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Rules Cyclopedia
	Cover
Authors	Aaron Allston (compilation and development), Steven E. Schend, Jon Pickens, and Dori Jean Watry (editing)
Genre	Role-playing game
Publisher	TSR, Inc.
Publication date	1991
Media type	Print (Hardcover)
Pages	304

The Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia is a 1991 book published by TSR, Inc., as a continuation of the basic edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, which ran concurrently with Advanced Dungeons & Dragons. Its product designation was TSR 1071.

However, the book's introduction on page 5 states that it is "intended to be a reference volume for those who already play the D&D game ... this book is aimed at the experienced user ... [it] lacks many of the examples and patient explanation you'll find in the D&D box sets".^[2] The same year, a revised introductory Dungeons & Dragons set was released to introduce new players to the game.^[3]

This was the second revision to the D&D rules.^[4] These 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

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Swan, Rick (August 1992). "Role-playing Reviews". Dragon (#184). Lake Geneva, Wisconsin: TSR: 76.
^ ^a ^b Allston, Aaron, Steven E. Schend, Jon Pickens, and Dori Watry. Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia (TSR, 1991)
^ Shannon Appelcline. "D&D Rules Cyclopedia (Basic)". dndclassics.com. Retrieved September 9, 2014.
^ ^a ^b ^c Shannon Appelcline (2011). Designers & Dragons. Mongoose Publishing. p. 27. ISBN 978-1-907702-58-7.