chills decades later...

[@captcorajus]

Oh yess!

[@danacoleman4007]

I'd give anything to be 12 years old again hiding under my bed sheets with a flashlight late at night soaking up every bit of these books.

[@captcorajus]

Oooh man. Good times!

[@RPGmodsFan]

Until I learned the D&D Royalties Contract between Dave and Gary, from one of your earlier videos, the split between D&D and AD&D by TSR never made sense to me. Thanks for educating me on TSR's troubled history. Cheers!

[@fulminatus6241]

Same

[@raisenets99]

I started with this set. By far my favorite! The art work black n white and color were perfect. I missi it so...

[@Mnnvint]

My mother came back from a trip to California some time in the 80s, with this in her baggage as present to us four children (along with some really exotic things which didn't exist in Norway yet, like Nintendo Game & Watch games - would have been worth quite a lot if they were still functional!). My siblings gave up on it (now 30 years later, my sister told me she thought she hadn't figured it out how to be a DM, since that carrion crawler just killed everyone). But I found it after a couple of years, and eventually started a gaming group with some friends. If it hadn't been for what they call hand-holding today, there's no way it would have happened.

[@mykediemart]

This was my gateway edition. nice review.

[@Jetwolf]

Still my favorite D&D box of goodness. Thank you, this vid was wonderful to watch. I'm officially nostalgia-triggered for the rest of the day.

[@Bren71319]

I have Frank Mentzer as a friend on Facebook. Seems like a really approachable guy who’s not afraid to talk with fans ...

[@captcorajus]

Yeah, me too. Great guy!!

[@ForeverYoungKickboxer]

In 1985 I went to D&D camp at Shippensburg University. Frank Mentzer was there and we got to do a Q&A with him. It was awesome

[@Parker8752]

Just as a note, this box set is split into two PDFs, which are $4.99 each. I still reckon it's worth it for people new to old school gaming, since I don't think anyone has created a better tutorial for players or GMs in the time since, but for people who just want to look at the ruleset, $9.99 for the Rules Cyclopedia and $4.99 for Keep on the Borderlands is arguably better value.

[@GalactoDave]

So glad to see so much new content! Love the BECMI line, just wish I still had my old sets.

[@havock89]

I stuck with BECMI and collected as much of the Gazetteers as I could. Overall, I think its the best D&D setting and the best overall system of D&D... I now play it with my daughter who has come of age.

[@conflictmagazine]

My first experience with D&D was almost my last. I bought, off an end cap at a book store, the Holmes box, an AD&D module and a copy of Dragon magazine...I was never so confused in my entire life. And the Holmes version was when they were shipping it with chits instead of poly dice and never having seen a set of poly dice in my life it made it virtually impossible to get into. A pure accident introduced me to a guy who would change my life when he said to drop by him and his wife's apt and he brought out 'The Stack'. 30 minutes later I had grokked it and was an AD&D fan for life (-:

[@BlackDragonRPGReviews]

This is how I was introduced to D&D. My dad had this box set and I’d sit and read it over and over. I was hooked!

[@BlackJar72]

This is where I started in D&D. I'll say I really liked the tutorial format. This set the tone for what D&D, and RPGs, in general, were for me.

[@jeffwebster402]

I was there at the beginning, in 1977. It was hard to even find dice back then. Bought miniatures from Judges Guild in Decatur, Il a 30 min drive away.

[@paulwolffart1251]

I only played the basic Holmes set for maybe a year back around 1981 when I was in middle school. After that we all moved up to AD&D. I never played the other basic boxed sets but for some reason I bought the Modvay basic and expert rule books which you could buy separately a few years later. I recall having a special 3 ring binder set up for holding them so I could look at them during class so the teacher wouldn’t be aware. I even put school book covers on my hardback AD&D books for the same reason. Covert nerd operations.

