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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mannahnin" data-source="post: 9161198" data-attributes="member: 7026594">I tend to agree.  On Dragonsfoot, for example, which bills itself as "the home of 1st edition AD&D" and predated the OSR, 2nd edition was widely derided and regarded as the start of the new school, although it has gradually won some respect and greater acceptance there and among the hardcore grognards over the last twenty years.  2nd ed is a curious beast, kind of caught between two worlds, trying to appeal to multiple different styles of play and kinds of players.  The XP rules changes clearly were attempting to accomodate what is now known as Trad play, inspired by Dragonlance and the post-70s epics which had taken over the fantasy publishing market.  But the mandate to maintain reverse compatibility with 1E and the large amount of player survey feedback pushing for old school elements resulted in (for example) the ability score and HP/death rules staying or even getting LESS heroic from 1E.  I think you're right that this was a continuation of a trend from late 1E products (particularly Dragonlance, as you note) and from BECMI.  Because of the mechanical compatibility of 2E with 1E stuff, it's certainly possible to play 2E very old school.  But it's usually right at the dividing line for old schoolers.  The community tends to consider it either just OUTSIDE the old school, or the last version INSIDE it.  With the trend over the last couple of decades being it gradually being included more.</blockquote>

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