Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it! Old School Essentials is on my list and will be my very next purchase! :) I'm not sure if I want the Tome or the boxed set or both! :)
RollStats FYI: The Rules Book is sold out. Gavin Mentioned in a Podcast that they will plan a 2nd printing in the future. I believe the box set is still available at this time. If you need player for an online B/X game I would love to join.
I lost my original basic and expert books the same way. I was 12 and I'd had them for 3 years and someone convinced me that I should put them in a binder so I could rearrange the pages.
My favorite system. I started with AD&D 1e. I’ve since played 5e but I still keep returning to B/X. I like the fact that PC stats mean something. It makes the PC and thereby the player the focal point rather than the situation or the environment with its corresponding DCs. The stats determine the difficulty of the game rather than the DM deciding on DCs. It’s just my preference. Everyone is entitled to what they like.
It's kind of funny, because just last night I was reading through my copy of the Expert Rules. As a collector I 100% support your decision to leave the dice sealed and I have to say seeing the bend in the module included in the box hurt me. Awesome video once again!
Thanks so much! It's no coincidence that you were reading through the Expert rule book last night! That's fate! You're meant to run a B/X game, and I'm meant to play Solomon Blood in it! Also, thanks for understanding about not opening the dice :) I just couldn't bring myself to open the sealed bag. And yes... Seeing the bend in the module was a heart-dropping moment for me too!
That was awesome...thank you. BX , is and always will be my favorite version. My return to playing after 27 years, was with B4 Palace of the silver princess. I played with a mate I used to play in the 80s as well as my daughter and my other daughters boyfriend...the feeling I got and the response from the players was lifting! Bring on the revival!
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!!! Also, I think you mean B3 :) Cool back story on that module (also I am already planning a review of it) B3: Palace of the Silver Princess is most commonly found with the green cover edition, credited to Tom Moldvay and Jean Wells. However, this actually isn't the original version!!! The original module was written by Jean Wells alone and had an orange cover but it was recalled and destroyed by TSR before it went into wide release, for reasons I'll cover in my review. Word to the wise if you ever run across an orange cover B3 in the wild... BUY IT! It is legitimately one of the most valuable modules you can find! Think thousands of dollars valuable, hell, tens of thousands to the right buyer!
@@glen20rainman56 Hahahahah no worries at all! Honestly, the only reason it's ingrained into my mind is because of the controversy that surrounds it. I have this fantasy that I'll walk into a garage sale one day and see a pristine orange copy just laying there and I'll ask how much? And it will be like 50 cents and my life will be made :)
I highly recommend picking up a copy of Old School Essentials. It's the Moldvay/Cook/Marsh rules reorganized and made much more user friendly. I know the rules tome is sold out at the moment, but they are running another kickstarter at the start of the year and doing another print run. 10/10 recommended.
This is my favorite rules set of all time so I’m glad you did this follow-up! I’m eagerly looking forward to your reviews of modules since I go treasure hunting at my local shops from time to time. Also, I’d love to see a review of the Old School Essentials box set or rules. I’m going back and forth over whether to get that and if it’s compatible with B/Ex.
Great stuff, sir! I love thos set as well and have been wanting to start a B/X campaign for quite a while. The roll under stat check is one of the most intuitive and easiest fixes for skills and feats ever, and I am surprised that it hasn't been utilized more. Game on!
Thank you so much for this video! I haven't really started much, just d&d starter set. After learning of this version of d&d, I want it! I prefer the older rpgs, and symple systems. Been brainstorming my own or just plug and play alternatives. I want to learn more. Wish I could've bought the box set, but pdfs are okay after printing them.
I started D&D with the BX series when I was about 9. Fell in love with D&D with this set and have been playing ever since. I too cut out the monster sections out from the basic and expert set to put in a three ring binder. (Dumb, I was just a kid). Thankfully I found good copies at used book stores and amazon. I agree that this is one of the most fun and nostalgic versions, I’ve played!
Okay, first off! Greatest RUclips handle ever! Second, I think that everyone who cut up the books regretted it :) Thanks for watching, I'm glad you enjoyed it!
I love BX. I recently found my sets and my 10 year old daughter was intrigued by the pictures. We started playing and she loves it. We play all the time now. We would love to join a BX group with you Bill if you still need players. I have the companion set as well.
Wonderful review; I can’t wait for the follow up! I absolutely agree with your feelings about the “optional rule” Saving vs. Abilities. It cuts so much garbage out of the following editions in a simple and yet elegant manner. Btw, if you check on page X7 you’ll note that both Fighters and Halflings may construct a castle / stronghold at *any point*, if they have “enough money”. An interesting and perhaps game altering rule that’s often overlooked. Many thanks again for the time and energy you put into all your videos!
Thanks so much, I'm glad you found it entertaining! Part 2 is coming shortly, so stay tuned! Also, great point on Halflings and Fighters! I knew that Halflings could create a stronghold at any point they could afford it, because they never actually reach 9th "Name" level, but I never realized fighters had the option as well! Great catch! :)
I have always wanted to play a B/X campaign, but I always had trouble finding a group because everyone wanted to play AD&D as I did not learn of it until the Red Box Basic set. I've really been enjoying your videos since Dave at DravenSwiftBow recommended your channel . Glad you decided to keep making videos.
I love your passion and always have. It is infectious. B/X D&D is my favorite edition just after OD&D. I loved the video. I printed out the B/X PDFs and put them into a folder with some of my favorite art for the covers.
I used to own a copy of Basic and Expert booklets that my brother brought from the US, and some tables didn't match, which confused me, and turned out the Basic was the Mentzer version but the Expert was the cook version. So there's that.
Funny you noted that Halflings got screwed in D&D. I believe that Gary Gygax originally wrote the rules for "Hobbits" but was contacted by received a Cease and Desist from the Tolkein estate. Thereafter, Gary decided, "Screw Hobbits!"
@@RollStats I'm shipping issue 3 of a comic book based on my experiences in the White Wolf World of Darkness RPGs. So I'm not here to throw stones. I did offer the book to the company that bought White Wolf. They liked the comic, but did not want to complicate their relationship with their chosen publisher.
