Hey, wondering if there are any other die-hard gamers out there still enjoying some old AD&D! I love that system, even though its completely unplayable by the rules: hence everybody invented "house rules". But once that was done with the system was super! Why? The PCs were able to grow from 1st Level to very powerful individuals, influencing the game world on a grand scale. Even when the power level became very high (and the DM had doned out way to many magical items), you could still instill fear or awe into the players by making the adversaries more intelligent than they played. Furthermore, there never was a lack of powerful villains. Be it Orc, Man or Dragon, you could always go for more! (Just recently I DMed and brought out a Living Wall. Always wanted to bring that one out of the box!). There are other great systems out there, and many are superior to AD&D. For example, the thick story of V:TM and the really fast d10 system (where not one die roll in a gaming session is possible!) are great for high suspense gaming with a medium-sized troupe. But when it comes down to hosting a session for 6 gamers, there was nothing better (and I have tried a LOT) Well, so much for my monologue. Hope I didn't bore the hell out of everyone. mw

I haven't played AD&D in AGES! My old gaming group basically dispersed to the Middle and west coast of the US (I'm on the east coast) after high school (over 16 years ago). But when we did play, we pretty much got frustrated with the restrictiveness that's inherent with AD&D's rules. So we opted for using the Rolemaster system instead. That was ooodles more fun primarily because of the sheer flexibility. I do miss playing with my old friends though.

AD&D 2nd was great, if a bit mis-mashed together, and it still has something that DnD 3.0/3.5 doesn't have. Havn't played second in a year or so, my friend had been doing a planescape game, I played a tiefling rogue from Sigil who had NWPs coming out the ying-yang from her faction and kit and everything >.> That was fun.

The fun was in making the lack of old rules fit your team. Sure you could play encumberance by the book (we tried once -hoho) but we played a more balanced storyplay style. We all hand-painted our diecast characters and spent ages arguing over how people played alignment, out of dungeon knowledge and reliving the best moments. We played twice a week for years, but as our respective kids got in the way and we went our own ways, it died a natural death. Two or three of us became routine DMs for the loose 10-14 followers. The satisfaction value was immense - a wonderful creative outlet for the imagination - just you and a notebook. I have kept all our old notes, maps, character sheets etc from over 20 years ago and have a laugh with the kids trying to decsribe them again. We found the bought dungeons restrictive and often lacking in imagination - except for the terror of Ravenloft, of course. Happy days indeed.

I can say I've played most of the game types, but my group of people didn't get satisfied with D&D and AD&D either. We bought the different boxes and books but after a while it got boring. The focus was only on collecting coins and murdering monsters at that time. We moved on to this and that. I have only played computer games based on the new system and I actually like it. Though computer games also tend to focus too much on "slaughter everything, grab all for yourself". Nowadays we actually barely use our character sheets, mainly to scribble down background history, looks, and names. The last years I have only rolled the dice when creating a new character and then perhaps just once a year But I love it! We nog dig into intrigue, politics, diplomacy and backstabbing instead. It's great fun! But hacking your way into an orcs' nest has it's wonderful charm! Oh crap... did I stray away from the subject now?

My old gaming group (back when we were in school... *sigh*) used to play at least once a week. And that was just AD&D. I don't know about you guys, but the way that AD&D makes you argue about the rules and the best way to get around them also meant that all players were very much immersed in the system (don't know if THAT was good english... ) But yes: Alignment is a load of ****! Any of you, as a DM, ever try to penalize a character for not adhering to his/her alignment? Boy, was I ever in for big -long- discussion... Nonetheless, when I look at all those old books and boxes standing in the shelf of the role-playing room.. those good old days come right back at me, and I find myself dying for the next gaming session. Which will be in two weeks. If everyone can get around. Doesn't have night-shift. Kids/Wife/Husband let them. etc

*sigh* school did have its advantages!!

Me and my friends play roughly once a week. But those with kids and wives have some trouble. But most of us are not married and without children... I wonder why that is so... Because of the roleplaying games perhaps?!

you may have a point... will ask my ex-girlfriend about that

No, no. You have the strategy all wrong. You have to find a girlfriend who games too.

That's kind of how I found my wife...when we first met, we were both avid video gamers!

I must addmit that I can't spend more than 1 week without playing D&D. My brother says that I'm pain in his but (he is my dm). Always thinking about my elf ranger Quarion Galadonel. Can u ppls help me?

I've been playing D&D since I was 12 (38 yrs young now). I took a long break after college, in between 2.0 and 3.5. I skipped 3.0 all together. I currently play in 2 different campaigns, one with friends who are more into battles and less into role play, and the other just the opposite...more adventure and role play, less conflicts. I definitely like the latter the better. When it comes to combat, the rules are very detailed, drawn out and becomes cumbersome. It never fails that someone wants to argue the details. I would much rather spend the details on how beautiful a mangaroo swamp landscape looks or how a powerful magic can actually make your hair stand on end, than to waste it on perfoming multiple grapple checks to see who has the upper hand. BTW, I'm the DM on the more adventure and role-play campaign...I love to use my imagination and my players love that too! With both campaigns, it feeds my D&D fix!

I have handeled one week without D&D I'm sooooo proud of my self! But does playing neverwinter nights count?

And I must say that my brother got maried in september last year with girl wich plays r.p. games too (actually just d n d) and they got baby 28. january in this year. Her name is Kosjenka (babys name) wich is in croatia elven name and there is almoast no womans wit that name in cro. because ppls here think it's odd to give ppls elven names. Specialy Kosjenka...

Yes playing Neverwinter Nights counts cause it goes by 3.0E

Hi everyone, I see a lot of posts here about D&D, and if anyone still plays etc. I don't know if anyone is interested, but we record our sessions at a local radio station, and broadcast them over the internet. We have tremendous fun, but even though some of us have been playing for more than 15 years, it was very unnerving at first. The episodes are recorded on Friday nights (fortnightly) and broadcast on the next Monday, at 9.30pm (GMT) Next episode being recorded Friday 5th October for broadcast on Monday 8th October We have recorded 2 episodes and broadcast them, but we have also saved them as Podcasts, so anyone can keep up with the story at any time. The radio station is www.brfm.co.uk, from the buttons on the left of this page take the option to join our station Forum, where you can suggest actions for the group to do. In addition to this, take the Podcast option and download to your hardrive. Thanks Draygor (DM)

...please don't spam

Well I'm making the plunge and getting back into D&D. My old high school friend runs and also plays with 4th edition rules. So I'm having to relearn everything (Last time I played was when 2nd edition just came out). I'm also straying from my typical Ranger class and going to play a Rogue. I'm debating between being Eladrin, Elven, or Halfling. Any suggestions?

Of those three races, Elves and Halflings are best suited to be rogues. I do not know much about 4e edition though, my group have invested too much money into 3.x edition and have decided to stick with it. I hope you have fun, the rules are supposed to be super-simplified to make character creation faster. However, if you are a Forgotten Realms fan, then I suggest avoiding the 4e Forgotten Realms. The changes they have made are pretty drastic. If you are not, and you end up playing Living Forgotten Realms, you should actually have quite a bit of fun from what I hear.

I like Elves. Just thought I'd tell everyone. Bye now.