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May 19, 2013, 12:13am

Original D&D Discussion :: Other TSR Classics :: Boot Hill (1975) :: Wild West: OD&D Style

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Wild West: OD&D Style
« Thread Started on Aug 6, 2008, 6:36pm »

LAW OF THE GUN

OD&D, Western Style

Having recently read Blood Meridian (A more graphic and stunning Western I’ve yet to read.) and played a few sessions of Aces & Eights, I felt the need to put together a mini-game that adapted the elementary rules of OD&D to an old west setting.

So, without further ado:

STATS

Each character gets the familiar stats of Strength, Intelligence, Wisdom, Constitution, and Charisma. A stat of 13-15 gains you a bonus of +1, 16-17 a bonus of +2, and 18 a bonus of +3. All rolls for stats are made on 3d6; no weighted dice, please.

HIT POINTS

A character’s initial hit point score is equal to his Constitution. And yes, higher constitutions do get the +1 to +3 bonus. So character with a constitution of 12 would have 12 hit points and a character with a constitution of 18 would have 21 hit points.

LEVEL

Levels are gained through surviving battles. Note that a battle implies a real possibility that the character may be maimed or killed. Gunning down four unarmed and sleeping Indians does not count as your character surviving a battle. Use common sense.

There are ten levels that a character may aspire to. With each level the character gains 2 hit points, +1 to strike on combat, and may add +1 to a single skill.

SKILLS

A beginning character gains 4 + INT modifier in number of skills. Each skill is tied to a stat. So if a character with a Wisdom of 13 took the skill Perception, he would have Perception:13. Skills may be bought up as the character rises in level, but the highest skill level possible is 19. Even the best fail sometimes.

The skill system is meant to be quick and cinematic, hard and fast. As such, there is little description of the skills and individual groups are encouraged to place their own spin/advantages/limitations on the skills.

COMBAT SKILLS

Each combat skill can be taken only at first level, and may never be added to as you raise in levels. They give the character an initiative bonus and additional accuracy when using certain types of weapons.

Cutthroat: +2 to hit with all bladed weapons.

Deadeye: +2 to hit with all guns.

Knuckleduster: +2 to hit in unarmed combat.

NON COMBAT SKILLS

Drinking (Constitution): You can stay sober until a failed roll.

Educated (Intelligence): You have had a higher education and knows a lot about a lot.

Endurance (Constitution): Can stave off effects of starvation, harsh weather, and bodily harm.

Fellowship (Charisma) You can get people to like and agree with you.

Gift of Gab (Intelligence): You can converse in any language, even if it’s only on a very crude level.

Indian Lore (Wisdom): You know the ways of the Natives, including myths and customs.

Intimidation (Strength or Charisma): People give you a wide berth and give in to your demands.

Man of the Cloth (Wisdom or Charisma): You know your Old Time Religion.

Medicine (Intelligence): A doctor, dentist, or maybe shaman. Goes well with the Education skill.

Perception (Wisdom): A good eye, and can tell when something doesn’t feel right.

Riding (Constitution): You are good at riding horses, angry bulls, etc.

Roping (Dexterity): The cowboy’s skill. Good with a lariat.

Seduction (Charisma): All that and a bag of chips.

Stealth (Dexterity): The scout’s ability to move through territory unseen and unheard.

Tracking (Wisdom): The bounty hunter’s skill. Can be used for both urban and wilderness climes.

ARMOR CLASS:

Most folks don’t go around wearing armor these days. Which is why gunfights are so danged lethal! Heavy animal hides, favored by trappers and cowboys in colder regions, act as AC 8. A steel breastplate, similar to Conquistador armor, would act as AC 5. A leather duster coat, while looking pretty darn cool, doesn’t give any armor bonuses. Bonuses for high dexterity apply as per usual.

SAVING THROWS

Since the only OD&D save that would have any actual application in Law of the Gun is vs. poison, there is only a single saving roll in the game. It is used for three things.

1. To save against poison.

2. If the character takes more than half their HP damage in a single attack, they must make a saving throw or become instantly unconscious.

3. The very first time the character gets shot, they must make a save at -2 or freeze in shock and terror, unable to even defend themselves properly.