AD&D 1E Three Things that can't be Fixed in 1e AD&D

[Lanefan]

In the current mechanic, nature clerics generally cannot find herbs, and in any event, only regular clerics can craft potions.

So a Ranger finds the herbs, her buddy the Cleric turns them into potions using that spell, and they then sell said potions and split the proceeds. Easy money.

 

[Mannahnin]

By the end of 2e I was starting to think that B/X Basic looked like a better option with the 13-15, 16-17, 18 +1, +2, +3 modifiers not being so huge a disparity if there was a difference, so 3d6 randomly rolled in order could be viable and not mechanically terrible in comparison to good rolls. Also how there was no gate keeping on classes and levels from stats.

B/X / BECMI do have a tiny little bit of gatekeeping classes by stats, but just for the demihumans. Minimum Con 9 for Dwarf, Int 9 for Elf, and both Con & Dex 9 for Halfling.

I agree that the B/X / BECMI ability bonus distribution is nice in that an 18 in Str, Dex, Wis, Con, or Cha is really good, but a 13 is actually meaningful and useful, and the ability to point-swap to your PR means even on 3d6 down the line you're very likely to qualify for at least SOME bonus. I tend to also implement the flip/mirror option to insure against "hopeless" sets.