Player's Handbook

Players Handbook (1978)
Cover
AuthorGary Gygax
Cover artistDavid A. Trampier
LanguageEnglish
SubjectDungeons & Dragons 1st Edition
GenreRole-playing game
PublisherTSR, Inc.
Publication date
June 1978
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint (Hardcover)
Pages128
ISBN0-935696-01-6
OCLC13498304
794 19
LC ClassGV1469.62.D84 G94 1980

The Player's Handbook (spelled Players Handbook in first edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (AD&D)) is the name given to one of the core rulebooks in every edition of the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons (D&D). It does not contain the complete set of rules for the game, and only includes rules for use by players of the game. Additional rules, for use by Dungeon Masters (DMs), who referee the game, can be found in the Dungeon Master's Guide. Many optional rules, such as those governing extremely high-level players, and some of the more obscure spells, are found in other sources.

Since the first edition,[1] the Player's Handbook has contained tables and rules for creating characters, lists of the abilities of the different character classes, the properties and costs of equipment, descriptions of spells that magic-using character classes (such as wizards or clerics) can cast, and numerous other rules governing gameplay.[2] Both the Dungeon Master's Guide and the Player's Handbook give advice, tips, and suggestions for various styles of play.[3] For most editions of D&D, The Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide, and Monster Manual make up the core rulebooks.[4]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference WD10 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Turnbull, Don (April–May 1979). "A Dip Into the Players Handbook". White Dwarf (analysis and critique). No. 12. Games Workshop. pp. 24–25.
  3. ^ Pulsipher, Lewis (April–May 1981). "An Introduction to Dungeons & Dragons, Part II". White Dwarf (overview). No. 24. Games Workshop. pp. 10–11.
  4. ^ Livingstone, Ian (August–September 1979). "White Dwarf Interviews Gary Gygax". White Dwarf (interview). No. 14. Games Workshop. pp. 23–24.