Arms and Equipment Guide

The Arms and Equipment Guide is a supplementary rulebook for Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (2nd Edition) that expands on equipment lists from the Player's Handbook. This 1991 publication features detailed descriptions and gameplay applications for various weapons, armor, and adventuring tools. The book includes contributions from multiple designers including Grant Boucher, Troy Christensen, Jon Pickens, John Terra, and Scott Davis. The artwork comes from numerous illustrators such as Daniel Horne, Keith Parkinson, and Kelly Freas, providing visual references for the equipment described within. The guide contains comprehensive information about historical armor types, weapon varieties, and practical adventuring gear. The content focuses on explaining the mechanical differences between items and their specific effects on gameplay. This reference work aims to bridge the gap between basic equipment listings and practical game implementation, helping players and Game Masters understand how various items function in their campaigns. The book represents an attempt to add historical authenticity and tactical depth to the equipment choices available in AD&D campaigns.

Readers appreciate this D&D 3rd edition supplement for its expanded equipment options and detailed weapon descriptions. Many note it adds depth to character customization through new armor choices and siege weapons. Liked: - Clear illustrations of weapons and gear - Pricing tables for exotic items - Rules for unusual mounts and transportation - Equipment modification systems Disliked: - Some rules feel unbalanced - Many items overlap with core rulebooks - Price points for items can be inconsistent - Several reviewers mention typos and editing issues Ratings: Goodreads: 4.02/5 (46 ratings) RPGnet: 7.33/10 (6 reviews) Amazon: 4.4/5 (11 reviews) Notable review: "The item creation and modification rules make this worth owning, even if you never use any of the new equipment." - RPGnet reviewer Several reviewers mention this book works better as a reference guide rather than essential equipment expansion for campaigns.

Player's Handbook by David "Zeb" Cook This core rulebook contains comprehensive equipment lists and weapon statistics for fantasy role-playing campaigns.

Complete Warrior by Andy Collins, David Noonan, Ed Stark The book presents combat styles, fighting techniques, and military equipment options for warrior-type characters.

Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue by J. Robert King This sourcebook functions as an in-universe merchant's guide with prices and descriptions for mundane and magical items.

Weapons and Warriors by Skip Williams The volume details historical weapons, armor, and combat equipment with technical specifications for game use.

Dungeoneer's Survival Guide by Douglas Niles This guide provides equipment loadouts and gear recommendations for underground exploration and dungeon adventures.

🎲 The Arms and Equipment Guide was published during D&D's "black triangle" logo era (1989-1991), a period known for some of the game's most innovative supplements. 🛡️ Many of the armor descriptions in the book were based on actual historical examples from medieval European museums, particularly pieces from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. ⚔️ Jon Pickens also worked as an editor on the original Dungeons & Dragons "Red Box" set, which introduced millions of new players to the game in the 1980s. 🗺️ The guide introduced several unique weapon specializations that later became standard features in future D&D editions, including specific combat styles for different cultures. 📚 Unlike most D&D sourcebooks of its era, the Arms and Equipment Guide included extensive bibliographic references for readers interested in historical weaponry and armor.