OSR New edition of OSE in 2026 (updated with some links)

[Nikosandros]

In the FAQ about the new updated version, they list a number of the changes for the 2026 edition. The Ranger will be getting the Giant Slayer feature. (+2 damage against Large Monsters ala the OG DND Ranger).

+1 to hit and damage at levels 1-4, +2 at 4-8 and +3 at 9+. If giants are not a threat to the ranger lands in the campaign, the referee may change the enemy type.

 

[Mannahnin]

In the FAQ about the new updated version, they list a number of the changes for the 2026 edition. The Ranger will be getting the Giant Slayer feature. (+2 damage against Large Monsters ala the OG DND Ranger).

+1 to hit and damage at levels 1-4, +2 at 4-8 and +3 at 9+. If giants are not a threat to the ranger lands in the campaign, the referee may change the enemy type.

This makes sense. Honoring the original title of the OG Ranger's ability, but not giving nearly as huge a damage bonus, while making it super easy to know when you get it. I'm sure some grognards will still complain about not being able to cuisinart miscellaneous humanoids, but this is good.

 

[Evaniel]

These are the changes they plan on doing/adding/tweaking for the 2026 update:

OSE 2026 Update FAQ

Following the announcement of the 2026 Update to Old-School Essentials, we've compiled a collection of frequently asked questions and answers drawn from discussions in the online community, especially the Necrotic Gnome Fan Discord Server. What is the OSE 2026 Update? The OSE 2026 Update...

necroticgnome.com

Thanks for posting this as I hadn't seen it before. These updates are making me really excited, instantiating a lot of my current house rules as part of the core (even if only as options)!

 

[Mannahnin]

Yeah, a lot of great stuff there. Although I wish they'd draw the line at 1 HD for fighter sweep as in OD&D, rather than less than 1 like AD&D, which is less useful and less heroic.

 

[Evaniel]

Yeah, a lot of great stuff there. Although I wish they'd draw the line at 1 HD for fighter sweep as in OD&D, rather than less than 1 like AD&D, which is less useful and less heroic.

100%. We're not fighting a whole lot of kobolds and goblins past, like, 3rd level or so.

 

[Evaniel]

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.

Can you tell us about the Advanced HD option? Is the Barbarian getting a d10 or a d12? What are some of the race-classes getting?

 

[Nikosandros]

Can you tell us about the Advanced HD option? Is the Barbarian getting a d10 or a d12?

They get d10, like all martial classes (barbarians, cavaliers, fighters, paladins and rangers). Clerics and druids get a d8 and assassins, acrobats and thieves get a d6.

What are some of the race-classes getting?

In terms of HD, they get: drow d6/d8, duergar d6/d8, dwarf d8/d10, elf d6/d8, gnomes d4/d6, halfling d6, half-elf d6/d8, half-orc d6/d8, svinferblin d6.

There is an optional rule to disregard class and level limitations for non-human characters; in that case, humans get some nice bonuses: +1 cha and cos, +1 to morale and loyalty for hirelings and henchmen, roll HPs twice at each level and pick the best roll, act before others in case of tied initiative (+1 to initiative if it is rolled individually).

 

[Evaniel]

They get d10, like all martial classes (barbarians, cavaliers, fighters, paladins and rangers). Clerics and druids get a d8 and assassins, acrobats and thieves get a d6.


In terms of HD, they get: drow d6/d8, duergar d6/d8, dwarf d8/d10, elf d6/d8, gnomes d4/d6, halfling d6, half-elf d6/d8, half-orc d6/d8, svinferblin d6.

There is an optional rule to disregard class and level limitations for non-human characters; in that case, humans get some nice bonuses: +1 cha and cos, +1 to morale and loyalty for hirelings and henchmen, roll HPs twice at each level and pick the best roll, act before others in case of tied initiative (+1 to initiative if it is rolled individually).

Thanks so much! While I have your attention, what is the increased backstab look like? And do they have a section for adjudicating thief skills? I found the Carcass Crawler article on the issue to be very helpful, but I'm curious to see what the new version has to say.

 

[Nikosandros]

Thanks so much! While I have your attention, what is the increased backstab look like?

The optional increase to backstab is triple damage at levels 6 - 10 and quadruple at 11+.

And do they have a section for adjudicating thief skills? I found the Carcass Crawler article on the issue to be very helpful, but I'm curious to see what the new version has to say.

It seems to me that the section on thief skills has remained unchanged and nothing from that article in Carcass Crawler 1 has been added, AFAIK.

 

[Jahydin]

Confused why a new edition of OSE is needed. I thought that's what Dolmenwood was essentially going to be?

Is this for players who don't have Dolmenwood and also don't want a faithful retro-clone anymore?