OSR New edition of OSE in 2026

[Mannahnin]

However, with the classes and such all being in one big books, in a BX/BECMI style but AD&D classes and such (once again, in a singular rules instead of two versions) this actually sounds like a very tempting game to try out.

TBF, that's what OSE Advanced already is. It's already a Player's Tome and a Referee's Tome.

 

[darjr]

I don’t think the reception is largely negative, I think it’s quite the opposite.

We’ll see.

 

[kronovan]

TBF, that's what OSE Advanced already is. It's already a Player's Tome and a Referee's Tome.

Yep, based on what was stated in the bullet points in the OP, if you already own the Advanced edition of the Player's tomes you already have most of what will be in the new Player's tome. Changes to 4 classes, a new B/X appendix and some rules fixes will be the difference. The new optional rules read like they'll probably be in the new Referee's tome.

While I stated up thread I likely won't update since I already own the Advanced tomes, I'm liking what I reading. Were I to start running Adv OSE around an IRL table again, I could see myself buying the new Player's tome. I don't know how the new edition is going to effect the OSE content I own for VTT.

 

[GreyLord]

Yep, based on what was stated in the bullet points in the OP, if you already own the Advanced edition of the Player's tomes you already have most of what will be in the new Player's tome. Changes to 4 classes, a new B/X appendix and some rules fixes will be the difference. The new optional rules read like they'll probably be in the new Referee's tome.

While I stated up thread I likely won't update since I already own the Advanced tomes, I'm liking what I reading. Were I to start running Adv OSE around an IRL table again, I could see myself buying the new Player's tome. I don't know how the new edition is going to effect the OSE content I own for VTT.

It sounds like it will all be in one version this time though, so no need to go through a ton of different books for combat rules, adventure rules and basic classes, then a separate book for addiyional classes...etc.

 

[Mannahnin]

It sounds like it will all be in one version this time though, so no need to go through a ton of different books for combat rules, adventure rules and basic classes, then a separate book for addiyional classes...etc.

OSE has multiple different versions. The boxed sets split the rules into several small sub-books, so you could do things like hand the casters the book with the spells while the ref still has the book with the monsters and treasure and so forth.

Advanced OSE is already primarily available in two volumes- a Referee's hardcover, and a Players' hardcover, at the links I just gave you.

 

[Cruentus]

I have the current Advanced OSE Rules (Player's Tome and Referee's Tome). As has been said, those two books include all the rules you need to run OSE, in either an "advanced" manner, or "basic" (usually by sticking to the provided "race as class" options. I'm using it for my current campaign in Greyhawk, and am loving the flexibility of the system, and its simplicity.

I'm wondering, though, as a Dolmenwood backer, if they're not going to 'revise' the core rules to follow the Dolmenwood direction, ie. to de-OGL it. Either way, it'll be a release time decision for me whether I upgrade. I have all of the Carcass Crawlers already, and have given feedback on the class tweaks.

OSE is my 'standard' edition of DnD now.

 

[Nikosandros]

I did not attend Lucca Comics & Games, but last week Need Games put the new edition out for general sale and I bought my copy, which arrived today (with included PDFs).

As mentioned previously, this is more of a revision than a new edition and the FAQs on Necrotic Gnome website are quite exhaustive, but if someone should have further questions, I'll be happy to answer them, as time allows.

 

[schneeland]

I'm wondering, though, as a Dolmenwood backer, if they're not going to 'revise' the core rules to follow the Dolmenwood direction, ie. to de-OGL it. Either way, it'll be a release time decision for me whether I upgrade. I have all of the Carcass Crawlers already, and have given feedback on the class tweaks.

I think they might already have done this. I just checked the PDFs, and they only reference the 5.1SRD and the Creative Commons License.

 

[Nikosandros]

The new revision is also OGL-free.

 

[Alby87]

I did not attend Lucca Comics & Games, but last week Need Games put the new edition out for general sale and I bought my copy, which arrived today (with included PDFs).

As mentioned previously, this is more of a revision than a new edition and the FAQs on Necrotic Gnome website are quite exhaustive, but if someone should have further questions, I'll be happy to answer them, as time allows.

How good are the new introductory materials? OSE is a fantastic retroclone... and not so good new players' book.