Which Edition Of The Forgotten Realms Would You Choose?

Zachary The First · January 25, 2013, 09:57:33 AM

One of the fellows in my gaming group has been talking up a Forgotten Realms campaign, but going back to an earlier edition. No one in our group is a Drizzt fanboy or really got into the novels, so we don't have to worry about that, but out of curiosity, I'd love to hear opinions on which version of the Realms you prefer, and why. Most of my Realms gaming personally dates from late 2e/early 3e, with a bit exposure to 1e, but I'd like to hear what other experiences with the setting folks have had.

I will say I liked the earlier feel of the Realms, though I never was a hardcore fan, leaning more towards Greyhawk myself.

I know WotC used to offer some 2e Realms pdfs for free, though I believe they no longer feature those.

(FWIW, I think he'd be using either Castles & Crusades, Basic Fantasy, or BareBones Fantasy with it).

Benoist · January 25, 2013, 09:58:15 AM

1e Grey Box. Period. No fucking Times of Trouble or metaplot bullshit at all. I take it from there. Thanks.

Drohem · January 25, 2013, 10:02:22 AM

Quote from: benoist;6217811e grey box. Period. No fucking times of trouble or metaplot bullshit at all. I take it from there. Thanks.

This! 100%.

ggroy · January 25, 2013, 10:06:05 AM

1E grey box, with perhaps the first two Waterdeep supplements.

RunningLaser · January 25, 2013, 10:09:08 AM

Quote from: Benoist;6217811e Grey Box. Period. No fucking Times of Trouble or metaplot bullshit at all. I take it from there. Thanks.

Agreed. I really didn't care for the Time of Troubles at all.

Philotomy Jurament · January 25, 2013, 10:10:21 AM

Quote from: Zachary The First;621780One of the fellows in my gaming group has been talking up a Forgotten Realms campaign, but going back to an earlier edition...FWIW, I think he'd be using either Castles & Crusades, Basic Fantasy, or BareBones Fantasy with it.

Given the above, I'd lobby for 1e grey box FR using Basic Fantasy RPG.

ggroy · January 25, 2013, 10:14:12 AM

Dunno if this would happen, but it would be great if WotC re-releases an unabridged reprint of the 1E FR grey box. (Even if it was reprinted as a large hardcover book, similar to the upcoming A and S series modules WotC reprint books).

Daztur · January 25, 2013, 10:23:46 AM

Frey · January 25, 2013, 10:25:56 AM

1e grey box, then the 3e hardcover.

crkrueger · January 25, 2013, 10:26:19 AM

Grey Box or Go Home

Zachary The First · January 25, 2013, 10:27:25 AM

Interesting responses so far! Was the 2e boxed set really that bad? Is time clouding my memory?

Bill · January 25, 2013, 10:43:11 AM

Serious answer:1E box plus waterdeep book for the win.

Not serious answer: Whichever version has no Elminster in it.

Zachary The First · January 25, 2013, 10:45:05 AM

Quote from: Bill;621812Serious answer:1E box plus waterdeep book for the win.

Not serious answer: Whichever version has no Elminster in it.

Is there a version that features less of Greenwood's alter-ego?

danbuter · January 25, 2013, 10:46:58 AM

I'd go with the gray box and the first few supplements.

If you are playing in Waterdeep itself, then get the Waterdeep sets from 1e, 2e, and 3e and mix and match as desired. They each cover different things.

danbuter · January 25, 2013, 10:47:45 AM

Quote from: Zachary The First;621804Interesting responses so far! Was the 2e boxed set really that bad? Is time clouding my memory?

2e changed a LOT of the Realms, very quickly, which is why I didn't like it. Kind of like what happened to Dark Sun. If you started with the 2e set, you'd probably love it.