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It sounds worse than it actually is, I think. The math isn't hard (adding/subtracting mostly single-digit numbers), and once you do it a few times it comes pretty naturally. Also, I only use it when the spellcaster is in melee and wins initiative (i.e. if the fighter wins initiative, his...

Hey, now that is pretty cool. I think the high fantasy epic vibe of Middle Earth would work well with a "shared narrative control" game like Burning Wheel/Mouse Guard. Damn. Too many games, too little time…

If I'm running D&D using weapon speeds and casting times, I use the 1e rules, which allow for interruption of the spell even in cases where the spell caster's side has won initiative. You subtract the losing side's initiative die roll (a d6) from the weapon speed factor, treating the result as...

Whether they're heroes or not is purely up to them. At the start of the game, I default to "you're adventurers seeking fortune and glory," which is reinforced by the XP for GP approach. Beyond that, though, I don't influence the players towards or away from heroism. (And if they players...

In my game, players declare their actions and then each side (i.e. typically monsters vs. players) rolls initiative. The round is resolved according to the combat sequence I use (or its simple variant, depending on the circumstances).

Doesn't need to be discussed, dude. You said it all.

While I agree that C&C and Hackmaster aren't clones, I think they're both much closer to TSR D&D than Palladium or GURPS. They're more like "versions" of the game that tinkered here and there, but are still largely compatible. (That is, you can take a C&C module and run it with AD&D rules...

Another factor might be death house rules. For example, is your PC dead at 0 hp? At -10 hit points? At -Con hit points? At -Level hit points? Or maybe you get a Death save at 0 hit points to decide if you're really dead or just incapacitated. Or maybe you roll on a table when you reach 0...

As you point out, there's not really enough data, here, to say much. I'm a bit surprised, too. However, you may also be seeing effects of early games where people hadn't fully grasped the rules, yet, and were still learning how to play and how the game worked.

Yes, slavery is part of my campaign world, with debt-slavery or indentured servitude being more common than outright chattel slavery, but even the last is not unknown. It's not front-and-center, but it's not hidden, either.

Playing a mouse isn't my cup of tea, but I've heard good things about the Burning Wheel system.

My introduction was Holmes Basic and B1, closely followed by the AD&D books (MM, PH, DMG). I don't remember the exact order for modules and such.

My first character was a Holmes Basic Elf. He fell to the poisonous bite of a giant spider on the 1st level of the dungeon during my first adventure (a chute deposited the entire party into the web, and my poor Elf was the first one down -- another PC avoided becoming stuck by landing on top of...

I think of the 1981 B/X sets as the "sit yer ass down and play it" edition. Everything you need is there with no fuss and no muss. It's clear and straightforward (no need for rules interpretations or arguments,), complete (doesn't require house rules), has an ideal range of levels and all the...

Hmm. Up-thread I said that if I ran a 3.x game, I'd probably go with Ptolus. That's only true if I'm running a "default D&D" kind of campaign. If we throw in variants, I'd be more likely to pick the Black Company Campaign Setting. (And come to think of it, Testament is pretty cool, too.)

Damned if that isn't exactly right, in my experience. I find it much easier and less time consuming to "roll my own." (And that goes for most adventures, too; especially if we're talking about a big adventure.)

If you don't have the stat block symbols font, you might check out: Mad Irishman's Game Icons 4e Icons v. 3

Interesting question, especially since it's only targeting the basic set, and not the basic/expert combination. I favor the Moldvay/Cook basic set. I prefer its organization, its art, and find it easier to reference in play. However, I think the Mentzer set is better for someone completely...

I agree, but I think the treasure tables' stinginess with magical weapons is offset by the possibility of magical weapons being present from the monster tables. For example, dwarves, elves, gnomes, and men (of various classes) all have a chance to be carrying magic items, and they're pretty...

Oh yeah, the "give monsters treasure with reason" advice in the DMG and the ogres with realistic treasure for a couple of rampaging brutes. I agree that the DMG advice isn't a contradiction of the OD&D random treasure advice and guidelines. (Also, remember that the DMG also includes random...