Versions of D&D (Attack of the Clones)

[Dire Bare]

Forked from: Is OSRIC the new in print "defacto" D&D?

Some of the recent discussion on D&D versions, official and unofficial, has got me a bit curious, as I haven't paid much attention to the various "clones" before.

So, educate me a bit!

Original D&D - The first pamphlets and booklets. Are there any serious "edition" differences before the onset of the "Basic Set"? Are there any "clones" of these original booklets?

Classic D&D - What others refer to often as BECMI, starting with the "red box" Basic Set. I know there are differences between the various "editions" of the early Basic Sets, but I still view this as one "edition". I know there are "clones" of this edition, but I'm unsure which games these are.

1st Edition D&D - Advanced, of course! Again, I know that there are clones of this edition too, but I am unsure which is which. Could Hackmaster be considered a clone of 1e?

2nd Edition D&D - Advanced again, of course! Any clones that seem to favor 2e over 1e? Or are the two editions of AD&D too similar?

3rd Edition D&D - Including 3.5. There is Pathfinder, of course. I would put OGL variants that, while based on 3.0 or 3.5, stray quite a bit, into a different category (True20, etc)

4th Edition D&D - Probably too early for anybody to be making 4e clones, but has someone done this yet?

OGL D&D - While the OGL is obviously the 3rd Edition rules, there are several games that attempt to closely "recreate" the D&D experience while cloning and possibly reinventing 3rd Edition into something somewhat different (if that makes any sense). True20, GR's Wizards & Warlocks would fit here, I think. Any others?

 

[Nikosandros]

The clone for 0e (or the Original D&D) is called Swords and Wizardry.

There is clone of the Moldvay/Cook version of D&D Basic and Expert (usually known as B/X) called Labyrinth Lord.

Basic Fantasy Role Playing Game is also inspired by B/X, but is more of a variant, having ascending AC and races separate from classes.

OSRIC is a clone of AD&D 1e.

 

[Ariosto]

The term "clone" is a bit misleading because, even with the resources of the Open Gaming License and System Resource Document, no rules restatement can (legally) be a perfect simulacrum of any D&D edition.

In the original game, the notable division is "with Supplement I" or without. Adding in the other three supplements, and material from The Strategic Review, one ends up with basically a prototype of Advanced D&D.

Swords & Wizardry comes in a "White Box" version meant to be more like the original trilogy of little booklets, and a Standard version reflecting some of the material from Supplement I (Greyhawk). However, S&W is concerned much more with the "spirit" of the seminal rules set than with the letter. The author's taste in "house rules" may also figure. A notable novelty is that it uses a single "saving throw" rating (rather than five categories as in the original). Another difference is that ability score bonuses are unified (as in later basic sets). It also attempts to fill a sort of "Rosetta stone" niche by using both descending and ascending armor classes.

Epees & Sorcellerie (in French, obviously) and Spellcraft & Swordplay are sort of "alternate" takes on D&D, going for inspiration back to the Chainmail miniatures rules that served as Dave Arneson's starting point.

Both Basic Fantasy Role-Playing Game and Labyrinth Lord take the Basic and Expert sets of Moldvay, Cook and Marsh as a starting point. Labyrinth Lord faithfully reproduces more, while BFRPG reflects Chris Gonnerman's sensibilities in numerous ways including the use of ascending AC -- a blend of the old, the new and a personal vision. Labyrinth Lord is in distribution to specialty game retailers (as well as being available from Barnes & Noble), and spin-off Mutant Future seems likely to join it.

OSRIC (Old School Reference Index Compilation) emulates 1st edition AD&D, mostly pre-Unearthed Arcana and with some other elements left out in keeping either with views Gygax expressed in retrospect, or with the difficulty of doing them justice while not infringing on protected "artistic expression" elements. Some other omissions (such as naval rules, which can be found in Labyrinth Lord) are probably for the purpose of keeping the page count down.

Although some ambiguities were intentionally retained, the overall effect is one of clarification and simplification. That is abetted by the organization and layout, and probably by more coherent editing than the original trilogy received (partly because each volume was released before the next was finished). Nothing can quite replace the Gygaxian canon, especially the sprawling Dungeon Masters Guide -- but OSRIC looks to this reader (and early detractor of the project) like "the Second Edition that ought to have been". Love and understanding of the classic game are evident throughout.

There is a continual stream of adventure modules for these games, and, as was the case in the 1980s, it is quite simple to use material written with one in mind in a campaign using another. The free resources alone are outstanding, including a huge monster compendium from Mythmere Games and Kellri's excellent netbooks (Classic Dungeon Designer #4: Encounters deserving special recognition). Monsters of Myth (from the First Edition Society) and The Random Esoteric Creature Generator (from Goodman Games) are notable supplements in print.

