First good luck. I started with 2e and it holds a special place in my hearth.
Thanks, I have a feeling we might need it. So many new (old) weird rules to get used to.
Max hp at first level the edition is deadly enough at low levels as it is.
Yeah, that's pretty much a given. Been considering implementing something a la dndnext for hit points further down the road, as in, you get minimum half hit points rounded down, no matter what you roll.
Spells do not have to be memorized all at once- it is fine to leave a slot open then spend the time between encounters to fill it in as needed. This came into play mid to high levels when the party needed a knock, dispel magic or remove curse etc. Spend the 10min/spell level (knock will take 20 min of uninterrupted study with the traveling spellbook) and you are good to go. Since casters have fairly limited number of spells to begin with this solved the problem of not having utility spells ready while heightening the danger for the caster (such as running out of combat spells in mid fight) while increasing his problem solving utility.
That's an interesting take on it. Will consider it. Inspired by dndnext, I had considered implementing a way to cast such spells as rituals (as in longer casting time) outside of combat. Need to come up with a price though, as it shouldn't just be gold.
Yeah, no thanks, except for a few odd rules here and there.
Start with the core 3 books and only once you are comfortable again with the rules contemplate optional things like the complete handbooks. While that holds true on general principle, I have seen people (GMs) who have not gamed for a while try to recapture the past glories and try to jump right back into 10+ sources game only to burn out overwhelmed.
I think that's really good advice. I have almost been falling into said trap. Ever since we decided to switch back, I have been reading 2e books left and right, trying to figure out what to use. I need to limit myself from the get-go.
Even if you are not a module GM consider digging into your Dungeon magazine and reading few modules. You may or may not run them but it helps to get into the spirit of things once again.
Some low level examples:
"Visiting Tylwyth" Dungeon 77
"Bad Seeds" Dungeon 79
"Race Against Time" Dungeon 81
I am not, but it's another good idea. Thanks for the recommandations.
Hey - great idea! While 2E isn't my personal choice (I lurves me some Rules Cyclopedia D&D) I fully endorse the idea of playing any and all editions of D&D.
I would suggest going 'vanilla' 2E at first - you will likely quickly remember your personal houserules as you encounter things that don't work or are a bother to have at the table (to hit adjustment vs. AC chart I'm looking right at you). I would strongly recommend not adding in Skills & Powers as they, to me, added a really unneeded level of complexity to 2E. At least they contributed to my personal disenfranchisement with the system.
Yep, good idea.
Just my 2cp - you might also look at
RPGGeek as there is a large pre3E community there.
That site looks confusing, or maybe I am just too hung over. Will come back once the mind clears up a bit.
On Twitter, I was recommended a podcast called THAC0's Hammer - any of you guys heard about it?
