Swords & Wizardry WB 3d printing now available

[mythmere]

The third printing of the Swords & Wizardry WhiteBox Rules (free) is now available, with some revisions.

Various Modifications in this printing:
Now includes the saving throw categories (as an alternate, for legal safety reasons, but the numbers are there)
Now includes a closer model of the original XP bonus system (also labeled as "alternate")
An alternate sequence of combat divides the combat round into separate "phases" - this interpretation of CM is very close to Holmes Basic.
Marv's universal attribute bonus is now labeled as an optional system, to clarify that it's not part of the original rules.
Chaos and Law are more integrated as the "default" alignment system, to link up a bit better with the other places where alignments are mentioned (mainly spells).
No neutral clerics, chaotic clerics cannot turn the undead (all as per straight 0e)

This printing essentially adds options that bring it closer to the original, but they don't change anything that's already existing, so there's no reason to re-purchase the book. I have ordered my test copy of the print book from lulu - it is a 6x9 hardback - and once I make sure that they haven't turned the pdf into garbage, I'll put it up for general availability as both hardback and softcover.

The free pdf can be downloaded here


Enjoy!

[Finarvyn]

Looks good in a skim-through.

I believe that "Binding Wounds" (p.30) is a house rule and not in OD&D. Do you want to designate it as such?

As far as the alternate saving throws (p.33), I wonder if there is a way to condense this a little and disguise the fact that it's similar to the original. I have an idea but no time at the moment. I'll post it later today.

Something about the "quick method" ascending AC chart (p.35) looks hinky to me. I'll look at it again later.

Overall, quite nice!

[mythmere]

Feb 4, 2011 5:59:25 GMT -6 Finarvyn said:

Something about the "quick method" ascending AC chart (p.35) looks hinky to me. I'll look at it again later.

Overall, quite nice!

Dang, I hope that chart is good - that's something I didn't change or check. It's straight from the text I got.

[Finarvyn]

It's not the numbers so much as the way it's presented that feels off, I think. I need to get ahold of my books and double-check.

[machfront]

Perhaps it looks 'off' because in previous printings there was a "+" in front of the bonus numbers on the table.

Also, the top portion of the table was 'free-floating' whereas the new table has the top portion 'grayed' as if it's part of the table...if I'm making sense. Well, anyway, you guys can look and see what I mean.

[Finarvyn]

That could be it. Nice catch!

[mythmere]

Ah - THAT was me. Formatting to fit it into the 6x9 page was the reason for taking out the + in each column IIRC. I don't specifically remember doing it, but I do remember having to surrender on the magic-user's to hit table and letting the left hand column break when the level range reached "13-14" or thereabouts. The table just had so many columns it wouldn't fit, and screwing around with margins is a dangerous game if you want lulu to print it correctly instead of declaring that the pdf is a corrupt file.

[machfront]

Feb 6, 2011 11:01:21 GMT -6 mythmere said:

Formatting to fit it into the 6x9 page was the reason for taking out the + in each column IIRC.

I'm confused. The table with the pluses was in the printings that were formatted for 6x9.