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Author Topic: Great OSR Fantasy Game that is close to D&D 5th Editon  (Read 3804 times)

weirdguy564

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Re: Great OSR Fantasy Game that is close to D&D 5th Editon
« Reply #30 on: September 13, 2022, 12:31:50 PM »
BasicFantasy by Chris Gonnerman.  It’s free.  All of it.

https://www.basicfantasy.org/

Old school D&D with two modern features to “fix” the game.  No race as class BS. Your elf needs to pick warrior or spell caster like everyone else.  Also, ascending armor class like 3.5E instead of that chart or THAC-0 stuff.

The main book has only the four classes and races, but the free expansions add more like canine paladin. 

I’m glad for you if you like the top selling game of the genre.  Me, I like the road less travelled, and will be the player asking we try a game you’ve never heard of.

Eric Diaz

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Re: Great OSR Fantasy Game that is close to D&D 5th Editon
« Reply #31 on: September 13, 2022, 01:23:59 PM »
BFRPG is awesome indeed, and has some amazing free supplements.

Not really "close to 5e", IMO.

Still, great game.
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weirdguy564

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Re: Great OSR Fantasy Game that is close to D&D 5th Editon
« Reply #32 on: September 13, 2022, 02:58:18 PM »
BFRPG is awesome indeed, and has some amazing free supplements.

Not really "close to 5e", IMO.

Still, great game.

I don’t think there is a 5E clone.

However, the OP has changed.  Now it’s just a D&D style game that’s easier than 5E. 

I already consider 5E about medium complexity.  Crunchier ones are AD&D 1&2, maybe even the Pathfinder games, while easier are all the White Box or B/X stuff.  Basic Fantasy is a B/X style game. 

I also recommend Dungeons & Delvers Dice Pool edition.  It uses a dice chain system.  Everything starts as a 1D4, then upgraded to a 1D6, 1D8, 1D10, and maxes out as a 1D12.  All dice rolls are your attribute dice plus a skill dice, and often some additional dice from class or racial bonuses, roll ‘em all, and add up the best two dice.  It’s really simple.
I’m glad for you if you like the top selling game of the genre.  Me, I like the road less travelled, and will be the player asking we try a game you’ve never heard of.

Eric Diaz

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Re: Great OSR Fantasy Game that is close to D&D 5th Editon
« Reply #33 on: September 13, 2022, 03:08:30 PM »
Ah, yes, in hat case I completely agree. Also agree with your assessment of the complexity of B/X, 5e and AD&D.
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Jaeger

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Re: Great OSR Fantasy Game that is close to D&D 5th Editon
« Reply #34 on: September 13, 2022, 06:02:37 PM »

I don’t think there is a 5E clone.

However, the OP has changed.  Now it’s just a D&D style game that’s easier than 5E. 


Into The Unknown  - is probably the closest thing to a 5e clone of B/X.  It labels itself as an O5R game...

It pares back the classes to Fighter, Rouge, Priest, and Magic user. Caps them at level 10 with simplified class ability progression. It also has three optional 'race as classes' Dwarf, Elf, and Halfling.

It adds back in the B/X dungeon and wilderness exploration procedures, along with Morale. And it comes as 5 booklets for the complete game that can be bought separately for those (like players) that don't need the whole rules set.

Drivethru link:
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/13311/O5R-Games/subcategory/30580_32808/Into-the-Unknown

Dev's Blog:
https://o5rgames.blogspot.com/



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GhostNinja

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Re: Great OSR Fantasy Game that is close to D&D 5th Editon
« Reply #35 on: September 13, 2022, 08:03:32 PM »
BasicFantasy by Chris Gonnerman.  It’s free.  All of it.

https://www.basicfantasy.org/

Old school D&D with two modern features to “fix” the game.  No race as class BS. Your elf needs to pick warrior or spell caster like everyone else.  Also, ascending armor class like 3.5E instead of that chart or THAC-0 stuff.

The main book has only the four classes and races, but the free expansions add more like canine paladin.

I have played this but I am going to give this another look.
Ghostninja

Jam The MF

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Re: Great OSR Fantasy Game that is close to D&D 5th Editon
« Reply #36 on: September 13, 2022, 08:04:32 PM »

I don’t think there is a 5E clone.

However, the OP has changed.  Now it’s just a D&D style game that’s easier than 5E. 


Into The Unknown  - is probably the closest thing to a 5e clone of B/X.  It labels itself as an O5R game...

