OD&D(1974) vs. The Red Book - Differences?

[Forrester]

1983 book.

Fruk -- do you have a copy of the Red Book?

 

[Deuce Traveler]

Forrester, I have two beat up copies of the 1983 red book Elmore basic sets (two pair of the Player and DM guides). What are you curious about?

 

[Philotomy Jurament]

For those of you who are proponents of the 'old school' games, do you think that the rules for Basic Fantasy or Labyrinths Lords are worthy updates or rehashes of the old rules? Those rules have their differences, but both seek to appeal to lovers of the older sets. Would you use either (or move fully to use the updated rules)?

I've run Basic Fantasy. It's a very nice system that feels very much like Classic D&D (the 3E-style AC stands out as different from the old systems; also, it has a simple and elegant way of handling ability checks as an optional rule).

I haven't run LL, but I've read through it. It has a somewhat different design-goal than Basic Fantasy, in that it's main purpose is to allow companies and individuals to publish material that is compatible with LL, which would also mean that the product would be compatible with classic D&D. (So LL is to B/X as OSRIC is to AD&D.) It's not 100% compatible (probably for legal reasons), but it's close enough for its intended purpose. As an aside, it also has very appealing interior art.

Would I enjoy running these games? Sure, they fit the style I enjoy. Are they my first choice? No; I already have the old systems, and I just run them, instead. In the case of OSRIC and LL, that's what the designers main intent was, anyway. While you could play OSRIC or LL, the main intent is for you to play AD&D or Classic D&D, and have publishers provide OSRIC and LL products that are *new* and compatible with your game. So even though I prefer playng with the original rules, I'm glad the retro/clone systems are out there; I love being able to buy or download new product that is trivially easy to use with OD&D, Classic D&D, and AD&D. I've used modules for OSRIC, C&C, and BFRPG in my games. Anything produced for LL would be easy to use, too.

I'm curious to see if/when someone is going to produce an OGL rules-set that targets the OD&D(1974) rules.

 

[Forrester]

Forrester, I have two beat up copies of the 1983 red book Elmore basic sets (two pair of the Player and DM guides). What are you curious about?

Need some info on goblins -- I'll send you a PM and maybe you can lend me a hand .

 

[Angel Tarragon]

Fruk -- do you have a copy of the Red Book?

I used to have two copies. I'm trying to find them.

 

[thedungeondelver]

In OD&D, is "proper play" actually proper? I haven't gotten that impression.

In other words, if you play "by the book" then you're not playing by the book!

Yeah yeah yeah..."Everything I say is a lie" and then the robot's head explodes - LOOK, it says in the manual you need OUTDOOR SURVIVAL, dice, CHAINMAIL and a bunch of office supplies!

<averybrooks>Where's my office supplies? I was told I'd have office supplies!</averybrooks>

 

[Korgoth]

Yeah yeah yeah..."Everything I say is a lie" and then the robot's head explodes - LOOK, it says in the manual you need OUTDOOR SURVIVAL, dice, CHAINMAIL and a bunch of office supplies!

<averybrooks>Where's my office supplies? I was told I'd have office supplies!</averybrooks>

Ha! Actually, Outdoor Survival is listed under "Recommended Equipment"... as are the D&D rules themselves! They're all just recommendations, you see.

 

[WSmith]

In OD&D, is "proper play" actually proper? I haven't gotten that impression.

In other words, if you play "by the book" then you're not playing by the book!

Exactly. OD&D is a toolkit. House are expected to be made by each referee.

 

[thedungeondelver]

Exactly. OD&D is a toolkit. House are expected to be made by each referee.

Did someone say...

HOUSE?

 

[FATDRAGONGAMES]

That's the beauty of OD&D, it puts the DM in total control and makes each game/campaign truly unique.