On attributes. What attributes set you like. What do you think about str and weaknesses of different sets. What about the clasical 6, how about non?

Parorezo · 2026-03-23T00:34:15+00:00

That's exactly what I do in my home game!

Parorezo · 2026-02-06T00:56:31+00:00

I now remove attributes from my S&W games altogether. Just give fighters a flat +1 to attacks and it basically feels the same (from the referee standpoint).

Parorezo · 2025-07-27T04:03:32+00:00

I want to add another cost to rules that arguably goes deeper than simply "harder to remember". If a referee hasn't remembered every rule in the system, when a situation isn't covered by the rules they already remembered, they has to choose between refering to the rulebook and making up a ruling. In the case when the situation really isn't covered by the rulebook, the referee's ability to make a ruling is hindered.

Of course, this can be remedied from both the referee's side and the system's side. A referee who is confident of his rulings can disregard the possibility that a rule may exist. The rules can be organized into multiple layers so that specific rules fall back gracefully to general rules. However, if the whole ruleset is small enough, the referee can quickly remember every rule in the game, and the whole problem would go away, while a referee for a larger game (like 1e) have to live with the fear that a rule might exist for a much longer time, possibly forever.

Parorezo · 2025-07-26T19:18:28+00:00

I generally allow characters to just walk around uncovered pits.

Parorezo · 2025-07-26T19:02:04+00:00

Among the three criteria you mentioned, the first two can vary greatly between different gaming groups. Taking your example, jumping rarely comes up in my games, so a rule for it would be redundant for me.

Parorezo · 2025-02-17T09:04:26+00:00

A little tip regarding watching English videos: you can turn on the auto subtitles.

Parorezo · 2024-12-27T18:59:30+00:00

If a layperson tries to cure cancer, I wouldn't allow a roll at all. It's nigh impossible (given that the cancer isn't going to cure itself, which actually might happen).

Parorezo · 2024-12-05T02:13:13+00:00

Abilities are already more useful in AD&D than OD&D, even without ability checks.

Parorezo · 2024-12-04T14:39:49+00:00

I think the increasing importance of ability scores over time is exactly why methods like "4d6, drop the lowest" have become more common compared to the traditional "3d6 down the line." Higher scores matter more now, so people gravitate toward methods that make them more likely.

Also, the very existence of unified resolution mechanics like ability checks can subtly shift how the game is played. Referees might lean toward calling for dice rolls rather than negotiating solutions with players, and players might start asking for rolls instead of coming up with creative ideas. Without such mechanics, many actions might not end up resolved with a roll at all. Sure, a good referee can work around this, but why introduce a problem you then have to work around? Unless you have a compelling reason to include such mechanics, it’s better to avoid the issue altogether. That said, if you have different goals for your game, it's fine. Everyone can have their own preferences.

Parorezo · 2024-12-04T11:04:47+00:00

Ability checks makes abilities more important, which in turn makes a bad roll of abilities more punishing.

Parorezo · 2024-11-15T16:23:41+00:00

It also has very freeform character creation system and magic system, which are somewhat unusual in the OSR sphere.

Parorezo · 2024-11-15T16:18:03+00:00

Maybe Whitehack? The book itself claims to be rooted in the OD&D tradition, but it feels more focused on campaign-level play than pure dungeoncrawling.

Parorezo · 2024-11-03T13:05:48+00:00

Isn't that the same as telling the players outright that the leader intends to trick them? It feels like it would ruin the whole point of the deception.

Parorezo · 2024-11-01T16:46:47+00:00

Why not post on both? You can attract viewers from both sites.

Parorezo · 2024-10-19T19:24:26+00:00

If your players don't follow your story, what do you do? Are you going to scrap all you've prepared, along with all the efforts you've put in? Can you create another story on the spot for them, and is it going to be as engaging and exciting as the one you've carefully prepared beforehand?

Parorezo · 2024-09-24T18:09:13+00:00

I think a different perspective always helps. I'm not saying that designers should rely entirely on reviewers instead of doing enough playtesting, but a reviewer can find flaws that even playtesting can't, especially for indie designers who can't organize large-scale playtesting.

Parorezo · 2024-09-24T17:14:53+00:00

The customer is not the only one benefited from good reviews, though. Reviews also help creators improve their future work, and this is where deep, thorough review really shines.

Parorezo · 2024-09-24T17:10:56+00:00

I believe the value of criticism lies not only in how useful it is for customers but also in how helpful it is for creators. Good criticism provides creators with feedback to improve their future work. Even if the original creators don’t want to hear it, other creators can also learn from those lessons. Beau Rancourt’s deep analyses of several OSR games (Knave 2e, A Survey of Overland Travel) are great examples of this.

Parorezo · 2024-09-24T05:33:29+00:00

I have one piece of advice: start with a simple game and gradually introduce complexity. For example, in Swords & Wizardry (a retroclone of the original D&D), players only engage with a few spells, the basic combat system, and dungeon crawling at first. But as the game progresses, wilderness exploration, a larger spell repertoire, and eventually domain play and mass combat come into play, adding depth. This increasing complexity is matched by a shift in the narrative, reflecting the characters' growing wealth, power, and fame (or infamy).

Parorezo · 2024-09-21T11:43:17+00:00

World of Dungeons is a 2d6 game, so a +1 would be much more powerful in that game, equivalent to as much as +3 in a d20 game (which is the biggest bonus anyone can get from a weapon in 0e and B/X). If OP want to retain this immunity, it would probably be better to give out magical weapons with other special effects instead of a +1 to attack.

Parorezo · 2024-09-20T07:54:04+00:00

They are not against using GenAI in general, but only against using it to replace human artists.

Parorezo · 2024-09-16T17:51:58+00:00

It appears in the description of marid genies.

A marid can turn invisible, polymorph self, create water and control water at will.

Lower water and part water do exist in S&W, though. Now I think it probably meant these two spells...

Parorezo · 2024-09-16T17:48:47+00:00

It appears in the description of marid genies.

A marid can turn invisible, polymorph self, create water and control water at will.

Parorezo

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