TheRPGSite

This site is known for having a strong OSR presence, or at least plenty of folks who don't mind sitting down to a game of older-edition D&D. With the release of 5e just around the corner, I thought it would be interesting to try and see just what everyone would pick as their favorite version of D&D, retro-clone, or neoclassical D&D (pick your term, doesn't matter to me).

I know lots of folks mash up several games together to get their idealized version of D&D; that's awesome! If no one game listed is your primary (let's say the one you get at least 2/3 of your material from), please select "Other" and explain just what you mash up together.

Remember, polls are only limited to 20 options, so I tried to pick the most popular or noteworthy. Apologies for those not listed!

Other: Fantastic Heroes & Witchery (http://www.amazon.com/Fantastic-Heroes-Witchery-Dominique-Crouzet/dp/1499155484/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1402148783&sr=1-1&keywords=fantastic+heroes+%26+witchery) :D

Why does Rules Cyclopedia get a different option from "Basic D&D, any iteration" when it's an iteration of BECMI?

Quote from: Warthur;756236Why does Rules Cyclopedia get a different option from "Basic D&D, any iteration" when it's an iteration of BECMI?

I thought about it; it's referenced enough by itself that I thought it was warranted. If not, hey, the two are easily enough added up.

Love the originals, especially BECMI/RC, 1e and 2e. Crazy about C&C (AD&D made ridiculously simple), AS&SH (Conanesque Dying Earth Mythos-bashing D&D), DCC (finally, a D&D with spell failure!) and FH&W (let's cover every possible base, from lizard men PCs to laser guns. Amazing toolkit).

But ACKS still takes the cake. It's like someone reached inside my head, identified the things I like best about D&D, and then fine-tuned my favorite version of classic D&D to do these things even better.

I voted for RC as it is my favorite incarnation of D&D. (Yes its BECM, but all contained in a single volume. Love that.) But another favorite of mine was not on the list and I don't know if people consider it OSR or not. But I really like Microlite 20.

Quote from: Zachary The First;756240I thought about it; it's referenced enough by itself that I thought it was warranted. If not, hey, the two are easily enough added up.

Fair enough.

Where's OD&D? Why's OSRIC lumped in with 1E but Labyrinth Lord not lumped in with Basic?

1e AD&D although I don't care for the organization of the voting chart.

Added OD&D as its own entry.

No multiple choice?  Because I like 4-5 equally and haven't been able to try many others on the list so I can't give any reasonable vote to your poll, sorry about that.

Quote from: Marleycat;756262No multiple choice?  Because I like 4-5 equally and haven't been able to try many others on the list so I can't give any reasonable vote to your poll, sorry about that.

Yeah, what she said except that I have tried most of those and like 4-5 choices on list as favorites.

No Metamorphosis Alpha? You nazi communist kkk monster!!!1! Probably Canadian too.

Quote from: Just about everyoneabundant critique of Zach's poll options

Somehow I didn't see that coming, when in retrospect it was so damn obvious it was bound to happen. :D

I like all the versions I've tried and read in one way or another, but 4e was the chassis of my most successful D&D campaigns so far, so I'll vote for it. It's not perfect, but none of them are.

Quote from: The Butcher;756277Somehow I didn't see that coming, when in retrospect it was so damn obvious it was bound to happen. :D

"Maybe," I said to myself, "it will be different this time. Maybe I'll post this poll, which I fully comprehend is not sufficient to entail all available options, and is fully subject to my own personal failings and bias, and these goodly gamer folks will see this, gently comprehend, and not ride me out of town on a rail".

"The hell you say," retorted my inner voice, which knows far better than to believe such nonsense.

I considered this, nodded resignedly, and hit "Post" anyway.

Adventurer Conqueror King is the closest to my ideal iteration of D&D that I've found. I love it.

Other: Crypts and Things (http://d101games.com/books/crypts-and-things/).

A 'swords-and-sorcery' variant of S&W.

Quote from: Zachary The First;756301"Maybe," I said to myself, "it will be different this time. Maybe I'll post this poll, which I fully comprehend is not sufficient to entail all available options, and is fully subject to my own personal failings and bias, and these goodly gamer folks will see this, gently comprehend, and not ride me out of town on a rail".

"The hell you say," retorted my inner voice, which knows far better than to believe such nonsense.

