Reddit OSR community is full of bots?

[Cathal]

I'm new to the hobby, as a beginner one of the first place I use to search for answer was reddit, specially the OSR community.

Something I found frustrating, they always recommend the same game (which is a clone actually and nothing more) even when I ask for something else, something unrelated they replay the same thing, the same game.

It's not specific of that sub, it's more or less a "feature" of reddit: once the general consensus has been reached (meaning: a sufficient number of users agrees with a specific answer) it's practically impossible to go against it.
For example, on the /rpg subreddit (which is literally infested by forgies) the general opionion is:

• Rules light = good
• Powered by the Apocalypse = good
• Blades in the Dark = good
• Modern = good
• Lancer = good
• D&D = bad
• D&D 4th edition = good
• Everything contrary to the above = bad

Ask for everything in /rpg and your answer will be one of the above (or a combination of two or more if you're lucky), with tons of upvotes from the supporting claque.

Exactly my point 

[Cathal]

OSE is so popular because it *is* Moldvay Basic/Cook & Marsh Expert.

It's a clone of a very good set of rules. The only reason to buy it instead of PDFs of B/X is because of art, and maybe the organization is easier.

A different set of rules that is OSR-adjacent is "Dungeon World". It was recommended by "Old Geezer" on enworld; Old Geezer is (I'm pretty sure) Mike Mornard, who was one of Gary Gygax's original players.

I don't even mentioned the game, and you know what game I was referring to  thank you for the Dungeon World recommendation, never heard it before, I'll add to the game list.

Fuck "Dungeon World" and its bullshit.
While we are at it, fuck "Old Geezer" and his low-calorie communism.

oops ok I'll remove it from the game list haha

[Cathal]

I don't really consider myself an OSR player/GM, so I don't have much to offer there.

For non-D&D the two games I recommend now are Shadow of the Demon Lord and Savage Worlds. SotDL is a better d20 system than 5e and Savage Worlds is a very different game that is not d20 based at all, but is very flexible in terms of setting and style.

Cool  I already want to play it just by reading the name. Thank you.

A bit contradictory requirements in the original post.  OSR that isn't D&D based isn't possible.  OSR games are mostly people's D&D modified with their house rules.

But, if you want alternates, then I'll do my best.

1.   Palladium Fantasy 1E.  It's old, from the 1980's. It's mostly different because it use an opposed roll system of 1D20 strike vs 1D20 parry.  Armor is extra hit points, and armor class (called armor rating) is to see if a hit is on the armor or person inside.  Armor will degrade in its own hit points and armor rating as it gets wrecked.

Example.  I roll a 11 to strike, the orc rolls a 7 to parry, so I hit.  However, the orc is wearing armor with a rating of 12.  I hit the orc's armor, dropping it below 50% of its starting hit points.  The orc's armor rating drops by 2, and is now A.R.:10.

2.  Pocket Fantasy.  An entire RPG in four pages.   It also uses only 1D6 for all rolls.  Hit points never change, but re-rolls do.  The more you play, the more re-rolls you can use.  Like Palladium Fantasy the combat is opposed rolls.  This time it's damage vs damage blocked.  I roll a 5 to hit, the orc rolls a 3 to block, I do 2 damage to the orc.  There are also a couple of supplements to add more classes and gear.

It's also totally free

I know, sorry for not asking in a better way, I was in a hurry that day. Palladium seems interesting, well actually Pocket fantasy too. I'll take a look.

I mean any game is fine, but a clone?? and $30? $40 USD fuck no! 

What is the business? Clone a game, house rule a bit and sell it for $40 USD? 

[The Spaniard]

OSE is so popular because it *is* Moldvay Basic/Cook & Marsh Expert.

It's a clone of a very good set of rules. The only reason to buy it instead of PDFs of B/X is because of art, and maybe the organization is easier.

A different set of rules that is OSR-adjacent is "Dungeon World". It was recommended by "Old Geezer" on enworld; Old Geezer is (I'm pretty sure) Mike Mornard, who was one of Gary Gygax's original players.

Fuck "Dungeon World" and its bullshit.
While we are at it, fuck "Old Geezer" and his low-calorie communism.

Agreed.  Mornard is a major douche who thinks "because he was there" he knows it all.  Glad he's not on most of the places I frequent.  I ignore him if he shows his ugly mug.

To the OP:  Castles & Crusades is a good game.  So is Hyperborea.

[Eric Diaz]

I mean any game is fine, but a clone?? and $30? $40 USD fuck no! 

What is the business? Clone a game, house rule a bit and sell it for $40 USD? 

