Dungeoneer's Survival Guide
Encyclopedia
Dungeoneer's Survival Guide is a supplement to the Dungeons & Dragons
fantasy
role-playing game
. The book was written by Douglas Niles
, and published by TSR, Inc.
in 1986 (ISBN 0880382724).
The book includes special game rules for underground activities, including combat, travel, and mining. The book includes descriptions of the Underdark
and the ecology and cultures of its underground inhabitants. The blurb
printed on the rear cover states that the book "opens up grand new vistas in the realms of the underdark, that little-known region of dungeons and caverns far beneath the sunlit world of everyday existence".
The Dungeoneer's Survival Guide includes new proficiencies, as well as ideas for the creation of underground adventures. Characters gain proficiencies by way of "non-weapon proficiency slots", which can be filled with a variety of secondary skills. The book also provides rules on actions such as how well non-thieves
climb walls and trees, how far characters can leap across chasms, and how long characters can hold their breath under water.
The book describes different types of caverns, how player character
s may find and enter them, and what may be found there. Also described are the effects of natural hazards, such as cave-ins, floods, underground streams, poisonous gases, volcanoes, and lack of oxygen. The book covers the history and relationships of the underground races, and provides advice on how to run interesting underground campaigns.
, with cover art by Jeff Easley
, and was published by TSR
in 1986 as a 128-page hardcover. The book also features interior illustrations by Doug Chaffee, Greg Harper, Jim Roslof
, and Easley.
The book was re-packaged with the new Dark and Hidden Ways adventure pack released in 1990 to try to clear out remaining stock of Dungeoneer's Survival Guide, a first edition AD&D title rendered out-of-date with the release of second edition AD&D.
#82, commenting that the book "deserves the attention of all AD&D players – even those who prefer the freedom of the wilderness to the depths of the dungeon". Bambra notes that while the book covers the Underdark
in detail, it is also a major expansion of the AD&D rules. He felt that the new proficiencies "add a whole new dimension to AD&D gaming", as PCs "can now do more than just fight and cast spells". Bambra notes that, with proficiencies, characters "are able to make armour and weapons, train animals, cut gems, fight effectively in the dark, climb mountains, swim, and perform many other activities that were simply impossible before ... A skill system is something AD&D has been lacking for a long time, and it is good to see that this one ... fits smoothly and easily into the game." Bambra praised author Doug Niles for creating a sourcebook which "proves that underground adventures can be a lot more than simply killing the monster and grabbing its treasure ... the underground has been transformed from a bleak and dirty dungeon to an exciting and intriguing underground fairyland". Bambra adds that the suggestions on how to run underground campaigns form one of the best discussions on designing adventures, and finds it relevant for any campaign, even those of other game systems. Bambra concludes the review by stating "Dungeoneer's Survival Guide is an excellent product which opens many new and exciting opportunities to adventurers everywhere. Don't be put off by the title - DSG contains plenty for ... even the most adamant of wilderness adventurers."
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
. The book was written by Douglas Niles
Douglas Niles
Douglas Niles is a fantasy author and game designer. Niles was one of the creators of the Dragonlance world and the author of the first three Forgotten Realms novels, and the Top Secret S/I espionage role-playing game.-Early life:Niles was born in Brookfield, Wisconsin, a suburb of Milwaukee, and...
, and published by TSR, Inc.
TSR, Inc.
Blume and Gygax, the remaining owners, incorporated a new company called TSR Hobbies, Inc., with Blume and his father, Melvin Blume, owning the larger share. The former assets of the partnership were transferred to TSR Hobbies, Inc....
in 1986 (ISBN 0880382724).
Contents
The Dungeoneer's Survival Guide describes the running of underground adventures in great detail, and includes special rules for movement, combat, mining, and skill proficiencies. The book contains a Dungeon Master's section which covers the underground environment and ecology, as well as the cultures of the creatures that live underground. The book also includes information on making three dimensional maps and describes a campaign zone called "Deepearth".The book includes special game rules for underground activities, including combat, travel, and mining. The book includes descriptions of the Underdark
Underdark
The Underdark is a fictional setting which has appeared in Dungeons & Dragons role-playing campaigns and Dungeons & Dragons-based fiction books, including the Legend of Drizzt series by R. A. Salvatore...
and the ecology and cultures of its underground inhabitants. The blurb
Blurb
A blurb is a short summary or some words of praise accompanying a creative work, usually used on books without giving away any details, that is usually referring to the words on the back of the book jacket but also commonly seen on DVD and video cases, web portals, and news websites.- History :The...
printed on the rear cover states that the book "opens up grand new vistas in the realms of the underdark, that little-known region of dungeons and caverns far beneath the sunlit world of everyday existence".