I considered this, nodded resignedly, and hit "Post" anyway.

Now that, is sigworthy.

Quote from: jeff37923;756342Now that, is sigworthy.

I should use it with Zack's permission of course, but I really like my current one.:D

Neither Barbarians of Lemuria nor Mazes & Minotaurs are clones of D&D - they use their own game system, with different attributes, classes (careers in BoL) and resolution mechanics... so why are they included in this list at all?  If "being inspired by D&D" is enough to qualify, then the list should also include games like, say, Tunnels & Trolls, Chivalry & Sorcery, Dragon Warriors, Forward to Adventure, Arrows of Indra... and myriads of other fantasy RPGs. So perhaps this list should actually only include games which are either versions of D&D or proper retroclones (ie games which were designed as such).

(Incidentally, for those who wish to know about how, when & why Mazes & Minotaurs came to be, back in late 2005: http://storygame.free.fr/how.html )

I have three as they cater to different play styles:

My favourite official versions of D&D are B/X, 1e and 4e. For the first two, I enjoy Basic Fantasy and Castles & Crusades a little more as they are cleaned up takes on the original.

So, Basic Fantasy, Castles & Crusades and 4e.

For D&D variants, I would say Crypts & Things, True 20 and Dungeon World.

First the obligatory gripe.   Red Box Hack, Barbarians of Lemuria and not Hackmaster? :idunno: HM4 was an officially licensed variant of 1e for Christ's sake.  Might as well pull off OSRIC and ASSH and add Dungeon World and Torchbearer. :banghead:

For the answer, I'd have to say 1e still but there's a lot of games fighting for the second spot.

I agree that there is almost nothing "D&D like" about Barbarians of Lemuria.

Would FantasyCraft count as 'D&D like' or too different? If yes, would that be listed under 3.x or just under 'other'?
(not asking because I like FC though, I voted 3.x for its own sake).

Quote from: Bloody Stupid Johnson;756376Would FantasyCraft count as 'D&D like' or too different? If yes, would that be listed under 3.x or just under 'other'?
(not asking because I like FC though, I voted 3.x for its own sake).

I consider it an alternative rather then a clone or retrocone like Arcana Evolved for example. Even though it's my goto game for 3x even above AE.

Quote from: Minotaurians;756353Neither Barbarians of Lemuria nor Mazes & Minotaurs are clones of D&D - they use their own game system, with different attributes, classes (careers in BoL) and resolution mechanics... so why are they included in this list at all?

I voted for DCC but I'd be tempted to say the same about it... it's not a 'clone' of any particular iteration of D&D and has features that aren't found in any version.
LotFP and S&W would be my 'truer' choices if DCC weren't on the list.

Quote from: Skywalker;756374I agree that there is almost nothing "D&D like" about Barbarians of Lemuria.

Which is why I picked that one.

Quote from: Zachary The First;756301"Maybe," I said to myself, "it will be different this time. Maybe I'll post this poll, which I fully comprehend is not sufficient to entail all available options, and is fully subject to my own personal failings and bias, and these goodly gamer folks will see this, gently comprehend, and not ride me out of town on a rail".

"The hell you say," retorted my inner voice, which knows far better than to believe such nonsense.

I considered this, nodded resignedly, and hit "Post" anyway.

I know that feel, bro. I suppose we're all been there at some point.

Depending on the day my favorite ranges from Pathfinder to Radiance. There don't appear to be many PF fans on this poll.

Quote from: Tetsubo;756453Depending on the day my favorite ranges from Pathfinder to Radiance. There don't appear to be many PF fans on this poll.

It's a old school site. Why would you expect any hardcore PF fans to be here? Just look at the abuse Jibba gets for liking 2e storytelling style like myself. But his problem is that he insists on using DnD for it.;)

Quote from: Zachary The First;756301"Maybe," I said to myself, "it will be different this time. Maybe I'll post this poll, which I fully comprehend is not sufficient to entail all available options, and is fully subject to my own personal failings and bias, and these goodly gamer folks will see this, gently comprehend, and not ride me out of town on a rail".

"The hell you say," retorted my inner voice, which knows far better than to believe such nonsense.

I considered this, nodded resignedly, and hit "Post" anyway.