Lately I am increasingly focusing on creating a universe of comic creators freely sharing the IPs with each other. Back before COVID, I was working comic shows most every weekend. I would be selling my stuff to customers new and old alongside visual artists selling bootlegs of sexy Catwoman and Harley Quinn. I began to ponder why DC and Marvel didn’t shut these artists down. They make thousands a year infringing on their IPs. It dawned on me that Marvel and DC were content to let people market their characters for them. And, really, why shouldn’t they be? Why should Tolkein have given the blessing to Gygax to use their entire line? Did the Tolkein estate not benefit? So I share out the characters I create for anyone to use for free. It’s a win-win.
@@RollStats BTW, "Old School Essentials" repackaged the Basic / Expert rules and their kickstarter just passed $225k. www.kickstarter.com/projects/exaltedfuneral/old-school-essentials-advanced-fantasy?ref=discovery&term=old%20school%20essentials
Great job. Barely any videos for the Expert Rules have been done so it’s good to have a really great rundown. As an aside, because the rules are “thinner”, it really allows for a more expansive adventure because you’re making them up as you go along. The DM’s I had, always house ruled ascending armor class so when I finally moved up to 2nd edition with a new guy I had a learning curve with Thac0.
Thanks, David! I'm glad you enjoyed it! The B/X system is truly a great framework that allowed any group to add their own particular flavor to it. It really was a game that not only encouraged house rules, but welcomed them! :)
I never had a problem with 1st edition. We swiped a LOT of stuff from it. When we finally all had the 1e Players Handbook it wasn’t a lot of work to move up.
Great review/overview! I ran Night's Dark Terror (just the first section) at PAX Unplugged in December using B/X, the group had a blast! I probably prefer BECMI to straight B/X, there are some pretty important fundamental differences between them (eg, clerics get magic staffs, not magic-users) and I feel a lot of grogs conflate B/X, BECMI, and 1e AD&D.
Excellent. I flipped through my Expert Rules book following along with your video. Yes, it was my first version of D&D and as you say, that makes it the best. You can't beat nostalgia. Fair point about the artwork but this and the Basic Rule book must surely be the finest example of editing ever seen. 128 pages with no filler text but dripping with atmosphere. For example, the section on Designing a Wilderness was just one page. One page! Today, that would be it's own book but if you boiled it right down, it wouldn't have much more than Mr Cook's single page. Wish my copy was as good as yours! I keep my (knackered) originals in their box and use the PDFs for play...You want B/X to come back? It's back already, check out the Old-School Essentials. Go for the hardback Classic Fantasy Rules Tome. Amazing.
Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoyed the review and flip through! And I couldn't agree with you more! I believe the B/X system was the best version of the rules ever written, and most of that has to do with the editing! Moldvay and Cook were able to boil down the rules to a usable frame work that was easy to pick up and play in minutes, to read and understand completely in hours, and to play and enjoy for years! Old School Essentials is definitely on my list! :)
I would love to play in a B/X game some time. I have the basic and expert boxes coming in the mail. I would love to get a taste of playing before I try and gather a group to play myself. Thanks for the great review!
I've been into old school rules for a few years now, really starting with the early retro clones like Basic Fantasy about 14 years ago, and one thing I've noticed in recent years is the often repeated assumption that only old guys with nostalgia would prefer something like B/X to something like 5e, and that strikes me as weird because I was born too late to have nostalgia for B/X. I'm only 35 this year. I started during the 2e days and I always wanted something simpler and more concise. I don't prefer stuff like B/X because it reminds me of my childhood but because it simply works better than what I had for presenting the types of adventures I want to present and play in.
I'm late to the party, but I've loved your B/X and KoTB videos. I hope you've got a copy of the Old School Essentials Rules Tomb! If you think B/X is well organized and easy to grog, the OSE repackaging will blow your mind. :)
another great video review. I have played threw this set but, the first one I dm in was the red box, I really hope you can review that one soon. I am so happy you are back, thank you for sparking my passion for old school dungeons and dragons, again. im thinking about running my current 5e group threw "The curse of the reptile god" using bx rules set. happy gamming.
Thanks, Brian! I am happy to be back, and I'm glad you enjoyed the video! If you end up running your group through Reptile God you have to let me know how it goes! :)
@@RollStats I totally will !!!! thank you for your reply. I have never responded to a youtube video except your return video because I don't know how to leave a comet without posting my real name. but im old school, lol.
@@brianburton6154 Oh shoot! I can delete the comments if you'd like, so your name is gone? Just let me know. Trust me, no offense would be taken at all. I get it :)
Awsome review! i didn't really start with 5e but looking into basic fantasy was really fun being a newcomer. Im more for a simple game and the focus of the adventure. Maybe ill invest into basic fantasy in the future.
Basic Fantasy is a great B/X retroclone! So is B/x Essentials! And honestly, you could pick up a set of the Basic and Expert Rules at DM's Guild for about $10 for both!
@@RollStats its something ive been thinking too from how B/X had more to being theater of the mind rather than minis. It was interesting learning about that in the basic set review.
I wish this would've been available to me in '95 thru '99 in Southeast Louisiana when I was making rules up to run games with my friends. All I had was the 2nd Edition AD&D PHB & I made everything else up as we went. I just gave combat stats to every monster & every NPC that I created. We were 13 to 17 years old. No one had money or even a means to find something like this. I never knew any of this existed until very recently. Only recently returned to RPGs after more than 15 years. I'll have to use this as a guideline. The PDFs anyway
Bill, for what it's worth, you're absolutely wrong! I have an Expert box set that I personally opened from the original shrink myself and the copy of X1 does indeed NOT fit in the box, it is bent. So it was bent by TSR, not some reseller! It sounds like TSR used whatever copy of X1 they had on hand when assembling these boxes, whether one properly trimmed or one meant for individual sale. You've got a complete original copy ;)
I completely understand your love for the rules for B/X. The ruleset is a very simple and easy one for a DM to make rulings as opposed to using a bunch of rules in the game. I think there are some ideas that are a bit dated such as race as class and lvl cap for race as class. As an alternative but something that feels similar to me is a game called 5 Torches Deep. It takes the rules of 5E down to a skeleton and then builds the game back up using OSR ideas much like those of B/X. I would very much recommend you check them out. Thanks for the video, keep up the great work.