Try BFRPG, it is free in PDF and the book are cheap. OSE looks better but the BFRPG are more refined IMO.

Here is my comparison of B/X clones and similar games:

https://methodsetmadness.blogspot.com/2023/01/a-glance-at-basic-d-bx-and-some-clones.html

[Tod13]

2.  Pocket Fantasy.  An entire RPG in four pages.   It also uses only 1D6 for all rolls.  Hit points never change, but re-rolls do.  The more you play, the more re-rolls you can use.  Like Palladium Fantasy the combat is opposed rolls.  This time it's damage vs damage blocked.  I roll a 5 to hit, the orc rolls a 3 to block, I do 2 damage to the orc.  There are also a couple of supplements to add more classes and gear.

That looks interesting. Even the pay extras are only a couple bucks. Will have to look at that.

[Baron]

I am of the opinion that OSR stands for either old-school revival or old-school renaissance, but that it doesn't mean it has to be based on D&D because there were plenty of non-D&D games back when I was in actual old-school. By example, here's a list of the earliest OSR games, not all of which were D&D.

- 2004 Castles & Crusades, often credited as the start of the OSR movement. A new take on D&D.
- 2006 OSRIC, a clone of 1st ed AD&D. Originally not a stand-alone game; you could publish supplements without getting sued by labeling them "compatible with OSRIC."
- 2006 Basic Fantasy, a clone of Basic D&D.
- 2007 Labyrinth Lord, another clone of Basic D&D.
- 2007 GORE, a clone of Chaosium's d100 rules. By the same author as Labyrinth Lord. Obviously he didn't think OSR meant only D&D.
- 2008 Mutant Future, a clone of Gamma World, a third OSR clone from the same guy. Gamma World is also not D&D.
- 2008 Swords & Wizardry, originally a clone of the 1974 Original D&D.

Anyway, you're looking for game recommendations, old or new, that are not D&D. Other than that I don't know what you're looking for. Here are a few that I like.

- Classic Traveller. The ancestor of the current Traveller game written and published by Mongoose. The original is better. It's clean, simple, flexible, and it's a classic for a reason. I recommend The Traveller Book from 1982 as a convenient one-volume set. You can currently get a hardcover reprint plus PDF from Drivethru (I know, bad vendor) on sale for $20. If you insist on something more modern go with one of the Cepheus Engine clones.
- Classic Runequest (Runequest 2nd ed). The single volume hardcover from 1980, not the modern one. Available for $14.95 PDF only on Drivethru, or a hardcover direct from Chaosium's site on sale for $18.99. This is a percentile skill-based system that at one time was second in popularity only to D&D. If you want something lighter or more modern I recommend Openquest, a rules-lite clone.
- Call of Cthulhu. Now in its 7th edition, which was significantly rewritten (and which I don't like), I would recommend any of the older editions (which are all inter-compatible). This also from Chaosium, using the same d100 system as Runequest. Based on the works of HP Lovecraft, you investigate occult incidents and go slowly mad as you learn more about the underlying horrors of the universe. If you want something more modern and free, as well as lite, search for Cthulhu Eternal, a clone that you can get for play in different eras.
- Warbirds, this is a modern game. The Caribbean has been transported somewhere and is now a chain of floating islands. It's a pulp adventure-type RPG where you play pilots. I have the books but haven't played yet.
- Honor + Intrigue. A modern game about swashbucklers, based on the Barbarians of Lemuria system. Own but haven't played yet.

If you can handle OSR games that are not clones of D&D but are based on the underlying system, I can recommend the following.

- Lamentations of the Flame Princess, as someone already mentioned.
- Apes Victorious, a Planet of the Apes game I like. By the same guy who wrote GORE and Mutant Future and Labyrinth Lord.
- Ghastly Affair, a gothic horror game.
- Warriors of the Red Planet, one of a number of OSR games set on Burroughs' version of Mars, Barsoom.

I have plenty of other recommendations if you like, just let me know what you're interested in. Have fun!

[Jam The MF]

I'm new to the hobby, as a beginner one of the first place I use to search for answer was reddit, specially the OSR community.

Something I found frustrating, they always recommend the same game (which is a clone actually and nothing more) even when I ask for something else, something unrelated they replay the same thing, the same game. Some of this people are stupid, or those accounts are bots?  It's very frustrating when they always recommend the same stupid clone, it damages the discovery of other role-playing games, real games...

• What old/modern no-dnd games do you recommend?
• There is a good list of OSR games somewhere?

