AD&D 1st Edition 001 - Making a character

[@confusedhuman5151]

I've never played first edition. I dont even have the books. And yet here I am, completely enthralled by this video and your oddly soothing voice. Absolutely incredible.

[@TheEldarGuy]

Happy to entertain. 😁 Thanks for watching and your comment.

[@Muzzlepaint]

Your place is assured in Valhalla, for promoting 1st edtion!

[@TheEldarGuy]

Thanks - I don't know about 'assured', but at least on the 'plus one' list is a good start, between these videos and my online documents (in the description), I'm really trying to de-mystify this great game. Thanks for watching and for commenting. If you haven't already, don't forget to look at the other vids. Thanks again (for the third time) - I appreciate everyone's time and patience with these videos.

[@jima6545]

Thank you! I'm trying to talk my group into revisiting this. Two of us are playing since '82, and one from '89

[@TheEldarGuy]

I'm doing the best I can to help those wishing to revisit, what is in my opinion, the best RPG ever. Thanks for watching, I hope the other videos also help.

[@yourseatatthetable]

I had a copy of the orignal first edition AD&D GM guide but my mom, during the Satanic Panic, burnt it alone with a dozen other game books I had. She then got a lecture from her father. My grandpa was a bible thumping preacher with his own little, one room church in the southeast bottoms of Des Moines. After that lecture mom gave me the money to replace the books, sadly, the edition I purchased no longer had that red demon on the cover. I still have those books, though.

[@yourseatatthetable]

@@TheVerinen2 It didn't make sense to me, either for many years. Then I asked him about it. While he didn't approve of some of the material, he did understand that it was based off mythology and was a game, after all. We're surrounded by horrible choices, he said to me. The world, many of the people around us, rarely make good choices. Temptations abound, and weakness is a human trait or something along those lines. Personally, I think he was annoyed by the hysteria and ignorance being pushed by 'money preachers' as he liked to call them. Grandpa didn't think highly of politicians, lawyers, or used car salesmen, either. He was the sort who told people: "I won't pass the collection plate. It's sitting back there by the door as you came in. You and God knows what you want to give. It's not my place to pressure you to do so, and it's not our place (he'd gesture at the congregation) to judge you for it, either.). He said that he knew in his heart that I was a good boy, and that my mom was only reacting to her peers, and that once she realized that, knew her actions were wrong. Grandpa was a fairly complicated man. I remember when I was 16, I was having a hell of a time trying to figure out how to set the distributor in my 67' Chevy pickup. It was in a tight spot and my hands were too large to fit. It was hot and humid, I was frustrated and becoming angry. After a couple of hours I threw my tools and gave up. It was when Grandpa came out of the house. He was a professional mechanic as a trade, FYI. He asked me why I was so upset. When I told him, he nodded and went to one of his tool sheds. (The man didn't own a garage at home, only several 'tool sheds' that he'd built with my uncles when they were young men). He returned with a box wrench that had been heated up, stretched out and bent on one end. "This'll reach. And it's magnetized, too." When I asked why he didn't tell me about it earlier, he shrugged and pointed out two things: I hadn't asked for help when I needed help, and people, he noted, generally learn better from failure then success. Honestly, I thought he was a nut for years after that. It wasn't until I was much older that I began to fully understand what he'd been trying to teach me. I grew up with people telling me how smart I was, though I never believed any of it. What I do know is, sometimes I have to fail badly to learn how to succeed at something.

[@oliviercantas2575]

I’m so glad you can adhere to my random curiosity at 2:05am

[@TheEldarGuy]

There's always room at the table for one more person! Thanks for watching. This was my first ever video on KZbin. Hopefully, it still helps people.

[@raystinsky]

I love those old character sheets.

[@TheEldarGuy]

Thanks. You can get a PDF of the character record sheets from my Patreon site (open access area). Using the PDF layers, you can flick the sheets to Unearthed Arcana mode too, if that's your poison. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@DrPluton]

I started with AD&D 1st edition with my first character being a human cleric. Good times.

[@AyebeeMk2]

surprise, after 36 stat rolls, Dwarf fighter thief! good discription of process, interesting back story development as you go. half-orc spy/animist (sounds better than assasin/cleric) would (always) be my choice. more required, who else is in the party she meets in the tavern....

[@TheEldarGuy]

My initial aim was to go through two or three variations of generating abilities to highlight the differences between the spreads of scores; I didn't want to the process to seem too much, overly complicated, or boring. If you can't get enthused about making a character, where's the desire to explore the PC and keep it alive? I like your take on the Half-orc Cleric/Assassin - very clever. Thank you for your comments, I appreciate your thoughtful comment.

[@robertm4919]

Haven't played since late 1980s...wanna start a campaign and I can get going again! Great video!

[@CaptCook999]

We always figured that these characters were supposed to be the "exceptional" individuals. So we always used the 4d6 keep the best 3 method.

[@twilightgardenspresentatio6384]

Yes

[@Keiren1]

What kind of evil person rolls dice on camera but doesn't keep them in frame?

