Which OSR Ruleset…?
Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2024 7:30 pm
What’s your favorite OSR rulset? If more than one, list them in order of preference.
Hyperborea
BLUEHOLME Journeymanne
The Unseen Servant forums
Play by Post RGPs and a nifty dice roller
https://www.unseenservant.us/forum/
Which OSR Ruleset…?
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Re: Which OSR Ruleset…?
Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2024 9:15 pm
Re: Which OSR Ruleset…?
Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2024 9:47 pm
#1/ Old School Essentials - a cleaned up b/x with a free online srd!
#2/ B/X - my fave rulesset - simple, covers the basics, still customizable
#3/Original Dungeons & Dragons (3LBB/0e - usually with a ton of house rules)
I have done 3e, OSRIC, Lamentations of the Flame Princess (early rules), AD&D1e. They're all ok, but not preferred
#2/ B/X - my fave rulesset - simple, covers the basics, still customizable
#3/Original Dungeons & Dragons (3LBB/0e - usually with a ton of house rules)
I have done 3e, OSRIC, Lamentations of the Flame Princess (early rules), AD&D1e. They're all ok, but not preferred
Re: Which OSR Ruleset…?
Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2024 10:02 pm
I wasn't thinking that OSR covers the various D&D versions, just the games based on them in one way or another. If it does include them my list will be longer obviously.
Re: Which OSR Ruleset…?
Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2024 11:17 pm
Let’s see them. I was using OSR as an all encompassing umbrella term for old dnd versions, retro clones and similar.
Re: Which OSR Ruleset…?
Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2024 2:12 am
Each OSR iteration has its own quirks. I consider them different games. YMMV.
Re: Which OSR Ruleset…?
Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2024 4:10 am
the only real problem i have with OSR games are the ones with race as class
Re: Which OSR Ruleset…?
Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2024 7:47 am
I'm not a fan of that mechanic, either.
Re: Which OSR Ruleset…?
Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2024 4:32 pm
Me either. When I play in games with race as class on here I usually just run a human with class. We tried the newer Basic when it came out a couple of times, and then never bothered again. When we were in the mood for something simpler than 1e we just ran Holmes Basic.
Re: Which OSR Ruleset…?
Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2024 1:16 am
OSRIC / 1e for me.
I don't mind race as class as much when playing OD&D - goodness the mortality rate!
But I know I don't like it mainly because I started with 1e and since that ruleset doesn't use race as class, that's likely why it doesn't feel right to me.
I don't mind race as class as much when playing OD&D - goodness the mortality rate!
But I know I don't like it mainly because I started with 1e and since that ruleset doesn't use race as class, that's likely why it doesn't feel right to me.Re: Which OSR Ruleset…?
Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2024 2:21 am
Labyrinth Lord is probably my favorite, but really only because I've spent the most time with it and invested SO much time that I never felt like it would be worth it to diversify because I'm a basic B.
Re: Which OSR Ruleset…?
Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2024 3:48 am
For D&D I am Holmes Basic and 1E. Can play with any rule set, particularly if the theme of the game appeals to me or I like the style of the DM.
Re: Which OSR Ruleset…?
Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2024 8:13 am
so, what are the subtle differences between the OSR rule sets?
Re: Which OSR Ruleset…?
Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2024 1:00 pm
Very broadly and personally speaking, there are:
A handful of sets that are 95-99% faithful recasts of the original editions.
A big middle grouping of near-recasts that incorporate a smattering (or sometimes more) of the designer's preferred houserules.
And a solid grouping of games that take some element of old-school rules design and really go with it.
The games in Group 1 have mostly faded in significance over time since many of them ended up being somewhat interchangeable. The games in Group 2 have had a bit more longevity because they have a stronger design vision to lean on and so folks had more interest in supporting them. The games in Group 3 are probably the most influential and long-lasting: things like DCC, Lamentations of the Flame Princess, etc.
There's also a fourth group of more recent games that I headcanon as "Faux-SR", like Shadowdark, that may be OSR-adjacent but are coming at the central design question from an entirely different direction.
A handful of sets that are 95-99% faithful recasts of the original editions.
A big middle grouping of near-recasts that incorporate a smattering (or sometimes more) of the designer's preferred houserules.
And a solid grouping of games that take some element of old-school rules design and really go with it.
The games in Group 1 have mostly faded in significance over time since many of them ended up being somewhat interchangeable. The games in Group 2 have had a bit more longevity because they have a stronger design vision to lean on and so folks had more interest in supporting them. The games in Group 3 are probably the most influential and long-lasting: things like DCC, Lamentations of the Flame Princess, etc.
There's also a fourth group of more recent games that I headcanon as "Faux-SR", like Shadowdark, that may be OSR-adjacent but are coming at the central design question from an entirely different direction.
Re: Which OSR Ruleset…?
Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2024 1:42 pm
May be the million GP question right there.cybersavant wrote: ↑Mon Feb 19, 2024 8:13 am so, what are the subtle differences between the OSR rule sets?
For me it's a matter of flavor and nostalgia honestly. I like OSRIC because it's a pretty faithful of (mostly pre-UA) AD&D 1e. But it also seems to be a mindset too, even among more than just me. If someone writes a 1e or OSRIC (and OD&D and JG Universal System) module, there's a good chance I'll like it - even though I don't use the system, I'll like and be able to use that module. If it's 1e or OSR "compatible" I've found there's less of a chance than if it's made for Labyrinth Lord or BFRPG <-- folks who write for those systems seem to get the feel of the game I'm looking for. Lesser of a chance, but also better than the OSR average, for me, would be Blueholme, S&W, OSE and DCC.
But again, it certainly is nostalgia for me. I feel like 1e has the right amount of crunch, the only thing I've ever used (rules wise) from Unearthed Arcana, was the weapon specialization and higher level cap limits - both of which are captured in OSRIC. Otherwise UA is good for the monsters, and some spells and magic items. OSRIC also got rid of the right stuff, "Weapons vs AC" I'm looking at you! I don't think this is particularly an answer to the question, but hope it helps a little.
Re: Which OSR Ruleset…?
Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2024 1:53 pm
That's my experience, too--I think the whole idea of "OSR compatibility" encourages (for lack of a better term) lazy design, since folks who use that mold often overlook the ways that specific rules push particular kinds of experiences and so they look at the overlaps as the groundwork for "compatible" adventure design. It's a forest-for-the-trees kind of thing. On some level, it seems fiddly that there should be so much granularity to the experiences people expect from different highly-similar rulesets, but the idiosyncrasy is where the magic happens.rredmond wrote: ↑Mon Feb 19, 2024 1:42 pmMay be the million GP question right there.cybersavant wrote: ↑Mon Feb 19, 2024 8:13 am so, what are the subtle differences between the OSR rule sets?
For me it's a matter of flavor and nostalgia honestly. I like OSRIC because it's a pretty faithful of (mostly pre-UA) AD&D 1e. But it also seems to be a mindset too, even among more than just me. If someone writes a 1e or OSRIC (and OD&D and JG Universal System) module, there's a good chance I'll like it - even though I don't use the system, I'll like and be able to use that module. If it's 1e or OSR "compatible" I've found there's less of a chance than if it's made for Labyrinth Lord or BFRPG <-- folks who write for those systems seem to get the feel of the game I'm looking for. Lesser of a chance, but also better than the OSR average, for me, would be Blueholme, S&W, OSE and DCC.
But again, it certainly is nostalgia for me. I feel like 1e has the right amount of crunch, the only thing I've ever used (rules wise) from Unearthed Arcana, was the weapon specialization and higher level cap limits - both of which are captured in OSRIC. Otherwise UA is good for the monsters, and some spells and magic items. OSRIC also got rid of the right stuff, "Weapons vs AC" I'm looking at you! I don't think this is particularly an answer to the question, but hope it helps a little.
Re: Which OSR Ruleset…?
Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2024 10:59 pm
Wanna know the primary differences?cybersavant wrote: ↑Mon Feb 19, 2024 8:13 am so, what are the subtle differences between the OSR rule sets?
Does the Cleric get a spell at level 1 or not?
Are there 5 saving throw numbers or just 1?
Does the system use race as class, or can you play a Halfling Thief?
Are there any extra systems added into the game (like skills, proficiencies, feats, spell failure, critical hits & fumbles, etc.)?
Which version of D&D is used as the inspiration (OD&D, B/X, AD&D1e, AD&D2e, or some chimerical hybrid)?
These seem to be the main categories of difference to each OSR variation
Re: Which OSR Ruleset…?
Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2024 8:20 am
actually, this is sort of what i'm after - answering questions like this would let me know which systems to invest in.TheMyth wrote: ↑Mon Feb 19, 2024 10:59 pmAre there 5 saving throw numbers or just 1?cybersavant wrote: ↑Mon Feb 19, 2024 8:13 am so, what are the subtle differences between the OSR rule sets?
Does the system use race as class, or can you play a Halfling Thief?
Are there any extra systems added into the game (like skills, proficiencies, feats, spell failure, critical hits & fumbles, etc.)?
Which version of D&D is used as the inspiration (OD&D, B/X, AD&D1e, AD&D2e, or some chimerical hybrid)?
[ plus things like playable races, classes and combos ]
Re: Which OSR Ruleset…?
Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2024 3:46 pm
If you like a strong sword and sorcery feel with just a bit of weird science (aka Conan or Lovecraft) then Hyperborea rpg is the best I have found. Take a look at Ogre Mage's game here for an idea but I can also answer specific questions if it interests you. My table top group has fallen in love with it and are currently using it with 3 different settings. It adapts very easily.
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