[@tinywarfare9109]

This is the very first RPG product I ever bought, along with B4 The Lost City. Been hooked ever since. Up this point I had some of the Fighting Fantasy books but I still really had no idea what I was getting into. My mind was immediately blown by the dice. DM'd a couple buddies through Lost City, probably got half the rules wrong, but what fun was had, and a whole new world was opened up. The box is long lost, but I still have the d20 that was in it. It's almost round from the number of times it was rolled. Great review!

[@menion2599]

This is what started it off for me. A perfect introduction to roleplaying and serviceable basic rules that I don't think has really been surpassed.

[@leadbones]

This was it for me. Doesn't get any better.

[@number1enemyoftheuseless985]

I remember seeing that cover on a shelf in the 80's brings back memories when I was 8yo.

[@captcorajus]

Its... Iconic!

[@mjolasgard2533]

I got the red box when i was 9 - and have never been able to put down RPGs since... The Adventure was hard. Those ain't yellow plates, they're Yellow Mould! Errk! Dead. But I loved it. Thanks for reviewing this.

[@matthewmcfadden6332]

Always the best reviews to distract me from my study time.

[@captcorajus]

oop! Sowwwy! lol

[@BarrengerFynar]

thanks for posting this: this takes me waay back. I had this but was forced to get rid of it along with the expert set due to the satanic panic of the 80's. The death of Aleena really shocked me back then.

[@dennispatel3188]

This boxed set was the one the got me playing D&D

[@anon_laughing_man]

This is the first D&D I ever played in 1983 at age 8. My best friends older brother bought it at Toys'R'Us and needed players. He grabbed us and we played all night. We both went through at least a dozen characters going through the dungeon killing monsters, looting gold and dying by traps. Good times. TSRs sales strategy worked flawlessly as I have been hooked for life. Holy crap I feel old. lol

[@TheEldarGuy]

You knocked this one out of the ball park! Good work.

[@TheNanoNinja]

Those 5 box sets were what got me into D&D.

[@MrSteveK1138]

The tutorial was in an Illusion Chamber as a training course. The cleric acted being dead. You're welcome. :-)

[@BlackJar72]

Castle Mistimere probably was the best as a DM tutorial, but of course, it's less premade adventure than a full module. It's one real drawback is that it starts PC at the dungeon entrance and doesn't flesh out a home base or source of rumors and roleplaying -- leading at least one young DM to treat this as the norm all through middle school.

[@Bargletheinfamous]

This was great...just getting into BECMI...and loving the rule system and all the great options available...as well as the distinct feel that Mystara has with its places and people.

[@MrRourk]

Allways great to hear more people playing Mystara!

[@Bargletheinfamous]

Just getting into it...but Mystara is so fleshed out...i love the detail and how real it feels....reading the Rules Cyclopedia and the Gazateers....now just need to find people to game with.

[@MrRourk]

Check out Midderlands and Dolmenwood They make a fun and interesting England & Ireland.

[@ForeverYoungKickboxer]

This was my D&D initiation too and I recall it so fondly! I much prefer old school to "everybody roll up a superhero"

[@Joshua-ns8bu]

The rust monster! Woo hoo, I remember that guy!

[@russellharrell2747]

Joshua rust monsters, owl bears, beholders and other weirdos are far more iconic D&D monsters than dragons.

[@Diabolik771]

I had both basic versions (Moldvay and Mentzer). Warm fuzzy memories :) Well played the heck out them and still have them.

[@Dracopol]

With the years my memories are getting fuzzier and fuzzier, lol! Has it really been almost 37 years?

[@captcorajus]

yes, i find it hard to believe its been that long sometimes. Crazy.

[@marcoundurraga]

I was 12 when I bought this box set. My first ever book. It had dice. Great intro, got me hooked. Thanks for the memories

[@TheEldarGuy]

Purely for your information Cap: On GrogTalk this week (1st Feb 8am USA Florida time) - Jim Ward is on the show! - sorry to put it here, I didn't know of any other way for you to get this. I thought it would be something you'd be interested in.

[@captcorajus]

Damn, I missed it. My email is in the description.

[@TheEldarGuy]

@@captcorajus Zeb Cook on Grogtalk soon.