[@TheEldarGuy]

Someone who's very 1st video was about AD&D 😁. Believe me, they almost get better down the track. Thanks for watching, hopefully you'll check out the other videos.

[@jima6545]

Honor system was a thing

[@davidleonard8547]

Hey, more AD&D content on KZbin. I have to admit that I still prefer that venerable old system. Never played 3e (have the 3.0 core books but never read them completely) or 4e, but I have played and DMed 5e.

[@TheEldarGuy]

Hello and thank you for your comment. Hopefully, you'll have a look at some of the other videos I've done and let me know how similar or different your experiences were. Thanks for watching.

[@jima6545]

3.5 is solid, Pathfinder is 3.75 and is fantastic out of the d20 systems. But the unshackled quality of 1st edition is unrivaled

[@geofftottenperthcoys9944]

My first taste of AD&D, D2 Shrine of the Kuo-Toa!

[@TheEldarGuy]

That's one baptism of fire!

[@geofftottenperthcoys9944]

@@TheEldarGuyThanks for the reply, Yes it was, I used my friend 10th lvl Elf Thief, lets say while checking chests he went for a visit to Blibdoolpoolp!

[@MountainGuerrilla]

that's a neat way to do it, it would ensure you wouldn't get someone with a bad stat that could ruin the fun

[@twilightgardenspresentatio6384]

Yup. Heroes don’t miss when it counts.

[@acererak2074]

Thank you I just got the players handbook and could not figure out how to make a character

[@TheEldarGuy]

Thank you. This is why I'm making these videos, to try and help keep the game alive. I would also suggest you go onto my Patreon site where I have a PDF of the character sheets I'm using freely available. There's also a link to some other documents I have written regarding the game. Please enjoy and share your experience, I will always endeavour to assist where I can. I can also recommend the GrogTalk channel and Captcorajus as two very credible sources of information and help regarding 1st edition AD&D. Thank you for your comment and your time.

[@Ixnatifual]

I think some of the information you need is in the DMG.

[@trevorclapham5571]

Has Druid written all over it

[@TheEldarGuy]

I hope you weren't too disappointed with the result.

[@trevorclapham5571]

@@TheEldarGuy absolutely not. The player creates the character not a random on the internet. It’s all about having fun.

[@olepigeon]

I was rooting for a 17 Charisma. You could have made a Paladin. Paladins are stronk as hell once you get past being the baby sitter of the party.

[@interactiveillusionist]

STARTING TO THINK ONE OF YOUR DICE ROLLS 1 A LOT!!!!! So many 1's CAME UP!!!!

[@TheEldarGuy]

It do be like that sometimes. I firmly believe the more you understand about odds, averages, and variances, the less 'luck' the universe provides. Thanks for watching.

[@AXSLA3]

Where are the Thieves' tools?, because without them, this dwarf is not going to open a single lock or deactiva any trap. If I'm ight, in this edition its price was 30 g.p.

[@TheEldarGuy]

Yes. I couldn't afford them! One of the first steps to party initiation for a Thief is to scrounge off the new friends, some of their starting gp to get those tools. Not an uncommon story in this edition.

[@dreadloresystem]

Such good artwork in that book.

[@TheEldarGuy]

Like the DMG, the imagery simply evokes fantasy adventure. I love the Paladin In Hell picture and that Magic Mouth picture with the party. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@markraffety3246]

Good character. A charisma of 15 would give this fellow a good chance to talk his way into a juicy treasure area or talk his way out of trouble with the town guard. Charisma isn't the dump stat.

[@TheEldarGuy]

I love reaction rolls as a guide for character interaction. Negotiations for items and contracts. If a player tells me what they're doing or saying, I even apply a modifier. The player doesn't have to do voices or even a monologue, but saying "I remind the captain what service we provided", that's enough. I just need to know the levers being pulled. I also give bonus XP awards for these types of 'skill checks'. Thanks for the comment, I hope you enjoy the series.

[@unknown_user8449]

love those dice

[@RedLightning306]

best unintentional ASMR

[@stevenmisiura524]

Hi David, great video. I've been trying to wrap my brain around the rules and tables relating to encumbrance, (since my players are starting to accumulate a lot of gold), and I noticed that your thief had a max of 2400 gp indicated on the character sheet's encumbrance line. I also referenced your Tablo book, (which is my go-to resource) and saw that the max allowable weight is 4X the unencumbered weight allowance, which is consistent with your character sheet. However, the DM guide indicates the maximum weight a player can carry and still move is 1500 gp and I am also trying to understand where those 2X, 3X, 4X multipliers came from. is it based on the 12" at 35#, 9" at 70#, etc. on the encumbrance/movement table? Thanks for posting these videos, "head mess" is the perfect phrase to describe 1e rules.

