Knights & Knaves Alehouse

Which would you choose to give to your kid if they were expressing an interest in D&D: the AD&D PH/MM/DMG (used of course) or a BBP hardcover of OSRIC? Debating if I’m putting one book or three under the tree this year

- Wheggi

Frankly, even with the years of familiarity I have with AD&D under my belt, OSRIC has become indispensable. I think everybody who enjoys AD&D should have a copy at hand.

The originals. The Monster Manual was prominently featured in Stranger Things this year. It's part of the zeitgeist again.

Target has a $13 ringer tee in the junior women's dept, featuring the mid-80's D&D logo:
https://www.target.com/p/women-s-dungeo ... A-52983645

If forced to get only one option, I'd go with 3 used originals. And then get him the BB OSRIC on his birthday if he's digging the game but wrestles with Gygax's structure.

The actual AD&D books, in the best possible condition - no must or smoke or cat-piss smell, no/minimal internal markings and cover wear, solid binding, etc. Get a set with consistent cover art, either the original covers with the "face logo" or the revised/orange-spine covers (but watch out for later printings of these that had crap binding - if you're buying online the early printings without a barcode on the back cover are a safer bet). Optionally, buy new copies for yourself and give him your old ones - knowing that "these are dad's old books" might give them some cool sentimental cachet, even if they're not in pristine condition.

The BBP OSRIC book is a cool and handy reference and has a lot of nice art, but it's not the same as the originals - it doesn't have Gary's voice, and the various minor rules-changes and omissions, while I understand why they were felt to be necessary at the time, still bug me. Plus, if he wants to play D&D he wants to play something that calls itself "D&D." OSRIC, by comparison, feels like a Hydrox cookie or bottle of Big K soda. Sure it's effectively the same thing, but it's perceived as a knock-off, and stuff like that matters, especially to someone who's new to the scene and doesn't have all the historical background.

The Premium Reprint is another option. I’m not as fond of it as the real thing, but, it might be different for a kid getting his first books all pretty and shiny and made just for him.

Falconer wrote:The Premium Reprint is another option. I’m not as fond of it as the real thing, but, it might be different for a kid getting his first books all pretty and shiny and made just for him.

That's what I would do. Pristine, unused, matching covers, and High Gygaxian. What a great Christmas present!

But they also (at least from what I understand) also have slick paper (hard to write marginal notes on), some poorly-rendered art, and various frustrating new typos (7 HD dwarfs, etc.). Plus at $40 apiece, you're probably paying as much or more for them than you would for a good-quality set of vintage copies.

The originals. Then he can show off that DMG cover to his friends.

Meaning, what kid doesn't want something his friends ain't got, and is at least mildly subversive?

T. Foster wrote:But they also (at least from what I understand) also have slick paper (hard to write marginal notes on), some poorly-rendered art, and various frustrating new typos (7 HD dwarfs, etc.). Plus at $40 apiece, you're probably paying as much or more for them than you would for a good-quality set of vintage copies.

I don’t disagree with any of your points. I do wish they had the full cover art and matte paper. But at least you can be guaranteed a pristine copy. It’s just an option.

Wheggi wrote:Which would you choose to give to your kid if they were expressing an interest in D&D: the AD&D PH/MM/DMG (used of course) or a BBP hardcover of OSRIC? Debating if I’m putting one book or three under the tree this year

- Wheggi

Both!

TRP wrote:The originals. Then he can show off that DMG cover to his friends.

Meaning, what kid doesn't want something his friends ain't got, and is at least mildly subversive?

QFT.

Plus, mastering the High Gygaxian included in the 3 core books will increase his vocabulary. It did mine.

Tough one. But, if he's genuinely interested and reading well: PHB, MM, and DMG. I would also add D&DG. All with the real [original] covers, of course. Something like B1 and/or B2 might be helfpul, too.

You could make a good argument for OSRIC + Monsters of Myth + Pod-Caverns. But, the Gygax route has just too much upside.

It's good to hear he's showing an interest, Wheggi.

Either way, this sounds like a good problem to have!

Allan.

Terrex wrote:I would also add D&DG. All with the real [original] covers, of course. Something like B1 and/or B2 might be helfpul, too.

Well, if we’re going down that rabbit hole, my real answer is…