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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Water Bob" data-source="post: 5616855" data-attributes="member: 92305">I think 1E lends itself--almost begs for it--more creativity on the part of the DM. Don't get me wrong. I like all versions of D&D that I've encounter, but I also realize that they're different games. I'm now learning 3.5, and I must say, I do like what I see (especially the Conan RPG version of 3.5).  But, my next campaign may be based on 1E.      I don't think I agree about the stricter class roles.  I like how 3.5 makes it so anybody can learn to pick a lock--they just make it easier for theives to learn it.  And, I like Conan's multiclassing--just about any type of character can be created using Conan's core classes mixed together.      Suggestion:  Don't let them read the prose. A 1E idea that has gone by the wayside over the several editions is that the DMG is for the DM's eyes only.  Read the Preface and Intro.  That book is not for players to read.  It's a codex for the DM to refer to for guidance when running his game. If the players must, let them read the PHB, but keep the DMG off limits. That way, they're not exposed (as much) to the Gygaxian prose, but better yet, they look to you for answers. That's the way it should be. They don't need to know rules.  They just need to tell you what they want their character to do.  The need to know "rules", imo, became more pervasive with 3rd edition. A player need only imagine his character in the game world, in a specific circumstance.  He just tells you what he wants his character to do. You tell him if he needs to roll anything.   You're in the middle of a pine forest, and you hear a woman scream.  What do you want to do? I look around.  What do I see. Nothing.  Just forest. Which way does the sound come from. To your left, you think.  It's hard to tell.  The close mountain walls make for an echo. I know, I'll climb a tree to get a better vantage point.  Maybe I can see farther. OK, roll your STR or less on 4d6. 4d6!  That seems quite hard! You're in leather armor, and the branches on these trees do not start to poke out of the tree until about 20' up.  These are tall pine trees.  It's hard to scale. I'll take my armor off, and I'll grab a piece of rope from my backpack.  I'll wrap that around my waist and the tree trunk, using it to scurry up the tree until I can reach the branches. (I love how 1E forces a player to "think" and "describe" instead of just relying on his Climb skill.) OK.  That sounds good.  Roll 3d6 for STR or less to get up there. Let's see. My STR is a 16.  I rolled...and 11. You scurry up into the branches. Can I see? You need to get higher. OK I'll climb higher now that I'm among the branches. Roll 2d6 for STR or less. I rolled snake eyes! Oh no!  You fell!  Make a Save vs. Death Magic to grab one of the limbs at the last second. I made it! Whew.  OK.  You're hanging from a branch.  But, this is a pine tree.  It's branches are thin.  The limb is bending with your weight.  It looks like it's going to snap.  You're about 30 feet up in the air, so you'll take 3d6 damage if you fall. I'm going to hand-over-hand it closeer to the base of the tree. Sounds good.  Roll DEX or less on 2d6.   Made it. You did....you've hand walked to the base. Can I touch the base with my toes? You bet. OK, I'll brace myself, wrap my legs around the base as best I can, then hand walk to the trunk. You're breathing hard, but you did it. I'll then transfer to the trunch, wrapping my arms around the tree. You can't reach all the way around the tree, but you're strong enough to keep yourself pasted to the trunk as you slide down to the ground.  You're spitting up bark and pulling splnters from your cheeks when you land.  What are you going to do? Put my armor back on. There's the scream again.  Gut wrenching.  Are you going after the girl? Nope.  To hell with her.  I tried.  I'm walking in the direction I was originally before I heard her.  <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/worried.png"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":-S" title="Uhm    :-S" data-shortname=":-S" />   I love how, with 1E, something as simple as climbing a tree can be quite fun.  The whole scenario loses something when you add in the 3.5 skill system.  Many times, what I've laid out above gets shortened to, "What's my Climb DC?" I have to strive to keep my 3.5 game like the a 1E game.</blockquote>

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