Old School Essentials is the latest variation of BX D&D OSR. BX Essentials is pretty much true BX BX Fantasy by Alexander Loyd is $14.95 for paperback on Lulu.
I always liked that demi-humans were limited in levels in the old school game. It was understood that the other races were on their way out of the world and humans were taking it over due to their *limitless* power. What they didn't have in special abilities they made up for in potential. In today's D&D with all the crazy races Humans would be meat at the BBQ. I like my fantasy grounded in at least a little reality...
Thanks for watching! I agree, I prefer a grittier grim dark world as well. I think the fun in the game is equivalent to the challenges presented. If the player characters are guaranteed success, what is the point of even rolling dice :)
@@RollStats Thanks for the video! I enjoyed it. Totally agree. I know everyone has their own taste and no taste is wrong but even just watching people play D&D on RUclips I rarely ever feel there is any real tension in the game and it feels boring for that. Never a real 'oh shit!' moment...
I'm about to start running DCC games with some friends I know. I don't own a computer nor do I intend to get one, so no online games or anything. I found a pdf called DCC Basic. It's a booklet pdf formed from B/X, LotFP & Dungeon Crawl Classics. I'm just freaked out because these basic & expert books fill in so many missing blanks that I had from only knowing the 2nd Edition PHB
I really enjoyed your video! I keep looking on eBay for a decent copy at the right price. I may have to piece one together. That may end up being cheaper actually. Great video!
THAT is a great question! So… To the best of my knowledge (which is based primarily on publish dates) it goes like this: B1 - In Search of the Unknown Was published for Holmes Basic (The Blue Box) because this is pre Moldvay Basic. B2 - The Keep on the Borderlands B3 - Palace of the Silver Princess B4 - The Lost City X1 - The Isle of Dread X2 - Castle Amber Were all published for Moldvay/Cook as they were pre Mentzer BECMI. Although X1 was included in the Mentzer Expert box set it was simply rehashed) Where I’m not clear is X3 - Curse of Xanathon, I honestly can’t tell you based on publish date whether this was published for Moldvay/Cook B/X or Mentzer BECMI, the dates are just too close to call. If anyone knows, please tell me! Everything beyond B4 and X3 were without question BECMI.
Welcome back. I commented on your BX create a character video and was surprised when you stopped posting. I would love to play a BX game. Let me know if you are getting a BX game together and need a Cleric. I'm your man.
Just a fun tidbit. Someone out there did in fact make the third companion book in the b/x style fairly recently I believe. I haven’t read it so I could attest to its quality or authenticity but if you are annoyed by the basic and expert books referencing a volume that was never produced you could probably check it out.
Quick question, I want to relive my childhood by playing through all of the old modules. My question is, should I start with basic for the B modules then move onto the expert rules? Should I start right away with the expert rules?
Intrestingly, looking at the bottom half of the box copy of Isle of Dread, it looks like TSR just took a paper cutter and shaved off a bit. The serial number and "Printed in USA" are closer to the edge. Maybe they realised that the boxes were just a bit too small for the modules, and solved the situation with a quick cut job instead of wasting money on recalling the boxes? I've never realised this difference myself. Sadly, I don't have both versions so I can't look inside to see if the bottoms of the printed pages are also closer to the edge. If that were so, then I'm almost certain that they just shaved down some modules to fit in the boxes. Intresting nonetheless!
My plan as soon as my prepunched printer paper is to print the pdf of b and x and put them in a retro trapper keeper. I was wanting to use a fabric binder but was having issues finding one of those crappy blue fabric 80s binders.
I understand the joy of having ancient stuff, got some myself, but I need to ask the question of when does it become more sensible to reprint something like these things or repackage old video games into new, smaller tech.. like why do people need the original? Does it have some kind of spiritual aspect to it? Just curious.
If you're going to cut up the books to put them together in a 3 ring binder then you just have to put the pages in document protecter's. The pages are safe and your not losing any of them.
@@RollStats I've recently become enchanted with the GURPS Dungeon Fantasy set. It really feels to me a bit like the old school rules, but it's quite rigorous. In running a Pathfinder game, I took to having people generate character with 3d6 keep the order. Made for better games.
@@PocketJacksComics So I'm going to admit something at the risk of getting my grognard card pulled. I have never played GURP's. The system seems cool, but it also seems like a TON of work. Is it as heavy a lift as it seems? Maybe I'll finally try it!
I'll be putting together an online game for new players. Not sure quite when, maybe tomorrow. Since the players are all new to the system, I'm just handing them characters based on what they usually play. All the typical AD&D race / class combos are present.If you wanted to try it, let me know.
@@PocketJacksComics I'd love to give it a shot, but I can't do tomorrow. I'd need to figure out my schedule :) BTW great channel! You have a new subscriber :)
I think if I ever play again, this is the edition I'd pick. I went straight from basic to advanced before they published this, so I never actually did, but I always stripped down the rules. So a streamlined system that is more open ended has always been the appeal. your review confirms this.
Do you prefer this or Basic Fantasy? I know they're both basically the same. Just curious which one you prefer compared to the other and why? Thanks again and I love the content man.
Thanks so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it! I must admit I prefer B/X to Basic Fantasy, however with that said I must also admit that most of that has to do with nostalgia. If I were new to the game, or if I were recommending a system to someone new to the game I would probably recommend Basic Fantasy. It has ascending armor class, and d20 mechanics that more closely resemble modern game systems.
@@RollStats Yea I'm currently in two games; one using B/X and the other Basic Fantasy. The main differences I'm seeing with Basic is, as you mentioned AAC, and race separated from class. Both of these things most would see as a plus. Generally speaking AAC is more intuitive but I still find myself loving DAC for some odd reason and I think I really prefer race as class. But the thing is I can't really say why. Maybe it's due to nostalgia too. There's a FEEL to B/X that Basic Fantasy is not quite hitting but again I have no idea why...lol. Just curious what are your thoughts on DAC? Do prefer attack tables or just using THACO? What about the whole race as class thing? Thanks again!
