I notice a lot of love for AD&D and later editions and I don't see B/X mentioned that often, which comes as a bit of a surprise. In the OSR, we see many successful games derived from B/X (Lamentations of the Flame Princess, ACKS, Labyrinth Lord) rather then AD&D 1st edition. This is a post meant to exalt this paragon of all-DnD's as the greatest in not simply the OSR, but the entire universe. Each of you is allowed to share his fondest memory of having touched, seen or heard about B/X that all of us may bask in the collective self-gratification of liking it the best. The one I use for convenience sake to illustrate the self-evident supremacy of its every letter is the Rules Cyclopedia Edition from 1998.
It is an edition that is certainly not without its flaws; Platemail is still a paltry 50 gp, an immersion breaking remnant from pre-AD&D days, the equipment list as a whole misses many worthwhile additions that would appear in later editions like Caltrops, Tents or Wardogs. Spellcasting does not have the many breaks and caveats of the Advanced Editions, meaning that high level mages are well and truly broken, throwing uncapped d6 per level fireballs or half that number of magic missiles, resurrection is 1 con no questions no takebacksees and its bestiary omits many classic monsters like the Nilbog, Flumph or Adherer. I don't think they even cover non-magical healing in the Cyclopedia other then by using the healing skill, and the skill system is clearly a placeholder for something better, but for a rough outline it will serve.
In return we get a system that is almost perfect in the light-weight category, a fine introduction to Oldschool gaming, easily picked up without foreknowledge of all but the basics, yet complex enough to make for many sessions of gameplay. The cumbersome race/class dichotomy is replaced with the four classic archetypes and 3 demihuman classes, fully archetypal and all the more distinct for it. A fine selection of weaponry is available, with many funky weapons like the Net, Whip, Blowgun or Bola in case the DM is feeling funky. Combat rules are easily applied, allowing one to run 10 min turns that take 10 seconds of in-game time, but have many interesting caveats like a round to switch to any weapon (except a dagger), a penalty for attacking with polearms from range, rules for Disengaging from Melee and two-weapon fighting rules that are optional and (arguably) broken.
The Bestiary is nice and firm, containing all the essential monsters (Vampire, Orc, Troll, Beholder, Dragon etc. etc.) as well as some interesting additions like the Mechanoid, Thool (a rare carryover from 0e I believe) or the Nightshade. Encounter and morale rules are essentially identical to AD&D, and that's excellent since all of those things worked pretty well.
But we have not talked of the unique features of this wonderful game. Fully mapped out path leading all the way up to level 36 and playable (hmmmnh...) Immortal rules? Check! Domain management rules along with monthly income/upkeep/xp gain fully integrated into the level progression? Check! Abstracted turn long battle system with single dice-roll resolution? Check! Barebones Siege warfare rules? Oh yes!
The library of support for B/X is considerable and contains many unforgettable classics; Keep on the Borderlands, Castle Amber, Isle of Dread, Temple of the Frog, Master of the Desert Nomads! Combine this with some A-tier stuff coming out now; Chronicles of Ahmerth, Hill Cantons, Wormskin, M.Greis and the enigmatic Unbalanced Dice Games. In summary: If there is branch of the OSR alive and well it is B/X!
All other games are for poopyheads! Death to all who oppose us!
It is an edition that is certainly not without its flaws; Platemail is still a paltry 50 gp, an immersion breaking remnant from pre-AD&D days, the equipment list as a whole misses many worthwhile additions that would appear in later editions like Caltrops, Tents or Wardogs. Spellcasting does not have the many breaks and caveats of the Advanced Editions, meaning that high level mages are well and truly broken, throwing uncapped d6 per level fireballs or half that number of magic missiles, resurrection is 1 con no questions no takebacksees and its bestiary omits many classic monsters like the Nilbog, Flumph or Adherer. I don't think they even cover non-magical healing in the Cyclopedia other then by using the healing skill, and the skill system is clearly a placeholder for something better, but for a rough outline it will serve.
In return we get a system that is almost perfect in the light-weight category, a fine introduction to Oldschool gaming, easily picked up without foreknowledge of all but the basics, yet complex enough to make for many sessions of gameplay. The cumbersome race/class dichotomy is replaced with the four classic archetypes and 3 demihuman classes, fully archetypal and all the more distinct for it. A fine selection of weaponry is available, with many funky weapons like the Net, Whip, Blowgun or Bola in case the DM is feeling funky. Combat rules are easily applied, allowing one to run 10 min turns that take 10 seconds of in-game time, but have many interesting caveats like a round to switch to any weapon (except a dagger), a penalty for attacking with polearms from range, rules for Disengaging from Melee and two-weapon fighting rules that are optional and (arguably) broken.
The Bestiary is nice and firm, containing all the essential monsters (Vampire, Orc, Troll, Beholder, Dragon etc. etc.) as well as some interesting additions like the Mechanoid, Thool (a rare carryover from 0e I believe) or the Nightshade. Encounter and morale rules are essentially identical to AD&D, and that's excellent since all of those things worked pretty well.
But we have not talked of the unique features of this wonderful game. Fully mapped out path leading all the way up to level 36 and playable (hmmmnh...) Immortal rules? Check! Domain management rules along with monthly income/upkeep/xp gain fully integrated into the level progression? Check! Abstracted turn long battle system with single dice-roll resolution? Check! Barebones Siege warfare rules? Oh yes!
The library of support for B/X is considerable and contains many unforgettable classics; Keep on the Borderlands, Castle Amber, Isle of Dread, Temple of the Frog, Master of the Desert Nomads! Combine this with some A-tier stuff coming out now; Chronicles of Ahmerth, Hill Cantons, Wormskin, M.Greis and the enigmatic Unbalanced Dice Games. In summary: If there is branch of the OSR alive and well it is B/X!
All other games are for poopyheads! Death to all who oppose us!
