OSRIC 2.0 Hardcover = AWESOME

[Obryn]

Does Osric include information on ability checks?

IIRC, ability checks were always a house-rule. They were just really, really common and everyone learned them. I think they may have been in a module?

I'm using them for my own game, but based on someone's posts here, I have my players roll a set of d6's instead. Usually it's 3d6, but sometimes I call for 2d6 for really easy stuff, and 4d6 or 5d6 for the really tough stuff.

-O

 

[jdrakeh]

This surprised me so much that I checked out ebay. A cursory look finds over a dozen AD&D1 PHB for sell there, all for under $20, most for under $10.

Bullgrit

Wow! All but three of them sold overnight! FWIW, I did that same eBay search for 1e Monster Manuals a few weeks ago and all it turned up in that price range were books beaten nearly to death. I see that the three PHBs say "Very Good" but at least one of the pictures shows a very worn spine, so I suspect that the ratings are questionable (as they often are at eBay). Anyhow, as previously mentioned, it has been my experience over the past year that the only copies of the AD&D 1e core books that I have seen for sale at reasonable prices are in relatively poor condition when compared to a freshly printed book.

 

[Melkor]

IIRC, ability checks were always a house-rule. They were just really, really common and everyone learned them. I think they may have been in a module?

I'm using them for my own game, but based on someone's posts here, I have my players roll a set of d6's instead. Usually it's 3d6, but sometimes I call for 2d6 for really easy stuff, and 4d6 or 5d6 for the really tough stuff.

-O

I like that Obryn.

Good stuff...although I always thought ability checks on a D20 were too easy (probably as a result of doing the 4D6 - drop the lowest thing for ability scores), so I might personally set the bar at 4D6 standard, 3D6 easy, 5D6 hard.

After playing AD&D for so many years (quite successfully) without skills, now that I have played so many games with skill systems, I always wonder how we managed to play AD&D without them.

That said, I know it's sacrilege, but I am considering taking a look at the (gasp) 4E skills system, and trying to extrapolate something from it and integrate it into AD&D/OSRIC. Not sure how that will change things, and what I would do with regards to the Monsters, but we'll see.

Anyway, I digress.

 

[Melkor]

Wow! All but three of them sold overnight! FWIW, I did that same eBay search for 1e Monster Manuals a few weeks ago and all it turned up in that price range were books beaten nearly to death. I see that the three PHBs say "Very Good" but at least one of the pictures shows a very worn spine, so I suspect that the ratings are questionable (as they often are at eBay). Anyow, as previously mentioned, it has been my experience over the past year that the only copies of the AD&D 1e core books that I have seen for sale at reasonable prices are in relatively poor condition when compared to a freshly printed book.

For a long time in the early 90's (around 92'), Half-Price bookstores were a treasure trove of AD&D material. I guess most folks just didn't do a lot of RPG shopping at the ones within an hour or so of home.

I took advantage of that to acquire several copies of the core AD&D books, and a near-complete collection of 1E modules.

I'm still interested in acquiring OSRIC though....If for nothing else, to have a brand new book with easy-to-find rules info.

 

[jdrakeh]

For a long time in the early 90's (around 92'), Half-Price bookstores were a treasure trove of AD&D material. I guess most folks just didn't do a lot of RPG shopping at the ones within an hour or so of home.

I miss the Half-Price stores. They are, unfortunately, not a true nationwide chain (several states don't have any).

I took advantage of that to acquire several copies of the core AD&D books, and a near-complete collection of 1E modules.

Yeah, I've owned the core books and modules several times, but when I was moving across the country, game books were pretty low on my list of things that needed to move with me.

 

[Bullgrit]

Wow! All but three of them sold overnight!

Wow! Such ignorant snark!

I looked and posted the above note this morning at 8:00.

Checking now, at 12:30, I find 18:
advanced dungeons and dragons player handbook, great deals on Toys Hobbies, Books on eBay!

Anyow, as previously mentioned, it has been my experience over the past year that the only copies of the AD&D 1e core books that I have seen for sale at reasonable prices are in relatively poor condition when compared to a freshly printed book.

Yet. . .

I see that the three PHBs say "Very Good" but at least one of the pictures shows a very worn spine

So two of the just three you looked at were fine. And the third just had a worn spine? That's hardly "poor condition."

A weak complaint (weak on substance, and weak on evidence) makes your opening snark look dumb.

Bullgrit

 

[SSquirrel]

I miss the Half-Price stores. They are, unfortunately, not a true nationwide chain (several states don't have any).


Yeah, I've owned the core books and modules several times, but when I was moving across the country, game books were pretty low on my list of things that needed to move with me.

Luckily we have at least 2 here in Louisville. I don't pay much attention to the 1E books as I've had a full set of them for quite awhile now, but I tend to see them on a pretty regular basis there or at one of a couple other stores with used gaming books.

My CDs and my gaming books are always 2 of the things I pack first. I'm a packrat tho. 5 shelfs full of gaming books plus more that aren't out.

 

[jdrakeh]

Wow! Such ignorant snark!

I guess you didn't see the smiley. We obviously used different search strings. Maybe you should stop posting until you can get that knot out of your panties.

 

[Umbran]

Wow! Such ignorant snark!

Maybe you should stop posting until you can get that knot out of your panties.

At this point, neither one of you is a poster child for politeness.

You should both probably refrain from replying to each other for a while.

 

[Philotomy Jurament]

I treat my OSRIC hardback as my "traveling spellbook". My original AD&D books stay at home away from the viscissitudes of my overcrowded messenger bag and the drinks-laden gaming table.

This is my reason, too. I have multiple copies of the main AD&D books, but some of them aren't in very good shape. I don't mind *me* using them, but I've been gaming with younger players (my older children, nieces, and nephews), and they're not always as careful as I am. I feel better handing my son a hardcover copy of OSRIC than one of my aging Players Handbooks.

(Incidentally, at home I've gone with a "no drinks on the game table" rule; drinks go on the bar -- which is within reach for one side of the table -- or on tv trays, but not on the table, itself.)