TSR Best Way to Replicate AD&D?

[Retreater]

Theoretically, I have some players maybe interested in trying AD&D (probably of the 2e variety, but 1e and 2e are basically interchangable in my mind).
I have the original books, but I don't want to pass them around a table to get actually used. (They are delicate and my original books - so there's some sentimental feelings there.)
I want compatibility with the old adventures and settings, lower power level (than WotC era), easy to learn and play, nicely laid out.
Old School Essentials (even the advanced versions) feels like it completely misses the mark of what I remember about AD&D. Besides, something with "old" in the title isn't a great selling point with a table of teenagers. (Characters are way underpowered compared to AD&D. Not enough spells. It's missing a lot - I guess because it's based on B/X. I don't know, I came in with AD&D.)
I have For Gold and Glory, and I guess it would work. But something a bit better produced and nicer layout would be preferred.
Castles and Crusades - I really dislike the SIEGE engine. Maybe it's better than converting NWP and THAC0 and the strange thief skills?

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I would get OSRIC. It's just the AD&D rules, reorganized, much like OSE is for B/X. Unlike OSE, though, it's arranged more like a textbook, I'm told, for looking up the rules than the superior organization OSE has. But it gets you the pure experience without endangering 40 year old rulebooks.

EDIT: It looks like the Black Blade version, which looks like the nicer copy, IMO, has to be purchased via email. The granddaddy of the OSR is still mostly a hobbyist business.

 

[Jolly Ruby]

Maybe OSRIC? It does a good job making the AD&D rules understandable for newcomers, and it's easier to reference.

And if you think AD&D books (1e or 2e) are good as they are, you can get print-on-demand of both editions at DriveThruRPG.

 

[Yora]

As someone who thinks the AD&D rulebooks are completely incomprehensible to the point of being useless, I think OSRIC looks like a perfectly reasonable and playable game.

If AD&D is what I want, OSRIC is really the only option I actually consider.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

The more expensive option is hunting down the replica books WotC put out some years back. They're out of print now, and seem to sell for around $100 each when they resurface, though, so it's not a cheap option.

I'm optimistic that WotC will do another set of reprints next year for the 50th anniversary, but that doesn't do you much good now.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

And if you think AD&D books (1e or 2e) are good as they are, you can get print-on-demand of both editions at DriveThruRPG.

I didn't even think of the POD versions! You can't get better than softcover that way, for reasons I'm sure come from the same place as WotC's OGL freakout did, but they sell for $30 a piece, or less during sales, like are going on now.

 

[nevin]

dm's guild

dm guide Dungeon Master's Guide (1e) - Wizards of the Coast | AD&D 1st Ed. | Rules | AD&D 1st Ed. | Dungeon Masters Guild 6.99

players handbook Players Handbook (1e) - Wizards of the Coast | AD&D 1st Ed. | Rules | AD&D 1st Ed. | Dungeon Masters Guild 6.99


the players handbook used to be on the internet archive. not sure if it's still there or not.

 

[JohnSnow]

Theoretically, I have some players maybe interested in trying AD&D (probably of the 2e variety, but 1e and 2e are basically interchangable in my mind).

Blasphemer!! Burn the witch!!!

In all seriousness, I know there's a lot of similarity, but THAC0 really was a dramatic improvement.

And you'll find a lot of people willing to rant until blue about the end of "Real D&D" having come from the addition of the Bard to the class list, but removing the Barbarian, Monk, and Assassin as core classes, as well as the Half-Orc as a race, and "forcing" everyone to use Non-Weapon Proficiencies.

 

[overgeeked]

The more expensive option is hunting down the replica books WotC put out some years back. They're out of print now, and seem to sell for around $100 each when they resurface, though, so it's not a cheap option.

I'm optimistic that WotC will do another set of reprints next year for the 50th anniversary, but that doesn't do you much good now.

You can find the originals on places like ebay and Noble Knight for far less.

 

[nevin]

Blasphemer!! Burn the witch!!!

In all seriousness, I know there's a lot of similarity, but THAC0 really was a dramatic improvement.

And you'll find a lot of people willing to rant until blue about the end of "Real D&D" having come from the addition of the Bard to the class list, but removing the Barbarian, Monk, and Assassin as core classes, as well as the Half-Orc as a race, and "forcing" everyone to use Non-Weapon Proficiencies.

