B/X + RC Reference Sheet v0.5

As I suggested earlier, I put together some house rules to "bridge" the difference between the 1981 D&D Basic/Expert sets ("B/X") and the Rules Cyclopedia, as inspired by Zenopus' Bridge Tables. The idea here is to use the Rules Cyclopedia primarily as a supplement to extend B/X campaigns beyond Level 14, and to allow additional rules from the Cyclopedia to be added piecemeal as desired. Hopefully, this post can help players use all of these rulebooks together within the same campaigns, without confusion or inconsistencies.

Suggestions for improvement are more than welcome. I'd also like to give this a slicker layout with some easy-to-read tables and turn it into a PDF, so if anyone is willing to help me figure out how to do that, I'd appreciate it. Anyway, I hope someone finds this useful. Enjoy!

B/X + RC Reference Sheet v0.5

Saving Throws
Cleric

• Levels 1-16: As per B/X.
• Levels 17-20: Poison 3, Wands 5, Paralysis 6, Breath Attack 8, Spells 7
• Levels 21-24: Poison 3, Wands 5, Paralysis 5, Breath Attack 6, Spells 5
• Levels 25+: As per the Rules Cyclopedia.

Fighter

• Levels 1-15: As per B/X.
• Levels 16-18: As per Levels 13-15 in B/X.
• Levels 19-21: Poison 4, Wands 5, Paralysis 6, Breath 5, Spells 7
• Levels 22+: As per the Rules Cyclopedia.

Magic-User

• Levels 1-15: As per B/X.
• Levels 16+: As per the Rules Cyclopedia.

Thief

• Levels 1-16: As per B/X.
• Levels 17+: As per the Rules Cyclopedia.

Dwarf

• Levels 1-12: As per B/X.
• At Attack Rank D, begin using Level 12 Saving Throws from the Rules Cyclopedia.
• Levels 13+: As per the Rules Cyclopedia (if using the Extended Experience Table).

Elf

• Levels 1-10: As per B/X.
• At Attack Rank F, being using Level 10 Saving Throws from the Rules Cyclopedia.
• Levels 11-12: As per Level 10 in B/X (if using the Extended Experience Table).
• Levels 13+: As per the Rules Cyclopedia (if using the Extended Experience Table).

Halfling

• Levels 1-8: As per B/X.
• At Attack Rank C, begin using Level 8 Saving Throws from the Rules Cyclopedia.
• Level 9: As per Levels 7-8 in B/X (if using the Extended Experience Table).
• Levels 10+: As per the Rules Cyclopedia (if using the Extended Experience Table).

Spells Per Day
Cleric

• Levels 1-14: As per B/X.
• Level 15: 6/5/5/5/4/3
• Level 16: 6/5/5/5/4/3
• Level 17: 6/6/5/5/4/3/1
• Level 18: 6/6/5/5/4/3/2
• Level 19: 7/6/5/5/4/4/2
• Level 20: 7/6/5/5/4/4/3
• Levels 21+: As per the Rules Cyclopedia.

Magic-User

• Levels 1-14: As per B/X.
• Level 15: 5/4/4/4/3/3/1
• Level 16: 5/5/5/4/3/3/2
• Levels 17+: As per the Rules Cyclopedia.

Thief Skills

• Climb Walls and Hear Noise: Switch to the Rules Cyclopedia at Level 14.
• Pick Pockets: Switch to the Rules Cyclopedia at Level 23.
• Open Locks, Find Traps, and Remove Traps: Switch to the Rules Cyclopedia at Level 26.
• Move Silently and Hide in Shadows: Switch to the Rules Cyclopedia at Level 36.

Turn Undead
Always use the table from the Rules Cyclopedia.
Alternatively, from Levels 1-10, use the B/X table, and from Level 11 on, use the Rules Cyclopedia table.

Attack Table, Attack Ranks, and Multiple Attacks
Always use the Attack Table from the Rules Cyclopedia.
Demi-human Player Characters gain Attack Ranks as per the Rules Cyclopedia (or else follow the Extended Experience Table from the Rules Cyclopedia if the Dungeon Master allows).
Player Characters gain multiple attacks as per the Rules Cyclopedia.

Experience Points for Monsters
Always use the "Experience Points for Monsters" table from the Rules Cyclopedia.
Alternatively, use the B/X table until at least one Player Character achieves either Level 14 or the maximum level for their class, then begin using the table from the Rules Cyclopedia.

Known Spells and Spell Acquisition for Magic-Users and Elves
Follow the rules in the following sections of the Rules Cyclopedia: "Number of Spells Known" page 32 (excluding the example number of Cleric Spells/Level in favor of the B/X rules), "Magical Spells" pages 43-44, and "Magic-User Spell Choice" page 147.

The Electrum Rule: Aside from the changes above, assume the B/X rulebooks take precedence over the Rules Cyclopedia by default, unless the Dungeon Master decides otherwise.