awesome. i still love this ruleset, perhaps nostalgia for us greybeards, but i think there is something to the gygaxian prose, etc. As for actual rules, I don't think any of us old timers actually ran it rules as written. Ive got my guys running through BFRPG right now, and we did a one off of Red Book (Moldvay) Basic D&D. The old school style is so wild, open, and deadly....they love this old style. We've had guys die from poisonous snakes, orcs, etc. it is a helluva accomplishment to reach 2nd level! Perhaps this is why people become so attached to these humble OSR style characters. Anyhow, enjoyed your take on this great game, Keep up the fun and love the videos!
I really enjoyed this video hearing what happened remind me of some of my early adventures when I started gaming in AD&D all those years ago. I especially had to smile when you talked about pouring potions down an unconscious characters; I can remember not only having my character doing that and even having potions poured down my character’s throat.
the low hp thing really makes the players be a lot more cautious and even run away on occasion. Aside from the increased likelihood of a tpk this did make players do more scouting and come up with creative ways around problems
Thinking about you mentioning the trampling was a great idea and it reminded me of another set of rules we used back in the day was the difference between lethal and non-lethal damage. You could declare you were using the flat of the blade to deal non-lethal damage which also applied to brawls etc. You would still be doing normal damage but it would only be temporary hp loss of what you currently had. If you got to 0 then you would be knocked unconscious. I can't remember temp hp recovery exactly but it may have been 1d4 every 2 hours of rest
I'd love to hear more updates on this. Especially if there's some kind of back and forth pranks and revenge thing going on between Mr. Hummingbird and the bearded latrine.
Thank you. I made this channel as a way to fill the void that was left when I moved away from my gaming group. I always try to make a video the same way I would talk gaming to someone right in front of me.
1st lvl of 1st edition DD was brutal. It was kill kill kill .. die. In the day, each player ran 3 or 4 characters, and at least half of them would die after the first 3 or 4 encounters. After which they withdrew from the hazardous area's to recruit more members, and repeat ... back in the days.. ".. the gnoll hits your dwarf thief for 6 damage.. he's dead."
This is great. I love that 1st ed AD&D is getting some play. Sounds like fun, I hope the Goblins give out some additional XP; making them 1HD is pretty rough, considering their numbers. I am intrigued about what you house-ruled and what you left in. I like your style. Thanks for sharing.
I highly suggest, when you start at 1st level again, to have your players make more then one character and give them hirelings that you RP and they play. Basic states is all that's needed for the hirelings (HP, AC, Saves, THAC0 and Damage). Doing it this way allows you to meat grind the party and make it waaaaaay more dangerous. it's a lot of fun watching your party struggle through their first dungeon knowing that death is right around the corner plus the rewards at the end feel more earned.
Another great story, thanks. Definitely houseruled, or there two 'unconscious' characters would have been deader than dead. (I've seen 1st level Fighters get killed by a Goblin with the first attack in the first round of combat.) And there are other obvious changes. How are you doing treasure? In 1E most of the character's Experience Points should come from accumulating gold, not fighting. And what happens when you get a TPK? Odds are it will happen sooner or later, unless they remain as incredibly lucky as they have been. But yes, please, let us know how things progress.
I assign XP values to each monster they fight similar to the Rules Cyclopedia or 2nd Edition AD&D. I also give XP's for any treasure they find, but I don't award XP for gold found on the bodies of monsters they defeat. The found treasure is also often hidden so the players need to specify what they are doing to look for it. In the battle with the group of Goblins I had it so the potions and other treasure was hidden away in the goblin "barracks" with a few gold pieces hidden between furs or inside straw that made up the goblin beds. I generally try to avoid TPK's by allowing fleeing PC's to get away (unless they do something stupid like run deeper into the dungeon). Another of my house rules is that PC's knocked to exactly 0 HP are knock unconscious but are considered stable, and might consider having the unconscious character taken away by the monsters to either hold prisoner, or kept for a later meal and then giving them the chance to escape. Intelligent monsters might stabilize dying characters to keep them prisoner as well. Not saying a TPK can't happen, but I do want to prevent it as best as possible.
