I wish I had a bunch of friends that I would be willing to try it out. I've recently been interested in learning about D&D and would love to try my hand at GM-ing, but instead I just watch videos like this.
Going by your rules set, I would really enjoy playing at your table. Sounds real good. I grew up where charecters weren't heroes but not evil or chaotic wierd - like monster races. TTRPG my most loved hobby.
Excellent video. Very well explained. I learned playing Basic in 1982 and quickly" advanced" to AD&D in 1983. When AD&D 2nd Edition came around I HATED THAC0. I still do. It's a terrible mechanic. Ascending AC was a revelation! It's like living in Georgia and finally getting air conditioning. I would NEVER choose to go back!! Please don't try to inflict THAC0 on your friends!!
I like the mix between BF and the RC. Even though I was never able to play BECMI (I was like 3 at the time) and started out with AD&D 2E, I've become convinced that the RC is the best edition of the game, by far. Borrowing from it makes sense. Looks like you run a cool game table.
I like to start characters with 2D6+6 in order for stats. Swap two stats. Starting HP is 4 + Hit die roll and Con bonus. Death at -HP equal to level+ Con bonus. Fumble roll =1 enemy gets a free swing. Critical role =20 x2 damage. Everything else as written
Nice! Thnx 👍To help with Humans, I add White Box FMAG's additional XP bonus based upon stat for them only to help and I allow 1st edition D&D Dual classing. I also love your RC inclusions and your thoughts on "growth" classes (Paladin, ect... makes it really special). Cool stuff 😎
I have always disliked perception checks in games, so I always disliked the old school way of finding secret doors and/or slanting passages on a 1:6 because it's pretty much the same thing. I've been running a BFRPG campaign for over a year and if my players actually take the time to look for a secret door on a specific 10' section of wall, they will find it if it's there. I don't leave it up to chance, but skill and pushing your luck in the dungeon. I know many of the OSR crowd dislike perception checks as well so I'm curious what they think of the 1:6 chance of finding secrets. It doesnt make sense to me. Curious as to your thoughts on it?
I personally use the 1 in 6. But I think if my players were explicit in saying they wanted to spend a certain amount of time looking an area over I would give it to them. But I would be rolling for random encounters etc.. I'm of the mind of using it as it makes sense and when it makes sense I guess.
2:52 UH OH! that's the background sound that that took our DM away! 😉 ...it's looking like it's going to be me or nothing next time, hence why I'm here.
Well ascending AC is easier for some. And I started with BFRPG before I got my copy of the RC. I could just port it over completely but somethings like the Race as class thing are conversions and rulings I just don't want to make. I'm lazy.
I've always hated spell slots. I've never seen a film\book with such limitations. I prefer giving players spell points equivalent to the number of levels\slots and let them choose spells at time of casting.
That’s not necessarily a good idea. If you do that, spellcasters can spam low-level spells like crazy, and there are a lot of nasty spells that get overlooked because the spell slots limits the caster. Is it arbitrary? Yes, it is. However we accept it as a necessary weasel for the game to work. The same goes for HP. Everyone has their own way of rationalizing it, however we accept it as a necessary weasel in order for the game to work.
Have you ever considered it strange that in D&D Elves take a penalty to CON, when they are the race that has the most longevity? You would think if they have on average less CON than humans, they would be more susceptible to germs, viruses, diseases. Unless, you limit Constitution to just body bulkiness to hold their HP totals down, rather than robust healthy resistances.
I have thought it was a bit strange. Perhaps strength would be better. Basic Fantasy limits the Hit Dice of elves to a d6 max so their HP is already limited. I guess no one is saying that the penalty couldn't be moved to a different ability though.
That's… a really good point. And if hit points were really about bodily damage (they're not, because they don't represent anything in particular), you would want to use the Str modifier for them. GURPS 4e actually changed to using ST instead of HT for hit points after this was pointed out.
There is no company. It's just Chris Gonnerman and the people who work together as a community that make it all happen for the purpose of being free or books at print cost to everyone. He just wants everyone to be able to play the game.
RAW humans seem underpowered compared to demihumans. 10% xp bonus is nice, but doesn’t seem like it’s worth giving up the bonuses demihumans get. With no level limits and easy requirements, it seems like playing some sort of demihuman is a no brainer.
