Coming Home - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Coming Home

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
bevisiscariot
Mar 11, 2007 17:16:53 Hello all. After trying for years to get a good, fun, flexible, balanced game out of 3.0/3.5, I have returned to the game I know and love:AD&D. A couple weeks ago (after yet another fruitless debate over how to "fix" 3.5) my group and I rolled up some new AD&D characters and set off for the Caves of Chaos -- and just like that, we were having a good time again (aside: thank the gods I didn't sell my old books and boxed sets, as someone once suggested). The only problem is . . . I'm a little rusty. And I feel like some of the bad habits we developed playing 3.5 have kind of carried over a little. Maybe (hopefully) this will go away with time, as more and more of the concepts and mechanics come back to me (I started playing AD&D in 1989, and stayed with it all the way up to the release of 3.0, with a few breaks in between, so most of it is still with me). Anybody have any pointers -- simple things to keep in mind to keep the game running smootly, etc.? Oh, and am I right in thinking that monsters in AD&D make their saves as if they were fighters of a level equal to their HD? I think I remember that that's how it worked but, like I said, I'm still a little sketchy about some things.
#2
varl
Mar 11, 2007 19:37:17
Hello all. After trying for years to get a good, fun, flexible, balanced game out of 3.0/3.5, I have returned to the game I know and love:AD&D.

Welcome back!

Anybody have any pointers -- simple things to keep in mind to keep the game running smootly, etc.?

Just re-read the books. That should re-familiarize you with how things work in AD&D. ACs, saves, and combat are pretty much the major things you'll have to get used to again.

Oh, and am I right in thinking that monsters in AD&D make their saves as if they were fighters of a level equal to their HD? I think I remember that that's how it worked but, like I said, I'm still a little sketchy about some things.

Yes.
#3
bevisiscariot
Mar 11, 2007 20:34:41 Thanks for verifying that (monster saves) for me. I'm in the process of rereading all the books now (I love those early illustrations -- especially the Erol Otus stuff). Thanks for the feedback.
#4
robertfisher
Mar 12, 2007 11:20:08
(aside: thank the gods I didn't sell my old books and boxed sets, as someone once suggested)

I don't ever sell RPG stuff. I find almost all of it useful or inspirational, even if I never actually "play" it.

&, yeah, it's nice to still have something when--years later--you realize you want to give it a shot again.
#5
horemheb442
Mar 13, 2007 0:28:12 Definitely, welcome back. Some of us never left but if enough of us come back and those who still play AD&D make their voices heard, WotC will actually re-release all that great old stuff like there is a petition to do. Enjoy!

PS) I'm also working on a team effort OOP style adventure elsewhere here. Come on by.
#6
Higmorton
Mar 19, 2007 17:14:46 Welcome, Back!

I find myself enjoying 2nd ed. much better myself.

If I can find a sight to post some of the items and kits that I came up with over the years. I am sure others would enjoy them as well.

I played 2nd ed. AD&D over the old BBS lines, and posted gaming ideas. It would be nice to see the older material come out again so I can start brainstorming.
#7
ozbirthrightfan
Mar 20, 2007 3:07:53
Oh, and am I right in thinking that monsters in AD&D make their saves as if they were fighters of a level equal to their HD? I think I remember that that's how it worked but, like I said, I'm still a little sketchy about some things.

Generally, yes. If it is a magic-using creature (eg. a hag), you might decide to use a save as a wizard of the creature's hit dice instead.
#8
bevisiscariot
Mar 20, 2007 20:49:25 Another reason I'm glad to be back in the old school arena: this OP forum is 100 times more civilized than the rest of these boards. I see cooperative stuff, advice and general good will here -- and a good dose of creativity, too -- unlike the flaming and bashing that goes on elsewhere. Thanks for that.
#9
zombiegleemax
Mar 28, 2007 7:05:43 What were some of the habits that you did not like that were developed in 3.5?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 bevisiscariot Mar 11, 2007 17:16:53	Hello all. After trying for years to get a good, fun, flexible, balanced game out of 3.0/3.5, I have returned to the game I know and love:AD&D. A couple weeks ago (after yet another fruitless debate over how to "fix" 3.5) my group and I rolled up some new AD&D characters and set off for the Caves of Chaos -- and just like that, we were having a good time again (aside: thank the gods I didn't sell my old books and boxed sets, as someone once suggested). The only problem is . . . I'm a little rusty. And I feel like some of the bad habits we developed playing 3.5 have kind of carried over a little. Maybe (hopefully) this will go away with time, as more and more of the concepts and mechanics come back to me (I started playing AD&D in 1989, and stayed with it all the way up to the release of 3.0, with a few breaks in between, so most of it is still with me). Anybody have any pointers -- simple things to keep in mind to keep the game running smootly, etc.? Oh, and am I right in thinking that monsters in AD&D make their saves as if they were fighters of a level equal to their HD? I think I remember that that's how it worked but, like I said, I'm still a little sketchy about some things.
#2 varl Mar 11, 2007 19:37:17	Hello all. After trying for years to get a good, fun, flexible, balanced game out of 3.0/3.5, I have returned to the game I know and love:AD&D. Welcome back! Anybody have any pointers -- simple things to keep in mind to keep the game running smootly, etc.? Just re-read the books. That should re-familiarize you with how things work in AD&D. ACs, saves, and combat are pretty much the major things you'll have to get used to again. Oh, and am I right in thinking that monsters in AD&D make their saves as if they were fighters of a level equal to their HD? I think I remember that that's how it worked but, like I said, I'm still a little sketchy about some things. Yes.
#3 bevisiscariot Mar 11, 2007 20:34:41	Thanks for verifying that (monster saves) for me. I'm in the process of rereading all the books now (I love those early illustrations -- especially the Erol Otus stuff). Thanks for the feedback.
#4 robertfisher Mar 12, 2007 11:20:08	(aside: thank the gods I didn't sell my old books and boxed sets, as someone once suggested) I don't ever sell RPG stuff. I find almost all of it useful or inspirational, even if I never actually "play" it. &, yeah, it's nice to still have something when--years later--you realize you want to give it a shot again.
#5 horemheb442 Mar 13, 2007 0:28:12	Definitely, welcome back. Some of us never left but if enough of us come back and those who still play AD&D make their voices heard, WotC will actually re-release all that great old stuff like there is a petition to do. Enjoy! PS) I'm also working on a team effort OOP style adventure elsewhere here. Come on by.
#6 Higmorton Mar 19, 2007 17:14:46	Welcome, Back! I find myself enjoying 2nd ed. much better myself. If I can find a sight to post some of the items and kits that I came up with over the years. I am sure others would enjoy them as well. I played 2nd ed. AD&D over the old BBS lines, and posted gaming ideas. It would be nice to see the older material come out again so I can start brainstorming.
#7 ozbirthrightfan Mar 20, 2007 3:07:53	Oh, and am I right in thinking that monsters in AD&D make their saves as if they were fighters of a level equal to their HD? I think I remember that that's how it worked but, like I said, I'm still a little sketchy about some things. Generally, yes. If it is a magic-using creature (eg. a hag), you might decide to use a save as a wizard of the creature's hit dice instead.
#8 bevisiscariot Mar 20, 2007 20:49:25	Another reason I'm glad to be back in the old school arena: this OP forum is 100 times more civilized than the rest of these boards. I see cooperative stuff, advice and general good will here -- and a good dose of creativity, too -- unlike the flaming and bashing that goes on elsewhere. Thanks for that.
#9 zombiegleemax Mar 28, 2007 7:05:43	What were some of the habits that you did not like that were developed in 3.5?