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Post by uncruliar on Feb 26, 2010 14:32:21 GMT -6
As the subject line suggests I am a newbie when it comes to D&D. Back in the day I played (please don't flame me for this admission here  ) T&T and then later RQII. Recently my wife came home from a local charity shop with a boxed set of Dungeons and Dragons which she thought my son would enjoy playing with me. I think the rule set is actually Basic D&D. The rule book is dated 1991 and covers play up to level 5. It states that for higher levels players should get the Cyclopedia. Anyway my question really is this - Is this an appropriate forum to discuss Basic D&D? How different are Basic and OD&D? Is there another forum where I can find out about Basic D&D? (I've looked but haven't found one.) |
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Post by verhaden on Feb 26, 2010 14:43:29 GMT -6
I was barely cognizant of D&D "back in the day" (being that even Moldvay's book was first published before I was even born) and my first game was Earthdawn. Don't worry about getting flamed.
As far as the differences between BD&D and OD&D...well, the devil's in the details. I suggest you go to Dragonsfoot.org/forums and check out their "Classic D&D" section. But feel free to hang out here and read some stuff--we have a lot of interesting posts.
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Post by coffee on Feb 26, 2010 14:45:23 GMT -6
There is some discussion of later forms of D&D here. As has been bandied about in different blogs lately, there is considerable overlap between the editions of D&D.
What you have is a compilation of the original rules, edited to make them easier for beginners to use. But it's still basically the same game.
As far as a forum for discussion the specific edition you have, I've never heard of one either. But we should be able to handle most of your questions around here. We're a pretty friendly bunch.
(And I actually have the rulebook of the same set, so I might be able to answer questions specific to your set anyway.)
Welcome aboard!
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Post by uncruliar on Feb 26, 2010 14:57:53 GMT -6
Thanks for the welcome.
As an adolescent in the early 80's the world was very black and white. We played T&T - They played D&D. Poor souls, if only they knew! Not that I had any idea about D&D to be making any kind of judgement. But that's the great thing about adolescence - ignorant judgementalism goes with the territory.
Anyway I'll post my next question in a new thread.
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Post by thegreyelf on Feb 28, 2010 7:50:12 GMT -6
Yeah, there is an "other editions" forum here that would be a good place to start. Dragonsfoot is another excellent resource for BD&D. [EDIT]Also, welcome to the forums! Might I suggest checking out Swords & Wizardry: White Box, Spellcraft & Swordplay Basic, OSRIC, and Labyrinth Lord for the style of gaming that we all talk about 'round these parts? What these games are: 1. S&W:WB is a retro-clone of sorts of OD&D. Though not 100% faithful in re-presentation of the original rules, it largely manages to capture the important elements of OD&D. It's a free download and available in print. Download: www.swordsandwizardry.com/whitebox.htmPurchase: bravehalfling.com/2. S&S is not a retro-clone like the other three here, but is a sort of "what if?" game. When OD&D came out, Chainmail (a miniatures game) was listed as the "default" combat system, with the d20-based system we now know as the "alternate" system. S&S posits "what if Chainmail combat and spellcasting had become the norm, and the d20-based system never developed or took off?" In many ways, S&S is much like the first games in the hobby, an RPG built off of a miniatures-game core. The Basic Game, which provides complete rules for play to level 3, is a free download. Basic and Deluxe are also available in print. Download/buy: www.lulu.com/elflairgames3. OSRIC: a retro-clone of AD&D, this manages to be fairly complete, a bit more faithful than S&W to its source, and a solid revisiting of the AD&D first edition rules, though it does omit a few things, such as character classes, weapon speed rules, etc. A number of sourcebooks are available, including an excellent monster manual called Monsters of Myth. Free download, available in print. Print: stores.lulu.com/firsteditionsocietyDownload: knights-n-knaves.com/osric/download.html4. Labyrinth Lord: Probably the "truest" of the retro-clones, and my personal favorite, it's an extremely faithful re-creation of B/X D&D from Moldvay/Cook/Marsh, and also offers sourcebooks for "Original Edition Characters" and "Advanced Edition Companion," which retro-engineer it to OD&D and forward engineer it to AD&D, respectively. Of all the retro-clones, I personally think this one captures the spirit, feel, and rules of its target edition the best way possible. When I read LL, I really feel like I'm reading B/X D&D. It's a free download and available in print. Buy: stores.lulu.com/goblinoidgamesDownload: www.rpgnow.com/index.php?filters=0_0_0_0&manufacturers_id=760 |