[@DennisCNolasco]

Awesome man, Basic D&D is really one of my favorite versions!

[@AgoodITguy]

Can you please review the Expert from Mentzer? I really enjoy your reviews

[@johnharrison2086]

I respectfully disagree with regards to the adventure. . Mistamere teaches a DM about dungeon building by having the first level fleshed out, the second level has a map and suggestions and the third level just has suggested monsters and let's the DM create the map. This teaches more about adventure design then Tower of Zenopus or the Haunted Keep. Many aspiring DM's initially learned their craft by working on this dungeon - with Zenopus and the Keep you play and move on - Mistamere makes you think about dungeon design. This product deserves the highest available score. 🐲

[@captcorajus]

I didn't say it was a bad adventure. I simply made the observation that 'out of the box' play time is less without 'keep on the borderlands' included. :) The VALUE score was rated based on playtime out of the box. Otherwise it got an 18 and a 20. That's pretty awesome!

[@alanrickett2537]

The adventure had the advantage of have internal logic that is missing from keep I

[@Joshua-ns8bu]

I remember getting this box set for Christmas when I had just started middle school. Great memories! Unfortunately, I grew up in a very religious area, and all of my friends were taught that D&D was satanic, and that we shouldn't even dabble... MORAL PANIC! Looking back, and comparing it to where video games went, it was so tame...

[@captcorajus]

Awww, man, so sorry to hear that your enthusiasm was curbed by that Satantic Panic silliness. Hope you've had the opportunity to make up for it since then my friend.

[@theghostretort7058]

I lived through that! I was living in the middle of the Bible belt. I mowed grass for my boxed sets.

[@Joshua-ns8bu]

@@captcorajus It didn't tame my enthusiasm, I just had no one to play with. :-(

[@Dracopol]

Michael Stackpole wrote a summary of the history of the people who started this Satanic Panic. But the foul dragons of ignorance were eventually vanquished. www.rpgstudies.net/stackpole/pulling_report.html

[@Jarnor23]

Then there were the panickers who had purely secular reasons to spread fear, see suicide scare, Mazes & Monsters, etc. People were being stupid on many fronts.

[@jasonvoorhees895]

Seeing those old pencil sketches from the red basic set again gave me...feelin's lol

[@cwesley2005]

I remember being a little kid and being devastated by the death of the cleric lol!

[@captcorajus]

You and a generation of gamers my friend. lol

[@fja3924]

My brothers and I started with Holmes basic but moved on to AD&D soon after (1980).

[@anarchosupreme6791]

Really love the content man! You're by far my favorite ttrpg youtuber, it's great to find such a small channel that just explodes with passion, keep it up! I was also wondering what're your thoughts on DCC/MCC, I'd love to see a video on the system sometime in the future but that probably isn't gonna happen anytime soon do to the sheer size of the book lol.

[@captcorajus]

I haven't looked at MCC yet. My time is very limited in what I can actually get to. I've had my finger on the buy button for DCC many times, and I have the PDF. What I really can't wrap my head around is the 0 level character funnel. I mean, just playing that out, it seems you would spend multiple game sessions running through characters. Logistically, it just doesn't make sense to me. Until it does, I doubt I'll ever do a review on it.

[@anarchosupreme6791]

@@captcorajus I like to think that the character funnel acts like boot camp for new players who're used to modern rpg mechanics. With my experience running 5e, players are very cocky with executing risky maneuvers that a 1st level joe-shmoe wouldn't be able to pull off, the funnel kinda acts like a culture shock and a way to teach them that their going to be in a different ball park, but yeah I can see why making 20 characters and having 19 of the just die would be an odd concept lol.

[@Nexusofgeek]

I rewatched this video recently because I am planning to run a Mentzer one shot and I think I discovered an error. At 11:15 You mention that the artwork from the red box was reused for the 4th edition box set in 2014 but that 4e box set actually came out in 2010.

[@captcorajus]

Happens.

[@raknai]

Great video, good to know. I miss an OSR that teach younger kids how to play We need an RPG that teaches kids how to play period.

