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Re: "Best" OD&D clone?
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 11:54 am
by Mythmere
Falconer wrote:FYI, the latest edition of S&W:WB (and possibly also the other versions of S&W?) offer multiple save categories, and IIRC some other “optional rules” to bring it more in line with true OD&D.
Yes, the new printings of Core and Complete also have the multiple save categories.
Use the multiple save categories and ignore the option of using ascending AC and you're good to go.
On this whole issue, out of the TSR old guard, Erol Otus and Dennis Sustare have both played in my games -- far from mentioning differences, Dennis uses S&W for his convention games, and Erol volunteered to design for free the t-shirt for next convention's game (and that he'd be back at the S&W table next year). S&W is not a museum quality replica of the original
books, but I have it on excellent authority that it's a museum quality replica of the original
game, if that distinction makes sense.
Re: "Best" OD&D clone?
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 2:38 pm
by Geoffrey
My copy of OD&D is printed from PDFs, folded, stapled, and trimmed. Total cost for the 3 LBBs plus GREYHAWK was about $8. And I don't have to treat the books gingerly. I can toss them around like D&Ders undoubtedly did back in the 1970s.

Re: "Best" OD&D clone?
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 3:08 pm
by capitalbill
Falconer wrote:That’s why I linked to that 6th printing box for $130 BIN. That’s a pretty good deal, these days. It got snagged right away. Did one of you snag it?
Guilty.
It did seem like a pretty good deal; not too much higher than if I took the time and effort to hunt around and routinely get outbid, but eventually sneak them out cheaper.
Thanks!
Re: "Best" OD&D clone?
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 3:11 pm
by Chainsaw
Strong, Bill! Good for you.
Re: "Best" OD&D clone?
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 3:40 pm
by Clangador
I'll have to wait to get my own money as my wife claims my paycheck every two weeks.
Then I will buy me a copy. Mwahahahaha!
Re: "Best" OD&D clone?
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 3:41 pm
by Clangador
capitalbill wrote:Falconer wrote:That’s why I linked to that 6th printing box for $130 BIN. That’s a pretty good deal, these days. It got snagged right away. Did one of you snag it?
Guilty.
It did seem like a pretty good deal; not too much higher than if I took the time and effort to hunt around and routinely get outbid, but eventually sneak them out cheaper.
Thanks!
Grats.
Re: "Best" OD&D clone?
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 3:55 pm
by austinjimm
Clangador wrote:I am somewhat hesitant to download the original OD&D material since I don't own it myself. I mean I have a ton of files and such, but I also own the hardcopies to everything I have.
I do own the originals, and I provide copies for the regular players at my table. Sooo... If you've got a few spare month, you could come join my game, and I'll run them off for you!
Re: "Best" OD&D clone?
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 3:57 pm
by austinjimm
Oh, and in response to the original post:
S&W White Box. (But only if you refuse to come play in my game.)
Re: "Best" OD&D clone?
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 4:02 pm
by Clangador
austinjimm wrote:Oh, and in response to the original post:
S&W White Box. (But only if you refuse to come play in my game.)
Last time I was in Texas was 1985 while in basic training for the Air Force. It was way way too hot for me. On,the other hand, one of my friends now lives in Texas with his new wife.
Re: "Best" OD&D clone?
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 5:14 pm
by Bargle
Someone reformatted (for clarity) the 3 LLB's with franzetta black ad white pencil sketches. It's beautiful.
Re: "Best" OD&D clone?
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 5:38 pm
by JCBoney
Bargle wrote:Someone reformatted (for clarity) the 3 LLB's with franzetta black ad white pencil sketches. It's beautiful.
I can imagine! Damn!

Re: "Best" OD&D clone?
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 5:58 pm
by Montaigne
Holmes and personal extrapolation I suppose is the best clone. Then again perhaps AD&D is the most faithful clone in the sense that it can be reduced almost perfectly to OD&D whereas the authors of the other clones don't have much of Gygax dna when it comes to the essays and mood.
Re: "Best" OD&D clone?
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 8:37 pm
by Clangador
Montaigne wrote:Holmes and personal extrapolation I suppose is the best clone. Then again perhaps AD&D is the most faithful clone in the sense that it can be reduced almost perfectly to OD&D whereas the authors of the other clones don't have much of Gygax dna when it comes to the essays and mood.
That is a double-edged sword. Some people don't like Gygax AD&D. They knock OSRIC because it follows in his footsteps.
Re: "Best" OD&D clone?
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 8:51 pm
by Philotomy Jurament
Clangador wrote:Some people don't like Gygax AD&D. They knock OSRIC because it follows in his footsteps.
Kinda missing the whole point of "clone," I'd say.
Re: "Best" OD&D clone?
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 8:55 pm
by Falconer
Needless to say, when it comes to Gygax AD&D, you won’t find any haters here!