Nostalgic for basic D&D or AD&D?

[Aqua Vitae]

I have noted in several posts that some individuals are electing to return to older versions of D&D and AD&D. Reasons are multi-faceted, but there is a generalized sense of nostalgia for "simpler" times.

May I appeal to this select group of fellow gamers by suggesting the Troll Lords game system, "Castles & Crusades"?

Castles & Crusades hearkens back to D&D and 1E AD&D in terms of many of its rules and in its general presentation. Its rule system is very simple, and will be very intuitive to many of you.

TL's Castles & Crusades web page: http://www.trolllord.com/newsite/cnc/index.html.

Castles & Crusades Message Board: http://www.freeyabb.com/trolllordgames/index.php?c=3&mforum=trolllordgames.

Good luck to all of you in your quest for enjoyable gaming!

 

[Crothian]

I'm very sure people are well aware of it here. It works for some people, but others do prefer the original games.

 

[Deuce Traveler]

I do like Castles and Crusades, but I wish that they would put out supplements with more races, character classes, monsters, treasure, and the like.

 

[jdrakeh]

Your post prompts me to ask. . . If you have a desire to play BD&D or AD&D, why not actually play Basic D&D or AD&D? Both of these games are still available for purchase at RPGNow in every edition from Holmes Basic D&D to AD&D 2e, as are dozens of the orginal supplements and adventure modules. These are the real deal! C&C is definitely an option if you want something like BD&D or AD&D, but if what you want is the real deal, it's still out there.

 

[Aqua Vitae]

I'm very sure people are well aware of it here. It works for some people, but others do prefer the original games.

Absolutely!

What prompted me to purchase it was the 1E "feel" coupled with much more streamlined rules. It presents everything needed to play in two nice hardcover books. And it is backwards compatible...those who'd like to have a condensed, simplified OD&D-like rules system can get it in C&C, and most supplements can be converted to it with ease.

Just one option, of course!

 

[Aqua Vitae]

I do like Castles and Crusades, but I wish that they would put out supplements with more races, character classes, monsters, treasure, and the like.

The Castle Keeper's Guide, as I understand it, is slated for release this year. Could be wrong, but that is what I've read.

I am piecing together my own class system for my C&C campaign that is actually a conversion of materials from the old Bard Games supplements from the early 80s: Compleat Adventurer, Compleat Spellcaster, and Compleat Alchemist. That'll greatly expand the range of class choices for players and castle keepers alike.

I am also integrating a very, very simplified skill system that still relies on the SIEGE engine use of attribute checks.

If you're interested, just keep your eyes peeled on the TL forum (link in my signature) and I'll be posting about more.

 

[Treebore]

I do like Castles and Crusades, but I wish that they would put out supplements with more races, character classes, monsters, treasure, and the like.

Crusader magazine has addressed Classes a bit, plus more options for dual/multi classing.

As for everything else, its so easy to use other editions of D&D, and RPG's in general, with C&C I personally have more races, classes, magic items, creatures, and treasures than I could possibly use. Thats because I kept all my RPG purchases over the last two+ decades.

Still, they have put out a few things, and when they finally get Castle Zagyg out, the Lejendary stuff out, etc... they can start getting fresh stuff out. Other than the Haunted Highlands material and stuff they have been putting out.

The CKG being one of the first, I hope.

 

[diaglo]

some even like OD&D(1974)

 

[Clavis]

I'm a 1st Ed AD&D DM who was an early adopter of 3rd Edition because I recognized the flaws in AD&D and hoped the D20 rules would create a faster, more streamlined gameplay. Boy was I wrong! I play C&C now because I think it combines the best things about AD&D (the ability to houserule and improvise without fear of unbalancing the system, swords & sorcery adventure without ridiculous superhero powerz, the rich history and tradition of D&D) with a modern, clean, and fast resolution mechanic. IMHO it's what 3rd Edition D&D should have been. It's a joy to write games for, and ALL of my D&D stuff (especially monsters) is still usable.

Of course, if anybody's up for some Rules Cyclopedia D&D, I'll still DM that in a heartbeat!

 

[Aqua Vitae]

I play C&C now because I think it combines the best things about AD&D (the ability to houserule and improvise without fear of unbalancing the system, swords & sorcery adventure without ridiculous superhero powerz, the rich history and tradition of D&D) with a modern, clean, and fast resolution mechanic. IMHO it's what 3rd Edition D&D should have been. It's a joy to write games for, and ALL of my D&D stuff (especially monsters) is still usable.

That's great, Clavis! Hearing accounts such as this make me happy that I elected to heed the castle's call and go on the crusade!

The "reason" to get it, I think, is the fact that it is a single (only 2 book) game system that quite easily, as you know, bridges various editions. It is very rule lite. It's also, as you point out, the soul and spirit of D&D having quantum leaped into a modern rules system.

Just last night, I found myself pouring through my AD&D Monster Manual, my The Compleat Spellcaster (a 1983 AD&D supplement featuring new items, spells, monsters and demons), not just for a stroll down memory lane, but actually utilize the material!