[@MB-oc1nw]

Still have my set from the 80's in fine condition...

[@andrewhaldenby4949]

Thank you! I’m going back to this , with my kids. 5e not enough danger!

[@weilunkang]

1st Ed Basic and AD&D rule forever !! 5e has become a joke, just like today's wrestling and music

[@MrRourk]

But there are no options for Characters Every BECMI and RC Character Class and Race Class For those new to or getting back into BX Every Rules Cyclopedia and BECMI D&D Class and Race as Class List **Rules Cyclopedia** Cleric Fighter Magic-User Thief Druid Mystic Dwarf Elf Halfling **PC1 Tall Tales of the Wee Folk** Brownie/Redcap Centaur Dryad Faun Hsiao Leprechaun Pixie Pooka Sidhe Sprite Treant Wood Imp Wooddrake **PC2 Top Ballista** Faenare Faenare Windsinger Gnome, Sky Gnome, Earth Gremlin Harpy Nagpa Pegataur Sphinx Tabi **PC3 The Sea Peoples** Nixie Merrow Aquatic Elf Shark-kin Triton Mage Triton Cleric Triton Cleric/Mage Kna Kopru Sea Giant **Dragon Magazine** Elf Cleric Elf Druid Bard N'djatwa Shazak Gurrash Cayma Chameleon Man Aranea Phanaton E'eaar Enduk **Dawn of the Emperors/Arena of Thyatis** Rake Forester **GAZ2: Emirates of Ylaruam** Dervish **GAZ6: Dwarves of Rockhome** Dwarf Cleric **GAZ7: Northern Reaches** Wise Woman Godi (Clerics of Thor, Odin, Loki and Hel) **GAZ10: Orcs of Thar** Goblin Kobold Hogboblin Bugbear Troll Gnoll Orc Ogre **GAZ12: Golden Khan of Ethengar** Horse Warrior Bratak Hakomon Ethengar Shaman **GAZ13: Shadow Elves** Shadow Elf Shaman **GAZ14: Atruaghin Clans** Atruaghin Shamani **Hollow World** Warrior Elf Beastman Brute-Man Hutaakan Krugel Orc Kubbit Malpheggi Lizard Man **HWR2: Kingdom of Nithia** Cleric of Horon Cleric of Pflarr Cleric of Ptahr Cleric of Ranivorus Cleric of Rathanos Cleric of Thanatos Cleric of Isiris Fighter: Archer Fighter: Charioteer Fighter: Heavyman Fighter: Spearman Fighter: Runner Fighter: Khopesh Cleric: War Cleric M-U: Mage-Scribe M-U: Montoth M-U: Templar Thief: Royal Seal-Bearer Thief: Lockmaster Thief: Guardian **HWR3: Milenian Empire** Redhair (Cleric of Halav) Midwife (Cleric of Vanya) Mariner (Cleric of Protius) Holy Defender (Cleric of Petra) Griffon Rider **Wrath of the Immortals** Specialty Priest (for the following Immortals: Al-Kalim Alphaks, Alphatia, Asterius, Atruaghin, Atzanteotl, Benekander, Calitha, Diamond the Star Dragon, Diulanna, Djaea, Eiryndul, Faunus, Frey, Freyja, The Great One, Halav, Hel, Ilsundal, Ixion, Ka, Kagyar, Karaash, Khoronous, Korotiku, Koryis, Loki, Masauwu, Mealiden, Noumena, Nyx, Odin, Opal the Sun Dragon, Orcus, Ordana, Pearl the Moon Dragon, Petra, Pflarr, Protius, Rad, Rafiel, Rathanos, Razud, Talitha, Tarastia, Terra, Thanatos, Thor, Valerias, Vanya, Zirchev) **Champions of Mystara** Elf Shaman Gruugraakh Gnoll **Rage of the Rakasta** Rakasta (only up to level 5) **Ral Partha D&D Basic Heroes Set** Rakasta (only up to level 5) **Races (can use any human class)** **Dragon Magazine** Half-Elf Lupin Rakasta **Additional classes (can only be added to existing class or dual-classed into)** **Rules Cyclopedia** Paladin Avenger Knight Druid **PC1 Tall Tales of the Wee Folk** **PC2 Top Ballista** Creature Wicca Creature Shaman **PC3 The Sea People** Sea Wicca Sea Shaman **PC4: The Night Howlers** Werebat Werebear Wereboar Werefox Wererat Wereseal Wereshark Weretiger Werewolf Devil Swine **Dragon Magazine** Druidic Knight Elf Paladin Elf Druidic Knight **GAZ3: Principalities of Glantri** Elementalist Alchemist Illusionist Necromancer Cryptomancer Witch/Warlock Dracologist **GAZ5: Elves of Alfheim** Elf Wizard Elf Treekeeper (Several Clans are introduced) **GAZ8: The Five Shires** Hin Master **GAZ9: Minrothad Guilds** Sea Prince Sea Elf **GAZ10: Orcs of Thar** Goblinoid Wicca Goblinoid Shaman **GAZ11: Republic of Darokin** Merchant **Hollow World** Shaman Wokani **Human Classes** **Cleric** Druid Dervish Godi (Clerics of Thor, Odin, Loki and Hel) Ethengar Shaman Atruaghin Shamani Redhair (Cleric of Halav) Midwife (Cleric of Vanya) Mariner (Cleric of Protius) Holy Defender (Cleric of Petra) Specialty Priest (for many Immortals) **Fighter** Avenger Druidic Knight Griffon Rider Horse Warrior Paladin **Magic-User** Hakomon Wise Woman **Thief** Bard Bratak Rake **Mystic** **Forester**