Second Edition AD&D so far has no such restatement (as far as I know), although both Hackmaster "fourth edition" and Gods & Monsters show some influences in their distinctive mixes.

There have been a number of "3E light" brews, but other than Microlite20 (which is severely minimalist) and Ray Allen's Warriors & Wizards, I can't think of any names offhand.

 

[Nikosandros]

[Useful and correct information]

Yes, yes, but I replied earlier and I have links in my post....

 

[Ariosto]

Two "flagship" magazines are also worth mentioning.

Fight On! has a primarily OD&D slant, but not exclusively so. One might think of its eclecticism as a hybrid of early The Dragon with APA 'zines such as Alarums & Excursions and The Wild Hunt. If memory serves, FO! was one of the sponsors of a One-Page Dungeon contest that included a special D&D 4E category (a bit oddly perhaps, as the write-ups were supposed to be "edition neutral") and prizes to suit.

Knockspell is the "house organ" of Mythmere Games, publisher of Swords & Wizardry. However, in keeping with the purpose of the rules set itself, it aims to be of general use to players of all flavors of old-style D&D. One striking feature is the graphic design, which is both thoroughly modern and (at least to these amateur eyes) outstandingly professional.

 

[Ariosto]

Nikosandros: I started composing my post before yours appeared; it just took me a while to finish!

Castles & Crusades is sort of an odd beast, combining aspects of the old Advanced and Basic games with a variation on "d20 system" universal resolution and some new takes on classic character classes. The C&C bard seems much loved, while the barbarian has come in for some revision in the latest printing (which I understand also adds to illusionists and has a new cover).

Published by Troll Lord Games, it has some established retail presence and a dedicated periodical in The Crusader, plus a player organization called the Castle and Crusade Society (after a group mentioned in the foreword to the original D&D rules).

 

[Nikosandros]

Nikosandros: I started composing my post before yours appeared; it just took me a while to finish!

I can imagine that... it was far more useful and informative than mine.

 

[JeffB]

Epees & Sorcellerie (in French, obviously) and Spellcraft & Swordplay are sort of "alternate" takes on D&D, going for inspiration back to the Chainmail miniatures rules that served as Dave Arneson's starting point..

First of all excellent post!

Second- I just wanted to mention some things about S&S here. I am planning on doing a full blown review in the near future as the game is not available as a free download, but I would urge anyone interested in "classic style", but not necc completely retro rules to take a look-see at Spellcraft & Swordplay. It has a unified resolution mechanic, drapes many D20-ish things in old school goodness , and the combat and magic systems are more "granular" without much more complication than the original D&D game.

For example-The spell system is totally D&D Vancian, however the caster makes a simple spell roll- how well you roll determines if the spell goes off immediately, is delayed till the next round, or fizzles out and is (possibly) wiped from memory (will def help balance out the Wizards & Clerics)

For combat- It actually makes a bit more sense than the "variant" D&D combat system ever has. Each character ends up getting mutiple attacks over time with fighters having the most obviously. The To- hit charts are based on weapon type and armor type but in a chart like standard "retro" D&D. Therefore, certain weapons will have an easier time hitting certain armor, or the opposite. Monster attacks will be listed as say " claw, claw, bite (dagger, dagger, sword) " for attacks. DM has his chart, Players have their chart- easy peasy.

The classes have a bit more crunch than OD&D ( more D20-ish). They also are re-worked in some ways that (to me) make complete sense.

One ability I like is that Fighters are the only class able to utilize DEX to improve AC (by actually modifying the hit roll , since AC works differently due to the Chainmail-esque design).

Priests for example get a "lay on hands" ability for healing, and the Turning mechanic is very clever (a morale check, if you will)

Paladins & Assassins are Elite Paths and are more akin to prestige classes- if you've got the stats to qualify, you can take them, but it's also harder to advance in level.

Each class and ONLY that class has a bonus to certain saves- e.g. Priests are the only class to get a bonus on Wisdom saves, Fighters for Con saves, Wizards for INT & CHA saves.

The resolution mechanic is 2D6 based and the Base DC is always 11 +/- modifiers (the whole game is D6 based like chainmail)

Honestly, S&S is exactly what I had HOPED Castles & Crusades would be (unfortunately C&C is mostly a dissapointment for me- I should note though that S&S does uses bits of C&C OGC, as well as D20 proper). For my tastes, S&S does a far better job adhering to the spirit and intent of the original D&D game while utilizing modern mechanics and "sensibilities".

 

[Ariosto]

A comprehensive review of S&S (which I think is out now in a revised edition) would be much appreciated!

As observed, most of the others are available for free download (including, I think, the "quick start" C&C product from Free RPG Day).

Absent the opportunity to get a look and judge for oneself, a deeply informative review is invaluable.

 

[Hairfoot]

Great synopses, Ariosto.

These are common questions, so I've bookmarked for future linkage to.