Episode 26 - 1983 D&D Basic (Mentzer's Red Box!)
Description
Break out the dice, grab your crayon, and step into the dungeon of nostalgia.
In this episode of Masters of Pen and Paper, we’re celebrating ONE YEAR of the podcast by cracking open the legendary 1983 Red Box edition of Dungeons & Dragons—the version that taught a generation how to adventure.
We explore:
The history and legacy of Frank Mentzer’s Red Box
How a “choose your own adventure” solo tutorial changed the game
What it was like to roll stats with 3d6 straight down—and hope you’re “suitable for dangerous adventuring”
Retro mechanics like reverse AC, XP-for-gold, demi-human classes, and the dungeon caller
What this edition nailed, where it gets weird, and why it still holds up today
From humble beginnings to a year of dice rolls, laughter, and deep dives—we want to say a huge thank you to everyone who’s listened, shared, and adventured with us along the way. Here’s to many more!
Want to send in a question or scenario? Email us at mastersofpenandpaper@gmail.com
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