Wednesday, November 26, 2008

More mental meanderings: oldschool, editions, and the hamster

As the "retro" phenomenon picks up speed at the same time that 4e is launched and appealing to many, I'm finding myself caught in the middle. With my preferences falling in 2e AD&D and BEMCI D&D, I don't really speak the language of the "old-schoolers" enough to fit in well and I'm not that fussy about the newer editions -- even if I did give 3e a try.

Luckily for me I suppose, I really don't mind most editions of (A)D&D. I'm loving the retro phenomenon, and happily snap up servings of 0e, 1e, 2e, Basic, BEMCI ... I've been spending time reading old-school blogs here and there, and picking things up at Dragonsfoot by reading the forums. My 2e books see plenty of love, and I've kept a good pile of 3e because I like to borrow ideas from them. I've happily chewed over Labyrinth Lord, Swords and Wizardry, OSRIC ... and on and on. I like it all.

I don't want to say this is an old-school blog, because it really isn't by the definitions currently being used by the retro, old-school movement. I came late to D&D, and late-ish to 2e (in the early-to-mid ninties) at that. I like the pulpish swords-and-sorcery feel of the movement, but my posts here probably aren't really going to reflect that feel in their "fluff" all that much. My game style is more old-school than new-school, but it's not truely old-school because I'm a 2e player and DM at heart. (Please don't shoot me!)

Still, I hope that my bits and snips appeal to someone out there -- and hey, fluff can be changed. Rules can be tweaked. That's the whole point, isn't it? ;3

4 comments:

Sham aka Dave said...

it really isn't by the definitions currently being used by the retro, old-school movement

I'm still learning about what might constitute 'old-school'. That might be because I've never truly witnessed 'new-school'. That said, I'm all for anyone who embraces the hobby; editions be damned.

My preferences may not be your preferances. The question is do you want to roll some dice?

I make it clear I'm a rules light guy...but I home brew and define to a 1e level; so I am a self-proclaimed neo-grognard.

Keep posting and the hobby will benefit; that's my take on this whole thing.

taichara said...

I'm still learning about what might constitute 'old-school'. That might be because I've never truly witnessed 'new-school'. That said, I'm all for anyone who embraces the hobby; editions be damned.

My preferences may not be your preferances. The question is do you want to roll some dice?


Yes please! Rolling dice is what I'm here for. (Or at the table for. You know what I mean --)

I didn't readlly know there was a 'new-school' and an 'old-school' until I saw people start talking about the old-school style, which more resembles how I learned to game and still game. And gamed with 3e even, when I was still tinkering with it.

I figure the more different preferences out there, the better it is in the long run. I like the variety it brings, and I personally think that variety helps the hobby in the long run.


Keep posting and the hobby will benefit; that's my take on this whole thing.

Thank ye very kindly. And I shall certainly try.

David Larkins said...

Hey, I found this blog through Sham's blogroll, and I have to say that I'm right there with you. My heart belongs to Mentzer and 2e for sure. :)

There needs to be more Mentzer Red Box love out there! Right now, most blogs I read give the love to that other Red Box (Moldvay/Cook), but feh I say! Feh!

taichara said...

Hey, I found this blog through Sham's blogroll, and I have to say that I'm right there with you. My heart belongs to Mentzer and 2e for sure. :)

We're the few, the proud, the ducking between everyone else --

*grins*


There needs to be more Mentzer Red Box love out there! Right now, most blogs I read give the love to that other Red Box (Moldvay/Cook), but feh I say! Feh!

I'm giving it a shot, though I'm still learning and not trying anything too complicated ...

Thank ye kindly for dropping by!