Basic Fantasy RPG Rules r75

Role-Playing Game

2

nd

Edition

(Release 75)

Dedicated to Gary Gygax, Dave Arneson, Tom Moldvay, David Cook, and Steve Marshand to my daughter Taylor, my primary inspiration

www.basicfantasy.org

Credits

Contributors:Ray Allen, William D. Smith, Jr., Nick Bogan, Evan Moore, Stuart Marshall,Emiliano Marchetti, Antonio Eleuteri, Luigi Castellani, Michael Hensley,Nazim N. Karaca, Arthur Reyes, Todd Roe, and Jim BobbCover Art:Erik WilsonArtwork:Erik Wilson, Steve Zieser, Matt Finch, Dan Dalton, Luigi Castellani, Nick Bogan,Mike Hill, Kevin Cook, Sean Stone, Brian “Glad” Thomas, Tomas Arfert,Andy “ATOM” Taylor, Jason Braun, Martin “Wulfgarn” Siesto, and Brian DeClercqProofreading:Tonya Allen, Daryl Burns, James Roberts, Serge Petitclerc, Benedict Wolf,Onno Tasler, Peter Cook, Derrick "Omote" Landwehr, Wes Brown, Troy Gravil,Garrett Rooney, and K. David LadagePlaytesters:Taylor Gonnerman, Alan Jett, Steve Zieser, Allan Zieser, Jonathon Foster,Adam Young, Michael Young, Jason Schmidt, Doug Wilson, Jessica Abramson,Tonya Allen, Bryan Christian, Chuck Schoonover, Savannah Schoonover,and Brianna Schoonover

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART 1: INTRODUCTION...........................................1

What Is This?..............................................................1What Is a Role-Playing Game?....................................1What Do I Need to Play?.............................................2Using the Dice.............................................................2

PART 2: PLAYER CHARACTER INFORMATION......3

How to Create a Player Character...............................3Character Abilities.......................................................4Hit Points and Hit Dice................................................4Languages..................................................................4Character Races..........................................................5Dwarf and Elf..............................................................5Halfling and Human....................................................6Combination Classes...................................................6Character Classes........................................................7Cleric and Fighter........................................................7Magic-User and Thief..................................................8Cost of Weapons and Equipment..............................10Money......................................................................10Equipment................................................................10Weapon Size............................................................11Missile Weapon Ranges.............................................11Explanation of Equipment.........................................12Vehicles....................................................................13Siege Engines...........................................................14

PART 3: SPELLS.........................................................15PART 4: THE ADVENTURE.......................................36

Time and Scale.........................................................36Dungeon Adventures................................................36Carrying Capacity.....................................................36Movement and Encumbrance...................................36Mapping...................................................................36Light.........................................................................36Darkvision................................................................37Doors.......................................................................37Traps........................................................................37Secret Doors.............................................................37Dungeon Survival.....................................................37Wilderness Adventures..............................................38Wilderness Movement Rates.....................................38Overland Travel........................................................38Waterborne Travel....................................................38Traveling by Air........................................................39Becoming Lost..........................................................39Retainers, Specialists and Mercenaries.......................39Character Advancement............................................42Experience Points.....................................................42

PART 5: THE ENCOUNTER......................................43

Order of Play............................................................43Surprise....................................................................43Monster Reactions.....................................................43Initiative....................................................................44Combat....................................................................44Running....................................................................44Maneuverability........................................................44Climbing and Diving.................................................45Charging...................................................................45Evasion and Pursuit..................................................45Defensive Movement................................................45How to Attack...........................................................46Attacking from Behind..............................................46Normal Men..............................................................46Monster Attack Bonus...............................................46Melee Combat..........................................................46Missile Fire................................................................46Cover and Concealment...........................................46Attack Bonus Table...................................................47Missile Weapon Rate of Fire......................................47Grenade-Like Missiles...............................................47Missiles That Miss......................................................47Damage....................................................................48Subduing Damage....................................................48Brawling...................................................................48Wrestling...................................................................48Oil............................................................................49Holy Water...............................................................49Morale......................................................................49Turning the Undead..................................................50Clerics vs. Undead Table...........................................50Energy Drain.............................................................51Healing and Rest.......................................................51Constitution Point Losses..........................................51Falling Damage.........................................................52Deafness and Blindness.............................................52Attacking a Vehicle....................................................52Repairing a Vehicle...................................................52Saving Throws..........................................................52Item Saving Throws..................................................53

PART 6: MONSTERS..................................................54PART 7: TREASURE................................................118

Treasure Types.......................................................119Magic Item Generation............................................121Explanation of Magic Items.....................................124

PART 8: GAME MASTER INFORMATION.............133

Wandering Monsters...............................................133Creating an NPC Party............................................137Dealing with Players................................................139Character Creation Options.....................................139Hopeless Characters...............................................139Acquisition of Spells................................................139Weapon and Armor Restrictions..............................139 Judging Wishes.......................................................140Optional Rules........................................................140Death and Dying.....................................................140“Save or Die” Poison..............................................141Awarding Experience Points for Treasure Gained....141Ability Rolls.............................................................141Preparing Spells from Memory................................141Thief Abilities..........................................................142Magical Research....................................................142Creating a Dungeon Adventure...............................146Designing a Wilderness Adventure...........................148Strongholds............................................................149

ALPHABETICAL INDEX............................................152OPEN GAME LICENSE.............................................153