Master Set

The D&D Master Set was released in spring/summer of 1985, following publication of the D&D Companion Set, the previous year.

D&D Master Set (1985).  Cover illustration "Master of All He Surveys" by Larry Elmore.

The two-volume boxed set included a 32-page "Master Players' Book" and a 64-page "Master DM's Book"

Frank Mentzer was credited as "compiler" of the material, with editing by Barbara Green Deer (for the Master Players' Book) and Anne C. Gray, Mike Breault, and Barbara Deer (for the Master DM's Book).  Harold Johnson was credited as developer.

Interior illustrations were by Jeff Easley and Roger Raupp (for the Master Players' Book) and Jeff Easley (for the Master DM's Book).

Preface:

This set is dedicated to everyone who has helped in the development of the Dungeons & Dragons game during the last decade.  They are credited hereafter in fairly chronological order.

Two groups of gamers of the early 1970’s, the Lake Geneva Tactical Studies Association and the Castle & Crusade Society, contributed greatly to the rise of fantasy gaming.  Their members include the creators of this game, Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and (among many others) H. Axel Krigsman Jr., Rob and Terry Kuntz, William Linden, Chris Schleicher, and Russell Tulp.*

*the Membership and Precedence List of the Castle and Crusade Society in The Domesday Book #7 (September, 1970) lists 41 individuals

Don Kaye, who passed away in 1972, was a co-founder (with Gary Gygax and Brian Blume) of TSR Hobbies.

Jeff Perren was co-author (with Gary Gygax) of the Chainmail rules for miniatures, a hobby standard for fantasy gaming

The Gygax family hand-assembled the first boxed rule sets.  Ernie and Luke, Gary’s sons, have made frequent and noteworthy contributions to the game.

The supplements to the original set* offered thanks to Alan Lucien, Jeff Key, Steve Marsh, Mike Mornard, Dennis Sustare, and Jim Ward.  Tim Kask, editor of the supplements and other game materials, also deserves our warm thanks.

*Greykawk (1975), Blackmoor (1975), Eldritch Wizardry (1976), Gods, Demi-Gods & Heroes (1976), and Swords & Spells (1976)

The first revised version of the D&D Basic rulebook was edited by J. Eric Holmes.  His work was continued, a few years later, by Tom Moldvay, editor of the 1981 edition.  The 1983 revision of the Basic rules, as well as the Expert and Companion sets, were edited by Anne C. Gray.  Anne was joined by Mike Breault and Barbara Deer in editing this Master set.

Others who contributed ideas and material to the game system over the years include Brian Blume, Dave Cook, Allen Hammack, Kevin Hendryx, Harold Johnson, Jon Pickens, Brian Pitzer, Michael Price, Patrick Price, Paul Reiche, Evan Robinson, Gordon Schick, Lawrence Schick, Edward G. Sollers, Donald C. Snow, Ralph Wagner, Jean Wells, Bill Wilkerson, and Ralph “Skip” Williams.

Finally, no published game can succeed without the proper artwork.  The many depictions of monsters and magic have added immeasurably to our concepts of the game world.  The artists of the many earlier versions of the game include Greg Bell, C. Corey, Jeff Dee, Jeff Easley, Larry Elmore, Wade Hampton, Tom Keogh, Gary Kwapisz, Dave LaForce, Deborah Larson, Tracy Lesch, Erol Otus, Keenan Powell, Jim Roslof, Stephen D. Sullivan, and Dave Sutherland.

Many thanks to all contributors, and to any others accidentally omitted from the lists above.  And a special thanks to you-today’s hobby gamer, our valued customer.  The future of the game rests in your hands; help it to prosper and thrive for many years to come.

Frank Mentzer, Spring 1985