(http://i.imgur.com/z0nuVsM.jpg?1)

MAZES & MINOTAURS!!!!
http://mazesandminotaurs.free.fr/

Why? I've played lots and lots of Faux-Euro or BOG-style D&D and I enjoy it, but hot damn playing Faux-Greek Fantasy in Mazes & Minotaurs is such a wonderful combo of fresh and familiar. It's been a huge hit whenever I run it at con.

Why oh why oh why is BoL in this poll? It was designed to not be like DnD not to be like DnD. I designed it before there was even an "OSR".

AD&D 2E all the way, with fond memories of BECMI red box.

Labyrinth Lord worked for the couple of sessions I played.

I don't like OSRIC. My hatred for 3.PF is unbridled. Awful game, so unlike D&D it hurts. Yes I said: "D&D 3.x and Pathfinder are not D&D". /rant

My favorite version of D&D will be D&D5.

Other than that, retroclones of D&D with a skill system, such as Blood & Treasure, or Tombs & Terrors.

D&D 5e

Quote from: Marleycat;756472It's a old school site. Why would you expect any hardcore PF fans to be here? Just look at the abuse Jibba gets for liking 2e storytelling style like myself. But his problem is that he insists on using DnD for it.;)

I've never viewed this as an 'old school' site. I view it as a gaming forum.

Quote from: Tetsubo;756533I've never viewed this as an 'old school' site. I view it as a gaming forum.

Yeah, fuck that 'old school site' thing. It really isn't. I don't think I would drop by daily if this was dedicated to a particular style and in my experience, the discussions covers so much more than OSR/Ol'school/whatnot.

Gaming forum indeed.


And i voted Lamentations of the Flame Princess. It 's pretty much the only thing own/play from the list, bar a set of dusty 3.5 basis books and a beautiful DCC book, that I haven't had the time to explore yet.

I voted basic any iteration.   To me, that includes a number of options on that list.  BECM/RC, LOTFP,  BFRPG, LL, B/X.  My focus these days is on games I can run from memory.  As a player, just about any version.

Quote from: Simon W;756516Why oh why oh why is BoL in this poll? It was designed to not be like DnD not to be like DnD. I designed it before there was even an "OSR".

So the non-D&D people could also take part? :idunno:

Yeah, I look at this as  general gaming site, it has a good combo of knowledge, cutting wit, vitriol, humor, and freedom.

Quote from: 3rik;756654So the non-D&D people could also take part? :idunno:

More or less. Whatever the intent, it gets thrown around in discussion a lot as being people's idea of a D&D game. Enough where I put it in the survey.

Beyond the Wall. D&D with the feel of Earthsea or Prydain.

Other: Backswords & Bucklers (http://www.lulu.com/us/en/shop/christopher-cale/backswords-bucklers-book-one-basic-rules/ebook/product-17402084.html).

Quote from: Black Vulmea;756733Other: Backswords & Bucklers (http://www.lulu.com/us/en/shop/christopher-cale/backswords-bucklers-book-one-basic-rules/ebook/product-17402084.html).

Start a thread about Backswords & Bucklers!

Quote from: Technomancer;756692Beyond the Wall. D&D with the feel of Earthsea or Prydain.

Start a thread about Beyond the Wall with links!

Quote from: Marleycat;756472Just look at the abuse Jibba gets for liking 2e storytelling style like myself.

What do you mean "2e storytelling style"? Also, start a thread about it.

Quote from: Minotaurians;756353(Incidentally, for those who wish to know about how, when & why Mazes & Minotaurs came to be, back in late 2005: http://storygame.free.fr/how.html )

Mazes & Minotaurs came to be BECAUSE ZEUS MADE IT SO!!! :) In fact, knowing Zeus, he probably had sex with D&D and out of his head popped M&M. It's kinda his thing.

Quote from: Turanil;756235Other: Fantastic Heroes & Witchery (http://www.amazon.com/Fantastic-Heroes-Witchery-Dominique-Crouzet/dp/1499155484/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1402148783&sr=1-1&keywords=fantastic+heroes+%26+witchery) :D

Turanil, your Amazon page is TERRIBLE. You need a far better sales pitch, previews on the page, more artwork pics, etc to grab excitement. Also, the copy on the back isn't inspiring. You put huge effort into the book, so now make sure you have a rocking sales pitch.

Good move going with Create Space however.

Quote from: Spinachcat;756738Start a thread about Beyond the Wall with links!

