Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set (Holmes)
Holmes Basic SetBest For
Groups who want low-level dungeon expeditions built around mapping, cautious resource use, and treasure recovery.
Core Mechanic
Attacks and saving throws use a d20 roll that must meet or exceed the relevant table target. Attack targets depend on the defender's descending Armor Class and the attacker's level or hit dice. The referee resolves other actions through specific d6 or percentile procedures and rulings.
Attacks and saving throws use short d20 tables. The main learning is in managing timed dungeon exploration and prepared spells. Referees coordinate these procedures with separate encounter and thief rolls.
- Free to tryNothing freeNo free rules or starter
- Get it nowOut of printNot sold new in print or PDF
- –IndexNo back-of-book index or page-keyed reference tables
- ✓GM guidanceA chapter on how to run the game
- ✓Examples of playRules shown in action at the table
- ✓Quick referenceCheat sheet or summary tables
- –Cross-referencesRules rarely point to each other by page
3 of 5 book tools found in the core book
Highlights
- Ten-minute turns tie searching and rest to the risk of wandering monsters.
- Recovering treasure grants experience, rewarding expeditions that secure loot without fighting every monster.
- Reaction rolls let encountered creatures respond with negotiation or offers of help.
Considerations
- The core covers only the first three character levels and refers higher-level play to Advanced Dungeons & Dragons.
- Magic-users must spend at least a day studying to regain an expended spell.
- Poison can kill on a failed saving throw even when the initial hit is survivable.
No verified third-party publishing route found · Reviewed 2026-10-09 · Summary only, not legal advice. Check current terms before publishing. Rules license Proprietary No route to reuse the Holmes core text was verified; current SRD licenses cover their own text, and DMsGuild supports fifth-edition products.
Similar systems
- White Box: FMAG — The original fantasy RPG distilled to its simplest form: four classes, compressed modifiers, and room to make it your ownCompare Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set (Holmes) vs White Box: FMAG
- Basic Fantasy RPG — Delve into monster-filled dungeons and build strongholds in the wildernessCompare Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set (Holmes) vs Basic Fantasy RPG
- The Lost March — Settlers of a colonial reconquest raid a Chaos-held frontier for gold, faction rank and landCompare Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set (Holmes) vs The Lost March
- Swords & Wizardry — Dungeon delving, deadly wilds, and strongholds carved from the frontierCompare Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set (Holmes) vs Swords & Wizardry
- OSRIC — A faithful recreation of 1st Edition Advanced D&DCompare Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set (Holmes) vs OSRIC
- The Quiet Year — A map-drawing game about community, scarcity, and the passing of seasons before the Frost Shepherds arriveCompare Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set (Holmes) vs The Quiet Year