The Strategic Review was the first magazine (fanzine really) published by the then new Tactical Studies Rules company. It covered the hobby and included articles on boardgames and minatures gaming as well as the new role-playing aspect of the hobby introduced by White Box. Vol. 1, No. 2 (Summer 1975) carried an article titled "Questions Most Frequently Asked About Dungeons & Dragons Rules" in which some important answers are given, presumably by author Gary Gygax himself.
Combat is the first topic addressed in the article and this seems appropriate given the White Box emphasis on combat. The author points out that Chainmail is primarily a 1:20 scale ruleset and suggests that the alternative system (d20) be used for important fights involving characters. It is in this article that the idea of fighting men getting multiple attacks against "normal" types such as 1 hit die monsters. The author states that an 8th level superhero would get eight attacks against normal men or their equivalent, i.e kobolds, goblins, gnomes, dwarves, etc. The omission of initiative in the White Box is addressed by the suggestion a d6 is rolled by each side and the higher score going first. This is done each round. A high dexterity can grant a bonus of +1.
The combat example given makes it clear how multiple attacks and initiative work and also introduces the concept of grappling and stunning. In the example a group of orcs attempt to grapple and overpower, i.e. capture a hero (4th level fighting man). When the hero tosses aside the unsuccessful orcs, he stuns two of them. Overpowering to capture rather than attack to kill seems an important tactic to remember.
Morale is discussed and the author states the PC morale is determined by the player and their choices. Monsters run by the referee are subject to morale unless they are mindlessly attacking, such as would be the case with undead. Some NPC henchmen and hirelings may occasionally be subject to morale. The author suggests using the morale system from Chainmail or a simple two d6 roll with 2 being very bad morale and 12 being very good morale.
Experience in White Box is primarily earned by recovering treasure. Killing monsters earns somewhat less experience. In this article, the author indicates magic items are worth relatively small amounts of experience because they aid the player in gaining more treasure and therefore have their own worth.
Any uncertainty regarding spell use is dispelled by the author who clearly states in this article that a given spell can be used but once per day. The magic user or cleric may "equip himself with a multiplicity of the same spell so as to have its use more than a single time". It is also stated that the rules assume the user of magic gains new spells by preparations such as memorization of incantations and that once spoken, that memory is gone completely. Scrolls work similarly in that the words are inscribed on the scroll and once spoken disappear completely.
The Strategic Review is a relatively amateurish publication and this issue is only 8 pages in length (Vol. 2, No. 2 is the last and longest issue with 24 pages.). Only seven issues were printed before TSR replaced it with Dragon Magazine and the short-lived Little Wars. Having been involved with fanzines for years, Mr. Gygax seemed committed to having a periodical publication to support his products and the hobby in general as part of his new company. As can be seen on the cover above, this issue is dedicated to the memory of Mr. Gygax's first business partner and long-time friend Don Kaye (hence the GK logo).
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