How about Moldvay/Cook for rules-lite goodness?

[Sebastian Francis]

Back in 1980 I played the Moldvay/Cook Basic/Expert D&D. Then, like every other middle school kid, I gravitated to Advanced D&D, because, well, "Advanced" sounded cooler than "Basic."

So lately I'm wondering about a return to Moldvay/Cook, perhaps even trying to use it in a Planescape or Ravenloft game.

Are any of you currently (or recently) playing the Moldvay/Cook game? If so, what have your experiences been?

 

[MrFilthyIke]

This book provides a lot of rules, but does not REQUIRE most of them.
Might not be "lite" enough for you, but I love the RC.

 

[Remathilis]

God I love that book...

The rules are simple, mostly balanced, and easy to use. The only hinderences is the concept of level limits and the lack of character customization.

Otherwise Its perfect.

 

[Akrasia]

... The rules are simple, mostly balanced, and easy to use. The only hinderences is the concept of level limits and the lack of character customization. ....

Well, there are optional rules that ELIMINATE level limits for demi-humans and mystics!

As for character customization, go over to OD&Dities website, get yourself issue 7 (IIRC), and check out the "customized character classes" rules.

 

[Akrasia]

... Are any of you currently (or recently) playing the Moldvay/Cook game? If so, what have your experiences been?

I ran a RC D&D campaign a few years ago (rules are essentially the same as Moldvay/Cook, but with a few more options).

It rocked!

After moving recently, the group I found here was keen on 3E, so I have been DM'ing that for the past several months. However, the rules weight of 3E grates on my nerves, and I am now in the process of converting the campaign to Castles and Crusades (as a kinda compromise between 3E and RC D&D).

If you want to run a Moldvay/Cook (or RC) D&D campaign, there are plenty of resources on the net. I would definitely check out the OD&Dities website, which has tonnes of neat material. And Dragonsfoot.org also has a forum devoted to OD&D.