Recently bought 5.0, being drawn to 1981 Moldvay Basic

[JenniferRPG]

My first exposure to D&D was as a player back some 32 years ago, with the Mentzer basic set. I only played a few games, but was hooked. I wanted to DM back then but ended up not doing it.

Here I am 32 years later, just recently acquiring the 5.0 starter set, then downloading the Basic Player's Handbook and just the other day picking up the 5.0 DMG.

After a lot of research, and reading the Moldvay basic set (in pdf form right now -- plan to purchase a used copy off ebay).. I am really drawn to it.

It's so simple and clear. The entire PHB, Monster Manual and DMG is in one 64 page book! (I realize it's only for levels 1-3 but that's okay, because I just need something to get me started DM'ing. I'm overwhelmed by all the 5.0 rules. I have over 500 pages to read between the PHB and the DMG. Whereas this Molday is only like 45 or so not including monsters.

Also I like the Moldvay B/E over the Mentzer because it's less pages and easier to look things up. I also like the simple artwork in the Moldvay.

So I'd appreciate any suggestions. Should I pursue Moldvay and a couple old modules like Silver Princess or stick it out with 5e and work on the Phandelver module?

Jennifer

 

[HobbitFan]

You can have the best of both worlds. Run in 5E rules but use alot of the excellent modules made for BECMI.

 

[amerigoV]

A couple of months ago the D&D Rules Cyclopedia pdf was on sale for $5 and I decided it would be good to have in the collection. I always had the sneaking suspicion I was missing out on something all those years I was playing AD&D (or our homebrew system). After reading through it my suspicions were confirmed.

It has:

• Full progression up to level 36 and guidelines on becoming an Immortal
• Alternative classes
• Strongholds
• Dominion management
• Abstract Mass combat/siege rules
• Monsters, Monsters, Monsters
• Map and overview of Mystara/Known World/Hollow World
• And plenty more

I was kinda floored by all that was in there - its the only truly complete official D&D game that I have seen in one place! I even rationalized the "race as a class" concept after getting excited about what I was reading. I printed it out and have it in a nice binder mixed in with my Savage Worlds stuff. If I ever come across a reasonably priced physical copy I plan to snag it.

Although I am a Savage Worlds guy through and through - if someone said "lets play some D&D" I would push for this as the basis. I think the only changes I would make is (1) grab the Advantage/Disadvantage from 5e (gets rid of all the niggling modifiers in combat) and (2) grab the rule from 3e where clerics can channel healing spells in place of their selected spells.

So that has me checking out Mystara a bit. There is another thing I was missing out on...

A GM should always run what they find inspirational. So I say go with your gut if your feeling the pull!

 

[JenniferRPG]

A couple of months ago the D&D Rules Cyclopedia pdf was on sale for $5 and I decided it would be good to have in the collection. I always had the sneaking suspicion I was missing out on something all those years I was playing AD&D (or our homebrew system). After reading through it my suspicions were confirmed.

Well that was a good deal!

It has:

• Full progression up to level 36 and guidelines on becoming an Immortal
• Alternative classes
• Strongholds
• Dominion management
• Abstract Mass combat/siege rules
• Monsters, Monsters, Monsters
• Map and overview of Mystara/Known World/Hollow World
• And plenty more

I was kinda floored by all that was in there - its the only truly complete official D&D game that I have seen in place! I even rationalized the "race as a class" concept after getting excited about what I was reading. I printed it out and have it in a nice binder mixed in with my Savage Worlds stuff. If I ever come across a reasonably priced physical copy I plan to snag it.

Very nice. I just printed out the Moldvay Basic (64 pages) and had it spiral bound so I can fold it on itself. I'm just gonna go with this since there are such few rules. I don't feel intimidated by it. Once I get DM'ing down with the Moldvay Basic, instead of going to expert I might jump over to 5e, I dunno.

Although I am a Savage Worlds guy through and through - if someone said "lets play some D&D" I would push for this as the basis. I think the only changes I would make is (1) grab the Advantage/Disadvantage from 5e (gets rid of all the niggling modifiers in combat) and (2) grab the rule from 3e where clerics can channel healing spells in place of their selected spells.

So that has me checking out Mystara a bit. There is another thing I was missing out on...

A GM should always run what they find inspirational. So I say go with your gut if your feeling the pull!

Thanks for the suggestions regarding advantage/disadvantage and 3e cleric channeling heal spells in place of selected spells (that way a cleric can always heal.. makes sense).

 

[cavalier973]

dndclassics is awesome. I got the B/X sets and adventures B1 and B2. I had the basic rules printed out and bound, and am planning in having B2 printed/bound as well, so that I can play with my kids.

Once we finish that, I plan to print the expert rules.

You should blog your play experience(s).

 

[Libramarian]

I generally prefer the older editions, and I wish they had kept the pagecount down with 5e, but I still have to say that it probably would be easier to learn than you think. The Starter Set is designed to be playable without any other books, so you could start playing that now and read through the DMG at your leisure.

Moldvay Basic is great, but be forewarned: it's a surprisingly unforgiving game. It expects large parties (6-8 characters) and players willing to avoid, negotiate with and retreat from monsters. If they don't their PCs will die, a lot. Last time I ran B2 with first level Basic chars the Caves of Chaos ran red with their blood. If you go with Basic I suggest you give max HP at first level and make sure the players know about retainers.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

After a lot of research, and reading the Moldvay basic set (in pdf form right now -- plan to purchase a used copy off ebay).. I am really drawn to it.

Unleash your curiosity, your interest, and your creativity ... soon your journey to the light side will be complete!

There's a lot to love in Moldvay. I recommend picking up and running B4, The Lost City, and running it. You can then bridge to a great campaign using X1 and X2, or transition to 5.0. If you master DMing with Moldvay, then AD&D, 3.0, and 5.0 are just a rules swap away.

 

[JeffB]

I have owned and played every edition since 77/8. I started with my friends and we played for a couple years with the lbbs, a holmes basic book and a mm. You would think that would be my fave ruleset, but it has always been that Moldvay/Cook/Marsh Basic and Expert sets. Best presentation of the rules ever. No filler, no overload of graphics and art. Clear rules. Easy to use at the table. And several all time best modules too, designed with that set in mind.

 

[Henry]

Up until this year, almost every year at a local Gameday I've run Basic D&D for people, with hand-created printouts of the character creation rules and leveling info for levels 1-3, to level people right at the table if they get the XP to do so (I hand it out shortly after the fights or loot gains, to give people the experience of leveling right there).

It's been pretty popular each time I've done it, and leveling is so quick that it only takes someone out of the action for all of five minutes. Lately 5e is taking a lot of mindshare because it's giving me the table simplicity I wanted to run it, but I still run Basic if I need to give someone a taste of D&D, because it's in many ways even simpler than your typical Euro-Style Board Game! (i could teach someone to play Basic faster than I could teach Ticket to Ride or Pandemic!)

 

[Ranes]

Trust your instinct. Go with Moldvay and something like Silver Princess. You'll get onto the DMing relatively quickly and couldn't ask for a ruleset that's easier and as complete.

I hope you enjoy yourself and get the DMing bug.