@@ChuckBarchuk While I get that ascending armor class is more intuitive, I never understood the confusion around descending armor class. You really only need the chart to determine your THAC0. Once you know the magic number to hit armor class 0 it's simple subtraction. For example, if my THAC0 as a first level fighter is 19 I know immediately what I need to hit an AC by simply subtracting the AC from 19. So if my opponent has an AC of 9 (19-9 = 10 I need a 10 or better to hit). If my opponent has an AC of 2 (19-2=17 I need a 17 or better to hit) If my opponent has an AC of 4 (19-4 = 15 I need a 15 or better to hit) It really isn't that difficult. And race as class, ahhhhh race as class. I LOVE race as class. It simplifies the game, naturally limits OP casters, and forces players to roleplay in order to differentiate their characters. Barbarians, Vikings, cavaliers, buccaneers... They are all fighters. I don't need special abilities and OP mechanics to be a barbarian. I simply role play my fighter as a barbarian. I don't need special abilities and OP mechanics to be a knight. I simply role play my character as a knight. I say keep the game simple, tight and compact. Focus on your character, not your numbers. Role play, don't roll play and use the rules as guidelines, remember rulings over rules! If you find that table, you let me know and I'll be honored to sit there!
Just occurred to me that the various editions of D&D mirror the Star Wars saga. Original, basic and AD&D are like the first trilogy; increasingly complex and lose a bit of their charm as they deviate from the original vision, but still good. I'd equate BECMI to "Empire Strikes Back," for example, but late 1st edition was veering into Ewok territory. Second edition was the prequel trilogy; well intentioned, but got overly convoluted and wrapped up in itself. Could never match up to the original. 3rd-5th editions are the sequel trilogy. A bad, self-referential reboot that attempts to cater to the lowest common denominator and is too informed by its desperate attempt to adhere to contemporary video game conventions. 4th edition is "The Last Jedi," a feeble attempt to change things that ends up being a convoluted mess. 5th edition, like "Rise of Skywalker," desperately tries to please everyone and ends up being a steaming pile of trash. Long live B/X!
I know this is 2+ years later when I am posting, wonder if it will get a response? One way to find out... I started on 1983 Mentzer Basic, Xpert, Companion, Masters, Immortals (BECMI) and am trying to get a group to play it. The only thing is I want to print out the pdf but everywhere I go they want to make it spiral bound. Is it too difficult to make it staple bound (not sure what the correct term is for that, all I know is no place wants to do it and they don't explain why. I feel like it is a lost art or perhaps they think new, aka spiral bound, is better than the old.) Any thoughts on how to get this done? Or is the price just too much? They wanted $25 to spiral bound the pdf for basic and another $16 for the DMG of basic. Any chance you go through the rules and explain them? I have difficulty understanding the random stocking table as well as the treasure table. I am not sure if it just me but they are confusing. I tried to run hex crawl but my players did not like it. They felt it was boring and just wanted to get to the dungeon where the good loot was.
Hi! Enjoyed your video very much. I share maps and free material from my long standing B/X campaign over on the Facebook Dungeons and Dragons B/X forums. I also post on the Old School Essentials forums on Facebook. I would love to be involved in any B/X gaming you do. I am also planning to do a pretty cool West Marches style B/X campaign starting in March. I will run the games in a theater of the mind format using a Skype style interface for video and audio and a dice rolling bot on a Discord channel.
Thats a quarter of an inch smaller and i 2 have had the same thing with e bay and this set , the exact same thing , i thought about cutting it with a razor lol .
I’ve picked up the Old-School Essentials recently been playing and loving the B/X journey. Awesome to see the box set in all its glory.
Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it! Old School Essentials is on my list and will be my very next purchase! :) I'm not sure if I want the Tome or the boxed set or both! :)
Get both, I did 👍
@@mikeymank Sold! :)
RollStats FYI: The Rules Book is sold out. Gavin Mentioned in a Podcast that they will plan a 2nd printing in the future. I believe the box set is still available at this time.
If you need player for an online B/X game I would love to join.
@@Batterydennis Good to know! Thanks! And I'll add you to the list! :)
This is the set I opened Christmas morning. Mom bought us the basic and expert boxes. Still the best Christmas ever.
I lost my original basic and expert books the same way. I was 12 and I'd had them for 3 years and someone convinced me that I should put them in a binder so I could rearrange the pages.
My favorite system. I started with AD&D 1e. I’ve since played 5e but I still keep returning to B/X. I like the fact that PC stats mean something. It makes the PC and thereby the player the focal point rather than the situation or the environment with its corresponding DCs. The stats determine the difficulty of the game rather than the DM deciding on DCs. It’s just my preference. Everyone is entitled to what they like.
You are preaching to the choir! I love this rules system!
BTW. I love your videos. Thank you.
@@spiffkipper9636 Hey! Thanks! I really appreciate it! I'm glad that you're enjoying them!
It's kind of funny, because just last night I was reading through my copy of the Expert Rules. As a collector I 100% support your decision to leave the dice sealed and I have to say seeing the bend in the module included in the box hurt me. Awesome video once again!
Thanks so much! It's no coincidence that you were reading through the Expert rule book last night! That's fate! You're meant to run a B/X game, and I'm meant to play Solomon Blood in it! Also, thanks for understanding about not opening the dice :) I just couldn't bring myself to open the sealed bag. And yes... Seeing the bend in the module was a heart-dropping moment for me too!
That was awesome...thank you. BX , is and always will be my favorite version. My return to playing after 27 years, was with B4 Palace of the silver princess. I played with a mate I used to play in the 80s as well as my daughter and my other daughters boyfriend...the feeling I got and the response from the players was lifting! Bring on the revival!
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!!! Also, I think you mean B3 :) Cool back story on that module (also I am already planning a review of it) B3: Palace of the Silver Princess is most commonly found with the green cover edition, credited to Tom Moldvay and Jean Wells. However, this actually isn't the original version!!! The original module was written by Jean Wells alone and had an orange cover but it was recalled and destroyed by TSR before it went into wide release, for reasons I'll cover in my review. Word to the wise if you ever run across an orange cover B3 in the wild... BUY IT! It is legitimately one of the most valuable modules you can find! Think thousands of dollars valuable, hell, tens of thousands to the right buyer!
@@RollStats B3... Lol I'm at work so mind was not in the game... I heard there was an orange version... Looking forward to it.