Demi-humans can't be every class like they can in wizards d&d . Dwarves and halflings are restricted from being mages and can only be fighters , clerics and thieves . Dwarves are limited to a cha of 17 and halflings are limited to a str of 17 and can never have HD type higher then d6 as was said in the video If you include the optional classes there's even more class restrictions the races can be so humans can be any class but demi-humans are limited to what class they can be .
One thing to consider too is that old school D&D is a human centric world. Armors are generally going to be fitted for human sized individuals rather than dwarves, halflings and even elves.
@@williamlee7482 But between the three I can be any of the core classes: if I have an Int high enough to be a mage, I can be an elf. If I have a Dex high enough to be a thief, I can be a halfling. Neither of those run afoul of the hit die limit, since both classes use d4, and only 1-in-216 such character run afoul of the ability score limits. With fighters, fewer than half will have a constitution too low to be a dwarf, and even fewer will be unable to be an elf or halfling. The latter two options would reduce their hit die but the bonuses to saves are arguably more valuable than lowering your average hp/level by 1. Only with clerics is there a decent chance I'd have to be human, but even then fewer than 1-in-4 will not have a high enough Con or Dex to be a dwarf or halfling, and the halfling's hit die limit doesn't matter in this case. Optional classes aren't technically RAW. Gonnerman even has a post saying that there will never be an official book with optional classes or races because he doesn't want a GM to have to deal with players saying "But it's in an official book!"
Basic Fantasy is the best bang for the buck you can get in a TTRPG.
I mean how do you beat free?
I love the format of your reviews like this!
Thanks a BUNCH for these videos. I'm new to RPGs and BF is my first. These are immensely helpful!
You are getting into the hobby with BFRPG? My man you are doing it right. Great choice. Keep me posted on your games.
I wish I had a bunch of friends that I would be willing to try it out. I've recently been interested in learning about D&D and would love to try my hand at GM-ing, but instead I just watch videos like this.
Just found these rules, and this was a really helpful video, thanks!
Going by your rules set, I would really enjoy playing at your table. Sounds real good. I grew up where charecters weren't heroes but not evil or chaotic wierd - like monster races. TTRPG my most loved hobby.
Excellent video. Very well explained. I learned playing Basic in 1982 and quickly" advanced" to AD&D in 1983. When AD&D 2nd Edition came around I HATED THAC0. I still do. It's a terrible mechanic. Ascending AC was a revelation! It's like living in Georgia and finally getting air conditioning. I would NEVER choose to go back!! Please don't try to inflict THAC0 on your friends!!
@@DMHightower i love Thac0
Amazing content mate, very clear and concise, im new to basic fantasy, and your videos are a huge help
Always let the players roll their chances, it’s their consequence/reward
I like the mix between BF and the RC. Even though I was never able to play BECMI (I was like 3 at the time) and started out with AD&D 2E, I've become convinced that the RC is the best edition of the game, by far. Borrowing from it makes sense. Looks like you run a cool game table.
I like to start characters with 2D6+6 in order for stats. Swap two stats. Starting HP is 4 + Hit die roll and Con bonus.
Death at -HP equal to level+ Con bonus.
Fumble roll =1 enemy gets a free swing.
Critical role =20 x2 damage.
Everything else as written
Nice! Thnx 👍To help with Humans, I add White Box FMAG's additional XP bonus based upon stat for them only to help and I allow 1st edition D&D Dual classing. I also love your RC inclusions and your thoughts on "growth" classes (Paladin, ect... makes it really special). Cool stuff 😎
I never play Elves, but BFRPG makes me want to create an Elven Fighter/Magic-User
RAW, a magic user is provided their Spellbook by a master, page 8 of BFRPG book.
Magic Missile? Everyone knows that if you can choose your own first level spell, you always choose Sleep! :-)
Ha. True. But I had no intention of playing this guy. But sleep doesn't work on every enemy too though. Haha.
@@TheBasicExpert I'm just joking and giving you a hard time. Every spell has its advantages and draw backs. Keep up the great videos.
I have always disliked perception checks in games, so I always disliked the old school way of finding secret doors and/or slanting passages on a 1:6 because it's pretty much the same thing. I've been running a BFRPG campaign for over a year and if my players actually take the time to look for a secret door on a specific 10' section of wall, they will find it if it's there. I don't leave it up to chance, but skill and pushing your luck in the dungeon.
I know many of the OSR crowd dislike perception checks as well so I'm curious what they think of the 1:6 chance of finding secrets. It doesnt make sense to me. Curious as to your thoughts on it?