The Dungeoneer's Survival Guide includes new proficiencies, as well as ideas for the creation of underground adventures. Characters gain proficiencies by way of "non-weapon proficiency slots", which can be filled with a variety of secondary skills. The book also provides rules on actions such as how well non-thieves
Rogue (Dungeons & Dragons)
The rogue or thief is one of the standard playable character class in most editions of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. A rogue is a versatile character, capable of sneaky combat and nimble tricks...
climb walls and trees, how far characters can leap across chasms, and how long characters can hold their breath under water.
The book describes different types of caverns, how player character
Player character
A player character or playable character is a character in a video game or role playing game who is controlled or controllable by a player, and is typically a protagonist of the story told in the course of the game. A player character is a persona of the player who controls it. Player characters...
s may find and enter them, and what may be found there. Also described are the effects of natural hazards, such as cave-ins, floods, underground streams, poisonous gases, volcanoes, and lack of oxygen. The book covers the history and relationships of the underground races, and provides advice on how to run interesting underground campaigns.
Publication history
Dungeoneer's Survival Guide was written by Douglas NilesDouglas Niles
Douglas Niles is a fantasy author and game designer. Niles was one of the creators of the Dragonlance world and the author of the first three Forgotten Realms novels, and the Top Secret S/I espionage role-playing game.-Early life:Niles was born in Brookfield, Wisconsin, a suburb of Milwaukee, and...
, with cover art by Jeff Easley
Jeff Easley
Jeff Easley is an oil painter who creates fantasy artwork in the tradition of Frank Frazetta.-Early life:...
, and was published by TSR
TSR, Inc.
Blume and Gygax, the remaining owners, incorporated a new company called TSR Hobbies, Inc., with Blume and his father, Melvin Blume, owning the larger share. The former assets of the partnership were transferred to TSR Hobbies, Inc....
in 1986 as a 128-page hardcover. The book also features interior illustrations by Doug Chaffee, Greg Harper, Jim Roslof
Jim Roslof
James Paul "Jim" Roslof was an American artist and graphic designer particularly well known for cover art and interior illustrations of fantasy role-playing games published by TSR, Inc. during the "golden age" of Dungeons & Dragons...
, and Easley.
The book was re-packaged with the new Dark and Hidden Ways adventure pack released in 1990 to try to clear out remaining stock of Dungeoneer's Survival Guide, a first edition AD&D title rendered out-of-date with the release of second edition AD&D.
Reception
Jim Bambra reviewed Dungeoneer's Survival Guide for White DwarfWhite Dwarf (magazine)
White Dwarf is a magazine published by British games manufacturer Games Workshop. Initially covering a wide variety of fantasy and science-fiction role-playing and board games, particularly the role playing games Dungeons & Dragons, RuneQuest and Traveller...
#82, commenting that the book "deserves the attention of all AD&D players – even those who prefer the freedom of the wilderness to the depths of the dungeon". Bambra notes that while the book covers the Underdark
Underdark
The Underdark is a fictional setting which has appeared in Dungeons & Dragons role-playing campaigns and Dungeons & Dragons-based fiction books, including the Legend of Drizzt series by R. A. Salvatore...
in detail, it is also a major expansion of the AD&D rules. He felt that the new proficiencies "add a whole new dimension to AD&D gaming", as PCs "can now do more than just fight and cast spells". Bambra notes that, with proficiencies, characters "are able to make armour and weapons, train animals, cut gems, fight effectively in the dark, climb mountains, swim, and perform many other activities that were simply impossible before ... A skill system is something AD&D has been lacking for a long time, and it is good to see that this one ... fits smoothly and easily into the game." Bambra praised author Doug Niles for creating a sourcebook which "proves that underground adventures can be a lot more than simply killing the monster and grabbing its treasure ... the underground has been transformed from a bleak and dirty dungeon to an exciting and intriguing underground fairyland". Bambra adds that the suggestions on how to run underground campaigns form one of the best discussions on designing adventures, and finds it relevant for any campaign, even those of other game systems. Bambra concludes the review by stating "Dungeoneer's Survival Guide is an excellent product which opens many new and exciting opportunities to adventurers everywhere. Don't be put off by the title - DSG contains plenty for ... even the most adamant of wilderness adventurers."