[@captcorajus]

Wow, that's an amazing list!! Thanks for that and the comment! Awesome!

[@russellharrell2747]

BECMI was just as complex as AD&D when fully expanded, and was built on a much more solid foundation. If the multitude of campaign worlds from the 90s were based in ‘basic’ rules then that rule set would have gotten the attention it deserved. As is there’s only the Known World with its Hollow counterpart. TSR even had the nerve to ‘update’ Mystsra to 2nd edition....

[@doctorlolchicken7478]

This video made me wonder whatever happened to my Grand Duchy of Karamekos box set. I know I had it, but I haven’t seen it for 20 years.

[@captcorajus]

I love mine. I've used it for years

[@jonathanduplantis1403]

I have the moldvay and Mentzer

[@vinniefinnagan]

I wish Print on Demand was available for the BECMI books

[@captcorajus]

It is... for the rules Encyclopedia!!

[@messenger3478]

I got OSE, but for some reason I want these older books. For me they are sooo alluring! I want them sooo bad. I was a kid in the 90's, but didn't play d&d. Now I want to, but don't really care for the newer editions.

[@KabukiKid]

I cut my teeth with the Moldvay rules, so I agree that they are better for referencing the rules. I ended up buying a copy of the Mentzer rules out of curiosity when it came out... and agree that they are definitely a great way to introduce new players to the game, but I never actually used them in play. Good product, for sure, but it just came a bit "after my time," I guess. heh ;-)

[@captcorajus]

Same. I actually ended up purchasing a copy of the Mentzer Basic at the B/X when I was getting out of Basic Training in 1983/4. There was a delay in my job opening for about a month, so me and a bunch of guys at the barracks spent our free time playing some D&D!

[@MB-oc1nw]

I still have the basic set I bought in 1985

[@NemoOhd20]

Love this video and the entire series concerning the basic versions. My kids are going to be killing Bargle soon. I grew up with Holmes and missed this.

[@thagomizer4711]

Your videos are always the highlight of my day!

[@Wolfogre]

My oldest sister introduced me to D&D with this edition. The rest is, as they say, history. Also, screw Bargle. He's a jerk.

[@MrRourk]

Mr Welch on KZbin has him listed as Public Enemy #1

[@captcorajus]

Lots of hate for Bargle. lol

[@MrRourk]

caotocorajus but of course! I can't remember who originally did it but someone wrote him as the villan terrorizing the forest just outside the town of Threshold.

