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Basic Damage

The toll of conventions, work travel, and writing for DDI sidelined my play a bit. Still, my plan to continue to run through the editions continues. We previously had fun discussing:

• Playtesting D&D Next and character creation and first play in OD&D
• Exploration in OD&D and the Goals for D&D Next
• Combat in OD&D and the advances of later editions

Since that time I've rested from D&DXP, written some fun DDI (Ecology of the Vegepygmy was announced as coming out in April!) and continued working with the Ashes of Athas admin and author teams on fantastic adventures for Chapters 5 and 6! I've also been devouring as much old content as I can, as if the past could hold the keys to the future. It just might.

I'm also enjoying the discussion instigated by the D&D Next group and...

OD&D and the Challenge of Pleasing Everyone, Part 2

In the first part I shared how our group felt about exploration and open play. Our party was mapping, moving through the dungeon and bashing into doors to see what they could find. Surely fortune, but perhaps danger? With our table illuminated by my old lava lamp, we continued.

Of Trolls and Fire and Vicious Combat

The next door the party opened led to a room inhabited by two trolls. I described their warty grey-green skin, their long nose and round-ridged eyes, their long arms, and their stooped posture, rather than name them, but the players instantly knew what they were. (The room originally had four 6 hit die trolls, I changed this to two 3 hit die trolls). Lard sent his mule inside ("Ok, I guess you brought your mule into the dungeon...",...

OD&D and the Challenge of Pleasing Everyone, Part 1

Last week I shared what I could about the playtesting of D&D Next and drew parallels to the experience of going back and running OD&D (the first "white box" version of D&D) for the first time. 

The Original D&D "White Box" and Supplements I and II

One of my big surprises was how much fun everyone had during the first session. Sure, everyone came into it with a very positive mindset, but I still expected the weaknesses of the rules to pose greater barriers to our enjoyment. Later editions had added so much to the game. Would a second session provide different results? What parallels exist between this learning process and playtesting D&D Next?

Exploration

The party continued through the swamp, following the directions given by...