@@glen20rainman56 Hahahahah no worries at all! Honestly, the only reason it's ingrained into my mind is because of the controversy that surrounds it. I have this fantasy that I'll walk into a garage sale one day and see a pristine orange copy just laying there and I'll ask how much? And it will be like 50 cents and my life will be made :)
Haha...i think we all have that similar hope...
@@glen20rainman56 Probably so :)
I highly recommend picking up a copy of Old School Essentials. It's the Moldvay/Cook/Marsh rules reorganized and made much more user friendly. I know the rules tome is sold out at the moment, but they are running another kickstarter at the start of the year and doing another print run.
10/10 recommended.
Old School Essentials is definitely on my list, and will be my next purchase!
Just ordered. Can't wait till it arrives.
Stone Valley Games may still have the box set in stock. I bought mine there and their customer service was awesome.
@@ezrabadbwest5178 Great tip! Thanks!
This is my favorite rules set of all time so I’m glad you did this follow-up!
I’m eagerly looking forward to your reviews of modules since I go treasure hunting at my local shops from time to time.
Also, I’d love to see a review of the Old School Essentials box set or rules. I’m going back and forth over whether to get that and if it’s compatible with B/Ex.
I'm glad you enjoyed it! Module reviews are on the way :)
Great stuff, sir! I love thos set as well and have been wanting to start a B/X campaign for quite a while. The roll under stat check is one of the most intuitive and easiest fixes for skills and feats ever, and I am surprised that it hasn't been utilized more. Game on!
You said the magic words! I'm hearing you're starting a B/X campaign! I'm IN! You tell me when and Solomon Blood is there!
@@Russell.Harquail Exactly! It really is an elegant mechanic, and I'm not sure why it isn't used more.
Thank you so much for this video!
I haven't really started much, just d&d starter set. After learning of this version of d&d, I want it! I prefer the older rpgs, and symple systems. Been brainstorming my own or just plug and play alternatives. I want to learn more. Wish I could've bought the box set, but pdfs are okay after printing them.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Welcome to B/X!
I started D&D with the BX series when I was about 9. Fell in love with D&D with this set and have been playing ever since.
I too cut out the monster sections out from the basic and expert set to put in a three ring binder. (Dumb, I was just a kid).
Thankfully I found good copies at used book stores and amazon. I agree that this is one of the most fun and nostalgic versions, I’ve played!
Okay, first off! Greatest RUclips handle ever! Second, I think that everyone who cut up the books regretted it :) Thanks for watching, I'm glad you enjoyed it!
I love BX. I recently found my sets and my 10 year old daughter was intrigued by the pictures. We started playing and she loves it. We play all the time now. We would love to join a BX group with you Bill if you still need players. I have the companion set as well.
Wonderful review; I can’t wait for the follow up! I absolutely agree with your feelings about the “optional rule” Saving vs. Abilities. It cuts so much garbage out of the following editions in a simple and yet elegant manner. Btw, if you check on page X7 you’ll note that both Fighters and Halflings may construct a castle / stronghold at *any point*, if they have “enough money”. An interesting and perhaps game altering rule that’s often overlooked. Many thanks again for the time and energy you put into all your videos!
Thanks so much, I'm glad you found it entertaining! Part 2 is coming shortly, so stay tuned! Also, great point on Halflings and Fighters! I knew that Halflings could create a stronghold at any point they could afford it, because they never actually reach 9th "Name" level, but I never realized fighters had the option as well! Great catch! :)
I have always wanted to play a B/X campaign, but I always had trouble finding a group because everyone wanted to play AD&D as I did not learn of it until the Red Box Basic set. I've really been enjoying your videos since Dave at DravenSwiftBow recommended your channel . Glad you decided to keep making videos.
Hey, thanks! I really appreciate it! I'm glad you're enjoying them, and I'm glad to be back! :)
I love your passion and always have. It is infectious. B/X D&D is my favorite edition just after OD&D. I loved the video.
I printed out the B/X PDFs and put them into a folder with some of my favorite art for the covers.
Thank you! I appreciate it, and I'm glad you enjoyed the video! It's hard not to get excited about a game system this awesome! :)
I used to own a copy of Basic and Expert booklets that my brother brought from the US, and some tables didn't match, which confused me, and turned out the Basic was the Mentzer version but the Expert was the cook version. So there's that.
Yah, BECMI and B/X are definitely not the same. Close... But not the same. :)
Funny you noted that Halflings got screwed in D&D. I believe that Gary Gygax originally wrote the rules for "Hobbits" but was contacted by received a Cease and Desist from the Tolkein estate. Thereafter, Gary decided, "Screw Hobbits!"
Yah, I heard the same thing. TSR "borrowed" quite a few concepts back in the day :)
@@RollStats I'm shipping issue 3 of a comic book based on my experiences in the White Wolf World of Darkness RPGs. So I'm not here to throw stones.
I did offer the book to the company that bought White Wolf. They liked the comic, but did not want to complicate their relationship with their chosen publisher.
@@PocketJacksComics Yah, totally get it. The world of publishing intellectual properties can be murky. :)
Lately I am increasingly focusing on creating a universe of comic creators freely sharing the IPs with each other. Back before COVID, I was working comic shows most every weekend.
I would be selling my stuff to customers new and old alongside visual artists selling bootlegs of sexy Catwoman and Harley Quinn. I began to ponder why DC and Marvel didn’t shut these artists down. They make thousands a year infringing on their IPs. It dawned on me that Marvel and DC were content to let people market their characters for them. And, really, why shouldn’t they be? Why should Tolkein have given the blessing to Gygax to use their entire line? Did the Tolkein estate not benefit? So I share out the characters I create for anyone to use for free. It’s a win-win.
@@RollStats BTW, "Old School Essentials" repackaged the Basic / Expert rules and their kickstarter just passed $225k.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/exaltedfuneral/old-school-essentials-advanced-fantasy?ref=discovery&term=old%20school%20essentials
Great job. Barely any videos for the Expert Rules have been done so it’s good to have a really great rundown. As an aside, because the rules are “thinner”, it really allows for a more expansive adventure because you’re making them up as you go along. The DM’s I had, always house ruled ascending armor class so when I finally moved up to 2nd edition with a new guy I had a learning curve with Thac0.
