Quote from: Bobloblah;557139Haven't picked up ACKS yet, though, and I have a feeling it might eclipse LL.

I picked up ACKS, and in the end isn't different enough from LL/B/X to make me want to switch over. The majority of the new-to-ACKS stuff are the same things I've got my own houserules for anyway, and in some cases our houserules went in a different direction. Another gamer in the group, OTOH, really likes the ACKS rule additions and when his DMing turn rolls around we'll likely give it a go.

Probably OSRIC (the Black Blade Publishing edition is a thing of beauty) or Swords & Wizardry, although I tend to just use AD&D or original D&D, instead of the clones.

Out of the clone variants, Crypts & Things sounds the most interesting, to me.  Astonishing Swordsmen & Sorcerers of Hyperborea is up there, too.

Lamentations. It is the only form of DnD that has ever struck my fancy. I like how low-powered it is. I REALLY like the Specialist. I like how Turn Dead and healing and the like are spells and not abilities of the Cleric. I like that the magic spells for the Wizard are mostly weird and not blasting shit with fire or lightning. Just the Summoning spell by itself is a selling point for me.

What I don't like about it; elves.

I've never liked elves in any game system; just don't like the idea of them, I guess. But Lamentations makes it pointless to play a magic-user if the elf is an option (unless you really don't want to play an elf). Sure there are limiting factors like elves cannot be healed by clerical magic and they take a teensy bit more experience to level up. But still. That extra experience isn't going to make a real difference until like 10th level.

What I would change:

I'd put firearms in it. I made up my own rules for firearms in my game, but I'd rather have them in the rule book. Escpecially since the artwork depicts (to me at least) a technology level that should include them.

I'd also change the artwork. Not because I find it disturbing; far from it. I just think some of it (not all) is just poorly drawn. The link in my sig will take you to my tumblr page that is chock full of artwork that I use (or want to use) as inspiration for my Lamentations game.

I'd like to figure out a way to port the Diabolist from Palladium Fantasy to Lamentations, but haven't had the motivation to do so yet. Really, all I'd probably have to do is make the Hit Points 1D4, and maybe change some damage values of some wards.

Quote from: jeff37923;557106Labyrinth Lord. It is the closest to B/X D&D and has a huge potential for expansions along those same lines. As a game, it is functionally elegant.

This would be my pick for similar reasons and being available in stores quite readily. I prefer variants over pure retroclones though so games like ACKS, DCC, and the upcoming ASSH are far more likely to get my money beyond Labyrinth Lord.

Dark Passages of course!  Silly question

I've not had chance to play it yet (only played Labyrinth Lord, and it felt, well, like D&D *shrug*) but Dark Dungeons stands out by a mile for me. For a single fan to assemble a complete Rules Cyclopedia (plus updated immortals rules) clone and dish it out for free is outstanding. Furthermore, he's not making a penny out of the lulu copies you can buy - the price you see is the price lulu charge and not a penny more.

Then he did his own houseruled version, darker dungeons, and I believe Darkest Dungeons is on the way (or out, not sure).

Dark Dungeons download page

1. Redwald - the best OSR rules/setting combo - lyrical Dark Ages D&D

2. Crypts and Things - Fighting Fantasy + Fiend Folio + Boddingtons

3. tie between Sabres & Witchery and Backswords & Bucklers

Quote from: Sean !;5572871. Redwald - the best OSR rules/setting combo - lyrical Dark Ages D&D

Oh God, how could I forget this. Redwald is the best thing I ever read at RPGnet. It really is awesome.

Quote from: Sean !;5572872. Crypts and Things - Fighting Fantasy + Fiend Folio + Boddingtons

3. tie between Sabres & Witchery and Backswords & Bucklers

Backswords & Bucklers is indeed one of the best OD&D hacks out there.

Haven't checked out Crypts & Things yet (looking forward to, though), and I didn't know about Sabres & Witchery (link?).

Quote from: The Butcher;557301Haven't checked out Crypts & Things yet (looking forward to, though), and I didn't know about Sabres & Witchery (link?).

Where is Redwald located?


Sabres and Witchery should be here

Quote from: Silverlion;557323Where is Redwald located?

Brace yourself: it's in RPGnet, of all places. Link. Oh, and there's the obligatory blog too, but I first saw it over at the Big Purple.

Quote from: Silverlion;557323Sabres and Witchery should be here

Wow. Here I am looking for a swashbucklers vs. horrors game for some time now. And off goes Simon "Barbarians of Lemuria" Washbourne and cross-breeds Backswords & Bucklers with LotFP, and throws in a bestiary for good measure -- all for free. The man's a class act. Thanks for the heads-up!

Quote from: Silverlion;557323Sabres and Witchery should be here

That is freaking awesome...


-TGA

Quote from: Silverlion;557323Where is Redwald located?

Brace yourself: it's in RPGnet, of all places. Link. Oh, and there's the obligatory blog too, but I first saw it over at the Big Purple.

Quote from: Silverlion;557323Sabres and Witchery should be here

Wow. Here I am looking for a swashbucklers vs. horrors game for some time now. And off goes Simon "Barbarians of Lemuria" Washbourne and cross-breeds Backswords & Bucklers with LotFP, and throws in a bestiary for good measure -- all for free. The man's a class act. Thanks for the heads-up!

Yes, yes Simon W, is a class act.

My favorite (surprise) is Microlite74. After that, it's probably Dark Dungeons as BECMI/RC is my favorite edition of D&D.

Quote from: Silverlion;557323Sabres and Witchery should be here

Thank you. That looks great. I've always wanted a simple D&D variant that could do Soloman Kane.

I definitely like Labyrinth Lord the best. Followed closely by OSRIC