+1 !!

Quote from: Spinachcat;756738Turanil, your Amazon page is TERRIBLE. You need a far better sales pitch, previews on the page, more artwork pics, etc to grab excitement. Also, the copy on the back isn't inspiring. You put huge effort into the book, so now make sure you have a rocking sales pitch.

Good move going with Create Space however.

I hear you. I  don't know what to do yet unfortunately, especially as it seems as I cannot change anymore the Amazon presentation text. I will have to take a look though, as soon as I have sent the map for Dark Albion to RPGpundit. I am confident that this campaign setting (which layout I am working on) will rock!

Quote from: Spinachcat;756738Start a thread about Beyond the Wall with links!

As requested: Beyond the Wall (http://www.therpgsite.com/showthread.php?p=757099#post757099)

It would have been interesting to see the poll choices organized by order of creation so one could get a visual sense of old versus new. I voted for OD&D, which came first but was near the bottom of the poll.

I would also have enjoyed having more than one choice, as I have played and enjoyed many of the options on the list.

Red Box Hack and Barbarians of Lemuria aren't in any way shape or form clones of D&D.  They're storygames.   This poll is thus pointlessly flawed.

Quote from: BarefootGaijin;756518My hatred for 3.PF is unbridled. Awful game, so unlike D&D it hurts. Yes I said: "D&D 3.x and Pathfinder are not D&D". /rant

Welcome to the dark side.  Or, congratulations on taking the Red Pill.  Or something like that.

Voted 2e mainly because I dont agree that Mazes & Minotaurs belongs on that list, but also because overall it was the best presentation of the rules with the best support.

Plus, Planescape.

Quote from: RPGPundit;758009Red Box Hack and Barbarians of Lemuria aren't in any way shape or form clones of D&D.  They're storygames.   This poll is thus pointlessly flawed.

BoL is a storygame? WTF?

Not a D&D clone but very much a trad RPG.

Yeah, Red Box Hack isn't a storygame either.

Quote from: RPGPundit;758009Red Box Hack and Barbarians of Lemuria aren't in any way shape or form clones of D&D.  They're storygames.   This poll is thus pointlessly flawed.

Barbarians of Lemuria was a trad RPG last time I looked at it. If it wasn't for the stupid armour rules it'd be a good game, too. :D

Quote from: The Butcher;758067BoL is a storygame? WTF?

Not a D&D clone but very much a trad RPG.

Maybe he's confusing it with something else?

Quote from: S'mon;758083Maybe he's confusing it with something else?

It's the True Law of Fives striking again. Where you have a hammer that you can only use on storygames, it's best to find some screws that look like them.

That, and there's no D&D 5e on the list.

Quote from: TristramEvans;758070Yeah, Red Box Hack isn't a storygame either.

Bullshit. If I recall, it was once described as "a game about having played Red Box D&D".

As for Barbarians of Lemuria, it was designed by/in the Forge and was described as explicitly a "Narrativist" system.  That's old-timey talk for Storygame before they tried to rebrand themselves away from GNS.

Quote from: RPGPundit;758442As for Barbarians of Lemuria, it was designed by/in the Forge and was described as explicitly a "Narrativist" system.  That's old-timey talk for Storygame before they tried to rebrand themselves away from GNS.

What? Barbarians of Lemuria is designed by Simon Washbourne whose known for his old school RPG design like Woodland Warriors and Tombs &Terrors: http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/simonwashbourne.

Quote from: RPGPundit;758442Bullshit. If I recall, it was once described as "a game about having played Red Box D&D".

As for Barbarians of Lemuria, it was designed by/in the Forge and was described as explicitly a "Narrativist" system.  That's old-timey talk for Storygame before they tried to rebrand themselves away from GNS.

RBH is free and about ten pages long. Dont care what its described as, snyone can read it & see its not a storygame.

Quote from: TristramEvans;758450RBH is free and about ten pages long. Dont care what its described as, snyone can read it & see its not a storygame.

Likewise the 1st ed of BoL is free here - http://www.1km1kt.net/rpg/barbarians-of-lemuria
Shouldn't take more than a quick read to see it's not a storygame in any way.

You left out BFRPG, but included Barbarians of Lemuria, which is nothing like D&D?

I'm going to call it. Time of death, about 2 minutes after I posted it.