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

[Nikosandros]

@Nikosandros, I have yet another question if you'll indulge me (again!). Does the Fighter combat dominance option (multiple attacks versus creatures under 1 HD) apply to race-classes like Dwarf, Elf, Halfling, etc.? Is it ever made explicit in the text one way or the other?

Do you mean when attacking elves, dwarves and halflings? The rules don't say anything specific (in general they are very terse). My interpretation is that if the target is not a "classed" character, you would look them up in the monsters listing and thus it would apply only against halflings which have 1-1 HD.

 

[Nikosandros]

Good stuff. So you still get Classic, but you also get all the Advanced options in the same two books - Players' and Referees' tomes. All the Advanced stuff is just indicated as such.

One thing that I really like is that they have included "Basic" tables to roll encounters and magic items which include only material from B/X. A great touch.

 

[Weiley31]

Do you mean when attacking elves, dwarves and halflings? The rules don't say anything specific (in general they are very terse). My interpretation is that if the target is not a "classed" character, you would look them up in the monsters listing and thus it would apply only against halflings which have 1-1 HD.

I took it more as the question asking if Classes, such as Dwarves and Elves, who have a Martial Progression to their ATK bonus, can use/replicate a Fighters Combat Dominance.

Which also makes me wonder if OSE Rangers, Paladins, and Cavaliers can do the same thing too as they pretty much become "fighters" should they lose their class so to speak.

If I'm wrong, my bad everyone

 

[Mannahnin]

One thing that I really like is that they have included "Basic" tables to roll encounters and magic items which include only material from B/X. A great touch.

Makes sense. The existing OSE SRD treasure generator online has a Basic/Expert/Advanced toggle for the treasure tables so you can choose which group of tables to roll on.

I took it more as the question asking if Classes, such as Dwarves and Elves, who have a Martial Progression to their ATK bonus, can use/replicate a Fighters Combat Dominance.

Which also makes me wonder if OSE Rangers, Paladins, and Cavaliers can do the same thing too as they pretty much become "fighters" should they lose their class so to speak.

If I'm wrong, my bad everyone

That's how I read it too. I extend that rule to Dwarves, Elves, and Halflings in my B/X house rules. Though I also let Fighters (only) divide the monster HD into their level to get multiple attacks against creatures of more than 1HD, to give them an extra perk.

 

[Nikosandros]

I took it more as the question asking if Classes, such as Dwarves and Elves, who have a Martial Progression to their ATK bonus, can use/replicate a Fighters Combat Dominance.

Which also makes me wonder if OSE Rangers, Paladins, and Cavaliers can do the same thing too as they pretty much become "fighters" should they lose their class so to speak.

If I'm wrong, my bad everyone

Only fighters get the extra attacks in the OSE optional rule, unlike AD&D where all fighter sub-classes do (and cavaliers as well, if UA is used).

 

[Cruentus]

I tried to extend the Fighter's weapon specialization and Combat Dominance (Surge mechanic) to "martial characters", with the effect that no one took the Fighter, ever. A Knight is better, Paladin and Ranger have more "stuff", etc. There is no actual reason to take a Fighter, particularly since B/X and OSE don't really have high ability score minimums (or any). I rolled those back to only be available to Fighters, as in the class, and that's it. I actually had switched to using the Combat Talents from Carcass Crawler #1, which allow Fighters at 1, 5, and 10 to select from 6 Talents, including things like Cleave (Dominance), Weapon Specialization, Defender, Main-Gauche, etc.). Everyone else already gets extra bonuses, so it gives folks a reason to play Fighter.

I am, though, becoming more and more likely to buy the updates, just to have all the extras.

 

[darjr]

Yea fighter specialization is better with just the fighter imho

 

[schneeland]

A new Backerkit page just went up - Old-School Essentials Month (Backerkit). Main focus seems to be demons/the Demonic Grimoire, but apparently this also is the larger project, in which you will be able to get printed copies of the new version of the rule books.

(from the project page)

What is the Demonic Grimoire?​

A hotly anticipated major rules supplement for Old-School Essentials, expanding the game with demons, cults, and dark magic. Contained within this 176-page tome:

• 8 demon lords, detailed with their cults, minions, spells, and hellish domains.
• 60 new monsters, from lowly tormented souls to mighty lords of hell.
• 4 new classes: chaos knight, cultist, demon hunter, tiefling.
• 70+ new magic items of fiendish power.
• Demonology: magic circles, summoning, demonic pacts, familiars.
• Referee advice for building demonic campaigns.
• 120+ black & white illustrations, including a fully illustrated bestiary. Art by Lucas Korte, Kennon James, Tony Hough, Matt Stikker, and other leading old-school artists.
• Pristine control-panel layout to maximise ease of reference and minimise page flipping.

 

[Evaniel]

I took it more as the question asking if Classes, such as Dwarves and Elves, who have a Martial Progression to their ATK bonus, can use/replicate a Fighters Combat Dominance.

Which also makes me wonder if OSE Rangers, Paladins, and Cavaliers can do the same thing too as they pretty much become "fighters" should they lose their class so to speak.

If I'm wrong, my bad everyone

You have the right of it, Weiley. You'd think as a writing teacher I'd be able to explain myself more clearly. Curses!

 

[Nikosandros]

You have the right of it, Weiley. You'd think as a writing teacher I'd be able to explain myself more clearly. Curses!

I was undecided between the two interpretations and I picked one... which was wrong.