The D&D Companion Set (1984) describes several new weapons (bastard sword, blackjack, blowgun, bola, heavy crossbow, net, trident, and whip), as well as two new types of armor (scale and banded mail).
The D&D Master Set (1985) introduces the throwing hammer and four types of shield weapons, subdivides pole arms into halberds, pikes, and pole axes, and describes suit armor, several types of barding, and siege equipment.
Illustration by Erol Otus, from the World of Greyhawk folio (1980).
I would include the new weapons and armor described in the Companion and Master Sets as part of a Companion supplement, including siege weapons and equipment, (except for perhaps shield weapons).
Additional weapons described in the OD&D rules and Holmes Basic, but not in BECMI, include the morning star and flail. These do more damage than a mace, although require greater space on either side to wield, thereby affecting marching order.
Additional bows described in OD&D and Holmes Basic, but not in BECMI, include the composite bow (same range as a heavy crossbow) and horse bow (a short, composite bow, same range as a light crossbow).
The OD&D rules also list helmets (separate from armor types), and belladonna (as a form of poison), in the equipment list. Items from Judges Guild material include lodestones, etc.
Wow...I haven't seen/thought about that EO illustration in ages. I love the guy on the ladder getting pushed off the parapet, as well as the poor fella below with an arrow through the eye. I can also immediately see the floorplan of this simple wooden frontier fort.
ReplyDeleteThis simple illo has more punch and raw D&D mojo than the entirety of the current 5e library. Someday, when I buy out D&D from WotC/Hasbro, I'm going to release a new edition and hire as many of the original B/X/1e artists as I can to create new artwork that actually speaks to the game, rather than whatever it is we're being treated to these days. And I'll pay each of them 1 billion dollars!
Agree 100% - none of the current art really sticks in the mind's eye. The old school artists had the magic (and still do!)
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