HOUSE RULES - BY ERICK LEE EDWARDS - Alternate Rules for Character Creation and Advancement

Oct 5, 2026

Upload by Adam

HOUSE RULES by Erick Lee Edwards provides alternate rules for Advanced Dungeons & Dragons First Edition, covering character creation and advancement, alignments, task resolution mechanics, and related systems with examples. The text explains how to build a 1st-level character using points to buy trait benefits, then calculate experience requirements for reaching 2nd level and beyond using multipliers. It details generating original ability scores via 3d6 rolls, managing “current” scores with racial adjustments, and improving maximum ability potential through dice packages.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryStory & Novel

FormatPDF

Pages68

Reading Time1 h 45 min

AccessFree to download

Creating and Advancing Characters

Point Costs for Traits

Generating Original Ability Scores

Generating Maximum Ability Scores

Character Races

Hit Dice

Hit Points

Maximum Hit Point Total

Saving Throws

HOUSE RULES BY ERICK LEE EDWARDS ALTERNATE RULES FOR CHARACTER CREATION AND ADVANCEMENT , ALIGNMENTS, TASK RESOLUTION MECHANICS, AND OTHER SYSTEMS WITH EXAMPLES. FOR USE WITH ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS FIRST EDITION INQUIRIES CONCERNING RULES SHOULD BE ANSWERED BY YOUR LOCAL DUNGEON MASTER. © 2026 ● ICOSAHEDRON © ICOSAHEDRON FOURTEENTH PRINTING, JUNE 2026 PRINTED IN THE U.S.A. TABLE OF CONTENTS Creating and Advancing Characters …………………………….. 4 Point Costs for Traits …………………………….. 8 Ability Score Tables …………………………….. 9 Building Classes for Advanced Dungeons & Dragons …………………………….. 12 Explanation of Adventuring Traits …………………………….. 18 Features …………………………….. 24 Combat …………………………….. 27 Heroic Alignments …………………………….. 32 Spell Research and Magical Item Creation …………………………….. 40 A Skill System …………………………….. 41 Addenda and Optional Rules …………………………….. 43 CREATING AND ADVANCING CHARACTERS Under this system the normal classes from the AD&D Players Handbook are not used (but can be, as both systems are compatible) . Instead, characters are created at 1st level using a number of points (usually 30) with which to buy character class traits, such as hit points, an attack bonus, thief abilities, spellcasting, etc. After creating a 1st level character and some time before the expected attainment of 2nd level, the player should note what traits are desired at 2nd level. The point costs for these traits are added up and multiplied by the current level’s multiplier. This total equals the amount of experience points needed for 2nd level. Each level’s experience point requirement is calculated in the same fashion except the previous level’s required experience points are added to the new calculated amount. Please consult the section POINT COSTS FOR TRAITS to find the point costs for the traits described hereafter. Generating Original Ability Scores Under this system, ability scores should be generated by rolling 3d6 for each ability score in order of Strength, Intelligence, Wisdom, Dexterity, Constitution, and Charisma. The original results of each roll should be recorded.“Current” ability scores represent the character’s scores at the present and may be different from the original scores (through development, permanent magic, etc.) . Racial adjustments should be applied and recorded as “current”ability scores so that the originally rolled scores are known. Keep in mind that this system doesn’t use minimum ability scores as requisites for advancement, spellcasting, etc. A character with an Intelligence of 3 can still be a wizard under this system. High scores aren’t needed to the extent they were in previous editions of the game. Generating Maximum Ability Scores Under this system, abilities can be improved during play. A character’s maximum potential in each area should be determined, however. This is accomplished by assigning a dice package to each of the six ability scores. The dice packages are: 9d6, 8d6, 7d6, 6d6, 5d6, and 4d6 . Each package is assigned to one ability. The dice are rolled and the best three are retained to generate a total between 3 and 18. The likelihood of getting a much higher score comes with the packages that have a larger number of dice. If the number rolled for the ability is higher than the originally rolled score, then this is the maximum. If the number is equal to or lower than the originally rolled score, then the character is considered to have already reached the maximum potential in that ability and the maximum is equal to the originally rolled score. These maximums are affected by racial adjustments. Thus, if the player of an elf originally rolled an 18 for Dexterity, the current Dexterity will be 19, and the maximum Dexterity will also be 19 (the current score) . Character Races This system is not altering the rules for character races. Note that the “Reorx Bonus” on the Constitution table refers to the dwarven, gnomish, and halfling resistanc

FAQs

How are characters created at 1st level in these house rules?

Characters are created at 1st level using a number of points (usually 30) to buy class trait elements such as hit points, attack bonus, thief abilities, spellcasting, and more.

How do players determine experience points needed to reach 2nd level?

Players choose desired traits for 2nd level, add up the point costs for those traits, multiply by the current level’s multiplier, and treat the result as the experience points needed for 2nd level.

How are original ability scores and “current” scores handled?

Original ability scores are generated by rolling 3d6 for each ability in order, and recorded. Racial adjustments are applied and recorded as “current” ability scores so the rolled originals remain known.

Oct 5, 2026

Upload by Adam