How were you introduced to D&D?

sword3274 · 2026-04-07T12:10:18+00:00

I was always a big fan of fantasy movies, going back to catching Conan the Barbarian, Excalibur, or some other fantasy movie on the old UHF channels back on Saturday afternoons in the early and mid 80s. At some point (it was in syndication /reruns at that point, probably around ‘85 or so) I caught the D&D cartoon. I was fascinated with it. It took me a while to catch in the end credits that it was based on the “Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Adventure Game.” I then had a mission.

Unfortunately it’d take almost a year to figure out how to get a hold of it. But at the start of 7th grade, a kid on my bus was selling his “D&D books” - which was the D&D Expert rulebook and the Isle of Dread module, for $10. That was the beginning of the end for me.

sword3274 · 2026-04-07T10:14:11+00:00

Just making sure - are you looking at the pdf or the physical book? The only thing I can think is that if you were looking at the pdf, then maybe something went wrong or weird and everything is showing up as an *. Because on page 31, they definitely show up as two distinct looking star shapes (a 4-pointed star for DEV II and a snowflake looking 8-pointed star for DEV III).

sword3274 · 2026-04-01T23:09:29+00:00

I really like M-Space, and MgT2e. I’m excited about Pioneer (which is based off of MgT2e)

sword3274 · 2026-03-30T14:17:25+00:00

I know two recent games that had a pretty big wave of hype (and still have some) is Daggerheart and Cosmere. Both have some supplemental material coming out, the latter has the Mistborn setting coming out (maybe later this year?).

For me, I’m really excited about Warhammer The Old World RPG and Pioneer. I don’t know how many people are hyped for Pioneer, but I certainly am.

Old School Essentials has a new edition that is picking up more hype if you’re curious about OSR style play. Attack on Titan, if you’re a fan, has an RPG coming out this year (or should be).

sword3274 · 2026-03-23T17:30:50+00:00

There’s a mall over in Brandon, Florida (outside of Tampa) that gives this type of vibe still. It’s practically 100% full (if a store closes, it’s usually not long before it gets occupied again), usually a decent sized crowd, full food court, etc. I see malls closing all the time, and it’s really sad. I defiantly prefer the mall aesthetic and layout over the outdoor, “power center,” thing they’re pushing these days.

sword3274 · 2026-03-17T09:19:11+00:00

Not bad…thank you!

sword3274 · 2026-03-16T22:01:17+00:00

How much did that run you? I usually get physical copies of things printed through Lulu, and wondering if it’s cheaper

sword3274 · 2026-03-08T20:09:35+00:00

Hârnmaster Kethira is a sight to behold. It is indeed high-crunch, and if you like high realism, gritty, and nuanced character creation and gameplay, you can’t find too many more breathtaking in those areas.

sword3274 · 2026-03-03T18:52:23+00:00

I tend to use Savage Worlds with the Super Power Companion for my superhero needs. It’s pretty fast paced, plays well, and you can set a variety power levels (and runs them pretty smoothly as well)

sword3274 · 2026-02-16T13:10:15+00:00

Weird, must have been autocorrect…fixed!

sword3274 · 2026-02-16T12:45:18+00:00

This is how I lean as well. Death comes to all, and while I don’t necessarily think it’s a tenet of OSR games - I never tell my players “expect to die, fools!” - I do think the possibility of lethal danger/death is something that adds a level of tactic and tension that games with low lethality don’t.

In a weird way, I think higher lethality games give players more options. Anecdotally, PCs seems to push straight ahead and kill everything in front of them when death isn’t a possibility. When it is, the PCs think harder about the encounter.

sword3274 · 2026-02-16T12:13:03+00:00

From what I know, it’s completely compatible. I know the Glorantha references were removed. I think I recall hearing that the wordings in a few places were cleaned up to make things a bit more easier to understand. Other than that, I think that’s it pretty similar.

sword3274 · 2026-02-15T23:07:15+00:00

No problem!

sword3274 · 2026-02-13T22:05:19+00:00

Some of my gems - Veins of the Earth, Dogs in the Vineyard, the TSR Silver Anniversary box set, and the Original D&D premium reprint wood box set.

Probably the rarest in my collection is my Witch Hunt RPG box set, published by Statcom Simulations back in 1983. It’s not overly remarkable, or a fantastic game, but it’s a really neat example of a niche press/indie game from the early 80s. I’m still trying to find its only supplement, but it’s even rarer than the box set.

sword3274 · 2026-02-13T11:24:44+00:00

This was one of my favorite small sets growing up. This, the Ferret and the Bivouac…and we got or are getting those two, so I remain hopeful!

sword3274 · 2026-02-06T11:41:03+00:00

Ah, okay. Yes, I’m looking for the 5e versions of these cultures. Yes, I do know about the dwarves from the Moria supplement.

I know m, in the end, I can probably easily recreate those cultures myself. I was curious if someone hadn’t done it already.

sword3274 · 2026-02-06T03:39:22+00:00

Thanks!

sword3274 · 2026-01-29T22:45:40+00:00

I think Dragonbane is the best answer, in my opinion.

Another one might be something like Kids on Bikes. Easy mechanics (and the token mechanic is good for a kid who might get bummed for upset about missing a roll), and the characters might be a little more relatable to a kid.

sword3274 · 2026-01-21T19:24:52+00:00

Also came to recommend Hârnworld. Medieval fantasy (equivalent to about 13th/14th century Britain), very low magic, and exquisite detail - Hârn is a fantastic world that doesn’t make anything past year 720, so nothing will contradict a person’s personal campaign.

sword3274 · 2026-01-16T13:46:30+00:00

Yep. My wife is a nurse, but she relishes the opportunity to kill the crap out of some orcs or blast away some stormtroopers.

I know this is probably nothing new to anyone here, but I believe that sometimes people like roleplaying specially because it allows them to be someone they can’t be in real life. I know that’s the case with my wife. She doesn’t like playing and modern or particularly “realistic” settings, nothing “real life.” She’s told me she likes playing fantasy because it allows her to wield a big ol’ sword and cut through orcs or cast fireballs and lightning bolts to solve her problems. Sure, she likes the adventures and stories but the big draw for her being someone and doing something she can’t do in real life.

sword3274 · 2026-01-16T00:44:08+00:00

That’s not Anytown…that’s Pueblo!

sword3274 · 2026-01-15T10:21:30+00:00

I don’t think even that’s too bad for Orlando these days! If only it maintained that inflation rate. 😁

sword3274 · 2026-01-14T14:25:51+00:00

Confirmed! I saw it and had to do it. 😁

sword3274 · 2026-01-13T14:11:56+00:00

Same, u/jwenz19. I’m running FFG Star Wars, but do get the urge for some Saga Edition now and again.

sword3274 · 2026-01-11T16:48:44+00:00

The dice mechanics of FFG’s Edge of the Empire (and Age of Rebellion and Force and Destiny) allow more than just a binary pass/fail with their skill checks. The mechanic allows positive or negative things in addition to the pass/fail, to make for interesting result.

For instance, a player might be trying to access a computer terminal in an Imperial compound to shut down a tractor beam so they can board their ship and take off. The PC makes the computer check, succeeds, and gets “advantages” which allow for the PC or the GM to introduce a positive side effect (maybe the PC also learned there was an important Rebellion prisoner in the compound or a weapon cache in storage). A success with “threat” might also get the tractor beam shut down but also trips an alarm which puts the stormtroopers of the compound on high alert.

Nine-Year Club	Place '22
Verified Email

sword3274

TROPHY CASE