I personally use the 1 in 6. But I think if my players were explicit in saying they wanted to spend a certain amount of time looking an area over I would give it to them. But I would be rolling for random encounters etc.. I'm of the mind of using it as it makes sense and when it makes sense I guess.
@@TheBasicExpert That makes sense. I roll for everything besides "perception" and "knowledge" checks
2:52 UH OH! that's the background sound that that took our DM away! 😉 ...it's looking like it's going to be me or nothing next time, hence why I'm here.
Haha. Yeah that's my daughter.
If you own, and are using it for some options, the Rules Cyclopedia, why not just use it and leave BFRPG?
Well ascending AC is easier for some. And I started with BFRPG before I got my copy of the RC. I could just port it over completely but somethings like the Race as class thing are conversions and rulings I just don't want to make. I'm lazy.
I've always hated spell slots. I've never seen a film\book with such limitations. I prefer giving players spell points equivalent to the number of levels\slots and let them choose spells at time of casting.
That’s not necessarily a good idea. If you do that, spellcasters can spam low-level spells like crazy, and there are a lot of nasty spells that get overlooked because the spell slots limits the caster.
Is it arbitrary? Yes, it is. However we accept it as a necessary weasel for the game to work. The same goes for HP. Everyone has their own way of rationalizing it, however we accept it as a necessary weasel in order for the game to work.
And as far as books, the spell slot system is inspired by the stories of Vance.
Have you ever considered it strange that in D&D Elves take a penalty to CON, when they are the race that has the most longevity? You would think if they have on average less CON than humans, they would be more susceptible to germs, viruses, diseases. Unless, you limit Constitution to just body bulkiness to hold their HP totals down, rather than robust healthy resistances.
I have thought it was a bit strange. Perhaps strength would be better. Basic Fantasy limits the Hit Dice of elves to a d6 max so their HP is already limited. I guess no one is saying that the penalty couldn't be moved to a different ability though.
I've always just rolled with it. Kind of like, "that's weird" oh well. But yeah. It's strange.
That's… a really good point. And if hit points were really about bodily damage (they're not, because they don't represent anything in particular), you would want to use the Str modifier for them. GURPS 4e actually changed to using ST instead of HT for hit points after this was pointed out.
XP for gold...when you use it for training, equipment, carousing, etc...
If everything is free, how does company make money?
There is no company. It's just Chris Gonnerman and the people who work together as a community that make it all happen for the purpose of being free or books at print cost to everyone. He just wants everyone to be able to play the game.
@@TheBasicExpert as a game designer myself, I hate this concept lol.
RAW humans seem underpowered compared to demihumans. 10% xp bonus is nice, but doesn’t seem like it’s worth giving up the bonuses demihumans get. With no level limits and easy requirements, it seems like playing some sort of demihuman is a no brainer.
So mod the game to your taste. You could cap demihuman levels, or ban them entirely. It’s your game, run it how you want.
Demi-humans can't be every class like they can in wizards d&d .
Dwarves and halflings are restricted from being mages and can only be fighters , clerics and thieves .
Dwarves are limited to a cha of 17 and halflings are limited to a str of 17 and can never have HD type higher then d6
as was said in the video
If you include the optional classes there's even more class restrictions the races can be so humans can be any class but demi-humans are limited to what class they can be .
One thing to consider too is that old school D&D is a human centric world. Armors are generally going to be fitted for human sized individuals rather than dwarves, halflings and even elves.
@@williamlee7482 But between the three I can be any of the core classes: if I have an Int high enough to be a mage, I can be an elf. If I have a Dex high enough to be a thief, I can be a halfling. Neither of those run afoul of the hit die limit, since both classes use d4, and only 1-in-216 such character run afoul of the ability score limits.
With fighters, fewer than half will have a constitution too low to be a dwarf, and even fewer will be unable to be an elf or halfling. The latter two options would reduce their hit die but the bonuses to saves are arguably more valuable than lowering your average hp/level by 1.
Only with clerics is there a decent chance I'd have to be human, but even then fewer than 1-in-4 will not have a high enough Con or Dex to be a dwarf or halfling, and the halfling's hit die limit doesn't matter in this case.
Optional classes aren't technically RAW. Gonnerman even has a post saying that there will never be an official book with optional classes or races because he doesn't want a GM to have to deal with players saying "But it's in an official book!"
Yep! All the reason why race-as-class is better in my opinion.