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I love AD&D
- Thread starter thedungeondelver
- Start date
Akrasia
Procrastinator
I'll add my voice to the chorus praising the 1e AD&D Dungeon Master's Guide as one of the greatest FRPG books of all time.
As Mythmere mentioned, there are many new things available for AD&D (and AD&D-compatible games, like OSRIC, Labyrinth Lord, Swords & Wizardry, etc.).
It's not a bad time to be into 'old school' games!
As Mythmere mentioned, there are many new things available for AD&D (and AD&D-compatible games, like OSRIC, Labyrinth Lord, Swords & Wizardry, etc.).
It's not a bad time to be into 'old school' games!
Philotomy Jurament
First Post
On the "rules reference" thing…
I think the 1e DMG is a rules reference, but it's also an "information dump" from Gary on how to think like and be a DM. That means sometimes the DMG is laying out rules, but other times, it's Gary providing advice, example, and guidelines on how to rule on certain situations. Sometimes the lines between those areas aren't clearly demarcated, and Gary's authoritative tone can cloud it even further.
In the case of the poison saving throws and monsters, I see the DMG as saying: the rule is that poison attacks require a saving throw vs. poison. And then Gary saying "...however, keep in mind that the specifics of the situation might create an exception." He's saying that the DM should consider the source of the poison and the target of the poison and make a judgment. The main purpose isn't to provide a rule on whether specific creatures are immune to poison attacks; it's about providing advice to the DM on how to rule on the situation.
Even more formal rules are often presented in this light (i.e. this is the general rule and these are ways to handle exceptions and corner cases).
I think the 1e DMG is a rules reference, but it's also an "information dump" from Gary on how to think like and be a DM. That means sometimes the DMG is laying out rules, but other times, it's Gary providing advice, example, and guidelines on how to rule on certain situations. Sometimes the lines between those areas aren't clearly demarcated, and Gary's authoritative tone can cloud it even further.
In the case of the poison saving throws and monsters, I see the DMG as saying: the rule is that poison attacks require a saving throw vs. poison. And then Gary saying "...however, keep in mind that the specifics of the situation might create an exception." He's saying that the DM should consider the source of the poison and the target of the poison and make a judgment. The main purpose isn't to provide a rule on whether specific creatures are immune to poison attacks; it's about providing advice to the DM on how to rule on the situation.
Even more formal rules are often presented in this light (i.e. this is the general rule and these are ways to handle exceptions and corner cases).
Odhanan
Adventurer
Yes. The DMG isn't just a rules book. It is also a discourse, or rather, a conversation from one DM to another. It's a coaching guide. It's a toolbox full of fascinating references, and hooks to build a healthy DM culture, and leaves you wanting more, pushing to research well outside the sphere of RPGs for inspirations, explanations, definitions, referential materials and more.
It's hard to understate the fantastically versatile nature of the DMG's contents. It's one of Gary's masterpieces, and a masterpiece of role-playing games in general.
It's hard to understate the fantastically versatile nature of the DMG's contents. It's one of Gary's masterpieces, and a masterpiece of role-playing games in general.
Nikosandros
Golden Procrastinator
Those are fine points, but I also know that if I hadn't the Mentzer "red box" to fall back upon, I would have had a lot of problems in running AD&D back when I started...
Fifth Element
Legend
AD&D is awesome! I think that's self-evident.
Remathilis
Legend
Ditto with me. With the Rules Cyclopedia, I don't think I could've DMed 2nd edition...
Falstaff
First Post
Yup, it's at the end of the quote.
Ah, I missed that, sorry.
Particle_Man
Explorer
I have a fondness for 1st ed., as well as B/X. Alas, it is hard to get any of my friends to try it out, at least at this time. The closest I can get is, maybe, Castles and Crusades. I have a friend in another city that ran it. Maybe he will agree to a one-shot.
I did just buy the RC and a bestiary for it. At least I can read them.
And I totally did not know about swine and poison saves. And I thought I knew that book!
I did just buy the RC and a bestiary for it. At least I can read them.
And I totally did not know about swine and poison saves. And I thought I knew that book!