[@Wolfogre]

@@captcorajus And well deservedly so. Bargle made things personal from square one. Add the fact that he always was dangerously competent and his long-term goals remained obscure and you have a quite scary villain.

[@Dracopol]

We must recognize Bargle's right to exist as part of the balanced moral ecosystem (in basic D&D that was just Lawful, Neutral or Chaotic).

[@CaligulaInvictus]

My first run through the red box I rolled an 18 and cut Bargle down. Bargle is ghoul food in my world.

[@patrickholt2270]

My starting point.

[@Argroh]

a bit of a curious thing about the BECMI series, is that it also was a catalyst to another major thing. the BECMI series was released worldwide, right? Well, a group in Japan of all places (where Call of Cthulhu, and Battletech were the current big names for TRPGs there), and it sold... ...not quite well. prolly due to the relatively absurd price of the thing and the imports of the dice. Yet one group, who was doing translations of D&D, decided something that probably has yet to be done before. They transcribed their Basic D&D sessions and submitted them to a gaming magazine. The group? Group SNE the magazine? Comptiq the name of these campaigns? The Record of Lodoss War To say it was a great boost to the then very small popularity of D&D in Japan was maybe a smidge of an understatement. The Replays were so popular, that it ended up getting the replays spun off into Light Novels (a type of novel that's somewhat specific to Japan) And then those novels sold so much that they were used to fund a 13-episode Original Video Animation series (or "OVA"). Then there was a TV Anime (or cartoon with a certain aesthetic) and after, a Movie based on the fourth campaign. Yet, As much as Lodoss was popular, things wern't to last... ...Group SNE wanted to pitch the idea of a Lodoss sourcebook to TSR. This was TSR after 1985 so well... ...that offer was Rejected. Along with that, no further D&D products would be Localized for the Japanese audiences. So Group SNE, in their infinite Wisdom, decded to make their own Roleplaying System, called the "Record of Lodoss War Companion RPG." While it sold well, Group SNE wanted to go "Bigger", to expand the world beyond Lodoss, to the rest of the world of Forcelia. Thus, in 1988, it was made. "Sword World RPG" Officially, the first ever Retroclone of D&D, and was big enough that it kept the #1 spot of Japan's original TRPG from henceforth (the actual top TRPG in japan is still Call of Cthulhu.) A group has been working on Translating the "Complete Edition" of the core rulebook, with it being done, very VERY shortly. Mayhaps a Retro Review on Sword World RPG in the near future? Then again, I'm commenting on a 4+ year old video, so, I dunno if it's that relevant.

[@theghostretort7058]

Is there a osr that's compatible with second edition? I started by using the red box.....God I miss those days. Why hasn't anyone really reviewed and discussed the orcus trilogy on YT? I loved running those!

[@MrRourk]

Hackmaster and another one called Gold & Glory are the ones I know.

[@theghostretort7058]

@@MrRourk I want to bust out my ravenloft stuff.

[@MrRourk]

One thing with Hackmaster Make sure your character has Fighter in it. Fighters Rule that System What a Pixie Fey can do with Weapon Mastery in Darts is scary.

[@paulprecour3636]

Castles and Crusades RPG (and the outstanding campaign 'Abbernoth' over at Dragonsfoot.com) easily allows conversion from 2nd edition D&D.

[@MrRourk]

Absolutely Essential if you are into old games is the Thieves World Box Set. Has conversions for all the old games.

[@captainharris8980]

11:11 I think with the old red book art they were going for a medieval kind of look and feel, as if trying to emulate one of the tapestries or art from Europe's middle ages. But other art for other games coming out at the time was probably just providing competition. If you look at the art for Fying Buffalos T&T or one of the Dwarfstar Publications, and others, it wasn't the simple hand sketches that RPGs had used in previous years. That meant upscaling the production values.

[@misomiso8228]

Amazing Product.

[@burningphoneix]

I'm surprised that Keep on the Borderlands wasn't included in the Mentzer box. Mentzer was by far the most played version of the basic rules and EVERYONE played keep on the borderlands so you'd have expected it to be there.

