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Author Topic: Regarding the OSR goodness: Do you prefer the takes on OD&D, or B/X, or AD&D?  (Read 4666 times)

Brad

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Re: Regarding the OSR goodness: Do you prefer the takes on OD&D, or B/X, or AD&D?
« Reply #45 on: September 18, 2020, 11:33:31 AM »
I always thought C&C looked awesome. How does it play?
Like AD&D but a simplified d20 version, if that makes any sense. While I'd rather play AD&D or Labyrinth Lord, C&C is brain-dead easy overall, especially for new gamers. Combat is easy to run, skill checks/saving throws are easy to do, ability checks are easy, etc. You can explain how to do everything in about two seconds: roll as high as you can on a d20 and add one of these numbers. That's it. But it's not 3.X or Pathfinder or whatever, classes are very rigid, not a bunch of fiddly nonsense. Also, there is a clear distinction between spellcasters and martial classes; paladins, rangers, and bards cannot cast any spells, which is either good or bad, depending on the situation.
It takes considerable knowledge just to realize the extent of your own ignorance.

Atsuku Nare

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Re: Regarding the OSR goodness: Do you prefer the takes on OD&D, or B/X, or AD&D?
« Reply #46 on: September 18, 2020, 04:56:08 PM »
I have to admit I've gravitated toward B/X clones mostly, the best example being Adventurer, Conqueror, King system. With the Players Compendium you have a way to build infinite classes if the ones in the main rulebook don't cover the load enough. And they get pretty detailed, as well as having a bunch of premade ones just to expand what covered.


(I call 'em out on the No Halflings things, but even that's corrected in the Heroes Handbook, or you could just make up your version of hobbit from the PC easily enough.)


The whole game shows how you can pull B/X apart by the bolts and the core structure underneath is really mechanically sound. Alexander Macris shows how the whole thing works and makes something of real beauty if it's close to what you're looking for.


For other games, I've been attracted to Swords & Wizardry with its One Baleful Saving Throw for a while now, and may try to throw it into the rotation sometime. I also like some of Lamentation of the Flame Princess with its skill class and inventory, as well as the Summon-Of-Doom as a first level wizard spell. If I ever run Carcosa it'll probably be with that.
Playing: 1st-ED Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay (Elf Wizard), D&D 5E, halfling thief
Running: nothing at present
Planning: Call of Cthulhu 7E, Adventurer Conqueror King, Warhammer FRP 4E, Torg: Eternity
On Hiatus: Earthdawn, Shadow of the Demon Lord

old guy

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Re: Regarding the OSR goodness: Do you prefer the takes on OD&D, or B/X, or AD&D?
« Reply #47 on: September 20, 2020, 03:56:27 PM »
I am a basic/expert guy and my go to retro clone is Labyrinth Lord.

Thorn Drumheller

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Re: Regarding the OSR goodness: Do you prefer the takes on OD&D, or B/X, or AD&D?
« Reply #48 on: September 20, 2020, 09:35:33 PM »

Forces an anthropocentric game, which tend to be less whimsical/Forgotten Realms and more S&S/Tolkien-esque. You can run a very good LotR game using straight B/X, just assume that Legolas didn't bring his spell-book and Gandalf is a DM character. For a Conan game, only allow fighters and thieves as PCs.


Also, it greatly simplifies character creation, which is a boon when you have players who are uninterested in anything besides the game itself, i.e., don't really care to create the most mechanically powerful character.
Oh this. So much this. Bolded by me. This is what I love about it.
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