This forum is a great place to learn about RPGs.  You are in the right place.  Welcome.  I am a D&D genre fan; so I need to allow others to make recommendations, regarding non-D&D RPGs.

[Omega]

A bit contradictory requirements in the original post.  OSR that isn't D&D based isn't possible.  OSR games are mostly people's D&D modified with their house rules.

That lasted all of ten minutes before people were using OSR as an excuse to steal any game. Part of why some game designers look on the OSR so negatively.

[GeekyBugle]

A bit contradictory requirements in the original post.  OSR that isn't D&D based isn't possible.  OSR games are mostly people's D&D modified with their house rules.

That lasted all of ten minutes before people were using OSR as an excuse to steal any game. Part of why some game designers look on the OSR so negatively.

If ANY game was stolen we would have seen the lawsuits.

[Brad]

I was typing up a reply with the typo "Castes and Crusades", which seems like that could be a pretty decent game itself.

That stated, PHB is still free: https://www.trolllord.com/tlgstore/#!/Players-Handbook-7th-Pr-FREE-Digital/p/89198209/category=119538267

I would pick C&C over 90% of other OSR games at this point, and you cannot beat free. Also free is Swords & Wizardry White Box, and the printed copy is less than $5.
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/190631/White-Box--Fantastic-Medieval-Adventure-Game
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1545516480?psc=1

Blueholme would be a third pick from me, also free/cheap.
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/109409/BLUEHOLMETM-Prentice-Rules
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/138744994X?psc=1

At this point I don't really consider Old School Essentials as technically "OSR" as it is literally B/X. The Advanced stuff is...okay. I do not really care for the implementation. If I want B/X/BECMI-style AD&D, Advanced Labyrinth Lord does a much better job.

EDIT: Dark horse candidate: Fantastic Heroes and Witchery. Probably the best original (in the truest sense of the word) OSR game out there. And free! I would also consider Pundit's Lion & Dragon if you want a medieval flavor, although most people typically are looking for high fantasy or swords and sorcery, not historical games.
http://www.dcrouzet.net/heroes-witchery/?page_id=83

EDIT2: Saw this statement, "What old/modern no-dnd games do you recommend?"
Are you talking about non-fantasy games specifically? If so, I'd have to say just play Classic Traveller for scifi: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/355200/Classic-Traveller-Facsimile-Edition
For other playstyles, there are a bunch of S&W White box-derived games like White Lies and Operation White Box. Not a fan of White Star when Traveller exists and is only a couple bucks.

[Tod13]

- Classic Traveller. The ancestor of the current Traveller game written and published by Mongoose. The original is better. It's clean, simple, flexible, and it's a classic for a reason. I recommend The Traveller Book from 1982 as a convenient one-volume set. You can currently get a hardcover reprint plus PDF from Drivethru (I know, bad vendor) on sale for $20. If you insist on something more modern go with one of the Cepheus Engine clones.

I actually recommend Stellagama over the original, simply because the rules are better organized. In particular, I like "Cepheus: Faster Than Light!", which has the additional advantage of the PDF being available for free. (We don't buy paper.) Otherwise, Bundle of Holding always sells the $25 LBB pack of PDFs in their store. (Not sure what other LBB sets are available, as we bought our PDFs when you ordered off of Marc Miller's website and got sent an actual CD-ROM of PDFs.)

I think I'm going to have to write up a long description of Stellagama's 3 (or 4?) systems, and which components go with which system, as that is the biggest drawback of figuring out what supplement goes with what. They have Cepheus Deluxe, which is the all-the-rules version. Then they have Cepheus Light, which is simpler. And then they have Cepheus Quantum, which is very minimalist. Our Traveller group is doing a playtest of the new version of their sword and sorcery rules in a week. The Quantum system looks interesting - only a handful of skills and only a handful of stats for a character.

[Persimmon]

BFRPG is indeed the cheapest, but its production values are so low and the writing so bad that they should probably pay you to suffer through it.  But hey, it exists.

[GhostNinja]

BFRPG is indeed the cheapest, but its production values are so low and the writing so bad that they should probably pay you to suffer through it.  But hey, it exists.

I think when someone said "You get what you pay for" they were looking at BFRPG.

[Brad]

BFRPG is indeed the cheapest, but its production values are so low and the writing so bad that they should probably pay you to suffer through it.  But hey, it exists.

I think when someone said "You get what you pay for" they were looking at BFRPG.

Glad I'm not the only one who feels this way...I actually bought all the printed stuff off Amazon but ended up giving it away because I did not care for it whatsoever. Barring the writing, I just think as presented it falls flat as a D&D-style game.