[@TheWolfDogMoon]

Bargle! Damn you! We killed you twice already! How’re you alive again!? Lol 😂

[@captcorajus]

Clones! The bastard had clones!

[@maxpocalypse]

Also: following your links, I checked out Bruce Heard's blog, and thereby discovered "Calidar," which looks amazing! Have you made any videos about that setting? Do you plan to? Do you have advice on what "system" to run it with? ......I'm sorry, I may be a little excited by this discovery :)

[@JohnAPrescott]

My gateway into RPG's....that damn Rust Monster though...@#$&!!!!!

[@captcorajus]

lol!!

[@Grinlathak]

I miss the old artwork of these tomes found herein.

[@johnkirk2863]

I check drive thru rpg everyday in hopes they have a print on demand of this set

[@TheWolfDogMoon]

John Kirk I picked up a copy at Halfpriced books last year for $9.99 🤓

[@johnkirk2863]

@@TheWolfDogMoon is that a website?

[@TheWolfDogMoon]

John Kirk no. It’s a used bookstore that sells tons of rpg books. I also picked up the original Adventures bk for forgotten realms (the one with the bad ass warrior babe on a horse) and the forgotten realms boxed set (the one with the wizard on it)

[@johnkirk2863]

@@TheWolfDogMoon Sounds like an awesome book store

[@johncartwright3130]

Cap, any chance of doing videos of the Expert, Companion and Masters sets individually like you did for the Basic set?

[@captcorajus]

I might do a combined video discussing them rather than an individual one, where I point out the highlights of each, such as the known world information in the expert set, the dominion and battle systems in the companion set, and the weapons mastery and paths to immortality in the master's set.

[@shaggycan]

Was the solo adventure map on page 22 ever officially expanded into a full game?

[@captcorajus]

Never officially as far a I know. Though castle Mistamere was added to Mystara canon in the Grand Duchy of Karameikos supplement.

[@thethoughtcriminal8786]

An 18? The most iconic box set of D and D, is only an 18? Fair judgement, but it does make me wonder more than anything, what would be a 20?

[@captcorajus]

Well, that is a toughie to answer as there are three categories. So rating a 20 is really next to impossible IMHO. Old School Essentials came REALLY close. If he hadn't omitted an index in the core rules, I'd have possibly given him a 20.

[@thethoughtcriminal8786]

@@captcorajus That sounds fair, but I'm curious as to what supplement would be worthy of a natural 20? Also what do you personally consider to be your favourite supplement and module? My introduction into D and D were the "Endless Quest" choose your own endings books I read as a child. I also picked up the Veiled Society module which was too complicated for a beginner. I also picked up Slavers of the Undercity and it was that module that turned me into a GM. Too this day it is still my favourite module because it opened up my mind to world building. At the time I didn't have anybody around me who was interested in Dungeons and Dragons, but I loved creating things. Later in high school, I got into Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and they had a RPG system that was linked to Heroes Unlimited and my friends loved the idea of a D and D game in a modern and futuristic setting. I loved converting D and D modules for alternate world settings. We are now in our forties and we still try to game every couple of years. I love the channel....I recently picked up a copy of the Arkham Horror 1st edition board game and have become very interested in the Cthulhu Mythos. I enjoyed your video on the subject. I love your retrospective, keep up the good work.

[@JasonBernier-b5r]

I am reading my Expert set right now. Admittedly not as exciting as the Basic rules 1011 set however I am still totally in awe of the Elmore art work I am frustrated though, played a home brew with 2024 rules but I still want to play Becmi rules with some group any group in London 1011 basic has a very special significance to me anyway keep posting I enjoy your work!

[@JasonBernier-b5r]

Right that's it I am officially obsessed I have just finished reading expert rules becmi blue Box just started rereading the red box Dungeon master,s manual and have just ordered my companion rules on Ebay.....I am still on my mission to find a group to play the 1011 red box set in London, it's hard work constantly watching the cartoon as well still enjoying your reveiws!

