How to Play

[hikarou]

OK, my brother recently came home from college and is all hyped about the experience he had playing DnD, and I started playing DDO not too long ago. It got me started on wanting to learn how to play the ORIGINAL pen and paper game of Dungeons and Dragons, preferably versions 1 or 2. Can anyone give me a link to an online handbook or something?

[wizarddog]

OSRIC is a an open source document that has compilation of old school rules. It is free.
http://www.knights-n-knaves.com/osric/

Dragonsfoot has material specifically for 1e and 2e like adventures, scenarios, and a compilation on combat rules.
http://www.dragonsfoot.org/

If you want originally AD&D books you can go to ebay or other book places and buy them.

[Webhead]

Another great option if you're looking for a (free) way to try out some early edition D&D role playing is Labyrinth Lord.

http://www.goblinoidgames.com/labyrinthlord.html

Don't let the name throw you off. It is really just old-school D&D with the serial numbers filed off. It is what is referred to as a "retro clone". There used to be a slightly fancier version of the free core book on their website that did have some (rather good) artwork in it, but it seems they have replaced it with the current version. Still, all of the rules and other content are unchanged, so it's still the complete game.

[Lord Soth]

Something i've stumbled across is mythmere games Swords and Wizardry...they offer free downloads of the game, with a link to purchase the dead tree version...there's several additions of classes and abilities linked to it as well, not to mention great support by dragonsfoot.org. It resembles a 0e, 1e feel, but lends itself to ascending and descending armor classes. In the book, they also give permission to publish your own materials, save that they are mentioned in the disclaimers...

www.swordsandwizardry.com

Good Stuff...

[IvanMike]

purpleworm.org has an online resource for 2e - most of the retro clones for OD&D, 1e, B/X BECMI and RC are easy to find and free dark dungeons is a good one for RC that's rather new.