Older D&D/AD&D and Other SystemsThe forum for discussions specifically related to the rules and procedures of either any of the older editions of Dungeons & Dragons (1e, 2e, BECMI, OD&D) or any other non-D&D roleplaying rules (Vampire: The Requiem, Dread), including non-fantasy d20 systems (such as Mutants & Masterminds).
That's looking at it through a modern lens. I would phrase it as follows:
Also, keep in mind that the role-play is what primarily differentiated characters. If you had two fighters, for example, they would play very differently, because we are basically testing the problem-solving abilities of the players. That's why you don't need to rely on mechanics to differentiate them.
I don't think we are in disagreement; we're just looking at it from different directions.
Ah, yes. RP is the main force driving the game for me too. I was explicitly pointing out the lack of mechanical variety for the younger lads .
IIRC 1E had quite a power up with UA (which also had that lovely picture of all those pole arms)
Yeah - pole-arms were big in AD&D, well for Gary anyway.
I do recall that I used my 1E monster manuals throughout the 2E period, the systems were that similar. Though there was the embarrassing incident when the part killed Orcus, 66 HP, really ! I should have bumped that.
I also recall that OD&D stopped at level 6, and the spell lists were still quite small.
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π = 4
Consider a 5' radius blast: this affects 4 squares which have a circumference of 40' — Actually it's worse than that.
I also recall that OD&D stopped at level 6, and the spell lists were still quite small.
Sixth for MUs, and 5th for Clerics. They were bumped to the familiar 9th and 7th respectively when the Greyhawk supplement was released. Additional spells were added as well with the supplements.
Given all the pole arms in AD&D, at least some mechanical differentiation could be achieved.
If you were playing battlesystems (a poorly received figurine game that was introduced alongside AD&D, I think first but maybe 2nd ed) pole arms reached two spots. Also in both games someone using a pole arm can attack from behind a barrier (where it's reasonable) and from behind another character.
The Spear Advantage (attacking from behind another character) is actually pretty big for the characters that can take advantage of it.
Edit: oh oh oh! Set to receive charge as well, if you have a pole arm you can set up to do double damage if charged.
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Big Ups to Vrythas for making my Avi!
Given all the pole arms in AD&D, at least some mechanical differentiation could be achieved.
It's worth remembering that D&D's roots are in miniatures gaming. The desired differentiation was in how the figures looked, not what happened with die rolls.
In The Strategic Review #2 (precursor to The Dragon), Gygax had an article on polearms that included a page and a half on how they worked in the middle ages. Gameplay was not mentioned except by references in the second and last paragraphs, mentioning the attached attack table for Chainmail.
Naturally. Polearms tend to have a very nice aesthetic, and given how underrepresented they are everywhere else in fiction somebody had to appreciate them properly and showcase a few of them.
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Fudge Assistant in the Playground.
So if thats as Original d&d what do you call the basic dungeons and dragons box set?
The most active online community that plays that edition refers to it as "classic" D&D, which covers the Holmes B/X boxed sets, the BECMI series of boxed sets, and the rules cyclopedia. The differences between these are almost negligible; you'll find bigger discrepancies within each of these 'editions' due to proof-reading errors.
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Indigo is a much more appropriate colour for sarcasm, don't you think?
Blue is strictly for emphasis.
And grey is kind of like an aside to my main point.
I wrote a song about this once, a very long time ago.
I can't remember much of it, except the chorus line which was
"Gary and his Glaive-Guisarme", repeated a couple of times.
I leave recreating this as an exercise.
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π = 4
Consider a 5' radius blast: this affects 4 squares which have a circumference of 40' — Actually it's worse than that.
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