[@briancorvello3620]

6:35 Ah-heh, nice, I see the reference there.

[@JasonBernier-b5r]

Oh I must add i am kinda kicking myself because some of those advanced d and d books were going for really cheap in some charity shops and I didn't pick them up they charge lots of money for them on Ebay does anyone remember they actually reprinted the 1011 basic set in book form I only ever saw it twice once in a charity shop regret not picking it up!

[@xaxzander4633]

im old enough to have bought this when it was new , and then discover other things give it away and , at then at age 46 buy it again on amazon for 400% ! god bless capitalism

[@MisterWebb]

I was given mine along with a stack of AD&D books by a neighbor who had “grown out of it” (he moved on to Paranoia then lost interest in RPGs, apparently). I wonder if he regrets giving it away as much as I do some 30 years later … Like you, I bought my current copies secondhand for an exorbitant sum and like you, I fucking love Capitalism!

[@DropB]

This set is THE Dungeons & Dragons.

[@JasonBernier-b5r]

Hi captcoragus i am sure you will get this have you bought the book The making of Dungeons and dragons 1974 to 1977.....i am hoping it has chain mail and the white box set in it, I believe it does but i am not sure. I am stil tirelessly seeking people in London to play my 1983 becmi basic dungeons and dragons game set i am playing 2024 tommorow but i am searching facebook with the hope of meeting a new group!

[@ThaiThom]

I always preferred Moldvay, 1981.

[@KAZVorpal]

Ugh, the audio sounds like it was recorded on a VHS tape, then left in a closet for thirty years, and now is being played into a mobile phone.

[@captcorajus]

Sorry about your sound system.

[@KAZVorpal]

@@captcorajus I meant relative to all of the other videos I'm watching.

[@mlfetlesjdrenbref1306]

Nice! :) awesome information like always.

[@captcorajus]

Thanks Max!

[@AeonVoom]

Great flick as always capt. But is it just me or is the audio a little off?

[@captcorajus]

possibly. lol. I might have overdone it on the bass. :D

[@vincentarini6231]

Can you offer me an opinion? I'm old school first edition D&D and my daughter recently got into the game. I'm running a campaign but when my daughter tries to Google some things about the game it always brings up the 5e Edition. Is there some way I can convert the first edition into something that can be used with 5e or am I going to have to start everything from scratch?

[@captcorajus]

Well, 5E and 1E are really very different in tone and execution. You totally can convert 1E material to 5E, though some things are lost in the translation. A lot of the resource management and things are minimalized in 5E. I did a video on OSRing your 5E game, to make things a bit more 'old school', if that's what you mean. There are some games that use 5E rules, and removes some of the complexity of the game as well.

[@vincentarini6231]

@@captcorajus I tend to be what we used to refer to as a storybook DM. Meaning when my characters go into the adventure there are a lot of little back door saves as you might see in a novel. Such as when overwhelmed by the enemy rather than dying they are captured or fabulously saved at the last second buy possibly giant eagles :-) what I don't understand is that Armor class seems to have gone the way of Warhammer. So I guess I really need to see how stats are rated in the new game. I'm not exactly positive that I can convert my daughter's character that I am running in the first edition game. I think I'm going to just have to check out the basic 5e and see what I can figure out. would love to find a group that still played the old school D&D or even stormbringer, Call of Cthulhu or even mekton. not sure how I could reach out to people :-) keep up the good work on these videos

[@courageouschronicler8657]

Hey, @captcorajus, just a head's up. You may want to fix your video title typo so you make it in the searches. Good video, though!

[@captcorajus]

I'm like.. what typo? Lol. Wow. Can't believe I didn't catch that. Thanks!

[@danilanglois6785]

This box set marked the beginning of my curse as a "forever DM/GM".

[@rickeymariu1]

Your audio sounds worse this time bud. Really tinny and echoey

[@captcorajus]

Yeah, i over used the amplification effect in audacity this time around. Noted. You can probably counter the echo and 'tinnyness' by turning down the BASS slightly.