So Texas... 2

[CountingWizard]

Is there still room in the game for a plucky dwarf fighter? Also, it wasn't clear in the original post what exact game system we would be playing.

Hey! Steven, I presume.

There's still plenty of room. We kind of agreed on OSRIC as our default system, since it is the semi-official game of the K&KA.

Is everyone still good with OSRIC?

This is Steven.

Yeah, 1e is great. I've been going on a buying spree with 1e material lately. Just got the players handbook and legends and lore last weekend at half-price. I think all I need now is unearthed arcana; but I just need to give that some more time. Someone's been offloading an awful lot of old-school D&D materials lately at this half-price books in Austin, I just noticed this last time another Dungeon Master's guide and Monster Manual.

I still need to grab the black blade edition of OSRIC, but that will have to wait until the next paycheck.

[austinjimm]

If you have the 1e Player Handbook, you have everything you need.

[CountingWizard]

I read through the Player's Handbook last night and I've got some great questions.

• Do AD&D 1e games usually end up high level (11-20) very quickly or is it pretty challenging to survive to level 10?
• If I want a character that is closer to a barbarian archetype, would the Fighter or Ranger allow me to play more like one?
• How many characters will we each be playing?
• Should I roll characters up before I arrive?
• Should I bring blank character sheets to fill out?
• What dice roll method should I use for character creation; the handbook suggests that these characters be exceptional with two stats that are at least 15, which is just crazy if using 3d6 in stat order.
• Are we including sub-races like mountain dwarves and the hobbit families?
• Are we following class/alignment rules where Paladins won't group with neutrals or evils?
• Are we following the racial standing/reaction rules while in group, where my Dwarf refuses to group with or constantly fights with the Half-Orc?

I've played the heck out of this system with the old Gold-Box PC games, but I've never seen the rules before or played a table-top session of it except at the last convention.

[austinjimm]

I read through the Player's Handbook last night and I've got some great questions.

• Do AD&D 1e games usually end up high level (11-20) very quickly or is it pretty challenging to survive to level 10?

In my experience, leveling in AD&D can be excruciatingly slow. Since this group is likely to meet only 3 or 4 times a year, I have suggested that we use the OD&D whitebox/Planet Eris XP system where monsters defeated are basically worth 100 xp per HD. This is what I'm planning to go with unless anyone has strong objections.

EDIT: We'll be starting off at 1st level.

[*]If I want a character that is closer to a barbarian archetype, would the Fighter or Ranger allow me to play more like one?

I'd say either could work. It depends on how you want to play your "barbarian." The 1e "barbarian" I played at NTRPG Con was a straight fighter.

[*]How many characters will we each be playing?

Probably 1.

EDIT: One at a time, that is.

[*]Should I roll characters up before I arrive?

That's fine, if you want.

[*]Should I bring blank character sheets to fill out?

Yes. Dead is dead.

[*]What dice roll method should I use for character creation; the handbook suggests that these characters be exceptional with two stats that are at least 15, which is just crazy if using 3d6 in stat order.

Roll 4d6(drop lowest die) six times and arrange as desired. (No point subbing from one stat to another please.)

[*]Are we including sub-races like mountain dwarves and the hobbit families?

Knock yourself out. But make sure you personally know all the peculiarities and have it recorded on your sheets. I don't want to take time looking that stuff up.

[*]Are we following class/alignment rules where Paladins won't group with neutrals or evils?

Yes. Although I allow Paladins to group with neutrals who are not chaotic or evil.

[*]Are we following the racial standing/reaction rules while in group, where my Dwarf refuses to group with or constantly fights with the Half-Orc?[/list]

I'm foregoing these for PCs. NPCs are at the DMs discretion.

I've played the heck out of this system with the old Gold-Box PC games, but I've never seen the rules before or played a table-top session of it except at the last convention.

[Falconer]

I read through the Player's Handbook last night and I've got some great questions.

• Do AD&D 1e games usually end up high level (11-20) very quickly or is it pretty challenging to survive to level 10?

It takes 3 years of regular campaigning to reach high level, I’d say. XP accumulation is slow, and things like character deaths* and level drain definitely set you back. There’s also a period (mid-level, I think around levels 4-8) where even if you gain enough XP to level, you don’t have enough money to train, so you have to go out and get more.

* - in my games, when a PC dies, you get another PC two levels below the average. IIRC, the DMG includes a method where you roll a die and you might end up with a lower OR HIGHER level character than the average.

