Re-trying 1st Ed.

[dragonlordofpoondari]

pie.

mmm ...

dragonlord like pie.

 

[Ridley's Cohort]

IMHO there is nothing that 1e could offer that a very simplified version of 3e could not do as well or better.

The books all go into the closet for DM reference. Use a small small small subset of the Core classes, feats, skills. Run the sessions off the top of your head. The DM awards feats based on whatever seems right for the PC (and is easy remember and run).

All the rules the players need could fit on 1 1/2 sheets of paper. The DM only needs what can fit in his head.

Make monsters and magic items up. That way the players will get that old "I wonder what this does" experience. (Trying to run out of the 1e books would have the opposite effect. "Ah. I know this one.")

 

[kaomera]

1st Ed. was the edtion that made me fall in love with D&D Looking back though, 3.5 gives so many more options and choices that it makes it hard to crack open the oldies and run a campaign the way I remember them. So, I have been playng D&D for 17 years now, although I forget what year it is alot of the time and will often times say 15 and in hindsight I would much rather play 3.5 with all the good and bad then 1st ed. Its not because all the rules changes but the spiffy things players can do.

Having played only 3.5 for the last 6 years or so years now, I want to run 1st again, but finding players proves to be difficult for the same reasons I had, the lack of diversity. It has been something I struggled with since the first time in recent years that I ran a 1st ed campiagn. While some players would go for it with little thought, over the game sessions fewer and fewer players would show up to game, but would re-apear for 3.5 games.

Well, it was something I wanted to do my self anyway. So, EN World, How do I have 3.5 ish flavor with 1st Edition mechanics?

If you really feel that 3.5 gives you more options and choices, then I'd have to suggest playing 3.5 instead. I started playing 1e AD&D nearly thirty years ago, and I'd also like to get a 1e game going. However most of the friends I game with really don't see any reason to ever try 1e (frankly a lot of my gamer fiends won't touch D&D of any stripe). I think you will find that most players aren't really going to be all that interested in 1e. 3.5 is what they know, and it's a lot easier to have a good game within your comfort zone.

However, I have to say: for me 1e is all about freedom. Not having skills and such written on your 1e character sheet shouldn't mean that you can't do that sort of stuff (if it fits your character's background); think instead that the characters can accomplish whatever it is appropriate that they can accomplish. This isn't as easy to run, or likely as balanced, as having specific skills with a set bonus in each, etc., so maybe it won't be a good solution for you.

You might also take a look at First Edition Feats and similar OSRIC products that might add some more 3.5-like mechanics to your 1e game.

 

[Particle_Man]

It has been said that Castles and Crusades is a good compromise game.

You get simplified mechanics, the ability to use any old AD&D modules with very little conversion (subtract monster AC from 20, decide if monster is physical, mental, both or neither)), and you also get more flexbility in class/race combinations than AD&D (and a further dimension of flexibility in choice of "Prime" ability scores).

Perhaps this would be a game that people could settle on?

 

[Philotomy Jurament]

Short answer: eliminate whatever it is about 1E that makes you feel constrained. Excise the level limits, class/race restrictions, or whatever.

However, I have to wonder if you'll be happy. My gut tells me you should just stick to 3E, but it's hard to say, sometimes. One thing I've discovered is that I always enjoy a given system more when I play it for what it is, using the basic assumptions that were behind the rules. (A good example is AD&D's assumption that humans dominate the setting.)

But you can alway give it a shot. Who knows, maybe it will work for you.

 

[ssampier]

If playing straight 1e is not an option, how about C&C?

http://www.trolllord.com/newsite/cnc/why_play_cnc.html

All I know is that I want a piece of pie now. Oh, and my 1e group finally embarks on our first adventure in a couple of weeks. Glee!

An 1e version of Orc and Pie?

 

[kaomera]

An 1e version of Orc and Pie?

1d4-1 Orcs (minimum one) and 2d8 slices of Pie (with wandering croissant table).

 

[grodog]

Having played only 3.5 for the last 6 years or so years now, I want to run 1st again, but finding players proves to be difficult for the same reasons I had, the lack of diversity.

Rusty, on the finding players front, post for players on Knights N Knaves and Dragonsfoot, along with whatever local boards you have, and at your local game and/or used book stores. On the playing AD&D front, I'd follow everyone else's advice and house-rule your way into happiness (regardless of which direction you take the mechanics).

@ diaglo: have you checked out the new OD&D board @ http://odd74.proboards76.com/ yet?

 

[Plane Sailing]

Why bother? If there is some style inherent to 3.5, then 3.5 probably supports it better. If you want to play 1E, play 1E with whatever style it does best.

Over all, I don't think system really matters. We had a 1E game start up a while back.
DM just said "oh, btw, it's 1E" and nobody really even blinked. I've played RIFTS games and lord knows I don't like the game in setting or mechanics, but was there for the GM and players. Sure, somepeople prefer one system over another, they may even hate a system, but for somebody who runs it well, with a group they like, and a character and plot they care for, it's really not a deal breaker.

See, your response would have been much better if you had only included your second paragraph, because that was germane and helpful. You first paragraph, on the other hand, leads to people reporting your post on the basis of it looks like threadcrapping.

Anyone else tempted to be dismissive of the original posters question - just don't post please.

Thanks

 

[robberbaron]

I enjoyed playing and running 1e. Wouldn't say no to a game, either.

I sometimes find the never-ending character options for 3/3.5e too much and hanker after the simpler days of 1e. Sigh.
Feats, I can live without them. Skills, substitute Int/Dex/Str rolls.
1e spellchuckers kick ass, as do 1e fighters (and rangers, etc.) and monks.

I'd say run 1e and houserule yourself to happiness.