From the back cover:
The most powerful and comprehensive fantasy role-playing system is now even easier and more fun in the thoroughly revised second edition. The combat system has been streamlined for quicker and more exciting play, and the experience points system has been carefully enhanced to make your characters capable of more dynamic growth. Now presented in this one volume, DragonQuest is truly complete in one book. Although we are continuing a program of fascinating supplemental material, you need nothing more than this book and two decimal dice to play complete and enjoyable games.
From the web:
The second edition of DragonQuest is largely the same as the first edition but contains several adjustments to attempt to balance and speed up play. The most significant change is the replacement of the action point combat system from the first edition with a less cumbersome "one action per round" system called "Pulses". To make up for the lack of action points, Tactical Movement Rates were introduced to define movement within tactical/melee encounters. In addition, several weapon and combat modifiers were adjusted to make it easier to hit targets (and thus speed up combat).