Thanks, David! I'm glad you enjoyed it! The B/X system is truly a great framework that allowed any group to add their own particular flavor to it. It really was a game that not only encouraged house rules, but welcomed them! :)
I never had a problem with 1st edition. We swiped a LOT of stuff from it. When we finally all had the 1e Players Handbook it wasn’t a lot of work to move up.
@@davidaldinger3666 Agreed!
Great review/overview! I ran Night's Dark Terror (just the first section) at PAX Unplugged in December using B/X, the group had a blast! I probably prefer BECMI to straight B/X, there are some pretty important fundamental differences between them (eg, clerics get magic staffs, not magic-users) and I feel a lot of grogs conflate B/X, BECMI, and 1e AD&D.
Thanks! I'm so glad you enjoyed it! And point taken, there are some very fundamental differences :)
BX was my first D&D and I’ve always loved it. I don’t know why all the OSR heads just don’t play this!!
Excellent. I flipped through my Expert Rules book following along with your video. Yes, it was my first version of D&D and as you say, that makes it the best. You can't beat nostalgia.
Fair point about the artwork but this and the Basic Rule book must surely be the finest example of editing ever seen. 128 pages with no filler text but dripping with atmosphere. For example, the section on Designing a Wilderness was just one page. One page! Today, that would be it's own book but if you boiled it right down, it wouldn't have much more than Mr Cook's single page.
Wish my copy was as good as yours! I keep my (knackered) originals in their box and use the PDFs for play...You want B/X to come back? It's back already, check out the Old-School Essentials. Go for the hardback Classic Fantasy Rules Tome. Amazing.
Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoyed the review and flip through! And I couldn't agree with you more! I believe the B/X system was the best version of the rules ever written, and most of that has to do with the editing! Moldvay and Cook were able to boil down the rules to a usable frame work that was easy to pick up and play in minutes, to read and understand completely in hours, and to play and enjoy for years! Old School Essentials is definitely on my list! :)
100 years that made me laugh ! I have the original module too we must be elves ! were still kickin !
Hahahahahaha! I think you might be right! :)
I would love to play in a B/X game some time. I have the basic and expert boxes coming in the mail. I would love to get a taste of playing before I try and gather a group to play myself. Thanks for the great review!
Hope to see you back on yt again. Miss your content. Loved watching your D&D campaign on Master the Game 🙂
I've been into old school rules for a few years now, really starting with the early retro clones like Basic Fantasy about 14 years ago, and one thing I've noticed in recent years is the often repeated assumption that only old guys with nostalgia would prefer something like B/X to something like 5e, and that strikes me as weird because I was born too late to have nostalgia for B/X. I'm only 35 this year. I started during the 2e days and I always wanted something simpler and more concise. I don't prefer stuff like B/X because it reminds me of my childhood but because it simply works better than what I had for presenting the types of adventures I want to present and play in.
Completely agree!
Hard to get more simple that B Series
Magic User, Cleric, Fighter, Dwarf, Elf Halfling.....no mixes....
Was fun back in the day
I'm late to the party, but I've loved your B/X and KoTB videos.
I hope you've got a copy of the Old School Essentials Rules Tomb! If you think B/X is well organized and easy to grog, the OSE repackaging will blow your mind. :)
It is cool you are reviewing this. Almost every other D&D content creator totally ignores this set.
I hope the guy who paid $200 for a RPGA Lifetime membership still receive his Dragon Magazines and TSR unique content.
I wonder if anyone actually paid for a lifetime membership? :)
Great video. I always felt we jumped too fast into the hardcover books without a solid foundation that boxed sets provided.
another great video review. I have played threw this set but, the first one I dm in was the red box, I really hope you can review that one soon. I am so happy you are back, thank you for sparking my passion for old school dungeons and dragons, again. im thinking about running my current 5e group threw "The curse of the reptile god" using bx rules set. happy gamming.
Thanks, Brian! I am happy to be back, and I'm glad you enjoyed the video! If you end up running your group through Reptile God you have to let me know how it goes! :)
@@RollStats I totally will !!!! thank you for your reply. I have never responded to a youtube video except your return video because I don't know how to leave a comet without posting my real name. but im old school, lol.
@@brianburton6154 Oh shoot! I can delete the comments if you'd like, so your name is gone? Just let me know. Trust me, no offense would be taken at all. I get it :)
@@RollStats no its totally cool man. Idk, its kind of cool to see my name on your videos. I really like your content, keep up the good work.
@@brianburton6154 Cool! And thanks again! :)
Awsome review! i didn't really start with 5e but looking into basic fantasy was really fun being a newcomer. Im more for a simple game and the focus of the adventure. Maybe ill invest into basic fantasy in the future.
Basic Fantasy is a great B/X retroclone! So is B/x Essentials! And honestly, you could pick up a set of the Basic and Expert Rules at DM's Guild for about $10 for both!
@@RollStats its something ive been thinking too from how B/X had more to being theater of the mind rather than minis. It was interesting learning about that in the basic set review.
@@DanielMendoza-qx5rl Absolutely! Both are valid styles of play. Theater of the mind is just the style I prefer :)
I wish this would've been available to me in '95 thru '99 in Southeast Louisiana when I was making rules up to run games with my friends. All I had was the 2nd Edition AD&D PHB & I made everything else up as we went. I just gave combat stats to every monster & every NPC that I created. We were 13 to 17 years old. No one had money or even a means to find something like this. I never knew any of this existed until very recently. Only recently returned to RPGs after more than 15 years. I'll have to use this as a guideline. The PDFs anyway
Very cool review
I understand not opening the bag
I still use isle of dread in my 3.5 campaign.
Good stuff
Thanks so much! I’m glad you enjoyed it! 😊
Bill, for what it's worth, you're absolutely wrong! I have an Expert box set that I personally opened from the original shrink myself and the copy of X1 does indeed NOT fit in the box, it is bent. So it was bent by TSR, not some reseller! It sounds like TSR used whatever copy of X1 they had on hand when assembling these boxes, whether one properly trimmed or one meant for individual sale. You've got a complete original copy ;)
Great review! Are you going to make any more videos? You’re great at it.
I completely understand your love for the rules for B/X. The ruleset is a very simple and easy one for a DM to make rulings as opposed to using a bunch of rules in the game. I think there are some ideas that are a bit dated such as race as class and lvl cap for race as class. As an alternative but something that feels similar to me is a game called 5 Torches Deep. It takes the rules of 5E down to a skeleton and then builds the game back up using OSR ideas much like those of B/X. I would very much recommend you check them out. Thanks for the video, keep up the great work.
