Category: Old School D&D

The old school D&D category contains many articles about playing and GMing old school D&D. That is, D&D that highlights the styles of playing from the 70s and 80s. It also includes OSR material.

Posted on

Five 1st-Level Spells In D&D Better Than Magic Missile

5 First Level Spells In D&D Better Than Magic Missile

In Dungeons & Dragons, wizards always seem to go for the flashy, damage-inducing spells.

But there are other spells that are way more effective (in various situation), and I feel, are way better than those flashy spells.

I want to try and expand your thinking when it comes to choosing your wizard’s spells. Or, to help you make do with the ones you randomly rolled.

I have broken this up into three editions of the game – OSE (Basic), D&D3e, and D&D5e – listing five from each edition.

Continue reading “Five 1st-Level Spells In D&D Better Than Magic Missile”

Posted on

Free Table-Top Roleplaying Games

Free Roleplaying Games On DriveThruRPG

There are so many free table-top roleplaying games (TTRPGs) on DriveThruRPG.

So many, in fact, I thought I would list a few so you can check them out.

This will save you dollars and also help out the creator in spreading the word about their game. This Free Roleplaying Games listing is a way to bring table-top roleplaying to everyone, no matter how wealthy (or not) they are.

Continue reading “Free Table-Top Roleplaying Games”

Posted on

My Ratings For Every Dungeons And Dragons Edition

My Ratings For Every Dungeons And Dragons Edition

I thought it would be fun to rate each edition of D&D.

This is completely down to personal taste and you are free to agree or disagree (feel free to do so in the comments below).

I have also added in some strengths and weaknesses for each. As well as a short blurb.

I am also going to be honest and upfront and say I have not played every edition – some of the earlier editions I haven’t played as I started with AD&D and haven’t had a chance to go back and play them all. I have noted this where appropriate.

Continue reading “My Ratings For Every Dungeons And Dragons Edition”

Posted on

Encounter Table Design For DnD

I have written about how good Dungeons & Dragons random encounter tables are before, both in this blog and in issue 7 of my zine. 

In this post I want to respond in a way to a video I watched where the host was explaining how bell-curve random tables are not truly random and shouldn’t be used. A single die with a way to roll higher than the max would be better. 

I both agree and disagree with this notion. 

It all comes down to what you want to get out of the table and what area in your campaign world the table is for. 

Let’s dive into it. 

Continue reading “Encounter Table Design For DnD”

Posted on

Monster Stat Blocks – A New Layout

Monster Stat Blocks - A New Layout

Monster stat blocks are an essential part of the Dungeons & Dragons game.

They let the GM know a lot about the monster – at least they should.

What they tend to end up like is a combat block, rather than a monster stat block, focusing on combat-orientated information.

Helpful in combat, but not very complete, given the characters may want to parley or interact with the creature in other ways.

What I have developed is a modular monster stat block that will give GMs the information they need – at a glance – to run the monster in any situation. 

Continue reading “Monster Stat Blocks – A New Layout”

Posted on

Reaction Rolls in Dungeons & Dragons

Reaction Rolls

Reaction rolls are an old school mechanic in D&D that allows you to determine how an NPC or monster will react to the PCs. 

This mostly forgotten mechanic (at least in the modern game) was a core rule in earlier versions of the game (OSR). 

When the party came upon a random encounter with intelligent monsters, and the party decided to parley with them instead of attacking them, the GM would then roll a reaction check for the monsters. 

Continue reading “Reaction Rolls in Dungeons & Dragons”

Posted on

The D6 Mechanic for D&D And Other TTRPGs

The D6 Mechanic

What’s going to happen?

Let the simple D6 Mechanic decide for you.

This simple mechanic will allow you to add in some randomness to your Dungeons and Dragons sessions.

Instead of making decisions all the time, let the die decide for you.

All you have to do is decide on the odds.

A simple mechanic like the D6 Mechanic can be used at the table within seconds. 

Let’s look at an example.

Continue reading “The D6 Mechanic for D&D And Other TTRPGs”

Proudly powered by WordPress