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Post by Finarvyn on Feb 28, 2010 10:11:46 GMT -6
Back in the day I played (please don't flame me for this admission here ) T&T and then later RQII. Don't apologize for liking other RPGs. I also am the Admin on a T&T board. I hop back and forth from one game to another. OD&D was my first love and will remain my best, but I love to read and play other RPGs as well! Is there another forum where I can find out about Basic D&D? (I've looked but haven't found one.) I think I'm going to move this to the "Holmes Basic" section, where it will get more attention by others who play Basic. |
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Post by Random on Feb 28, 2010 12:53:24 GMT -6
And there goes thegreyelf with the retro run-down. If you want to participate in forum discussion about the D&D set you have, you'll want to go to www.dragonsfoot.org/forums/viewforum.php?f=15&sid=54130533ea058565d1bbbe6f6ccd4906, the Classic D&D section at Dragonsfoot. I would recommend not asking about it on forums though. I would recommend just reading the rules, having your son read the rules, and then start playing. If your son is over the age of 8 or 9, it might actually be more fun to let him be the Dungeon Master. Perhaps you could swap occasionally. (I started playing at age 8 and I ran the game for while until everyone learned the rules. Then we rotated the DM chair every few games.) |
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delve
Level 4 Theurgist
Posts: 170
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Post by delve on Feb 28, 2010 14:54:31 GMT -6
@ uncruliar - How different are Basic and OD&D? Sounds like you have the black box set with red dragon on it. As for the differences, well it all depends on which version of the game you have, D&D Basic has stayed pretty much the same through out the 70-90's. D&D Basic was first introduced as an introductory to D&D thus the only 3rd level limit. Which gave you the option to get the OD&D rule books or use AD&D. In my opinion D&D Basic is OD&D but lot better organized than the old booklets and it may be confusing for newer gamers to run. The terms and explanations can be misinterpreted. D&D Basic is a great option for you and your son to play together, the rules are simple and there is more focus on game play. I also have a blog that is a D&D Basic resource, I'm not sure how compatable the Holmes D&D Basic is with the Black Box set, If they were using the dreaded THAC0 in it. delve-thedelve.blogspot.com/Happy Gaming! - Delve ;D |
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Post by Finarvyn on Feb 28, 2010 15:26:59 GMT -6
Ah. Perhaps I should move it to the "other editions" area. I didn't catch the fact that it was the black box set.
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Post by greyharp on Mar 1, 2010 3:43:25 GMT -6
Ah. Perhaps I should move it to the "other editions" area. I didn't catch the fact that it was the black box set. I must admit I was a bit puzzled as to why you put it here, I second the motion for moving this thread to Other Editions.  |
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Post by uncruliar on Mar 1, 2010 7:22:14 GMT -6
Once again thanks for the useful responses. I have now checked out Dragonsfoot and downloaded OD&Dities and a few adventures.
I actually have the red box and the black box.
The red box was given to me by an older acquaintance when she was clearing out some of her son's old stuff (with his permission). Actually I've had that for a while and pretty much ignored it due to a deep-seated adolescent T&T players bias against D&D.
The black box my wife bought in a charity shop, not realising it was basically the same game as the red box I had been ignoring. My son was hooked by the little card figures and the map so I had to read it.
We started the introductory Zanzer Tem adventure with some of his friends at the weekend and they really enjoyed it. Now I'm hooked too.
We had tried T&T before but the boys took so long adding up the combat dice that they (and I) lost interest. So far D&D is looking much more likely to keep them interested which is fine by me as my only role-playing these days is limited to play by post.
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Post by Finarvyn on Mar 1, 2010 15:14:24 GMT -6
Ah. Perhaps I should move it to the "other editions" area. I didn't catch the fact that it was the black box set. I must admit I was a bit puzzled as to why you put it here, I second the motion for moving this thread to Other Editions. Yeah, well I saw "Basic D&D" and pulled the trigger...  Must read first, react second. Makes more sense than the other way around.  |
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Post by thegreyelf on Mar 1, 2010 17:21:35 GMT -6
And there goes thegreyelf with the retro run-down. Well I just figured it was the best way to get him up to speed on the kinds of stuff we discuss normally 'round these parts.  Excellent advice. |
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) T&T and then later RQII. 
