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Let's talk about Basic Fantasy

Started by RunningLaser, August 11, 2014, 12:03:25 PM

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Skywalker

#30
August 14, 2014, 09:55:20 PM Last Edit: August 14, 2014, 10:04:36 PM by Skywalker
THAC0 gives you a number to hit AC 0. For example, 18. To work out what you need to roll to hit an particular AC you work out the difference between that AC and 0 and reduce or increase the number accordingly (though in a numerically reverse relationship: if AC is greater than 0, you reduce the number to hit).

With Ascending AC, the PC has +2 to hit, which you add to the d20 roll. The result needs to equal or beat the AC.

It's the same math, but I find the later easier to understand YMMV

FWIW Basic Fantasy is free to download. So you can check it out yourself at no cost.

Skywalker

#31
August 14, 2014, 10:02:24 PM
Quote from: Matt;779766No THAC0? And they still call it D&D? What!

THAC0 is deeply ingrained in my brain.

OD&D, Basic D&D, B/X D&D, BECMI D&D and most of AD&D1e doesn't use THAC0 either. But I think they qualify as D&D :)

danbuter

#32
August 14, 2014, 10:10:56 PM
The game is awesome! I'll plug my supplement, Sword & Board as well: http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=88225.

The pdf is free, and you can get a print copy for $3.17 (the at-cost price).

To me, it's a slightly-updated version of B/X D&D. Easily my favorite version of the game.
Sword and Board - My blog about BFRPG, S&W, Hi/Lo Heroes, and other games.
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Matt

#33
August 14, 2014, 10:52:28 PM
Thanks for the info.

I know we used THAC0 with 1st ed. Seems we used it with Basic as well. Never played OD&D.

I love how much free stuff there is nowadays. Such a diverse array of material, so much of it free. Great times for RPGs. Just wish I could find more folks interested in games other than elves-with-magic-swords fantasy.

Matt

#34
August 14, 2014, 11:11:24 PM
Oh my...I just realized that the string of great luck I thought I was having in a couple of Labyrinth Lord pick-up games was in fact the result of my using regular old AC and everyone else using ascending AC. So when we were
calling out what AC we hit, nobody was hitting my AC 4 elf...man, I wonder what the results would have been had I realized I was much easier to hit.

Skywalker

#35
August 15, 2014, 12:00:17 AM Last Edit: August 15, 2014, 12:16:48 AM by Skywalker
Quote from: Matt;779782I know we used THAC0 with 1st ed. Seems we used it with Basic as well. Never played OD&D.

THAC0 was a shorthand in the DMG but it wasn't accurate when used exclusively due to the multiple 20 in the 1e attack tables. Players weren't even meant to see their THAC0 in 1e, as it was all meant to be back ended by the DM.

THAC0 was only used in modules expressly and the like around 1983 or 1984 with the Dragonlance modules IIRC.

cranebump

#36
August 15, 2014, 08:05:44 PM
Quote from: Matt;779767Which Mathis, Johnny or Samantha? Johnny's a better singer (based on that "Thing Called Love" movie), but I had a big crush on Samantha circa "Pump Up the Volume."

Sounds easier, I guess, though I must say I never knew anyone who needed a chart for THAC0. Don't know if I could get used to AC being better at 10 than 0.

Well, you don't need a chart for THAC0 (I was weaned on 2E, as well), but if you use ascending AC, you basically eliminate a step.
"When devils will the blackest sins put on, they do suggest at first with heavenly shows..."

Blacky the Blackball

#37
August 16, 2014, 04:29:20 PM
Quote from: Matt;779767Sounds easier, I guess, though I must say I never knew anyone who needed a chart for THAC0. Don't know if I could get used to AC being better at 10 than 0.

Something that makes the transition easier is that in older editions things tend to start at AC10 and go down from there, and in newer editions things tend to start at AC10 and go up from there.

So the two scales don't usually (there are a couple of exceptions around the 8-12 mark, but they're very rare) use the same numbers. You don't have to get used to AC10 being better than AC0. You have to get used to AC18 being better than AC13. Since they're not AC numbers you're used to seeing, it's easier to get used to.
Check out Gurbintroll Games for my free RPGs (including Dark Dungeons and FASERIP)!

Herne's Son

#38
August 17, 2014, 01:28:20 AM
I've been reading BFRPG and like it a lot. Good, solid, simple implementation of the core ideas of a D&D like game. Find myself wanting to use it as the base, then mix in a few things here and there from ACKS, and some other OSR games.

Looking forward to playing more of this game in the future!

Skywalker

#39
August 17, 2014, 02:07:43 AM
Quote from: Herne's Son;780387Looking forward to playing more of this game in the future!

A new edition is being worked on to clean it up. It's worth noting Basic Fantasy was one of the first three OSR RPGs, along with OSRIC and Castles & Crusades.

Molotov

#40
August 17, 2014, 06:53:29 AM
Quote from: Herne's Son;780387I've been reading BFRPG and like it a lot. Good, solid, simple implementation of the core ideas of a D&D like game. Find myself wanting to use it as the base, then mix in a few things here and there from ACKS, and some other OSR games.

Looking forward to playing more of this game in the future!
I'm running a game of it this afternoon. I blame this thread, in specific.

Fuckers.  :D

cranebump

#41
August 17, 2014, 07:49:07 AM
Quote from: Molotov;780434I'm running a game of it this afternoon. I blame this thread, in specific.

Fuckers.  :D

We start next Saturday...douche bags. :)
"When devils will the blackest sins put on, they do suggest at first with heavenly shows..."

Matt

#42
August 17, 2014, 10:09:58 AM
Quote from: Skywalker;780397A new edition is being worked on to clean it up. It's worth noting Basic Fantasy was one of the first three OSR RPGs, along with OSRIC and Castles & Crusades.


Out of curiosity: why is that worth noting?

LibraryLass

#43
August 17, 2014, 01:18:25 PM
Quote from: Herne's Son;780387I've been reading BFRPG and like it a lot. Good, solid, simple implementation of the core ideas of a D&D like game. Find myself wanting to use it as the base, then mix in a few things here and there from ACKS, and some other OSR games.

Looking forward to playing more of this game in the future!

You, sir, are a man after me own heart.
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Quote from: noismsI get depressed, suicidal and aggressive when nerds start comparing penis sizes via the medium of how much they know about swords.

Quote from: Larsdangly;786974An encounter with a weird and potentially life threatening monster is not game wrecking. It is the game.

Currently panhandling for my transition/medical bills.

pspahn

#44
August 17, 2014, 01:44:20 PM
Quote from: Matt;779787Oh my...I just realized that the string of great luck I thought I was having in a couple of Labyrinth Lord pick-up games was in fact the result of my using regular old AC and everyone else using ascending AC. So when we were
calling out what AC we hit, nobody was hitting my AC 4 elf...man, I wonder what the results would have been had I realized I was much easier to hit.
LL does not use ascending AC. Is that a house rule you guys are using?
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