D&D General 1e feel for 5E

[Yaarel]

For the 1e games, we rolled 4d6, and every player rearranged the same result for their own character. Random and fair.

But these days, I would just have all players use the same modest array, and be done with it.

 

[Yaarel]

I understand this thread as not changing 5e, but simple things that a table can do to feel more like 1e.

Maybe reflavor ALL feats as a custom magic item that the player can purchase. Thus an ability score improvement is instead a book (Librum, Manual, etcetera), or an Ioun Stone, or whatever. A different feat benefit is a unique magic sword that grants the benefit (which can also be summoned to hand from afar). And so on.

 

[Bae'zel]

In 1e almost all damage spells did scale with level, so this would be a reversal from how 1e did it.

I didn't know that! Interesting.

Edit: went back to my copy of AD&D 1e and yup, many spells get stronger by character level. I can't believe that I didn't know this.

 

[dave2008]

I didn't know that! Interesting.

Edit: went back to my copy of AD&D 1e and yup, many spells get stronger by character level. I can't believe that I didn't know this.

I completely forgot that too, but it has been about 34 years since we played our version of 1e!

 

[Stormonu]

I didn't know that! Interesting.

Edit: went back to my copy of AD&D 1e and yup, many spells get stronger by character level. I can't believe that I didn't know this.

There's a reason they used to call it "Magic Machine Gun"

 

[ezo]

Yeah, you didn't need to upcast spells in 1E, it was baked into caster level. Along with duration, range, etc. more often than not.

 

[Clint_L]

I tried Method III once and I seem to recall getting all 14s or something equally useful-yet-bland.

That sounds about right. I think the main appeal was that you got to roll lots of dice!

 

[fuindordm]

Regarding cantrips, I saw a nice suggestion here on ENworld a while back: to give wizards access to cantrip-like at will abilities linked to their prepared spells.
So if you have flaming sphere or fireball memorized, maybe you can cast fire bolt (d4 ranged fire damage) at will. But after you cast the big spell you lose the little ability.
I'm not claiming credit for the idea, just too lazy to search.

 

[Spellslinging Sellsword]

For 1E just create Magic Dart and Magic Dagger as at will spells. Same rate of fire, damage, and range with a to hit roll. Keeps the same power level for a magic-user and has more wizard flavor than throwing mundane weapons.

 

[Celebrim]

I tried Method III once and I seem to recall getting all 14s or something equally useful-yet-bland.

Method III generates consistently playable characters but gives the player little control over what that character will be. I wish I had used it more back in my 1e DMing days.