Thank you!
Old School Essentials is the latest variation of BX D&D OSR.
BX Essentials is pretty much true BX
BX Fantasy by Alexander Loyd is $14.95 for paperback on Lulu.
Nice! Thanks for the recommendations! I'm adding them to the list!
I always liked that demi-humans were limited in levels in the old school game. It was understood that the other races were on their way out of the world and humans were taking it over due to their *limitless* power. What they didn't have in special abilities they made up for in potential.
In today's D&D with all the crazy races Humans would be meat at the BBQ.
I like my fantasy grounded in at least a little reality...
Thanks for watching! I agree, I prefer a grittier grim dark world as well. I think the fun in the game is equivalent to the challenges presented. If the player characters are guaranteed success, what is the point of even rolling dice :)
@@RollStats Thanks for the video! I enjoyed it.
Totally agree. I know everyone has their own taste and no taste is wrong but even just watching people play D&D on RUclips I rarely ever feel there is any real tension in the game and it feels boring for that. Never a real 'oh shit!' moment...
@@swirvinbirds1971 Hey, I'm glad you enjoyed it! And yeah, I couldn't agree more! :)
Looks cool but with having as much fun as I am in fifth and owning everything made for that edition I think I'd play or try this as a player.
Completely valid! Trust me, I'm not knocking 5e at all! I've just been feeling drawn back to my roots lately :)
I'm about to start running DCC games with some friends I know. I don't own a computer nor do I intend to get one, so no online games or anything. I found a pdf called DCC Basic. It's a booklet pdf formed from B/X, LotFP & Dungeon Crawl Classics. I'm just freaked out because these basic & expert books fill in so many missing blanks that I had from only knowing the 2nd Edition PHB
I really enjoyed your video! I keep looking on eBay for a decent copy at the right price. I may have to piece one together. That may end up being cheaper actually. Great video!
Hey thanks! It's not easy to find a boxed set that isn't either falling apart and incomplete or way way way too expensive, but it's worth it! :)
RollStats I just ordered the expert rulebook off eBay. I got it in a lot with the basic rules for $25. Both are in pretty good shape actually!
Random question: from the X series, what was the last B/X module printed? and what was the first BECMI module?
THAT is a great question! So… To the best of my knowledge (which is based primarily on publish dates) it goes like this:
B1 - In Search of the Unknown
Was published for Holmes Basic (The Blue Box) because this is pre Moldvay Basic.
B2 - The Keep on the Borderlands
B3 - Palace of the Silver Princess
B4 - The Lost City
X1 - The Isle of Dread
X2 - Castle Amber
Were all published for Moldvay/Cook as they were pre Mentzer BECMI. Although X1 was included in the Mentzer Expert box set it was simply rehashed)
Where I’m not clear is X3 - Curse of Xanathon, I honestly can’t tell you based on publish date whether this was published for Moldvay/Cook B/X or Mentzer BECMI, the dates are just too close to call. If anyone knows, please tell me!
Everything beyond B4 and X3 were without question BECMI.
@@RollStats Thanks for the reply! I have been curious about that for a long time.
@@RollStats Thanks for the reply! I've been wondering that for a long time.
@@kevinwright7515 You bet!
I love old school essentials, but the only system I get VERY excited for is DCC.
Welcome back. I commented on your BX create a character video and was surprised when you stopped posting. I would love to play a BX game. Let me know if you are getting a BX game together and need a Cleric. I'm your man.
Thanks! It's great to be back, and I will officially add you to the list of B/X fans, and potential players! :)
Just a fun tidbit. Someone out there did in fact make the third companion book in the b/x style fairly recently I believe. I haven’t read it so I could attest to its quality or authenticity but if you are annoyed by the basic and expert books referencing a volume that was never produced you could probably check it out.
I have heard of it as well. The thing is, I'd like to see the Moldvay rendition :)
Love your videos on old school rpgs
Thanks so much! I'm glad you enjoy them!
Quick question, I want to relive my childhood by playing through all of the old modules. My question is, should I start with basic for the B modules then move onto the expert rules? Should I start right away with the expert rules?
In my humble opinion you start at 1st level and run through the B series and enjoy it :)
Intrestingly, looking at the bottom half of the box copy of Isle of Dread, it looks like TSR just took a paper cutter and shaved off a bit. The serial number and "Printed in USA" are closer to the edge. Maybe they realised that the boxes were just a bit too small for the modules, and solved the situation with a quick cut job instead of wasting money on recalling the boxes?
I've never realised this difference myself. Sadly, I don't have both versions so I can't look inside to see if the bottoms of the printed pages are also closer to the edge. If that were so, then I'm almost certain that they just shaved down some modules to fit in the boxes. Intresting nonetheless!
My plan as soon as my prepunched printer paper is to print the pdf of b and x and put them in a retro trapper keeper. I was wanting to use a fabric binder but was having issues finding one of those crappy blue fabric 80s binders.
You were so optimistic about this year 😔
Little did I know :)
I understand the joy of having ancient stuff, got some myself, but I need to ask the question of when does it become more sensible to reprint something like these things or repackage old video games into new, smaller tech.. like why do people need the original? Does it have some kind of spiritual aspect to it? Just curious.
If you're going to cut up the books to put them together in a 3 ring binder then you just have to put the pages in document protecter's.
The pages are safe and your not losing any of them.
Nah... Tried that. You still lose them. At least I did :)
Look at the blog-sphere there are a million B/X blogs, good stuff out there.
Absolutely!
"2020, the sky is the limit."
MUAHHAHAHAHA
Yah... Valid. Who knew the entire world was going to shut down? :)
@@RollStats I've recently become enchanted with the GURPS Dungeon Fantasy set. It really feels to me a bit like the old school rules, but it's quite rigorous.
In running a Pathfinder game, I took to having people generate character with 3d6 keep the order. Made for better games.
@@PocketJacksComics So I'm going to admit something at the risk of getting my grognard card pulled. I have never played GURP's. The system seems cool, but it also seems like a TON of work. Is it as heavy a lift as it seems? Maybe I'll finally try it!