[@TheEldarGuy]

Hi Steven, if the STR modifier is +100, the weight before encumbrances starts is 600gp weight (60 lbs.); assume Human size in Leather: full move @ 12"

[@MountainGuerrilla]

is there somewhere that the weight of coins is listed. if we use standard modern coins sizes the 1gp is 1 oz, that would make 2400gp weighs 150lbs. Now I'm a big guy and I lift weights regularly, I could definitely carry 150lbs on my back, but wouldn't be moving as I normally do, the risk of twisting and ankle or buckling a knee would be much much higher.

[@stevenmisiura524]

@@MountainGuerrilla 10 gp =1 pound

[@MountainGuerrilla]

@@stevenmisiura524 that's even worse, so 2400gp is 240lbs, no. one can walk around with that much let alone fight or explore

[@swirvinbirds1971]

@@MountainGuerrilla gold is heavy...

[@scotth4713]

You need a tripod, mate. ;)

[@TheEldarGuy]

I get better... sort of... a little bit anyway. Just trying to show my rustic and folksy charm.

[@scotth4713]

@@TheEldarGuy I know the feeling. Just started my own show and it took us 4 episodes to nail down what was causing our sound issues. But good on you for promoting 1st edition. I might have to give you a shout out on our show. 😀

[@TheEldarGuy]

@@scotth4713 I'm always looking to see how others run their games. If you have a channel on tabletop gaming, drop your link here.

[@scotth4713]

@@TheEldarGuy yeah man. I'll give you a shout out on next Sundays taping. Us old 1st ed lovers gotta have each others backs. :) kzbin.info/door/EQbwnL1gE_GLSqt3MwnNxA

[@scotth4713]

@@TheEldarGuy your shout out will be in episode 8 which will be coming up soon. :) kzbin.info/door/EQbwnL1gE_GLSqt3MwnNxA

[@johncartwright9580]

I could be wrong but i don't think you picked up thieves tools when you went shopping.

[@TheEldarGuy]

Yes, you are correct, she is without her tools, I couldn't afford for her to have her own tools. Therefore, when Bolrimi had left her people, she grabbed what she thought she would need and, she left her tools behind in haste.

[@johncartwright9580]

@@TheEldarGuy Ok I gotcha.

[@Cyberpuppy63]

@@TheEldarGuy Have the thief make her own tools from wire and scrap metal. It's really easier than having purchased items.

[@abocwsg2328]

Do original D&D

[@someguy403]

Do you have a pdf of the character record sheet or do you know where we are able to get one? I've mainly found sheets for the 2nd edition game.

[@TheEldarGuy]

In my other videos, I put the link to the PDF in the descriptions. I'll also add the file on my Patreon site (public area). Thanks for watching.

[@someguy403]

@@TheEldarGuy Thanks for responding! I'll check out the other videos, also I'm really enjoying the series as a newcomer to AD&D.

[@TheEldarGuy]

@@someguy403 If you have any questions let me know. 😁

[@someguy403]

@@TheEldarGuy It seems that the character sheets have a comeliness statistic but I think that is for 2nd edition if I'm not mistaken.

[@TheEldarGuy]

@@someguy403 Comliness is something added in Unearthed Arcana released about 1985. For most AD&D players this is the great schism. In some circles, it is known as 'the book that shall not be named'. I've limited my videos to pre-Unearthed Arcana release. In the character sheet PDF, there are side options for original classes and layouts (even the old goldenrod format).

[@Chalky555]

How similar is this to second edition? I can't really find any info. Thanks.

[@TheEldarGuy]

2nd edition removed the less used means of score generating. The 2nd edition used 4d6 drop one as the primary score rolling option. There was also the start of point buy for stats. A player could have three 18 stats and three 8 stats (at an extreme). 1st edition allowed for PCs to still be quite playable if only a couple of scores were 15+; 2nd Ed started a power creep that never really ended.

[@Chalky555]

@@TheEldarGuy thanks so much for the speedy reply. Like most my age I played 2e in my teens and now revisiting with the children, one who really wants to be DM (she's even written a full fantasy book! Maps and all). I'm struggling to find a step by step guide to starting and creating characters. And of course my old brain and distant memory does not help.

[@TheEldarGuy]

@@Chalky555 While, a lot of what I'm looking at is 1st edition, there's a fair bit of crossover. 2e simplified the game and made it one of the most accessible versions without sacrificing too much of its essence. There's still that 'old school' feel we didn't realise we'd miss in later years. I like the way Thieves could pick.and choose their advancements, but like most parts of 2e, it did lead to a little power gaming. Sounds like you're on the right track, and introducing this edition is a great start. Keep.me updated on your daughter's term as DM, new eyes on the old editions are a good thing.

[@michaelmontalto]

Characters back then were such weak-sauce. It's no wonder that people have demanded vast increases in survivability for low level characters.

[@TheEldarGuy]

It was the Zero to Hero style that we loved. For the first few levels (which equated to thousands of XP), engaging in combat was a decision. Running away was an option, as was always trying to ambush the enemy, the better your advantage, the longer the character will survive.

[@danacoleman4007]

This is so terrible

[@TheEldarGuy]

Yes. Despicably terrible. I promise, I do get better as I figure out how to do... this (waves at the Internet).