D&D General 5e D&D to OSR pipeline or circle?

[theBardic life]

Hey folks for those of you who migrated from 5e to more OSR style games, what prompted you to take the step?
For me it was the playability of the modules, I felt that OSR games are written to be easy as possible for a DM to run. 5e modules/ material by contrast seems to me to now be a bit waffly taking 80 pages vs the OSR 8 pages.

 

[Arilyn]

Same as you. Also, the adventures, settings, material, etc. tend to be more creative, whimsical and inspiring. I get more excited reading a lot of OSR/NSR/Indie products. Love the zines!

 

[theBardic life]

Oo, yes, good point about the creative, whimsical and inspiring part of OSR, gosh I probably take it for granted now!

 

[darjr]

Hey folks for those of you who migrated from 5e to more OSR style games, what prompted you to take the step?
For me it was the playability of the modules, I felt that OSR games are written to be easy as possible for a DM to run. 5e modules/ material by contrast seems to me to now be a bit waffly taking 80 pages vs the OSR 8 pages.

This is certainly a benefit for many. Arcane Library really shows this off. Their 5e adventures are more like that too.

My son and I were talking and we discussed the idea that we both like being surprised by what the players do. Games more in the vein of 5e or further along that spectrum like 3rd and PF, have players using game combat mechanics for a majority of the game. I mostly know what those mechanics are and I’d get fatigued with knowing how the game would unfold, in a broad sense.

This is a recent idea so I dint have a complete idea yet.

 

[overgeeked]

Hey folks for those of you who migrated from 5e to more OSR style games, what prompted you to take the step?

Simplicity of the rules, gonzo settings and ideas, easier to freeform/improvise things, ease of hacking the systems, familiarity (I grew up playing the games most OSR games mimic), fantastic art, compatibility with decades of stockpiled modules, and so many more.

Another really big component is the culture. Everyone in the OSR scene is into the DIY nature of gaming, don't care much for "official rules" and are more willing and open to trying things, testing rules, going with rulings over rules, etc. For me, it's just a much nicer play experience than the more locked down, official rules only, focus on optimization and character builds, etc that you get with 5E.

For me it was the playability of the modules, I felt that OSR games are written to be easy as possible for a DM to run. 5e modules/ material by contrast seems to me to now be a bit waffly taking 80 pages vs the OSR 8 pages.

Yeah, absolutely. 5E modules are novels where a short story or bullet points would do. I'm also more a fan of open-ended modules, location-based modules, player agency, being surprised while running, etc and really don't like the adventure path or long, drawn out pre-planned story mode of most modern modules.

 

[Arilyn]

I got His Majesty the Worm for Christmas. Page 15 and already excited

 

[Uni-the-Unicorn!]

Regarding adventures: I wonder why people aren’t making 5e adventures in the style of OSR adventures. Or are they and I am just unaware of them?

 

[TiQuinn]

Hey folks for those of you who migrated from 5e to more OSR style games, what prompted you to take the step?
For me it was the playability of the modules, I felt that OSR games are written to be easy as possible for a DM to run. 5e modules/ material by contrast seems to me to now be a bit waffly taking 80 pages vs the OSR 8 pages.

Simpler game, less choices at creation and more differentiation through discovering magic items and “doing stuff” in the game. More exploration and puzzle solving compared to outright combat. Really, I just treat them as different games.

 

[cbwjm]

I like how much simpler it is to create a character, rules are typically simpler, monsters easier to run. I also have a lot of older material from 2e and becmi that I can easily run.

5e isn't exactly difficult, but I just find the older editions easier.

 

[Arilyn]

Regarding adventures: I wonder why people aren’t making 5e adventures in the style of OSR adventures. Or are they and I am just unaware of them?

There's a few. Gavin Norman translated Winter's Daughter to 5e. Andrew Kolb's Neverland and Oz are 5e supplements that are beloved by the OSR. Maybe Kelsey Dionne's 5e adventures?