Dang it.. Al Qadim just looks to fun to miss out on. I've never played anything in that setting. There's a lot to discover there if you dig into the mythology! I love that these books are still out there. Makes me think of Ben Milton's take on "official d&d" vs "folk d&d" which was a great discussion in and of itself. TTRPGs have taught me that there are game design principles and philosophies at work. That makes them so fascinating on every level.
100%, every rule has a reason and even when they are wrong, they were typically designed with purpose. I think that the clunky and misaligned mechanics in older games can actually create a more unique experience in that each resolution mechanic feels different and specific to the task at hand. It isn’t elegant, and it certainly isn’t easier to teach, but it does have a value add of its own.
JK, yeah Legends & Lore really fed my imagination as a kid. So many different settings to explore in one book. I find it just as enjoyable a read today as it was then.
@@booksbricksandboards783 There was two other systems from way back that I loved, the Fight Fantasy system and its world of Titan and the Dragon Warriors series of game books and its world of Legend. There were re-issues a while ago. Worth picking up if you get the chance.
I almost did pick up the Fighting Fantasy reprints a while back, but I believe that was right before I lost my job, and obviously priorities changed a bit 😀.
Heh...2nd Edition Kensai Kit from a Dragon Magazine article....Wonder if that was the one I wrote way back in 1993? If so, still a kick to hear it referenced! Great video...
Tom, how cool to have you comment… I have that Dragon Magazine on my shelf still. Loved that you did kits for all the unloved Oriental Adventure classes after PHBR series left them out. Nice job trying to fit entire classes into the kit format sir! One of my favorite Dragon articles to this day….
I love that you use 1e and 2e/AD&D systems compared to the raw sewage system that whackjobs of the coast have been putting out since 2008 and use the ancient tomes for completely rocking campaigns. Good video.
Not sure what you are responding to Squirrel, I suggested using them in whatever game system you want, including TSR era D&D which is including 2e and 1e AD&D. It is odd to see someone that is so positive about AD&D also so enthusiastic about 3.5, since those are very different systems. Also, I don’t recall talking at all about a “point buy” system, I assume you are referring to Savage Worlds which was one of more than 10 systems I mentioned, sounds like you were commenting on someone else’s video.
@@booksbricksandboards783 I had to edit my initial post. I'm so used to others referencing and using the horrid systems that whackjobs of the coast have been putting out, that I jumped ahead on posting before watching the entire the video. As you can tell, I really do not like what they've done to the D&D name and tabletop in general. Also, the whole point buy system started in 3e. I've always rejected that crutch for poor role playing abilities and turning them into roll playing.
Hey man, totally get it brother. I’m every bit as frustrated with WOTC. I don’t do any WOTC games. At home I play mostly AD&D 2e and Savage Worlds, but also a little Worlds Without Number and getting ready to do some more BECMI. So pretty well old school stuff in my dungeon!
I haven’t thought about this video for a while, I believe I was referring to the bushi when I talked about Yojimbo, and if I wasn’t I should have been! Thanks for watching.
Good video as usual. Very informative. None of these really interest me, though. Too crunchy and not really my genres. But coverage of them is important, and I'm glad you're the guy to do it. As a final note, I would really appreciate it if we could keep culture war nonsense out of our fun hobby videos. You aren't diving in on it like some folks do, but it does seem to be creeping in over the last few videos.
Dean, appreciate your take. Unfortunately, I get the slings and arrows every time I talk about a game that isn’t “approved” by the new Overton window, so it becomes necessary for me to address it on the front end. I’ve had lectures in the comments section provided to me explaining the history of orcs, quite incorrectly and not anything like their origin in Tolkien literature, which is the original inspiration for D&D orcs, among other fun topics… so rather than clutter up my comments section with that nonsense, I’d rather plant a flag and just let folks know that this isn’t the channel that you’ll have any luck with those statements. There isn’t really any “creeping in” I always speak my opinion, sometimes folks won’t agree with it, and there lots of channels that will cater to the crowd that don’t, it just won’t be this one. So again, appreciate your opinion, but my thought process has been the same and will continue on the same trajectory… appreciate those that enjoy the channel, and for those that don’t, plenty of options out there to enjoy without bringing the drama this direction.
@@booksbricksandboards783 I'm sorry to hear that. I will admit that I do not often read the comments section, so I didn't consider that it might be influencing your direction. I just prefer gaming content to stay about gaming and not feel like people are pushing an agenda one way or the other in their videos when it comes to social or political issues.
