Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia

The Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia is a 1991 book

published by TSR, Inc., as a continuation of the basic edition of Rules Cyclopedia
the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, which ran
concurrently with Advanced Dungeons & Dragons. Its product
designation was TSR 1071.

Contents
Contents
Publication history
Reception
References
Further reading

Contents Cover
Authors Aaron Allston
The Rules Cyclopedia contained all the major rules, compiled and (compilation and
revised from the Dungeons & Dragons Basic Rules, as well as the development), Steven
Expert Rules, Companion Rules, and Master Rules boxed sets.[1] E. Schend, Jon
Pickens, and Dori
However, the book's introduction on page 5 states that it is
"intended to be a reference volume for those who already play the Jean Watry (editing)
D&D game ... this book is aimed at the experienced user ... [it] Genre Role-playing game
lacks many of the examples and patient explanation you'll find in Publisher TSR, Inc.
the D&D box sets".[2] The same year, a revised introductory
Dungeons & Dragons set was released to introduce new players to Publication 1991
date
the game.[3]
Media type Print (Hardcover)
This was the second revision to the D&D rules.[4] These Pages 304
guidelines allow a player to develop and play characters from
levels 1 through 36, and includes a special section on skills.[1] The book also contained an overview of the
Known World (Mystara) and Hollow World campaign settings.[1] It also has rules on how to convert
characters between the Dungeons & Dragons game and the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition
(AD&D) game.

The Rules Cyclopedia includes two optional player-character classes not found in the Basic Set: the druid
(introduced in the Companion ruleset and also present in AD&D from its first edition), and the mystic
(introduced in the Master ruleset and similar to the monk class found in AD&D).

Publication history
The D&D Rules Cyclopedia was designed by Aaron Allston and published by TSR, Inc.[1][4] This 304-
page hardback book features cover artwork by Jeff Easley and interior art by Terry Dykstra.[2]

Reception
Rick Swan reviewed the D&D Rules Cyclopedia for Dragon magazine #184 (August 1992).[1] He calls
the book a "stunningly comprehensive volume", explaining that it "includes more detail than most GMs
will ever use [...] but if you want it, you can probably find it here".[1] According to Swan, "Best of all, the
material is a joy to read, thanks to the breezy style of Aaron Allston, who must've been genetically
engineered to write RPG rules. This is a must for serious fans."[1]

Shannon Appelcline said that the book "was a nice compilation that was appreciated by the fans".[4]

References
1. Swan, Rick (August 1992). "Role-playing Reviews". Dragon. Lake Geneva, Wisconsin: TSR
(#184): 76.
2. Allston, Aaron, Steven E. Schend, Jon Pickens, and Dori Watry. Dungeons & Dragons Rules
Cyclopedia (TSR, 1991)
3. Shannon Appelcline. "D&D Rules Cyclopedia (Basic)" (http://www.dndclassics.com/product/
17171/DD-Rules-Cyclopedia-Basic?it=1&filters=0_0_44699). dndclassics.com. Retrieved
September 9, 2014.
4. Shannon Appelcline (2011). Designers & Dragons. Mongoose Publishing. p. 27. ISBN 978-
1-907702-58-7.

Further reading
Steven E. Schend, "The grand old game–complete at last!" Dragon #177.

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