Solomoriah Speaks E4 - What Makes 0e Special?

[Solomoriah]

So I've posted a new video here: https://youtu.be/3iesffHqFIs

I'm afraid I can't tell you why this is relevant to this forum (OGL) but if you're a fan of my "other" OSR game, you may find this one interesting.

[Tazer_The_Yoot]

Nice. I'm a fan of both your other game and... A certain game that came out in 74 which inspired a generation or five. I'm watching this when I get home.

[Solomoriah]

Ha. You're not on the contributor's list, as far as I know, so you can actually say the names if you want to.

[Tazer_The_Yoot]

Ha. You're not on the contributor's list, as far as I know, so you can actually say the names if you want to.

Good point! The ambiguity has a certain mystical charm about it, though, doesn't it?

[starmonkey]

I enjoyed this video, and it got me to download and read through IF.

I checked and Roll20 has an "OD&D" character sheet, so I'm thinking of running a one-shot of IF with a group of players than mainly plays 5E - perhaps with the Tomb of Horrors module?

So, what makes 0E experience special?

* Three classes with distinct roles
* Rules are often open to interpretation (e.g. spell descriptions)
* Intelligent magic swords for fighters, opening up the fighter's capabilities

The Thief class blamed by some for: 1) introducing a style of play where you roll to do things, rather than describe/negotiate your way through them. 2) Blurring the roles between the original three classes.

[brent]

I don't consider myself a Grognard, but I will give you my take on how the thief changed the game.

Problem-solving is a big part of 3LBB D&D. The game gave you a framework for combat, movement rules and a few basics for social interaction, but things like tricks & traps, navigating a hostile environment, sneaking around, and stealing stuff was all abstract. It was handled through problem-solving and role-play.

Sure, you can overcome the environment via magic, but magic is very limited. Magic is a get-out-of-jail-free card to be used when you can't figure out any other way, or when you have gotten in over your head and need a way out besides TPK.

The thief introduced a new type of mechanic for handling what used to be mostly role play. Now insteady of spending 10 minutes role playing a trap, the Thief could simply roll d% and be done with it. Instead of 15 minutes trying to bribe the guards or figure out how to distract them while you sneak down the coridore, the Thief rolls d% to move silent and hide in shadows.

The thief was the first step in what eventually evolved into skills, feats, powers and all kinds of lists of what your character can do.

Neither are a bad way to play. But, they are different types of games.

Prior to the "Thief Class" mostly all D&D characters were thieves. Just like Conan, Fafhrd & Mouser, Robin Hood, and Sinbad all operate as part time thieves.

Sort of like the difference between Sword & Sorcery and Epic Fantacy. Of course, is Bilbo the Burgaler a low level fighter or a theif.

[Seven]

Not a bad take on it, but there are nuances.
Climbing walls, picking pockets and opening locks could never really be done through roleplay.
The traps that you can play around are usually the big ones, like the stone on the floor that triggers an attack when you step on it and the ones that the thief can disarm are usually the small ones, like the needle trap in the door handle or the gas trap in the chest.
Hiding in shadows requires shadows, which you might have to create yourself and moving silently might be pointless without that distraction.
The success rate of the thieves ability are usually so low that they are almost a guaranteed failure unless you create a favourable situation, otherwise you need to bring along a whole extra party of thieves to get through just using rolls.

[Solomoriah]

Which is why we have the thief.