Thinking of playing a "Basic D&D" party through the whole series

Klorox · 11-24-2006, 10:43 PM

Did those guys in the old basic books have names?

I'm thinking:

Dwarf Male Fighter (Berserker, why not?)
Elf Female Fighter/Mage
Halfling Male Fighter/Thief (I know they were just Fighters, but I need a Thief)
Human Female Cleric (I guess I'd give her the Lathander kit, there's no reason not to)

This is a very simple, and decently powerful group, while "bringing back" a very old-school D&D feel, don't you think?

I'd definitely consider going through BG1 first, and probably even use the "3e standard stats" to nerf the power (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8, put 'em where you want then apply racial mods). I think too many people place too much into rolling stats, and don't realize it's still a very do-able game without perfect stats. With so many items to boost stats, it's even less important for a great starting roll than you might think!

Lord Michael · 11-24-2006, 11:06 PM

Sounds like a plan to me! When I started D&D, Berserkers were only the "bad" guys, but all Dwarven Fighters could be considered their "good" counterparts. That party looks nice, but you don't have the "old bearded guy in robes" as your Magic User. That was a staple in my old D&D days.
And you are very right about insane stats. There are plenty of boosts in Baldur's Gate. Hey good luck with your party.

Klorox · 11-24-2006, 11:16 PM

Thanks.

BTW, I always disliked that old bearded guy with robes. Dunno why.

Lord Michael · 11-24-2006, 11:26 PM

I think he was on the Original DM's Guide, trying to get off a Magic Missile....

I'll never forget my first Dungeon Master. I had a level 4 Dwarven Fighter (solid stats & armor), had a +1 "Flame Tongue" sword, and he had me soooo scared of a Troll that I ran!!! I coulda taken that Troll with one hand! He ended up chasing me down (huge move base difference) & slaughtering me! I thought he was a Demon!

Klorox · 11-24-2006, 11:57 PM

My first game was playing a halfling, which is the WORST class in D&D.

Lord Michael · 11-25-2006, 01:03 PM

They sure are good with Slings, though. LOL. [img]smile.gif[/img]

SixOfSpades · 11-26-2006, 07:04 PM

Halflings were a class back then? Talk about stereotyping.

If you really want to get basic, use the "Starter Characters" that come when you install the game, with great names like "Fighter," and "Cleric."

Klorox · 11-27-2006, 09:38 AM

There were seven classes in basic D&D:

Fighter
Magic User
Cleric
Thief
(these above four were humans)
Elf
Dwarf
Halfling

The Elf was like a Fighter/Mage, but took a really long time to level up. The Dwarf was like a Fighter, but took a tiny bit longer to level up, with the bonus of some really good saving throws. The Halfling was like the Dwarf, but had less HP.

Madman-Rogovich · 11-27-2006, 02:36 PM

What about the token human Barb ala Heroquest?

anyone remember that game?

[ 11-27-2006, 02:37 PM: Message edited by: Madman-Rogovich ]

11-24-2006, 10:43 PM	#1
Klorox Symbol of Cyric Join Date: August 21, 2004 Location: USA Age: 48 Posts: 1,168	Did those guys in the old basic books have names? I'm thinking: Dwarf Male Fighter (Berserker, why not?) Elf Female Fighter/Mage Halfling Male Fighter/Thief (I know they were just Fighters, but I need a Thief) Human Female Cleric (I guess I'd give her the Lathander kit, there's no reason not to) This is a very simple, and decently powerful group, while "bringing back" a very old-school D&D feel, don't you think? I'd definitely consider going through BG1 first, and probably even use the "3e standard stats" to nerf the power (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8, put 'em where you want then apply racial mods). I think too many people place too much into rolling stats, and don't realize it's still a very do-able game without perfect stats. With so many items to boost stats, it's even less important for a great starting roll than you might think! __________________ Baruk Khazad! Khazad ai-mênu! "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."-- Edmund Burke

11-24-2006, 11:06 PM	#2
Lord Michael Elminster Join Date: May 17, 2005 Location: Raleigh, NC, USA Age: 54 Posts: 439	Sounds like a plan to me! When I started D&D, Berserkers were only the "bad" guys, but all Dwarven Fighters could be considered their "good" counterparts. That party looks nice, but you don't have the "old bearded guy in robes" as your Magic User. That was a staple in my old D&D days. And you are very right about insane stats. There are plenty of boosts in Baldur's Gate. Hey good luck with your party. __________________ "Faster we run... and we die young.." Alice In Chains "Better to die on your feet than to live on your knees"

11-24-2006, 11:16 PM	#3
Klorox Symbol of Cyric Join Date: August 21, 2004 Location: USA Age: 48 Posts: 1,168	Thanks. BTW, I always disliked that old bearded guy with robes. Dunno why. __________________ Baruk Khazad! Khazad ai-mênu! "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."-- Edmund Burke

11-24-2006, 11:26 PM	#4
Lord Michael Elminster Join Date: May 17, 2005 Location: Raleigh, NC, USA Age: 54 Posts: 439	I think he was on the Original DM's Guide, trying to get off a Magic Missile.... I'll never forget my first Dungeon Master. I had a level 4 Dwarven Fighter (solid stats & armor), had a +1 "Flame Tongue" sword, and he had me soooo scared of a Troll that I ran!!! I coulda taken that Troll with one hand! He ended up chasing me down (huge move base difference) & slaughtering me! I thought he was a Demon! __________________ "Faster we run... and we die young.." Alice In Chains "Better to die on your feet than to live on your knees"

11-24-2006, 11:57 PM	#5
Klorox Symbol of Cyric Join Date: August 21, 2004 Location: USA Age: 48 Posts: 1,168	My first game was playing a halfling, which is the WORST class in D&D. __________________ Baruk Khazad! Khazad ai-mênu! "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."-- Edmund Burke

11-25-2006, 01:03 PM	#6
Lord Michael Elminster Join Date: May 17, 2005 Location: Raleigh, NC, USA Age: 54 Posts: 439	They sure are good with Slings, though. LOL. [img]smile.gif[/img] __________________ "Faster we run... and we die young.." Alice In Chains "Better to die on your feet than to live on your knees"

11-26-2006, 07:04 PM	#7
SixOfSpades Dracolisk Join Date: September 16, 2001 Location: Bellingham, WA, USA Age: 46 Posts: 6,901	Halflings were a class back then? Talk about stereotyping. If you really want to get basic, use the "Starter Characters" that come when you install the game, with great names like "Fighter," and "Cleric." __________________ Volothamp's Comeuppance Everything you ever needed to know about the entire Baldur's Gate series......except spoilers.

11-27-2006, 09:38 AM	#8
Klorox Symbol of Cyric Join Date: August 21, 2004 Location: USA Age: 48 Posts: 1,168	There were seven classes in basic D&D: Fighter Magic User Cleric Thief (these above four were humans) Elf Dwarf Halfling The Elf was like a Fighter/Mage, but took a really long time to level up. The Dwarf was like a Fighter, but took a tiny bit longer to level up, with the bonus of some really good saving throws. The Halfling was like the Dwarf, but had less HP. __________________ Baruk Khazad! Khazad ai-mênu! "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."-- Edmund Burke

11-27-2006, 02:36 PM	#9
Madman-Rogovich Lord Soth Join Date: October 23, 2001 Location: Edinburgh Age: 38 Posts: 1,918	What about the token human Barb ala Heroquest? anyone remember that game? [ 11-27-2006, 02:37 PM: Message edited by: Madman-Rogovich ] __________________ One room, one axe, one outcome.

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