• If I want a character that is closer to a barbarian archetype, would the Fighter or Ranger allow me to play more like one?

Either one. Or Druid. Can you tell us more of how you envision a barbarian character? IMO, the stock AD&D campaign doesn’t encompass “young Conan” very well, but Conan quickly becomes pretty street-wise.

It looks like most of your other questions are campaign-specific, so consider Jim’s answers definitive, there.

[CountingWizard]

Either one. Or Druid. Can you tell us more of how you envision a barbarian character? IMO, the stock AD&D campaign doesn’t encompass “young Conan” very well, but Conan quickly becomes pretty street-wise.

I'd really like to play a character that has abilities that would suit them in a savage less civilized environment, is ok if not great at melee combat but uses 2h sword/axe/hammer, does not necessarily need heavy armor in combat, and has exceptional willpower against forces that effect the mind.

I really do not want to play a monk, but I can envision myself playing a Ranger with high strength and dexterity, and moderate constitution; but the intelligence requirements are probably going to prevent me from having that.

I almost forgot that we have to buy levels; this will definitely feel different.That makes me wonder how a Ranger levels up if they can't have more wealth than they can carry. I guess I'd need lots of jewelry and baubles.

[T. Foster]

I'd really like to play a character that has abilities that would suit them in a savage less civilized environment, is ok if not great at melee combat but uses 2h sword/axe/hammer, does not necessarily need heavy armor in combat, and has exceptional willpower against forces that effect the mind.

There's a barbarian class in UA. Pressure your DM to allow you to play one

[Flambeaux]

I almost forgot that we have to buy levels; this will definitely feel different.That makes me wonder how a Ranger levels up if they can't have more wealth than they can carry. I guess I'd need lots of jewelry and baubles.

Magic items and "fee-for-service" are the usual routes.

Everyone focuses on the cash, because that's the kind of world we live in. But, historically and mythologically (as well as in the source material), some powerful person or being requesting "a small favor" is the more usual way of satisfying such debts.

As for your "character concept", play what you want and make him stand out by role-playing and character choice. Don't get bogged down in mechanical advantages/disadvantages. Odds are good you'll burn through half-a-dozen PCs before you get one that lasts until 3rd level. And, even then, Save-or-Die can send you back to the beginning.

[CountingWizard]

Yeah, I'll probably start out with a dwarf anyways; don't want to complicate or unbalance things by asking for Barbarian class. I get caught up when class options open up, and I have to remember its about how the class is played and not about the class mechanics.

[CountingWizard]

Yeah, I'll probably start out with a dwarf anyways; don't want to complicate or unbalance things by asking for Barbarian class. I get caught up when class options open up, and I have to remember its about how the class is played and not about the class mechanics.

[austinjimm]

There’s also a period (mid-level, I think around levels 4-8) where even if you gain enough XP to level, you don’t have enough money to train, so you have to go out and get more.

Really, Falc? As I read the method on p.86 of the DMG, a properly played 7th level character advancing to 8th would be required to spend only 1 week training at a cost of 10,500 g.p. That doesn't seem exorbitant on its face, unless the DM has been really stingy with the amount of treasure available in his campaign.

Maybe I'm looking at it wrong?

EDIT: Changed 12,000 g.p. to 10,500 g.p. in the example above.

[Flambeaux]

Yeah, I'll probably start out with a dwarf anyways; don't want to complicate or unbalance things by asking for Barbarian class. I get caught up when class options open up, and I have to remember its about how the class is played and not about the class mechanics.

Dwarf F/Th is a classic PC who's useful in just about any party and has a lot of role-playing potential.

Sorry I'm going to miss this game session.

[TRP]

I'd really like to play a character that ... does not necessarily need heavy armor in combat ...

Ah, so you want to play a dead character.

[Kellri]

There's a barbarian class in UA. Pressure your DM to allow you to play one

See Foster, this is why we don't like you.

Dwarf F/Th is a classic PC who's useful in just about any party and has a lot of role-playing potential.

Now you're talking. The one time I actually had a meaningful PC in a long-running D&D campaign that was what I played. Chaotic Neutral too. An equal opportunity offender. One highlight was a lengthy debate over whether thieves get earned experience from stealing from their fellow party members.

[austinjimm]

One highlight was a lengthy debate over whether thieves get earned experience from stealing from their fellow party members.

Of course they do. Who in their right mind would think otherwise!