Hussar
Legend
Just to add to the point about 1e's organization.
You want your 2nd level fighter to attack an orc wearing chainmail. You need to reference the following:
Just those three things, for the most basic action you can take in AD&D, requires reference to at least 2 books (since the orc is listed in the DMG) and usually 3. Add in 2 more orcs and attack the fighter and now you have to reference the shield rules and the flanking rules, which are located in separate places as well.
Basic tasks should not require referencing three different books in order to adjudicate. Not in a well designed book. There's a reason 2e put the saves and THAC0 matrixes in the PHB.
You want your 2nd level fighter to attack an orc wearing chainmail. You need to reference the following:
- Fighter attack matrix
- Weapon vs Armor and damage chart
- Orc's HD to generate it's HP
Just those three things, for the most basic action you can take in AD&D, requires reference to at least 2 books (since the orc is listed in the DMG) and usually 3. Add in 2 more orcs and attack the fighter and now you have to reference the shield rules and the flanking rules, which are located in separate places as well.
Basic tasks should not require referencing three different books in order to adjudicate. Not in a well designed book. There's a reason 2e put the saves and THAC0 matrixes in the PHB.