I think 2e was mostly improvement. I loved specialty priests. 1e barbarian wasn't a loss and the Assassin class always sucked. roll percentile to see if you kill someone. Bad idea from the beginning.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

You can find the originals on places like ebay and Noble Knight for far less.

Oh? Last time I saw them in stock on Noble Knight, they were extremely pricy. I am happy to be wrong, though, since I regret not replacing my battered 3E books with the deeeeluxe versions.

 

[overgeeked]

Oh? Last time I saw them in stock on Noble Knight, they were extremely pricy. I am happy to be wrong, though, since I regret not replacing my battered 3E books with the deeeeluxe versions.

Last time I checked they were there and under $100. It’s been a minute.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

At this point, given my limited shelf and storage space, I'm going to wait and see if WotC announces another set of reprints.

 

[Retreater]

Well, as it turned out, they shot down the idea of another system for the next campaign. So I guess we're sticking with 5e power fantasy.
Honestly, I'm disappointed, especially after how the last campaign turned out. But if you can't get your players on board, I guess it can't be successful no matter what you think as GM.
Thanks for all the advice anyway.

 

[Jahydin]

Castles and Crusades - I really dislike the SIEGE engine. Maybe it's better than converting NWP and THAC0 and the strange thief skills?

C&C polishes up AD&D so well, I think it's worth thinking about playing it without SIEGE.
Just port the Save Tables and Thief Skill table over.

Here's the Save conversions:

Saves vs. Paralysis – Strength Based Saves
Saves vs. Breath Weapon (and area of affect spells like fireball) – Dexterity Based Saves
Saves vs. Poison, Death – Constitution Based Saves
Saves vs. Wands, Staves, Wands (and Illusions) – Intelligence Based Saves
Saves vs. Spells (except illusions and area of affect spells like fireball and charm or sleep spells) – Wisdom Based Saves
Saves vs. Enchantment spells (sleep, charm, etc) and fear – Charisma Based Saves

"Fixing" SIEGE to suit your tastes might be a possibility too though. Wouldn't mind helping you out on that since my home rules attempts to mimic AD&D.

Oh, and Player's Handbook is still free.

Another game worth mentioning though if you don't mind an implied "Conan" like setting is Hyperboria. Sweet take on AD&D IMO.

 

[Jahydin]

Well, as it turned out, they shot down the idea of another system for the next campaign. So I guess we're sticking with 5e power fantasy.

Story of my life...

Thank goodness I at least convinced a few to play Pathfinder for a break. Still running regular 5E for others though.

C&C and Hyperboria is played just between the wife and I. She runs 4 characters, but not too stressful and we still manage to have a lot of fun.

 

[overgeeked]

Well, as it turned out, they shot down the idea of another system for the next campaign. So I guess we're sticking with 5e power fantasy.
Honestly, I'm disappointed, especially after how the last campaign turned out. But if you can't get your players on board, I guess it can't be successful no matter what you think as GM.
Thanks for all the advice anyway.

Best of luck. Campaigns with referees who aren’t interested in the game any more tend to have an incredibly short life. In my experience telling your players you are running a different game next time and then asking who’s interested has a far higher success rate. They almost always say yes. But asking the players if they’re interested in switching? They almost always say no.

 

[ValamirCleaver]

If one really likes AD&D 1e, especially with Unearthed Arcana incorporated one should look up Adventures Dark and Deep. It has an optional skill system, a supplement for domain management/high level play, a Cthulhu supplement, and a Mythic China/Wuxia supplement. If one just wishes the new material to use with ones pre-existing 1e or OSRIC rules, supplements for the new rules and new monsters are available too. The publisher also has a version of Castle "Greyheim" (totally not Greyhawk ). I personally have no connection to the publisher, I just happen to like the books a lot. I've posted more information about it previously.

 

[Jahydin]

@ValamirCleaver
Good call! ADD is a great system for sure! I have yet to play it though.

 

[RuinousPowers]

For Gold & Glory is a 2e clone. The pdf is free and the book sells at cost (softcover plus pdf is $13.99, hardcover is 17.99). Available from drivethrurpg and lulu.