Dungeons & Dragons Essentials Kit

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Gilsdorf, Ethan (November 13, 2019). "In a Chaotic World, Dungeons & Dragons Is Resurgent". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331 . Retrieved February 25, 2020. Moore, Jeff. "15mm Scale Fantasy Figures". Humberside Wargames Society. Archived from the original on April 6, 2007 . Retrieved March 17, 2007. a b Glasheen, Henry (February 12, 2015). "D&D Fifth Edition: Player's Handbook Review". SLUG Magazine . Retrieved April 26, 2020.

Gygax, Gary (April 1976). "The Dungeons and Dragons Magic System". The Strategic Review. TSR Hobbies. II (2). In the 1980 book The Complete Book of Wargames, game designer Jon Freeman asked, "What can be said about a phenomenon? Aside from Tactics II and possibly PanzerBlitz (the first modern tactical wargame), this is the most significant war game since H.G. Wells." However, Freeman did have significant issues with the game, pointing out, "On the other hand, beginning characters are without exception dull, virtually powerless, and so fragile they would fare poorly against a crippled mosquito—none of which exactly encourages newcomers." He also called the magic system "stupid", saying, "many of the spells are redundant, and the effects of the majority are hopelessly vague." He found essential elements such as saving throws, hit points, and experience points "undefined or poorly explained; the ratio of substance to "holes" compares unfavorably with the head of a tennis racquet." He also noted the rules were "Presented in the most illiterate display of poor grammar, misspellings, and typographical errors in professional wargaming." Despite all these issues, Freeman concluded "As it was given birth, it is fascinating but misshapen; in its best incarnations, it's perhaps the most exciting and attractive specimen alive." [174] The release of AD&D 2nd Edition deliberately excluded some aspects of the game that had attracted negative publicity. References to demons and devils, sexually suggestive artwork, and playable, evil-aligned character types– such as assassins and half-orcs– were removed. [94] The edition moved away from a theme of 1960s and 1970s " sword and sorcery" fantasy fiction to a mixture of medieval history and mythology. [95] The rules underwent minor changes, including the addition of non-weapon proficiencies– skill-like abilities that originally appeared in 1st Edition supplements. The game's magic spells were divided into schools and spheres. [71] A major difference was the promotion of various game settings beyond that of traditional fantasy. This included blending fantasy with other genres, such as horror (Ravenloft), science fiction (Spelljammer), and apocalyptic (Dark Sun), as well as alternative historical and non-European mythological settings. [96] Wizards of the Coast [ edit ] a b "Dungeons & Dragons implements new cultural review following Spelljammer's racist inclusions". Dicebreaker. November 11, 2022 . Retrieved November 11, 2022.Whitten, Sarah (March 14, 2020). "How Critical Role helped spark a Dungeons & Dragons renaissance". CNBC . Retrieved April 25, 2023. Gary Gygax - Creator of Dungeons & Dragons". TheOneRing. Archived from the original on December 6, 2013 . Retrieved January 10, 2014.

Dungeons & Dragons was the first modern role-playing game and it established many of the conventions that have dominated the genre. [196] Particularly notable are the use of dice as a game mechanic, character record sheets, use of numerical attributes, and gamemaster-centered group dynamics. [197] Within months of Dungeons & Dragons's release, new role-playing game writers and publishers began releasing their own role-playing games, with most of these being in the fantasy genre. Some of the earliest other role-playing games inspired by D&D include Tunnels & Trolls (1975), [198] Empire of the Petal Throne (1975), and Chivalry & Sorcery (1976). [199] The game's commercial success was a factor that led to lawsuits regarding distribution of royalties between original creators Gygax and Arneson. [200] [201] Gygax later became embroiled in a political struggle for control of TSR which culminated in a court battle and Gygax's decision to sell his ownership interest in the company in 1985. [202] Kastre, Michael F. (Spring 1992). "An Industry of the Mind: Examining Today's Video Game Industry". Hispanic Engineer & IT. Career Communications Group. 8 (1): 22–28 (27). Plante, Corey. "D&D's community is up in arms over a controversial change". Inverse . Retrieved January 10, 2023. Slavicsek, Bill; Baker, Richard (2005). Dungeons & Dragons for Dummies. Wiley Publishing. ISBN 0-7645-8459-6.a b Waldron, David (2005). "Role-Playing Games and the Christian Right: Community Formation in Response to a Moral Panic". The Journal of Religion and Popular Culture. University of Toronto Press Inc. (UTPress). 9 (1): 3. doi: 10.3138/jrpc.9.1.003. hdl: 1959.17/44257. ISSN 1703-289X.

Main articles: Dungeons & Dragons gameplay and Character class (Dungeons & Dragons) D&D uses polyhedral dice to resolve in-game events. These are abbreviated by a 'd' followed by the number of sides. Shown from left to right are a d20, a d12, a d%, a d10, a d8, a d6, and a d4. A d% and a d10 can be rolled together to produce a number between 1 and 100.Zambrano, J. R. (May 11, 2022). "D&D Beyond Officially Changes Hands May 18th". Bell of Lost Souls . Retrieved May 11, 2022. Tweet, Jonathan (2004). Dungeons & Dragons Basic Game. Renton, WA.: Wizards of the Coast. p.32. ISBN 0-7869-3409-3. OCLC 63137737.

Gygax, Gary (March 1985). "On the influence of J.R.R. Tolkien on the D&D and AD&D games". Dragon #95. TSR Hobbies, Inc. IX (10): 12–13. ISSN 0279-6848. The first seven listed here are the "most immediate influences". (Gygax; Dungeon Masters Guide, p. 224)Hoffer, Christian (November 10, 2022). "Dungeons & Dragons Announces New Inclusivity Processes After Spelljammer Revisions". ComicBook.com . Retrieved November 11, 2022. D&D departs from traditional wargaming by allowing each player to create their own character to play instead of a military formation. These characters embark upon adventures within a fantasy setting. A Dungeon Master (DM) serves as referee and storyteller for the game, while maintaining the setting in which the adventures occur, and playing the role of the inhabitants of the game world, known as non-player characters (NPCs). The characters form a party and they interact with the setting's inhabitants and each other. Together they solve problems, engage in battles, explore, and gather treasure and knowledge. In the process, player characters earn experience points (XP) to level up, and become increasingly powerful over a series of separate gaming sessions. [3] [7] [11] Players choose a class when they create their character, which gives them special perks and abilities every few levels.