Questions tagged [odnd]

For questions relating to the original 1974 edition of Dungeons & Dragons (also known as "OD&D" or "0e") and its supplements. (This tag also covers some questions about Chainmail, a predecessor wargame to which D&D was originally written partly as an expansion.)

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2 answers
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Is there an equivalent to archmage special ability Arcane Fire in previous editions?

I'm searching for an equivalent to the archmage prestige class ability from 3.5e, Arcane Fire (DMG, page 178), in previous editions (Player's Options, 2e, 1e or OD&D), but not 4e or 5e. Any ...
Lucas's user avatar
  • 813
4 votes
0 answers
102 views

Were there multiple tripartite portals in the Greyhawk Castle?

I'm sorry that I have a kind of esoteric question, but it has been bothering me for some time, and I cannot find a resolution. There supposedly was a tripartite portal somewhere in the deepest levels ...
Nobody the Hobgoblin's user avatar
30 votes
3 answers
6k views

Why are there five chromatic dragons and not four?

The five chromatic dragon types are already in the original edition of D&D. In that same game, player characters had access to four primary kinds of damage: physical blows, fire, cold and ...
Nobody the Hobgoblin's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
343 views

In OD&D, how do you calculate XP, HP and Max HP when switching class?

In Original D&D, specifically the rules described in Men & Magic, it says: Elves can begin as either Fighting-Men or Magic-Users and freely switch class whenever they choose, from adventure ...
F1000003's user avatar
  • 681
11 votes
1 answer
481 views

What is "fantastic melee", and "non-fantastic melee"?

I was reading about some original DnD editions today and came across an excerpt of combat that mentioned non-fantastic combat. The excerpt in question was Assume the following dice score by the Hero. ...
Cereal's user avatar
  • 213
48 votes
2 answers
6k views

Identifying my late father's D&D stuff found in the attic

I recently found a box of Dungeons & Dragons stuff in the attic of my father's home. In addition to an old boxed set of Dungeons & Dragons (the Men and Magic booklet mentions hobbits and ents),...
Jagd's user avatar
  • 413
6 votes
2 answers
186 views

In Caverns of Thracia, where does this trap door lead to?

In the original Caverns of Thracia, there is a trap door marked on the map. Where does this lead to?
munk's user avatar
  • 1,153
12 votes
1 answer
399 views

Where is the first description or explanation of role-playing in OD&D?

Does anyone know where the first reference/explanation of role-playing exists in OD&D (beyond "I am x class")? Dave Arneson is often credited with the advent of what we would consider role-...
John Turner's user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
371 views

What text changes were made for the 2013 Deluxe OD&D reprint?

I’ve heard references to text having been removed for the reprinted boxed set of the original Dungeons & Dragons booklets, published by Wizards of the Coast in 2013, but I haven’t ever found a ...
SevenSidedDie's user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
278 views

Where is weapon damage stated?

So I've read from multiple sources that weapon damage in the original D&D booklets is 1d6 regardless of weapon. However, reading through the books, I can't find reference to weapon damage at all. ...
JAMalcolmson's user avatar
  • 3,194
4 votes
1 answer
1k views

What are the differences between Holmes D&D and Original D&D?

What are the differences between Holmes D&D and Original D&D (as opposed to the differences between Holmes, Moldvay, and Mentzer D&D)?
Dif Tor Heh Smusma's user avatar
9 votes
1 answer
443 views

Were there Martians in Greyhawk?

The third of the three Dungeons and Dragons booklets Underworld & Wilderness Adventures (1974) on Other Worlds says Some areas of land could be gates into other worlds, dimensions, times, or ...
Hey I Can Chan's user avatar
13 votes
1 answer
2k views

What does '#AT' mean in early versions of D&D and AD&D?

In many early D&D and AD&D modules, NPCs, monsters, and other creatures are often listed with an attribute of #AT followed by a number. What does that mean? For example, from the AD&D ...
cas's user avatar
  • 982
82 votes
4 answers
11k views

OD&D said it could be played with 20-50 players and one referee. How was that expected to work and still be fun?

Original D&D is often the shorthand name for the 1974 Dungeons & Dragons, Vol. 1, Men & Magic, written by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson. The section on "Scope" has this quote: Number of ...
Thunderforge's user avatar
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10 votes
5 answers
7k views

What is the meaning behind the OD&D and AD&D Treasure Types that monsters have?

