TGryph
Explorer
61 years old, and been playing some form of D&D since 1980...still do. I wrote some for Dragon Magazine and some other stuff for Runequest, so I have been around a while. I just decided to reunite online with a group I played with in Michigan for 25 years, and in deciding what system to use, I decided on Old School Essentials, despite already playing in a weekly 5E group.
My reasons for using a B/X system instead of something more recent were simple...
1. Faster pace - I do not want to drag a session out while someone as low as 5th level goes through their character sheet, weighing a myriad of options on what to do to eventually grind their opponent down. The rules are, at least to me, simpler and less intrusive, which is ideal for online play.
2. Rulings, not Rules - Again, with regard to faster play, I prefer just to throw out a rule to keep the game moving rather than stop and figure out a lengthy spell description or double-check some other sort of rule. My general feel as well is "Every time a new rule is added, it really limits your options or those of the other players." If there is a rule that states "Only this class can do THIS", the implication (true or not) is that none of the others CAN.
3. Easier to Houserule - We were always tinkering with the rules, making minor changes here and there. I find the older systems are easier to do this with, but YMMV.
4. Danger Level - Again, I realize it is more controversial, but I feel the older systems have a higher Danger Level. 0 hp equals death, period. In my experience, it rewards Player Ability rather than Character ability, but as always YMMV.
My new/old group is having a blast, doing crazy things like they did back in the day, forcing me to keep on my feet with the rulings, and personalizing their PC's with Role Playing and not merely Feat Trees or abilities. With all of these things combined, even when going back to face-to-face gaming I would much prefer to go back to the older, simpler systems. Just my 2 cents.
TGryph
My reasons for using a B/X system instead of something more recent were simple...
1. Faster pace - I do not want to drag a session out while someone as low as 5th level goes through their character sheet, weighing a myriad of options on what to do to eventually grind their opponent down. The rules are, at least to me, simpler and less intrusive, which is ideal for online play.
2. Rulings, not Rules - Again, with regard to faster play, I prefer just to throw out a rule to keep the game moving rather than stop and figure out a lengthy spell description or double-check some other sort of rule. My general feel as well is "Every time a new rule is added, it really limits your options or those of the other players." If there is a rule that states "Only this class can do THIS", the implication (true or not) is that none of the others CAN.
3. Easier to Houserule - We were always tinkering with the rules, making minor changes here and there. I find the older systems are easier to do this with, but YMMV.
4. Danger Level - Again, I realize it is more controversial, but I feel the older systems have a higher Danger Level. 0 hp equals death, period. In my experience, it rewards Player Ability rather than Character ability, but as always YMMV.
My new/old group is having a blast, doing crazy things like they did back in the day, forcing me to keep on my feet with the rulings, and personalizing their PC's with Role Playing and not merely Feat Trees or abilities. With all of these things combined, even when going back to face-to-face gaming I would much prefer to go back to the older, simpler systems. Just my 2 cents.
TGryph