I once did a project to combine all of OD&D rules, supplements, and articles in Strategic Review and early Dragon magazine, and I ended up with AD&D. There is very little in the AD&D rules that was not written before.
This is why it could be considered the gold standard as it is the accumulation of a large amount of ideas.
I am a huge fan of AD&D, but BECMI is the only complete game. AD&D needs Birthright to match the C and has nothing for the MI.
The CMI are critical in my experience, and the OSR's obsession with B/X is it's largest failing. Great DMs know this, and do everything I describe below, but AD&D doesn't build it into the game, just assumes it. Dave and Gary did it, talked about it, but only Mentzer and Heard put rules out to support it (hat tip to Allston for the Rules Cyclopedia).
Companion brings everything together, gives a whole new level of meaning to adventures. At B and X tier (all of AD&D) the adventurers see the bandits as enemies to defeat to protect the village. At C tier the PC cuts a deal with them to raid the neighboring kingdom until that land's Lord comes to the table for negotiations. The C tier PC becomes the quest giver, sending people out to resolve the plot holes from years ago in those dungeons and areas that are too low level today. The C tier PC operates in multiple places and levels at once.
At M tier the PC is looking to the future beyond their time in the world. Becoming the best at one thing and leaving behind an impossible new thing in the world making it grander and more special (Paragon). Creating a new church, a fighting school, a kingdom, a philosophy, a school of magic, tradition of music, and ensuring it endures for generations to come (Dynasty). Reincarnating into every class, living the lives of all the people and bringing them together as one against a great enemy then building a monument to the story (Polymath). Permanently removing a great evil from the world, and surviving the blowback from divine level enemies, leaving the world safer for future generations (Epic Hero). Giving the player the ability to rewrite part of the world and leave their mark. A bit of shared world building.
At I tier the player is taking that step forward and seeing the whole tapestry, operating behind the scenes and inspiring others to be greater than they can be alone. Helping those inspired by their M-tier work to reach those heights also. Carry it forward to the next generation.
As I said, Gary and Dave totally did all this. Many good DMs do it. Nothing in AD&D stops you. But only BECMI builds it into the rules and takes you there. Mentzer doesn't get enough credit in my opinion. His work was fantastic.
yeah. I got lucky, to meet him at Gencon in 2011. talked to him a lot over the years, he was on my podcasts a few times, and then he kind of stopped going to conventions, think he was having trouble getting around.
Yeah. They are under Save or Die podcast and Roll For Initiative. I can message you links later when I get home. I’m on my phone right now.. that’s cool?😎
Agreed. Like I said in the post, it's a benchmark of greatness.. and it has its flaws. but its a lot better then the stuff out there being called "D&D"
I once did a project to combine all of OD&D rules, supplements, and articles in Strategic Review and early Dragon magazine, and I ended up with AD&D. There is very little in the AD&D rules that was not written before.
This is why it could be considered the gold standard as it is the accumulation of a large amount of ideas.
I am a huge fan of AD&D, but BECMI is the only complete game. AD&D needs Birthright to match the C and has nothing for the MI.
The CMI are critical in my experience, and the OSR's obsession with B/X is it's largest failing. Great DMs know this, and do everything I describe below, but AD&D doesn't build it into the game, just assumes it. Dave and Gary did it, talked about it, but only Mentzer and Heard put rules out to support it (hat tip to Allston for the Rules Cyclopedia).
Companion brings everything together, gives a whole new level of meaning to adventures. At B and X tier (all of AD&D) the adventurers see the bandits as enemies to defeat to protect the village. At C tier the PC cuts a deal with them to raid the neighboring kingdom until that land's Lord comes to the table for negotiations. The C tier PC becomes the quest giver, sending people out to resolve the plot holes from years ago in those dungeons and areas that are too low level today. The C tier PC operates in multiple places and levels at once.
At M tier the PC is looking to the future beyond their time in the world. Becoming the best at one thing and leaving behind an impossible new thing in the world making it grander and more special (Paragon). Creating a new church, a fighting school, a kingdom, a philosophy, a school of magic, tradition of music, and ensuring it endures for generations to come (Dynasty). Reincarnating into every class, living the lives of all the people and bringing them together as one against a great enemy then building a monument to the story (Polymath). Permanently removing a great evil from the world, and surviving the blowback from divine level enemies, leaving the world safer for future generations (Epic Hero). Giving the player the ability to rewrite part of the world and leave their mark. A bit of shared world building.
At I tier the player is taking that step forward and seeing the whole tapestry, operating behind the scenes and inspiring others to be greater than they can be alone. Helping those inspired by their M-tier work to reach those heights also. Carry it forward to the next generation.
As I said, Gary and Dave totally did all this. Many good DMs do it. Nothing in AD&D stops you. But only BECMI builds it into the rules and takes you there. Mentzer doesn't get enough credit in my opinion. His work was fantastic.
Yeah I love Mentzer D&D. Had loads of fun talking to him at Gencon over the years and especially immortals.
I never got to meet him. That's really cool!
yeah. I got lucky, to meet him at Gencon in 2011. talked to him a lot over the years, he was on my podcasts a few times, and then he kind of stopped going to conventions, think he was having trouble getting around.
Are those podcast episodes still up?
Yeah. They are under Save or Die podcast and Roll For Initiative. I can message you links later when I get home. I’m on my phone right now.. that’s cool?😎
Put the link here and maybe someone else will see it too! Also Substack doesn't let me see chat since I don't use the ap. lol.
I started out in the 80’s in college with classic AD&D. Thief was my go-to class 75% of the time.
AD&D holds a special place in my heart. Clunky and full of crunch? Yeah, it's like that. It's also a great game.
Agreed. Like I said in the post, it's a benchmark of greatness.. and it has its flaws. but its a lot better then the stuff out there being called "D&D"
Hell, just the organization of the Player's Handbook is superior. Spells listed by class then level *then* alphabetically? Yes, please.
👏 yes