Pre-WotC editions inquiry
I personally would recommend Myth & Magic as it has some 3eisms in the refreshed mechanics (same AD&D math) and has enough meat so that folks can build characters. Going from new school games to old school games can be a big problem for some players.
It is built on the 2e framework with some 3e polish- streamlined mechanics, bth/acending ac, three saves, some customization of classes. The full rules run like late 2e not 1989 2e, but complexity can be turned "off" without causing any problems. Thus you can run it as simple as a Basic game or as complex as a late 2e. The free starter books are on rpgnow (although they are still the old beta rules atm).
Cheers
It is built on the 2e framework with some 3e polish- streamlined mechanics, bth/acending ac, three saves, some customization of classes. The full rules run like late 2e not 1989 2e, but complexity can be turned "off" without causing any problems. Thus you can run it as simple as a Basic game or as complex as a late 2e. The free starter books are on rpgnow (although they are still the old beta rules atm).
Cheers
Imperialus
Explorer
The Reprints are pretty damned pricy. Don't get me wrong, I love my copies of them, but I bought them to look pretty, not to get banged around the table.
If you're not finicky about condition and you're looking for a table copy you can find copies of the 1st ed PHB, DMG, and MM on ebay, and even Amazon for less than 10 bucks. Heck if you frequent used book stores you can probably get them cheaper than that.
The first printings of the AD&D books were built like tanks. I have 4 copies of the old PHB and none of them even have a loose page after 30 years. They might not look pretty, creased corners, scuffed covers, writing on them ect. but they are totally, 100% usable
[MENTION=40328]Animal[/MENTION]. I believe that Amazon will ship to the Ukraine, but they did a fantastic job with OSIRIC as well.
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OSRIC is a very faithful reproduction of AD&D - playing it will give you an excellent feel for AD&D play. There was one AD&D rule that I'd never even noticed until I saw it called out more clearly in OSRIC (namely, the rule that gnome fighter/illusionists are limited to leather armour).
Personally, I would suggest starting with Moldvay Basic if you can find it. (I believe Labyrinth Lord is the retroclone of that edition?) It has quick PC generation, clear rules, and good GM advice for dungeon and scenario design.
Any classic edition is going to feel very sparse on the action resolution side compared to 3E/PF or 4e (or even 2nd ed AD&D played with all the trimmings), because of the absence of skill rules. Both AD&D and Moldvay Basic have rules for combat, movement (but not much on climbing, swimming or jumping), for light sources, for searching at and opening doors, and for finding traps. Anything beyond that and you are pretty much on your own.
Personally, I would suggest starting with Moldvay Basic if you can find it. (I believe Labyrinth Lord is the retroclone of that edition?) It has quick PC generation, clear rules, and good GM advice for dungeon and scenario design.
Any classic edition is going to feel very sparse on the action resolution side compared to 3E/PF or 4e (or even 2nd ed AD&D played with all the trimmings), because of the absence of skill rules. Both AD&D and Moldvay Basic have rules for combat, movement (but not much on climbing, swimming or jumping), for light sources, for searching at and opening doors, and for finding traps. Anything beyond that and you are pretty much on your own.
Try this out http://www.basicfantasy.org/downloads.html#sn_rules
The ascending AC does help you transition from 3e
The ascending AC does help you transition from 3e
winemaker81
First Post
How is OSRIC working out? I run an AD&D game with OSRIC on the table along with my AD&D books (not that I use the books during game play). As was mentioned, the clones are generally better organized and easier to understand. As much as I enjoy reading Gygaxian descriptions ... the AD&D books are far from clear or consistent.
I recommend looking at the other clones. In general they are free to download. Do not worry about yanking rules from wherever you want. It's your game and the original intention was for each DM to customize the game to their own needs.
I recommend you start with Moldvay Basic, usually cheap on Ebay:
And a search for "Basic D&D" on ebay.com turns up surprising results!
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_from=R40&_nkw=Basic+DD&rt=nc
And a search for "Basic D&D" on ebay.com turns up surprising results!
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_from=R40&_nkw=Basic+DD&rt=nc
Moldvay Basic is also now available on DriveThruRPG (or www.dndclassics.com) for $5.
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Dreamscape
Crafter of fine role-playing games
Or you could try the free Holmes simulacrum "BLUEHOLME Prentice Rules" available from DTRPG and RPGNow. 
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