1st edition has a high risk aspect to it. It's not just because players are gaming high risk encounters. It's very easy for the DM to not risk-check. Some DM's suggest 1 hit-die is too weak, vs some characters (esp fighters, Rangers, Cavaliers, or Barbs). There is that. I've also seen the odd DM "attack boost" even a few monsters. Adding multiple extra short-bow attacks, for (normally) weak monsters seriously changes both the stats and XP / difficulty for a given encounter. I've seriously toughened up, odd encounters, esp vs Magic users armed with Sleep Spells. Not often, but I did do it. Usually some player gets 'attitude' or cocky. I usually resort to adding in high-resist Monsters or turn-coat evil elves. Another trick is to add in 20 peasants. ("tax collectors"). High Social rank Cavs and snobs usually get a few real good kicks in the head. A Sleep spell will not remove them all. Better role-players can control the "in character ego". Snarky or "attitude" nobles (PC or otherwise) need occasional testing for humility or showing respect. Even if it's peasants.
shouldn't the humming bird have been unconscious? Either way you always make healing potions blue in colour. Lol, sounds like it would have been a blast
They hear role playing and collaborative story telling and they nearly wet themselves at being able to improv at will, and after playing it they're hooked because 5e caters to their worst traits. But it's always been a dirty little secret that hollywood loves D&D and always has. Vin Diesel... yeah that guy, Chronicles of Riddick. Yeah him. Riddick is based on one of his D&D characters and VD has been as HUGE D&D nerd for ages, played paladins, and assassins in 1e along with pure fighters and mages, full range of characters. Likewise Will Wheaton said that the Trek actors back in Next generation had a regular game going. It's been freaking everywhere in hw, they just never felt safe talking about it. But 5e is like crack for actors, It lets them play nigh unkillable characters (death save 3 times, self healing, full heal after resting a DAY? could it be more unreasonably slanted?) and they get to be whatever character they want to steal as much spotlight as possible. It's a massive ego thing for them. Every party I've ever ran in 1e has been a team and everyone works together. It's like a collection of Indiana jones' working collaberatively. It's a very different game than 5e through 3e. I genuinely think it's a better edition too. I'd suggest taking a 5e party into a new campaign and assign their characters some grizzled old adventurer to help "train" them how to fight together, how to work as a team, how to use the more open system where there's no such thing as a perception or investigation or intimidate roll and just role play what they do.
awesome. i still love this ruleset, perhaps nostalgia for us greybeards, but i think there is something to the gygaxian prose, etc. As for actual rules, I don't think any of us old timers actually ran it rules as written. Ive got my guys running through BFRPG right now, and we did a one off of Red Book (Moldvay) Basic D&D. The old school style is so wild, open, and deadly....they love this old style. We've had guys die from poisonous snakes, orcs, etc. it is a helluva accomplishment to reach 2nd level! Perhaps this is why people become so attached to these humble OSR style characters. Anyhow, enjoyed your take on this great game, Keep up the fun and love the videos!
I started with this edition back in 1979, best version in mho.....dusting off the books and thinking about jumping back in again
I really enjoyed this video hearing what happened remind me of some of my early adventures when I started gaming in AD&D all those years ago. I especially had to smile when you talked about pouring potions down an unconscious characters; I can remember not only having my character doing that and even having potions poured down my character’s throat.
the low hp thing really makes the players be a lot more cautious and even run away on occasion. Aside from the increased likelihood of a tpk this did make players do more scouting and come up with creative ways around problems
Thinking about you mentioning the trampling was a great idea and it reminded me of another set of rules we used back in the day was the difference between lethal and non-lethal damage. You could declare you were using the flat of the blade to deal non-lethal damage which also applied to brawls etc. You would still be doing normal damage but it would only be temporary hp loss of what you currently had. If you got to 0 then you would be knocked unconscious. I can't remember temp hp recovery exactly but it may have been 1d4 every 2 hours of rest
I'd love to hear more updates on this. Especially if there's some kind of back and forth pranks and revenge thing going on between Mr. Hummingbird and the bearded latrine.
I enjoy your way of storytelling. Very laid back. Subbed
Thank you. I made this channel as a way to fill the void that was left when I moved away from my gaming group. I always try to make a video the same way I would talk gaming to someone right in front of me.
the basic set with the keep on the borderlands , and the advanced set with the water adventure should be on the list , fond memories lol
I definitely want to hear more. This sounds like a great campaign.
More more more! I cut my teeth on 1st edition way back in my wee years. And would love to hear more. Great stuff.
1st lvl of 1st edition DD was brutal. It was kill kill kill .. die. In the day, each player ran 3 or 4 characters, and at least half of them would die after the first 3 or 4 encounters. After which they withdrew from the hazardous area's to recruit more members, and repeat ... back in the days.. ".. the gnoll hits your dwarf thief for 6 damage.. he's dead."
This is great. I love that 1st ed AD&D is getting some play. Sounds like fun, I hope the Goblins give out some additional XP; making them 1HD is pretty rough, considering their numbers.
I am intrigued about what you house-ruled and what you left in.
I like your style.
Thanks for sharing.
2.5?
I highly suggest, when you start at 1st level again, to have your players make more then one character and give them hirelings that you RP and they play. Basic states is all that's needed for the hirelings (HP, AC, Saves, THAC0 and Damage). Doing it this way allows you to meat grind the party and make it waaaaaay more dangerous. it's a lot of fun watching your party struggle through their first dungeon knowing that death is right around the corner plus the rewards at the end feel more earned.