And I agree with you, which is why I don’t. You have never and will never hear me talk politics on my channel, and I police political discussion in our boards as well… but when it comes to people telling me what games I can talk about, or what I’m allowed to enjoy (clearly not meaning you here), that is a bridge too far. I read every single comment, and consider each one before either responding, or if no positive interaction can be made, deleting said comment and moving on… I’ve also felt compelled to block some users from commenting on the channel at all, due to their “shame” tactics and incredibly misinformed manifestos about the origins of D&D races, or which gaming terms or books are allowable to discuss. So, yeah, I try to be very up front and honest about what this is, so if anyone was offended by my discussing Oriental Adventures, I just wanted to save them and me the trouble to let them know that there are plenty of channels that will cater to that view point, and since this isn’t one of those, better for both sides if they move on, because I’m not moving. That might seem like a rigid stance, but I’ve met and spoken to many of the first players of these books, and some of the actual creators of these books, and for the ones that are recasting them as villains, unfairly and without an opportunity to defend themselves, well I don’t have the ability to stay silent when that happens on this small platform that I have and share with great folks, yourself obviously included in that group. So, again Dean, appreciate your opinion, hope you can understand where mine comes from, and even if it means you don’t continue enjoy my channel, I hope you know I can certainly respect where your standing, and I don’t think that we are standing all that far apart… things just look a little different from my vantage point. Appreciate you sir, good gaming and God bless!
@@booksbricksandboards783 Your reasoned, logical, and kind consideration of all of this reinforces why I am a supporter of this channel. I will continue to be so. Keep putting out great content and I'm here for the long haul. :)
Dean, you get it man… there is nothing more valuable than a friend you can disagree with in a civil manner, because it takes that combination of experience and a desire to understand the other side of an issue to grow as a human being. Appreciate you man.
Actually that is not what oriental means, it means “from the east”, there are several eastern cultures that served as inspiration for the basis for Oriental Adventures, just as there were several different European cultures that served as the basis for traditional D&D. If you are going to make an insulting post, please at least be accurate. (Edit: I misread Tombraider’s intent, see my follow up response below)
@@booksbricksandboards783 Indeed, my point wasn't made clear, sorry. At 2:56 you mentioned a critique against the book, was that it didn't accurately portray any one culture. My point being Oriental doesn't imply a single culture, as you pointed out it just means Eastern. I was attempting to say that anyone upset about it not accurately portraying just Japanese or just any one of the many eastern cultures, that was an uninformed critique of the book on their part. Your review was spot on.
Tomb raider, I apologize I misinterpreted your response. It looked a lot like the criticisms I’ve received from the video and my read was likely flavored by those other responses! Have a great day!
AD&D 1st Edition Oriental Adventures is probably my favorite AD&D 1st Edition books. So well done, good review.
It’s the first non core book I ever owned, and unfortunately set the bar for my expectations very high… lol
Wow, this is a cool setting!
Keeping it in mind
Thanks for watching.
@@booksbricksandboards783 you're welcome
Dang it.. Al Qadim just looks to fun to miss out on. I've never played anything in that setting. There's a lot to discover there if you dig into the mythology! I love that these books are still out there. Makes me think of Ben Milton's take on "official d&d" vs "folk d&d" which was a great discussion in and of itself. TTRPGs have taught me that there are game design principles and philosophies at work. That makes them so fascinating on every level.
100%, every rule has a reason and even when they are wrong, they were typically designed with purpose. I think that the clunky and misaligned mechanics in older games can actually create a more unique experience in that each resolution mechanic feels different and specific to the task at hand. It isn’t elegant, and it certainly isn’t easier to teach, but it does have a value add of its own.
Save Ferris, the original vote Pedro t-shirt. Classic. So happy these books are still knocking around. L&L is a particular favourite of mine.
JK, yeah Legends & Lore really fed my imagination as a kid. So many different settings to explore in one book. I find it just as enjoyable a read today as it was then.
@@booksbricksandboards783 There was two other systems from way back that I loved, the Fight Fantasy system and its world of Titan and the Dragon Warriors series of game books and its world of Legend. There were re-issues a while ago. Worth picking up if you get the chance.
I almost did pick up the Fighting Fantasy reprints a while back, but I believe that was right before I lost my job, and obviously priorities changed a bit 😀.
Heh...2nd Edition Kensai Kit from a Dragon Magazine article....Wonder if that was the one I wrote way back in 1993? If so, still a kick to hear it referenced! Great video...
Tom, how cool to have you comment… I have that Dragon Magazine on my shelf still. Loved that you did kits for all the unloved Oriental Adventure classes after PHBR series left them out. Nice job trying to fit entire classes into the kit format sir! One of my favorite Dragon articles to this day….
So much inspiration in those Old Forbidding Tomes!
Yes sir!
Ninjas and the 80's. Name a finer pair.
Jean Claude Van Damme and Canon Films? Only thing I have that comes close.
Cool! I somehow managed to miss all of these.
Well now you know! Thank Paavo!
@@booksbricksandboards783 Yeah! Thanks!
@@paavohirn3728 welcome
I love that you use 1e and 2e/AD&D systems compared to the raw sewage system that whackjobs of the coast have been putting out since 2008 and use the ancient tomes for completely rocking campaigns.
Good video.
Not sure what you are responding to Squirrel, I suggested using them in whatever game system you want, including TSR era D&D which is including 2e and 1e AD&D. It is odd to see someone that is so positive about AD&D also so enthusiastic about 3.5, since those are very different systems. Also, I don’t recall talking at all about a “point buy” system, I assume you are referring to Savage Worlds which was one of more than 10 systems I mentioned, sounds like you were commenting on someone else’s video.
