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Post by bestialwarlust on Aug 29, 2012 9:03:56 GMT -6
As I've finally seen the light that OD&D is the one true D&D ( i joke ...I kid) I'd like to take a peek at some of the original house rules that were used and maybe used across tables.
As you were one of the original players and play testers (testies? hmmm) I'd be interested in hearing what house rules were common between Both Gary and Dave. And what house rules did you incorporate from them?
For your current (if you're currently running one) do you still use the same house rules you've always used or have some changed over time?
I'd be interested in hearing from others that started back with the OD&D rules as to what house rules you've used and what may have evolved.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2012 11:09:23 GMT -6
The Ready Ref Sheet by Judges Guild is a pretty good starting place for someone wanting a look at how game rules were modified during that specific era.
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Koren n'Rhys
Level 6 Magician
Got your mirrorshades?
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Post by Koren n'Rhys on Aug 29, 2012 14:16:40 GMT -6
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Post by bestialwarlust on Aug 29, 2012 14:43:56 GMT -6
Very interesting read thanks!
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Post by havard on Aug 29, 2012 14:52:06 GMT -6
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Post by Finarvyn on Aug 29, 2012 15:05:56 GMT -6
As I've finally seen the light that OD&D is the one true D&D ( i joke ...I kid) Actually, for me it still is the one true D&D.. ;D Historically, Dave and Gary didn't always use the same rules as each other. They also didn't stay with the same rules for themsevles. Both liked to "wing it" rather than being restricted by the rulebook. Gary's house rules linked above, for example, don't date back to the 1970's at all but instead go back maybe a decade or so. Heck, Gary spent a lot of time running non-OD&D for many of his later years. I've run pretty consistent rules for 30+ years. Occasionally I tweak them and with time they have evolved a little, but essentially they haven't changed a lot. (Someday I hope to compile a "how I do it" document.) As long as I can remember, I've used a few house rules probably swiped from EPT or Judges Guild products: - Binding wounds. I allow characters to regain 1d4 hit points after a battle. (They can't regain more than they lost.)
- Wizards and the "zap" spell. Magic-users get an attack similar to using a bow, only it's a magic point-and-fire attack from their hand or staff. Not an automatic hit. One attack per round. I count it as a zero-level cantrip with no need to memorize, no upper limit on how many to cast.
- Double damage on a natural 20, fumble on a natural 1.
- I use a d12 plus dex modifier for initiative. Gives me another reason to use the d12, which is one of my favorite dice.
- I've used an ascending Armor Class number since the early 1980's instead of the OD&D descending model.
- I prefer the B/X stat modifiers, which range from -3 (for a 3) to +3 (for an 18) instead of the OD&D ones.
My newest house rules sets I'm tinkering with have a few evolutions: - I've replaced Fighting Capability with multiple attacks and a "basic attack bonus" instead of a chart. (Recall that one version of the OD&D rules gives an attack per HD versus wimpy monsters or a single attack against supernatural monsters; my system kind of blends this together.
- I've added in spell points instead of total spell numbers. This avoids a lot of the "oops, didn't memorize that spell today" effect.
- I've added in half-levels for more rapid advancement without absurd power inflation. (Then I renumbered them so players don't get confused by being level 3.5 or something like that.
I think I have threads on each of those tweaks, for anyone interested. If not, I can start new ones...  |
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Post by bestialwarlust on Aug 29, 2012 16:13:52 GMT -6
Blasphemer!!  I've gone back and forth with this I can use either. |
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Post by Finarvyn on Aug 29, 2012 18:54:34 GMT -6
Well, I was doing it before it became un-cool. |
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Post by jmccann on Aug 29, 2012 19:58:38 GMT -6
[/li][li]I've used an ascending Armor Class number since the early 1980's instead of the OD&D descending model. [/quote] Buh... buh... My mind is blown! I thought I'd never hear something like that from you! Just kidding! I'd be interested to see more about your long-time house rules. |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2012 22:24:58 GMT -6
As I've finally seen the light that OD&D is the one true D&D ( i joke ...I kid) I'd like to take a peek at some of the original house rules that were used and maybe used across tables. As you were one of the original players and play testers (testies? hmmm) I'd be interested in hearing what house rules were common between Both Gary and Dave. And what house rules did you incorporate from them? For your current (if you're currently running one) do you still use the same house rules you've always used or have some changed over time? I'd be interested in hearing from others that started back with the OD&D rules as to what house rules you've used and what may have evolved. That's pretty much impossible to answer. For one thing I played in Greyhawk mostly BEFORE D&D was ever published. Also, the rules were sort of a minimum framework that you hung a whole rule on. I don't think either did much that directly contravened the LBB but those rules are so sparse that's not saying much. Neither Dave nor Gary ever had any sort of document saying "These are my houserules," either. Although Dave did use the "roll double your normal number of damage dice" if you rolled a natural 20. |
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Aplus
Level 6 Magician
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Post by Aplus on Aug 29, 2012 22:34:13 GMT -6
That's interesting Marv, I think you and I share a lot of the same tastes.  |
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Post by bestialwarlust on Aug 30, 2012 5:16:57 GMT -6
As I've finally seen the light that OD&D is the one true D&D ( i joke ...I kid) I'd like to take a peek at some of the original house rules that were used and maybe used across tables. As you were one of the original players and play testers (testies? hmmm) I'd be interested in hearing what house rules were common between Both Gary and Dave. And what house rules did you incorporate from them? For your current (if you're currently running one) do you still use the same house rules you've always used or have some changed over time? I'd be interested in hearing from others that started back with the OD&D rules as to what house rules you've used and what may have evolved. That's pretty much impossible to answer. For one thing I played in Greyhawk mostly BEFORE D&D was ever published. Also, the rules were sort of a minimum framework that you hung a whole rule on. I don't think either did much that directly contravened the LBB but those rules are so sparse that's not saying much. Neither Dave nor Gary ever had any sort of document saying "These are my houserules," either. Although Dave did use the "roll double your normal number of damage dice" if you rolled a natural 20. Cool thanks for the input. I'm definitely looking forward to your book! |
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Post by bestialwarlust on Aug 30, 2012 5:19:54 GMT -6
I'd be interested to see what you have on this.
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