Man this brings me back boy.
Another great story, thanks. Definitely houseruled, or there two 'unconscious' characters would have been deader than dead. (I've seen 1st level Fighters get killed by a Goblin with the first attack in the first round of combat.) And there are other obvious changes.
How are you doing treasure? In 1E most of the character's Experience Points should come from accumulating gold, not fighting. And what happens when you get a TPK? Odds are it will happen sooner or later, unless they remain as incredibly lucky as they have been.
But yes, please, let us know how things progress.
I assign XP values to each monster they fight similar to the Rules Cyclopedia or 2nd Edition AD&D. I also give XP's for any treasure they find, but I don't award XP for gold found on the bodies of monsters they defeat. The found treasure is also often hidden so the players need to specify what they are doing to look for it. In the battle with the group of Goblins I had it so the potions and other treasure was hidden away in the goblin "barracks" with a few gold pieces hidden between furs or inside straw that made up the goblin beds.
I generally try to avoid TPK's by allowing fleeing PC's to get away (unless they do something stupid like run deeper into the dungeon). Another of my house rules is that PC's knocked to exactly 0 HP are knock unconscious but are considered stable, and might consider having the unconscious character taken away by the monsters to either hold prisoner, or kept for a later meal and then giving them the chance to escape. Intelligent monsters might stabilize dying characters to keep them prisoner as well. Not saying a TPK can't happen, but I do want to prevent it as best as possible.
Good houserules, we eventually used things like them ourselves. Well, no one ever said the treasure had to be easy to find. :)
1st edition has a high risk aspect to it. It's not just because players are gaming high risk encounters. It's very easy for the DM to not risk-check. Some DM's suggest 1 hit-die is too weak, vs some characters (esp fighters, Rangers, Cavaliers, or Barbs). There is that. I've also seen the odd DM "attack boost" even a few monsters. Adding multiple extra short-bow attacks, for (normally) weak monsters seriously changes both the stats and XP / difficulty for a given encounter. I've seriously toughened up, odd encounters, esp vs Magic users armed with Sleep Spells. Not often, but I did do it. Usually some player gets 'attitude' or cocky. I usually resort to adding in high-resist Monsters or turn-coat evil elves. Another trick is to add in 20 peasants. ("tax collectors"). High Social rank Cavs and snobs usually get a few real good kicks in the head. A Sleep spell will not remove them all. Better role-players can control the "in character ego". Snarky or "attitude" nobles (PC or otherwise) need occasional testing for humility or showing respect. Even if it's peasants.
Sounds like a good time had by all! Great map (I paused it,.. ;P), keep the stories coming.
I have a (mini) campaign starting up on Roll 20. 3 players + 3 almost players (if they get their character sheets done).
plus I have 99% of the encounters done. A fair idea what I need. The last encounter is somewhat sketchy.
Also you don't get continuous of spells for spell casters. No Cantrips. =)
Never got that book. There were only so many books I could get at about 15. =)
shouldn't the humming bird have been unconscious? Either way you always make healing potions blue in colour. Lol, sounds like it would have been a blast
I gave him 1 HP back because I thought it would have been funnier to have the Hummingbird zipping around
aaaah memories......
yay old school
i miss the days of when DnD was for the weirdos and outcasts. now you got half of fucking hollywood playing it.
They hear role playing and collaborative story telling and they nearly wet themselves at being able to improv at will, and after playing it they're hooked because 5e caters to their worst traits. But it's always been a dirty little secret that hollywood loves D&D and always has. Vin Diesel... yeah that guy, Chronicles of Riddick. Yeah him. Riddick is based on one of his D&D characters and VD has been as HUGE D&D nerd for ages, played paladins, and assassins in 1e along with pure fighters and mages, full range of characters. Likewise Will Wheaton said that the Trek actors back in Next generation had a regular game going. It's been freaking everywhere in hw, they just never felt safe talking about it. But 5e is like crack for actors, It lets them play nigh unkillable characters (death save 3 times, self healing, full heal after resting a DAY? could it be more unreasonably slanted?) and they get to be whatever character they want to steal as much spotlight as possible. It's a massive ego thing for them. Every party I've ever ran in 1e has been a team and everyone works together. It's like a collection of Indiana jones' working collaberatively. It's a very different game than 5e through 3e. I genuinely think it's a better edition too. I'd suggest taking a 5e party into a new campaign and assign their characters some grizzled old adventurer to help "train" them how to fight together, how to work as a team, how to use the more open system where there's no such thing as a perception or investigation or intimidate roll and just role play what they do.