Old School Reference and Index Compilation-OSRIC

by Stuart Marshall (Editor), Matthew Finch (Editor)

The "Old School Reference and Index Compilation™", or "OSRIC™", is the retro-clone of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons™ First Edition game published by TSR, Inc. in the late 1970's and early 1980's. First released in 2006, OSRIC was one of the first retro-clones to hit the gaming scene and garnered a great deal of attention, both good and ill, from the larger gaming community. OSRIC paved the way for other retro-clones such as Labyrinth Lord™ (retro-clone of the Moldvay Basic/Expert D&D™ game) and Swords & Wizardry™ (retro-clone of the Original Dungeons & Dragons™ game, or OD&D™ ).

Genres: Role Playing Games

386 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[J.R. Handley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun and informative not-so-little booklet that even a noob can figure out!

[Steven Fowler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellently written OSR RPG that recreates the mechanics and feel of the 1st edition of the world's most popular role-playing game (AD&D1e). While there are changes, notably the initiative mechanic and XP v. level progression of the various classes, one can use this system, particularly considering the free PDF version to introduce a new generation of players to the style of game their parents and grandparents played.

The explanations are clear, clearer in fact than the original publications it is emulating, and the various changes do not hinder use of previously published materials and, indeed, in some cases are an improvement.

There are at least two POD versions of the book, one by Lulu and the other by Black Blade Publishing & Usherwood Publishing. Although I have not seen the Lulu version the BBP&UP version is quite impressive with solid, quality binding and artwork not included in the PDF or, apparently, the Lulu version. It makes a nice addition to any game shelf but is identical in written content to the free PDF or EPUB version put out by the creators at Knights & Knaves.

My only complaint is that, unlike the original volumes it is intending to emulate under Wizards of the Coast's OGL, psionics is not included nor is THAC0 as an at-the-table mechanic for the Game Master and players to use instead of looking up to-hit matrices loosely based on the THAC0 mechanic. It would be very easy to include the THAC0 rules as an option to the matrices.

[John Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clear easy To reference restatement of The rules for 1st edition advanced Dungeons & Dragons Restated in an easy to understand easy to read format. In made to emulate the seal of their resume game.