An Opportunity for WotC in 2009

[Mercurius]

What's the point? I mean, if you want 2e just pick up some cheap used copies or, from what I gather from the OP, dust off your own copies and play. There is plenty of used 2e material out there to last a life time, or form the basis for your own material. No need for Wizards of the Coast to reprint what is already in existence (and wouldn't sell, anyways).

 

[thedungeondelver]

What's the point? I mean, if you want 2e just pick up some cheap used copies or, from what I gather from the OP, dust off your own copies and play. There is plenty of used 2e material out there to last a life time, or form the basis for your own material. No need for Wizards of the Coast to reprint what is already in existence (and wouldn't sell, anyways).

Yup. This is what I tell people about AD&D (1st ed.). copies of the PLAYERS HANDBOOK and DUNGEON MASTERS GUIDE can be had through Amazon Shops for as little as $2-$3 each.

 

[Reynard]

Sorry, but negative AC/Thac0 was one of the biggest barriers to play for new players or casuals, and its removal is NOT lamented by me.

Never once in 10+ years of running 2E did I ever itrodice a player to the game and have him say, "That was really cool, but that whole THAC0 thing is just too hard. I can't play."

You are vastly overstating the difference between the two systems. Your example, in fact, shows that there is a single step of difference: subtraction. Most people who made it past 3rd grade can do it. Itisn't that big a deal.

 

[Reynard]

What's the point? I mean, if you want 2e just pick up some cheap used copies or, from what I gather from the OP, dust off your own copies and play. There is plenty of used 2e material out there to last a life time, or form the basis for your own material. No need for Wizards of the Coast to reprint what is already in existence (and wouldn't sell, anyways).

I don't know what your preferred edition is. But whatever it is, wouldn't you like some new stuff for it?

 

[The Little Raven]

Your example, in fact, shows that there is a single step of difference: subtraction.

It's more than that. It's a lack of consistency with mechanics, and Thac0 is a big offender. Thac0 itself starts high and goes down (lower is better). To-hit bonuses start low and get higher (higher is better). Armor Class starts high and gets lower (lower is better). Magic item enhancement bonuses start low and get higher (higher is better). Way too incoherent. Having a consistent way of doing things (higher is better) is much more efficient.

 

[Reynard]

It's more than that. It's a lack of consistency with mechanics, and Thac0 is a big offender. Thac0 itself starts high and goes down (lower is better). To-hit bonuses start low and get higher (higher is better). Armor Class starts high and gets lower (lower is better). Magic item enhancement bonuses start low and get higher (higher is better). Way too incoherent. Having a consistent way of doing things (higher is better) is much more efficient.

Sure. But hardly a deal breaker. To suggest that 2E is "unplayable" because it has different sub-systems is just silly, especially when the variation is pretty much limited to "this thing is roll high, this thing is roll low."

 

[Virel]

2e was fun and had it's moments of good. A 20th anniversary set would be nice. Where 2e jumped the tracks was with the late 2e materials ie 2.5e with the special powers splat books etc.

 

[Reynard]

2e was fun and had it's moments of good. A 20th anniversary set would be nice. Where 2e jumped the tracks was with the late 2e materials ie 2.5e with the special powers splat books etc.

I was reading the P.O. books and and realized just how much they look like 3.0 -- particularly the Combat book. I find this amusing in that it seems that many people that are quick to deride P.O. are fans of 3.x.

 

[JeffB]

I never understood the aversion to THAC0 or especially the To Hit charts of 1E and OD&D. Trying to remember all the immunities an Incorporeal Undead creature in 3E has is difficult-not grade school level math or looking at a chart

As for the OP- wishful thinking . It will never happen It would be nice tho.

Which books would they re-print? The original 1989 prints or the later black cover mid-90s versions. I'm partial to the latter as they got rid of that absolutely horrid art that plagued much of the original prints (there were alot of "cartoon" pieces-don't know the artist-they drive me nuts when I open up the only 2E book I have left- the DMG)

And def a montrous manual (not the compendiums), and Tome of Magic? The complete splats? Where would we stop?

I liked 2E. I don't have the big issues with it some do. As a game rule set, I prefer it over 1E *gasp* as it's cleaned up/streamlined, but 1E def had better flavor and product quality overall.

 

[Crothian]

I was reading the P.O. books and and realized just how much they look like 3.0 -- particularly the Combat book. I find this amusing in that it seems that many people that are quick to deride P.O. are fans of 3.x.

What works for one system fails with another. It changed the game way too much and always felt like an add on as it didn't mesh well with the orginal game.