If WotC decided to revitalize and support AD&D, would you play/buy it?

[Desdichado]

I'm not sure what is meant by "revitalized" but chances are, no I wouldn't. The main reason I haven't bought 4e isn't because I don't suspect it's probably not a fine game, but rather because I just have no need of another version of D&D at this point. I'm reasonably happy with my 3.5.

That said, it would also be no because why not just go buy actual 1e AD&D books and use them?

Also, it would be no because 1e AD&D is the game that drove me away from D&D and into the arms of other games that scratched my RPG itch more to my liking.

 

[Beginning of the End]

Obviosly, this is pure fantasy, but I am curious:

If some muckity-muck at WotC decided the OSR "movement" was gaining steam and decided to create a seperate, new AD&D line (a: 4E is still supported and the "flagship"; b: it's a revised and perhaps expanded AD&D, drawing from 1e and 2e but fundamentally and recognizably AD&D), would you buy, support and/or play it?

It's not really pure fantasy. WotC did that back in 2000. I've been playing 3rd Edition ever since. And I'll probably continue playing 3rd Edition until WotC starts publishing a version of D&D that's recognizably D&D again.

 

[JRRNeiklot]

I had a peek into the past a few months ago as someone from my hometown was still using 2ed rules for his campaign. I played two sessions, and regret it. There was simply too much "out of whack" that made playing anything other than a Wizard completely useless, and Clerics were a joke.

Lol. Clerics are just about the most powerful class in 1e.

 

[El Mahdi]

deleted

 

[MerricB]

...but 1e itself? Is it really that hard?

Yes, it can be.

The simple fact is this: a lot of players want mechanical interest in their characters. The AD&D Fighter, wonderful though it is for beginning players, doesn't really have that much more to do in combat than "swing sword"... until the DM and the player infuse more into what is going on with the game: roleplaying, storytelling, stunts and so on.

However, you need players that enjoy and can create that play style...

Cheers!

 

[thedungeondelver]

What? No, I wouldn't want anything drawn from 2e. Not at all. Wish I could change my vote.

Reprint the old books, but for goodness' sake don't fart around with the rules, thank you.

 

[baradtgnome]

I understand the question but no.

No interest in material as collectibles.
I already own a complete set of AD&D material (at least it was enough for us to enjoy for over 15 years - no regrets)
We decided to move to 3.x when it came out because we felt it improved our game. Since we already own all the AD&D stuff from the original vendor and didn't go back, why would we go back now?

No interest at all. Don't see the marketing potential.

 

[catsclaw227]

One, this is primarily a 3e/4e site. Just mentioning AD&D is enough to get a thread locked.

Wow, that's some hyperbole... I see a relatively large amount of discussion about AD&D, other older editions, retro clones and the OSR in general, considering that it is primarily a 3e/4e site.

 

[Remathilis]

Hmmm... an AD&D that didn't exist...

Well, first off we're going to start with AD&D 2nd edition, since it was the last iteration of AD&D. Since this is our baseline, lets see what we could improve...

Well, obviously we could ADD more material. The Assassin and Monk from Scarlet Brotherhood and the Half-Orc & Half-Ogre from Player's Option. We could touch up and re-balance the magic schools and spheres to allow better spell access. We could improve some of the weaker classes (adding new features to thieves, fighters, etc). We could probably add some tweaks to other classes (specialist mages) and touch up the races as well.

Now, we've added, what are we going to change. Upwards AC? Removing Exceptional Strength? Lower threshold for ability score-related bonuses? What about the five saving throws? Energy drain? Save or Die? Skills & Proficiencies? Epic Level material? What about things that came from Player's Options? How many chances do we make, and how do we change them to make them "Not 3e" like?

Sorry, I think such a project MIGHT be interesting to some, but I doubt WotC wants to devote an iota of energy toward it.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Reported.