What is the meaning behind all of the treasure types monsters have listed in OD&D and AD&D? I know that Treasure Type A represents Humans and the things they collect, while Treasure Type H ...
user avatar
67 votes
11 answers
25k views

How can I make "Empty" rooms interesting?

Traditional advice for making megadungeons in older versions of D&D is in addition to any rooms with Monsters, Treasure, Traps, or "Tricks", there should also be at least 50 to 60 percent "Empty" ...
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6 votes
1 answer
5k views

What is a more realistic carrying capacity for a backpack? [closed]

When looking over the rules of a few O D&D retroclones, I noticed a trend: most backpacks are only listed as being able to carry 30 or 40 pounds. From what I've tried to look up though, people ...
user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
466 views

What would be the pros and cons of removing ability scores from O D&D?

Recently, I've been playing quite a bit of a variant on the Swords & Wizardy retroclone of O-D&D. What our group has noticed in general is that high and low scores rarely matter, and even ...
user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
84 views

Why are there maximum level caps for race in S&W? [duplicate]

We had an incredibly fun time with our first Swords & Wizardry session and are wondering why non-human character races have a cap for maximum level. For instance, in the core rules: Dwarven ...
tim-phillips's user avatar
9 votes
2 answers
1k views

Does the Enchant Magic Item spell exist anywhere in OD&D?

Is Enchant Magic Item (a 6th level AD&D spell) written up anywhere in the OD&D books, supplements, or Strategic Review? I am researching the difference between OD&D magic item creation and ...
RS Conley's user avatar
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2 votes
2 answers
665 views

What is the plot of ST1 Up the Garden Path

So I recently saw a couple copies of ST1: Up the Garden Path become available through a used game store I frequent. This lead me to wondering what exactly was it's plot? As an aside has anyone ever ...
mirv120's user avatar
  • 4,684
7 votes
1 answer
468 views

Where can I download "Expedition to the Ancient Academy" podcast episodes?

I want to listen to the following podcast featuring early edition D&D: http://robertsongames.com/dnd/robertson-games-podcast But I can't find the actual audio files anywhere. The podcast is in ...
Curyous's user avatar
  • 485
11 votes
4 answers
3k views

Why do Clerics unlock 3rd and 4th level spells at the same experience level?

In Moldvay, possibly Holmes, and the retro-clone, Swords & Wizardry, Clerics simultaneously unlock 3rd and 4th level spells at the 6th experience level. They advance from 2/2 at level 5, to 2/2/1/...
Matt Joiner's user avatar
10 votes
5 answers
19k views

Where can I find a complete list of every D&D book ever released before 3rd Edition?

Where can I find a complete list of every D&D book ever released before 3rd Edition? Is there such a thing? I'm mostly interested in the supplement material like modules and the hardcover ...
jasonaburton's user avatar
20 votes
4 answers
2k views

Was Original D&D an Historical Wargame?

At the dawn of roleplaying, the Castle & Crusade Society and Lake Geneva Tactical Studies Association (LGTSA) focused on Medieval Britain, and produced the Chainmail tabletop wargame rules with a ...
ExTSR's user avatar
  • 7,143
5 votes
5 answers
503 views

What are the consequences of changing the ratio of XP to GP?

One issue with older versions of D&D that heavily relied on treasure GP is that characters have to become rich to advance so that by fourth or fifth level mundane equipment costs become ...
HerbN's user avatar
  • 3,524
15 votes
6 answers
2k views

Using 2x on d12 instead of x on a d6 in OD&D/Classic D&D/Clones

A staple of of early D&D is the "1 in 6" or "2 in 6" chance for surprise, finding secret doors, and so on. Recently, some of the retro-clones, mostly noticeably Lamentations of the Flame Princess ...
HerbN's user avatar
  • 3,524
68 votes
8 answers
40k views

What are the differences between Holmes, Moldvay, and Mentzer D&D?

What are the differences between Holmes, Moldvay, and Mentzer D&D? Also, which one came first?
Ry St's user avatar
  • 3,480
8 votes
2 answers
874 views

How can the GM go diceless in classic D&D?

For those unfamiliar with the concept semi-diceless gaming is only having the players roll the dice. It's used in Cinematic Unisystem and the old (and now free) game Legendary Lives. I'd like to ...
HerbN's user avatar
  • 3,524
18 votes
8 answers
3k views

What adventures are there out there that would fit in this old school campaign?

In a few weeks I'm starting a game of old school D&D for a group of fairly new players, and I'd like to be able to have a few published modules to drop on my hex map, so I can mix it up a bit and ...
Oddysey's user avatar
  • 2,808