I'll be putting together an online game for new players. Not sure quite when, maybe tomorrow. Since the players are all new to the system, I'm just handing them characters based on what they usually play.
All the typical AD&D race / class combos are present.If you wanted to try it, let me know.
@@PocketJacksComics I'd love to give it a shot, but I can't do tomorrow. I'd need to figure out my schedule :) BTW great channel! You have a new subscriber :)
I put my books intact in a 3 ring binder to protect them and took them out when playing.
I think if I ever play again, this is the edition I'd pick. I went straight from basic to advanced before they published this, so I never actually did, but I always stripped down the rules. So a streamlined system that is more open ended has always been the appeal. your review confirms this.
It's also my favorite set of the rules I just found a copy on Amazon for $25
Do you prefer this or Basic Fantasy? I know they're both basically the same. Just curious which one you prefer compared to the other and why? Thanks again and I love the content man.
Thanks so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it! I must admit I prefer B/X to Basic Fantasy, however with that said I must also admit that most of that has to do with nostalgia. If I were new to the game, or if I were recommending a system to someone new to the game I would probably recommend Basic Fantasy. It has ascending armor class, and d20 mechanics that more closely resemble modern game systems.
@@RollStats Yea I'm currently in two games; one using B/X and the other Basic Fantasy. The main differences I'm seeing with Basic is, as you mentioned AAC, and race separated from class. Both of these things most would see as a plus. Generally speaking AAC is more intuitive but I still find myself loving DAC for some odd reason and I think I really prefer race as class. But the thing is I can't really say why. Maybe it's due to nostalgia too. There's a FEEL to B/X that Basic Fantasy is not quite hitting but again I have no idea why...lol. Just curious what are your thoughts on DAC? Do prefer attack tables or just using THACO? What about the whole race as class thing? Thanks again!
@@ChuckBarchuk While I get that ascending armor class is more intuitive, I never understood the confusion around descending armor class. You really only need the chart to determine your THAC0. Once you know the magic number to hit armor class 0 it's simple subtraction. For example, if my THAC0 as a first level fighter is 19 I know immediately what I need to hit an AC by simply subtracting the AC from 19. So if my opponent has an AC of 9 (19-9 = 10 I need a 10 or better to hit). If my opponent has an AC of 2 (19-2=17 I need a 17 or better to hit) If my opponent has an AC of 4 (19-4 = 15 I need a 15 or better to hit) It really isn't that difficult. And race as class, ahhhhh race as class. I LOVE race as class. It simplifies the game, naturally limits OP casters, and forces players to roleplay in order to differentiate their characters. Barbarians, Vikings, cavaliers, buccaneers... They are all fighters. I don't need special abilities and OP mechanics to be a barbarian. I simply role play my fighter as a barbarian. I don't need special abilities and OP mechanics to be a knight. I simply role play my character as a knight. I say keep the game simple, tight and compact. Focus on your character, not your numbers. Role play, don't roll play and use the rules as guidelines, remember rulings over rules! If you find that table, you let me know and I'll be honored to sit there!
Just occurred to me that the various editions of D&D mirror the Star Wars saga. Original, basic and AD&D are like the first trilogy; increasingly complex and lose a bit of their charm as they deviate from the original vision, but still good. I'd equate BECMI to "Empire Strikes Back," for example, but late 1st edition was veering into Ewok territory. Second edition was the prequel trilogy; well intentioned, but got overly convoluted and wrapped up in itself. Could never match up to the original. 3rd-5th editions are the sequel trilogy. A bad, self-referential reboot that attempts to cater to the lowest common denominator and is too informed by its desperate attempt to adhere to contemporary video game conventions. 4th edition is "The Last Jedi," a feeble attempt to change things that ends up being a convoluted mess. 5th edition, like "Rise of Skywalker," desperately tries to please everyone and ends up being a steaming pile of trash. Long live B/X!
Long live B/X! :)
I know this is 2+ years later when I am posting, wonder if it will get a response? One way to find out...
I started on 1983 Mentzer Basic, Xpert, Companion, Masters, Immortals (BECMI) and am trying to get a group to play it. The only thing is I want to print out the pdf but everywhere I go they want to make it spiral bound. Is it too difficult to make it staple bound (not sure what the correct term is for that, all I know is no place wants to do it and they don't explain why. I feel like it is a lost art or perhaps they think new, aka spiral bound, is better than the old.) Any thoughts on how to get this done? Or is the price just too much? They wanted $25 to spiral bound the pdf for basic and another $16 for the DMG of basic.
Any chance you go through the rules and explain them? I have difficulty understanding the random stocking table as well as the treasure table. I am not sure if it just me but they are confusing.
I tried to run hex crawl but my players did not like it. They felt it was boring and just wanted to get to the dungeon where the good loot was.
Highly recommend the Companion Expansion by Batataria Games. A great addition to any BX Campaign.
Thanks! I'll check it out!
What do you like about it more than the BECMI Companion Set?
@@SimonAshworthWood The tables are a little cleaner and easier to use. The layout overall is better. Basically the same material.
Do you DM in B/X games via discord or Roll20, etc? I would love to play in a game with you
I guess if you're going to cut it up you should laminate it so the pages wouldn't get damaged.
The optimism for 2020 that we all felt around this time. Oof. That didnt turn out well, eh? Haha
Did you ever get a game going from this video? ~Brian
Coming here in 2022... The "Roaring 20's" line didn't age well! 😅
Hi! Enjoyed your video very much. I share maps and free material from my long standing B/X campaign over on the Facebook Dungeons and Dragons B/X forums. I also post on the Old School Essentials forums on Facebook. I would love to be involved in any B/X gaming you do. I am also planning to do a pretty cool West Marches style B/X campaign starting in March. I will run the games in a theater of the mind format using a Skype style interface for video and audio and a dice rolling bot on a Discord channel.
Thanks so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it! I will definitely add you to the list. I'd love to get in on your West Marches campaign! Keep me posted :)
I Love Dungeons and Dragons
Thats a quarter of an inch smaller and i 2 have had the same thing with e bay and this set , the exact same thing , i thought about cutting it with a razor lol .
I'd be too afraid to cut it :)
0:21 that did not age well :')
Sheesh... Foot fully inserted into mouth :)