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Evard
2009-12-26, 12:26 PM
So i been thinking that i would like to learn a bit about the older dnd systems. Is there anywhere i can find a PDF of the rules for 2e and before? I'm sure actually getting the books is near impossible for me so i was thinking of an online site something like d20srd or crystal keep for 3.X

I would like to see where 3.5/4e came from, but i'm also in the process of creating my own tabletop game so seeing what was already done would also help.

Vorpalbob
2009-12-26, 12:57 PM
{Scrubbed}

Narmoth
2009-12-26, 01:07 PM
There is an open source variant of AD&D 2nd ed, just like you have the SRD for D&D. I don't remember what it's called.
I doubt you can buy pdfs, but you could look after the Core Rules cd on ebay for around 70 USD.
I think buying the books used is actually cheaper though, at about 10-15 USD + shipping

And torrent downloads isn't only illegal, but also punishable in USA and some other countries, so check that before downloading anything

Evard
2009-12-26, 01:17 PM
Well I'm not one for torrents but thanks for the info on that.

Open source variant? Looks like its google time lol

Darrin
2009-12-26, 01:40 PM
I think Narmoth is refering to OSRIC (http://www.knights-n-knaves.com/osric/), but it's 1E, not 2E.

Evard
2009-12-26, 01:46 PM
Thanks I'll check it out :)

oxybe
2009-12-26, 01:55 PM
i would also put my hat in recommending ebay, amazon, ect...

you may want to check out your FLGS, as they might get some older stuff in stock every now and then. some might put it in reserve for you too (ours does). ours gets some pretty old stuff every now and then... i got a 1st ed PHB, OA & Deities Demigods (the revised version that doesn't have Cthulu and Co) a while ago, and we sometimes get some 2nd ed stuff.

Flea Markets. you would be amazed what you can find there. i would go to more of them, but i tend to work weekends. you may want to try used bookstores too.

yes, you can torrent the books, but if you're like me, you either:
A) don't have a laptop.
B) prefer a real book.
C) A & B <-(that's me)

also, not the most legal manner to get books.

jmbrown
2009-12-26, 02:16 PM
Aside from illegal downloads, auctions, or collectible shops you won't find the books available for free anywhere but there's plenty of resources available to help you out.

White Box (http://www.swordsandwizardry.com/whiteboxpdf.pdf): An OGL compatible adaption of the original boxed version of D&D. It only uses the original three manuals from the first published product.

Swords and Wizardry (http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/swords_wizardry_core_rules_%28pdf%29/6374501): OGL adaption of the original boxed version of D&D plus most of the additions from the extra supplements like Greyhawk and Blackmoor.

Labyrinth Lord (http://www.goblinoidgames.com/labyrinthlord.html): OGL adaption of Rules Cyclopedia which is a combination of Basic, Expert, Companion, and Masters Dungeons and Dragons (this is mostly an entirely different game than D&D due to a split in opinions between Gygax and TSR; read the wikipedia entry on Basic Dungeons and Dragons for more info). Some people swear by Basic D&D and still play it.

OSRIC (http://www.knights-n-knaves.com/osric/): OGL adaption of Advanced Dungeons and Dragons 1st Edition.

Now, to toot my own horn a bit...

2nd Edition Fantasy Rules (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=132779): Ignore the name as I've been flipping around a bit, but I'm writing an OGL adaption of Zeb Cook's 2nd edition rules. I'm still pretty early into it and there are tons of inaccuracies so don't get too far into it. There'll be a pretty massive update on the 1st of January with a good chunk of work completed.

Now if you actually want to buy the books, they're not that expensive unless you live outside the USA and shipping costs are a problem. All the core books for each edition usually run $6-10 each depending on the quality and print run. The White Box will go for about $100 for later printings (good luck with the wood grain lol). The most expensive D&D supplements ever aside from OD&D are the Cthulhu version of Deities and Demigods, The Complete Necromancer's Handbook, and The Complete Ninja's Handbook.

bosssmiley
2009-12-26, 04:16 PM
Labyrinth Lord (http://www.goblinoidgames.com/labyrinthlord.html): OGL adaption of Rules Cyclopedia which is a combination of Basic, Expert, Companion, and Masters Dungeons and Dragons (this is mostly an entirely different game than D&D due to a split in opinions between Gygax and TSR; read the wikipedia entry on Basic Dungeons and Dragons for more info). Some people swear by Basic D&D and still play it.

<nitpick>
Labyrinth Lord is more a homage to Marsh/Cooke B/X D&D (pub 1981, topped out at 14th level) than to the full-on Over 9000! of Mentzer/Allston BECMI D&D (which topped out at 36th level, and you could then play 36 more levels as a demigod). But essentially right.
</nitpick>

B/X (named for the two boxes - Basic and Expert) is probably as near to archetypal 'common knowledge' D&D as you can get. OD&D and AD&D are both a bit too hardcore to claim that title (the former being incomplete-by-design; the latter being so excessively detailed that EGG himself didn't run it as written).


Now, to toot my own horn a bit...

2nd Edition Fantasy Rules (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=132779): Ignore the name as I've been flipping around a bit, but I'm writing an OGL adaption of Zeb Cook's 2nd edition rules. I'm still pretty early into it and there are tons of inaccuracies so don't get too far into it. There'll be a pretty massive update on the 1st of January with a good chunk of work completed.

Cool. Please keep us informed. Ginger Stepchild edition is an old fave. :smallbiggrin:

Matthew
2009-12-27, 02:53 PM
For the purposes of seeing the roots of D20/3e/4e, the above systems mentioned should be sufficient, but JMBrown's project should also fill in a few missing steps along the way. A real pity WotC took down all their old edition pdfs...

Evard
2009-12-27, 04:44 PM
Thanks everyone :)

So far my two projects are coming along nicely thanks to what you all posted but anymore information would be appreciated.

ken-do-nim
2009-12-27, 05:54 PM
I just wanted to third or fourth eBay. The 1st, 2nd, and 3.0 core books are dirt cheap.

Evard
2009-12-27, 09:41 PM
Problem i have with ebay is that someone always has auto bid and the price ends up getting to high *sigh*

Does anyone know any online games of any sort that plays off from older dnd rules? i'm thinking 2e and before.

Matthew
2009-12-27, 09:55 PM
Does anyone know any online games of any sort that plays off from older dnd rules? i'm thinking 2e and before.

As in play-by-post? Dragonsfoot (http://www.dragonsfoot.org/forums/index.php) hosts a few games in addition to being a discussion board and fan publishing site.

Evard
2009-12-27, 09:57 PM
I've never tried play-by-post but i have been interested, i'll take a look at it =]