tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549940298295825812.post6718887612820423583..comments2024-03-15T02:22:44.898-06:00Comments on Classic RPG Realms: Is AD&D Combat Any Easier?Sizzaxehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13715649618278080709noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549940298295825812.post-17705310373341696592015-07-04T07:23:42.345-06:002015-07-04T07:23:42.345-06:00The most popular post at my AD&D rules page (T...The most popular post at my AD&D rules page (THACO DRAGON) is titled, "Set Up and Play D&D in One Hour: The Advantage of the Old BASIC Rules Game"<br /><br />http://thacodragon.blogspot.com.au/p/play-d.html<br /><br />I wrote on the post that for novice groups it is very easy to run a BECMI game. <br /><br />Our group played the BECMI game first for many years and then converted to AD&D (2nd ed.) - for more complexity. When playing AD&D we initially (and often) used first Edition Modules, like The Temple of Elemental Evil, and used encounters out of the 1st Edition Book of Lairs. For our group there was no fixed line between either edition of AD&D.<br /><br />We also ended up playing 1st Edition Forgotten Realms modules like Pools of Radiance in a separate campaign, again with 2nd Edition characters. We could have chosen 1st edition PCs if push came to shove, but after switching from BECMI we where happy with the 2nd Edition options. <br /><br />Anyway, even though we were playing AD&D we still made new (to RPG) players go over the BASIC Rules: Players Handbook (BECMI) because you could more easily see the composition of the game in terms of core character classes, weapons, AC, hit tables etc. <br /><br />My view is that if the system becomes too complex it becomes more difficult for new people to get set up and therefore hinders them becoming actively involved in the story telling side of the equation. If there are too many things to remember when running combat (like a myriad of special moves) young players, the 'less nerdy', or inexperienced players can become confused or feel sidelined.<br /><br />My old group liked to run things on-the-fly, so not having a specific rule, or special move, was not important. We could usually work things out. The DM estimated how hard something might be. We would make the character make a dexterity check, or strength check, with varying levels of penalties. We would guess how many rounds of archery fire could be engaged before the charging Ogres got to melee range. Sometimes actions were ruled as not being possible due to the circumstance (like none of the PCs could move a wedged boulder). <br /><br />One AD&D character I had was a Ranger called Rab. Usually my combat moves with this character were pretty straightforward. However, on one occasion whilst on horseback, our small low-level (3rd) party (Ranger in Studded Leather/Cleric in Chainmail/Thief) encountered two armoured Knights on horseback who charged us with their Lances. Rather than run we stood our ground. The Knights were searching for our party, and we considered they were elite soldiers of the same level as we were.<br /><br />The Cleric cast Hold Person on one Knight that worked while I decided, on a whim, to charge the remaining Knight. I intended to parry his Lance with a dagger, and use my Ranger's Longsword to counterstrike the Knight (Rab had horseriding proficiency). It was crazy, but the DM ruled I could try with large penalties. In the end I remember rolling a 19 on the parrying move (I normally would not parry anything), and then rolled a 20 with my Longsword (which, in the game I played was a critical hit for double die damage). The sword damage, plus the falling damage, put the Knight out of action. <br /><br />Thanks for your recent posts! I really enjoyed them ! <br /><br /><br />SpookyOnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04247845234734644470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549940298295825812.post-82827448340564580092015-07-03T10:53:58.900-06:002015-07-03T10:53:58.900-06:00I've been keeping an eye on your blog very ple...I've been keeping an eye on your blog very pleasantly, Chris.<br />Your writings so inspiring and interesting.<br />There's something, profound in your blog.<br />So I hope you write on the blog steadily.<br />I'm grateful for that.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13255313055099399640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549940298295825812.post-47834436934095953782015-07-02T19:14:17.989-06:002015-07-02T19:14:17.989-06:00Me too Boris. The elegance of Classic D&D is a...Me too Boris. The elegance of Classic D&D is a marvel to behold and a pleasure to play.Sizzaxehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13715649618278080709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549940298295825812.post-4919941519612634792015-06-30T10:31:42.812-06:002015-06-30T10:31:42.812-06:00Yeah I feel the same way.
Hackmaster combat seems ...Yeah I feel the same way.<br />Hackmaster combat seems too complicated as AD&D.<br />I always think that the best RPG is AD&D and hackmaster is so nice.<br />But I sometimes feel that there's a lot of rules.<br />Whenever I feel like that, I get BECMI out of my old box. After a moment, a sense of relief flooded over me.<br /><br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13255313055099399640noreply@blogger.com