An opportunity

[cavalier973]

So, the local second-hand book shop has a copy of the AD&D Player's Handbook and DM Guide, the one that was authored by Mr. Gygax. They also have a copy of the 2nd edition AD&D rules (not labelled as such; I had to check to make sure, since I am unfamiliar with the books).

Question: I have limited resources, and want to get one or the other; which should I purchase? These are not the recent reprints by WoTC, these are the actual books (as an aside, the same bookstore had an original copy of "Keep on the Borderlands", but I missed getting it).

Challenges and Opportunities: the 2nd edition books are a little more expensive, but I can get all three books (PHB, DMG, MM). The 1st edition books has the monster manual 2, but not the first MM. In addition, I understand that some of the retro-clones like Swords & Wizardry or Labyrinth Lord emulate the experience of early D&D fairly well, and I could just stay with those, but it's difficult for me to run a game from a PDF file--I much prefer having a book to flip through.

SO, Poll questions:

1. Get the 1st Edition Books, PHB, DMG, MM2
2. Get the 2nd Edition Books, PHB, DMG, MM
3. Get the 1st Edition PHB and DMG, and the 2nd Edition MM
4. Just use Labyrinth Lord Advanced Rules Companion (or some other retro-clone).

 

[Yora]

My biggest problem with AD&D has always been that the editing and internal structure is so terribly bad, that I have never been able to understand what the rules are actually supposed to be. Which isn't helped by the fact that many mechanics are just plain weird, especially when you already know much simpler ways to do the same thing.
With most of the retroclones I've seen, this isn't an issue at all and it's very easy to read and understand. And when I now look back at the original AD&D books, I see that most of the rules are actually the same, but have always been incomprehensible to me, until the retroclones taught me how it's meant to work.

 

[delericho]

It really depends on the prices, but you should probably get them from eBay instead - they're not exactly thin on the ground and prices are low, especially if you don't really care which printings you get.

 

[Halivar]

I say get 1st Edition AND a retroclone (I prefer OSRIC). Also get Rules Compendium from D&D Classics. Nobody runs 1E RAW; for my group I borrow rules from OSRIC (initiative) and RC (dominions). I also suggest Unearthed Arcana; OSRIC folds a lot of that material in, though, such as double specialization.

 

[DMZ2112]

My gut says get the AD&D1 books, because while none of this stuff is particularly collectible they are the /most/ collectible and will at the very least give you the most bragging rights when you shelve them in your game room, or wherever. But making an attempt at sensible advice:

If you are looking to play Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, which it sounds like you are, I would say get the AD&D2 books, especially if they are cheaper. They are slightly more contemporary and will see a great deal more support at dndclassics.com.

If you are interested in the history of the game, I would say get the AD&D1 books, as they will have more flavor in that regard. The MM2 has all the modrons, and Anthraxus the Decayed! Neat stuff!

If you want to play a retroclone, buy a retroclone.

 

[Jan van Leyden]

If your goal is to actually play the game, go with the 2nd edition offer. The rules are much more comprehensible than 1e. Also avoid the first variant with the 1e MM2 but without MM. MM2 only isn't sufficient; it doesn't feature goblins, orcs, skeletons and so on. Variant 3 (1e plus 2e MM) would work, though.

 

[billd91]

1. Get the 1st Edition Books, PHB, DMG, MM2
2. Get the 2nd Edition Books, PHB, DMG, MM
3. Get the 1st Edition PHB and DMG, and the 2nd Edition MM
4. Just use Labyrinth Lord Advanced Rules Companion (or some other retro-clone).

2e is an excellent game. I recommend it wholeheartedly. But try to get the 1e DMG at some point too. While the 2e one has information necessary to run 2e, the 1e version is great as a general GMing resource.

Just how much are they charging for these books, by the way?

 

[cavalier973]

The 1st edition books are $5 or so each. The 2nd edition are between $10 and $15 each. I could get the Labyrinth Lord rules printed and spiral bound for around $25.

Would it be better to save my pennies and get the reprints? That would run around $100, I think; a little less if I buy it off Amazon.com

 

[Li Shenron]

The 1st edition books are $5 or so each. The 2nd edition are between $10 and $15 each.

If they are in good conditions, I say get them all!

If you really are low on money, skip some lunches

 

[Crothian]

I'd go to the store and look at the condition of the books. If the 1e books are in fine condition go ahead and buy them. With those on hand you can get the PDF of OSRIC which I'm hoping is still availible for free and then use that if needed.