@@booksbricksandboards783 I had to edit my initial post. I'm so used to others referencing and using the horrid systems that whackjobs of the coast have been putting out, that I jumped ahead on posting before watching the entire the video. As you can tell, I really do not like what they've done to the D&D name and tabletop in general.
Also, the whole point buy system started in 3e. I've always rejected that crutch for poor role playing abilities and turning them into roll playing.
Hey man, totally get it brother. I’m every bit as frustrated with WOTC. I don’t do any WOTC games. At home I play mostly AD&D 2e and Savage Worlds, but also a little Worlds Without Number and getting ready to do some more BECMI. So pretty well old school stuff in my dungeon!
I think the sword saint comes more from Seven Samurai and less from Yojimbo.
I haven’t thought about this video for a while, I believe I was referring to the bushi when I talked about Yojimbo, and if I wasn’t I should have been! Thanks for watching.
Good video as usual. Very informative. None of these really interest me, though. Too crunchy and not really my genres.
But coverage of them is important, and I'm glad you're the guy to do it.
As a final note, I would really appreciate it if we could keep culture war nonsense out of our fun hobby videos. You aren't diving in on it like some folks do, but it does seem to be creeping in over the last few videos.
Dean, appreciate your take. Unfortunately, I get the slings and arrows every time I talk about a game that isn’t “approved” by the new Overton window, so it becomes necessary for me to address it on the front end. I’ve had lectures in the comments section provided to me explaining the history of orcs, quite incorrectly and not anything like their origin in Tolkien literature, which is the original inspiration for D&D orcs, among other fun topics… so rather than clutter up my comments section with that nonsense, I’d rather plant a flag and just let folks know that this isn’t the channel that you’ll have any luck with those statements. There isn’t really any “creeping in” I always speak my opinion, sometimes folks won’t agree with it, and there lots of channels that will cater to the crowd that don’t, it just won’t be this one. So again, appreciate your opinion, but my thought process has been the same and will continue on the same trajectory… appreciate those that enjoy the channel, and for those that don’t, plenty of options out there to enjoy without bringing the drama this direction.
@@booksbricksandboards783 I'm sorry to hear that. I will admit that I do not often read the comments section, so I didn't consider that it might be influencing your direction.
I just prefer gaming content to stay about gaming and not feel like people are pushing an agenda one way or the other in their videos when it comes to social or political issues.
And I agree with you, which is why I don’t. You have never and will never hear me talk politics on my channel, and I police political discussion in our boards as well… but when it comes to people telling me what games I can talk about, or what I’m allowed to enjoy (clearly not meaning you here), that is a bridge too far. I read every single comment, and consider each one before either responding, or if no positive interaction can be made, deleting said comment and moving on… I’ve also felt compelled to block some users from commenting on the channel at all, due to their “shame” tactics and incredibly misinformed manifestos about the origins of D&D races, or which gaming terms or books are allowable to discuss. So, yeah, I try to be very up front and honest about what this is, so if anyone was offended by my discussing Oriental Adventures, I just wanted to save them and me the trouble to let them know that there are plenty of channels that will cater to that view point, and since this isn’t one of those, better for both sides if they move on, because I’m not moving. That might seem like a rigid stance, but I’ve met and spoken to many of the first players of these books, and some of the actual creators of these books, and for the ones that are recasting them as villains, unfairly and without an opportunity to defend themselves, well I don’t have the ability to stay silent when that happens on this small platform that I have and share with great folks, yourself obviously included in that group. So, again Dean, appreciate your opinion, hope you can understand where mine comes from, and even if it means you don’t continue enjoy my channel, I hope you know I can certainly respect where your standing, and I don’t think that we are standing all that far apart… things just look a little different from my vantage point. Appreciate you sir, good gaming and God bless!
@@booksbricksandboards783 Your reasoned, logical, and kind consideration of all of this reinforces why I am a supporter of this channel. I will continue to be so.
Keep putting out great content and I'm here for the long haul. :)
Dean, you get it man… there is nothing more valuable than a friend you can disagree with in a civil manner, because it takes that combination of experience and a desire to understand the other side of an issue to grow as a human being. Appreciate you man.
What? Oriental Adventures isn't set in a specific culture? Isn't that what Oriental means? What a uninformed critique that is.
Actually that is not what oriental means, it means “from the east”, there are several eastern cultures that served as inspiration for the basis for Oriental Adventures, just as there were several different European cultures that served as the basis for traditional D&D. If you are going to make an insulting post, please at least be accurate. (Edit: I misread Tombraider’s intent, see my follow up response below)
@@booksbricksandboards783 Indeed, my point wasn't made clear, sorry. At 2:56 you mentioned a critique against the book, was that it didn't accurately portray any one culture. My point being Oriental doesn't imply a single culture, as you pointed out it just means Eastern. I was attempting to say that anyone upset about it not accurately portraying just Japanese or just any one of the many eastern cultures, that was an uninformed critique of the book on their part. Your review was spot on.
Tomb raider, I apologize I misinterpreted your response. It looked a lot like the criticisms I’ve received from the video and my read was likely flavored by those other responses! Have a great day!
Let me find a diferent channel o/
Definitely your choice, hope you find one you enjoy.