diaglo's OD&D Campaign

[der_kluge]

My first instinct, as with any game, was to acquire and understand the rules. Bought myself a set of the 3 booklets off ebay, and some pdfs of the other supplements involved. I read thru them, but did not study them they way I do 3.5. I just play, and let the referee worry about the rules.

*sniff* I think I'm gonna cry. WoTC - there's a lot to learn in that statement.

 

[fredramsey]

I hate to burst your bubble, but my 3.5 players don't study rules either. That's MY job. And has been from OD&D on. The player's play; the DM learns and implements the rules.

So save your tears for something really sad like viewing the past through nostalgia-colored glasses.

*sniff* I think I'm gonna cry. WoTC - there's a lot to learn in that statement.

 

[diaglo]

How did it handle magic item construction?

Or, as I suspect, do you run a type of campaign that would be difficult to run under the 3rd ed banner? i.e. focusing on the simplicity of the game to get the game moving and letting the players do their thing as opposed to having a rule for everything to let the players do their thing?

Questri the Alchemist (sage with Druid class abilities) makes potions for a cost. but he also needs to acquire some rather rare components.. so they are not numerous. his apprentice Albert... hates being called Al and prefers Bert the Chemist... can't make real magic potions.. just placebo/ curatives.

scrolls the PCs have acquired have been thru exploration or from someone else although... the PCs don't know who made them. that won't come up for some time.. they are only level 2 or 3 right now.

name level.. retired guys have money and resources and the inclination to spend the time to make magic items for their own whims.

otherwise they need to research rumors or legends and go find them via quests. the paladin in the group wants a holy weapon....

 

[DungeonmasterCal]

Dungeons & Dragons (current edition) is the only true D&D. All previous editions are just poor attempts to acheive this level of excellence.

Quasqueton

Gads...here it comes....

 

[cildarith]

Dungeons & Dragons (current edition) is the only true D&D. All previous editions are just poor attempts to acheive this level of excellence.

Quasqueton

You can't be serious!

 

[JoeGKushner]

My first instinct, as with any game, was to acquire and understand the rules. Bought myself a set of the 3 booklets off ebay, and some pdfs of the other supplements involved. I read thru them, but did not study them they way I do 3.5. I just play, and let the referee worry about the rules.

It's going to sound funny but I played with a new group yesterday. It was the City of the Spider FR mega-adventure.

The GM didn't know all the rules. Didn't take all his attacks of opportunity. Screwed up some rule interpetations. I kept my mouth shut for two reasons.

1. He could be house ruling some things.

2. Everyone was having fun.

I think #2 is more important than #1.

 

[JoeGKushner]

Dungeons & Dragons (current edition) is the only true D&D. All previous editions are just poor attempts to acheive this level of excellence.

Quasqueton

NO, seriously, let's not turn this into an edition war. I love the new edition of the game.

However, I find the comments thus far interesting.

1. NPC Generation seems to be done because of the vast history. No real indication so far, of how long it takes him to make a character. When he gets to it, I hope he mentions if they're fully statted out or if they're just ideas like "Bob the baker is feared for his bad food."

2. Game play is indeed as important, if not more so than the rules.

 

[diaglo]

It's going to sound funny but I played with a new group yesterday. It was the City of the Spider FR mega-adventure.

if you read the story hour in my sig after page 24 or so...

we are in the same adventure.

the help our DM has gone Rat Bastard on Us is just outside of Maerimydra.

 

[diaglo]

1. NPC Generation seems to be done because of the vast history. No real indication so far, of how long it takes him to make a character. When he gets to it, I hope he mentions if they're fully statted out or if they're just ideas like "Bob the baker is feared for his bad food."

2. Game play is indeed as important, if not more so than the rules.

NPC generation takes a minute.

3d6 six times in order. and generate a name. d100 off a list i have handy. generate a personality depending on reaction roll. +/- cha adjustment.

hey, i'm having a blast. if the players are too. then all is good.

 

[JoeGKushner]

NPC generation takes a minute.

3d6 six times in order. and generate a name. d100 off a list i have handy. generate a personality depending on reaction roll. +/- cha adjustment.

hey, i'm having a blast. if the players are too. then all is good.

Okay. I can buy the quick stat rolling and name off a list.

However, what about class? What about hit points? Level?

I'm not saying not having those things is bad. I generally have a dozen or so NPCs at any time who only have a general power rating (Krell, Human, Male, Barbarian 6, Great Axe +1, Power Attack, Cleave, Great Cleave). but why have the stats without the hit points and level?

What about spells? Do you pick them before hand or on the go?

And thanks for answering by the way. As I've noted a few times here, I'm not trying to compare systems, just seeing how one plays against the other. Part of the biggest time eater for me is NPCs. I wasn't too crazy about e-tools but I've been thinking of getting the new version just to shave time off having semi-fully fleshed NPCs.