It pares back the classes to Fighter, Rouge, Priest, and Magic user. Caps them at level 10 with simplified class ability progression. It also has three optional 'race as classes' Dwarf, Elf, and Halfling.

It adds back in the B/X dungeon and wilderness exploration procedures, along with Morale. And it comes as 5 booklets for the complete game that can be bought separately for those (like players) that don't need the whole rules set.

Drivethru link:
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/13311/O5R-Games/subcategory/30580_32808/Into-the-Unknown

Dev's Blog:
https://o5rgames.blogspot.com/


That sounds interesting, and is perhaps the closest to what the OP is looking for?
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GhostNinja

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Re: Great OSR Fantasy Game that is close to D&D 5th Editon
« Reply #37 on: September 14, 2022, 08:12:45 AM »

That sounds interesting, and is perhaps the closest to what the OP is looking for?

I looked at it and its interesting.  Just wish they had everything in one book.    I am also looking at Basic Fantasy which seems to be the closest to what I am looking for.
Ghostninja

Jaeger

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Re: Great OSR Fantasy Game that is close to D&D 5th Editon
« Reply #38 on: September 14, 2022, 01:51:44 PM »

That sounds interesting, and is perhaps the closest to what the OP is looking for?

I looked at it and its interesting.  Just wish they had everything in one book.    I am also looking at Basic Fantasy which seems to be the closest to what I am looking for.

True it is 5 separate books - But...

Right now they are going for five bucks a piece and at 25 for print and pdf; that is cheaper for a complete game than most other OSR single book offering barring basic fantasy. Personally, I view the ability to buy multiple copies of just what the players need for use at the table on the cheap a feature.
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GhostNinja

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Re: Great OSR Fantasy Game that is close to D&D 5th Editon
« Reply #39 on: September 15, 2022, 10:30:53 AM »
I am looking at the Swords and Wizardry RPG.   Any thoughts on the game?
Ghostninja

Eric Diaz

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Re: Great OSR Fantasy Game that is close to D&D 5th Editon
« Reply #40 on: September 15, 2022, 10:43:55 AM »
S&W is great too. It is more OD&D than B/X. It has an awesome SRD which you can check for free, with LOTS of monsters, very well supported.

http://www.swordsnwizardry.com/

However, I'd recommend you check estar's post on page 2 - his system is compatible with S&W and has some additional options I enjoy.
« Last Edit: September 15, 2022, 10:45:54 AM by Eric Diaz »
Chaos Factory Books  - Dark fantasy RPGs and more!

Methods & Madness - my  D&D 5e / Old School / Game design blog.

GhostNinja

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Re: Great OSR Fantasy Game that is close to D&D 5th Editon
« Reply #41 on: September 15, 2022, 01:38:20 PM »
I have downloaded it and I will check it out
Ghostninja

Batjon

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Re: Great OSR Fantasy Game that is close to D&D 5th Editon
« Reply #42 on: September 15, 2022, 01:40:13 PM »
Low Fantasy Gaming is great.  Old School Essentials is great. 

If you like sword & sorcery style fantasy ala Conan and such, Barbarians of Lemuria is one of my favorite games ever.

Shrieking Banshee

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Re: Great OSR Fantasy Game that is close to D&D 5th Editon
« Reply #43 on: September 15, 2022, 02:15:52 PM »
Worlds without Number. The real “D&D for all edition”. Its the real deal, well designed.

Edit: Its got a refined and not bloated multiclassing system, its highly customizable, its lacking 5es intentional clunk in places, and takes the best from every edition of D&D.

And the base edition is FREE.
« Last Edit: September 15, 2022, 02:21:23 PM by Shrieking Banshee »

Jam The MF

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Re: Great OSR Fantasy Game that is close to D&D 5th Editon
« Reply #44 on: September 15, 2022, 04:05:55 PM »
S&W is great too. It is more OD&D than B/X. It has an awesome SRD which you can check for free, with LOTS of monsters, very well supported.

http://www.swordsnwizardry.com/

However, I'd recommend you check estar's post on page 2 - his system is compatible with S&W and has some additional options I enjoy.


I purchased and have already used OSE Classic Fantasy, as a fallback resource for anything I might want, that isn't already spelled out in White Box FMAG.  I really like White Box, but the other night I referenced OSE for its information about ships and seafaring.  2 good books, side by side.
Let the Dice, Decide the Outcome.  Accept the Results.