Old-School Essentials
Published by Necrotic Gnome
A faithful retro-clone of the 1981 B/X D&D rules, with modern organization and layout.
Official Site →Old School Revival (OSR) Gaming Guide
What is OSR?
The Old School Revival (or Renaissance) represents both a style of play and a community creating games inspired by the earliest editions of tabletop role-playing games. OSR emphasizes player skill over character abilities, encourages creative problem-solving, and typically features deadly combat that players are encouraged to avoid through clever thinking.
Core Principles
Rulings Over Rules
GMs are encouraged to make quick, fair rulings rather than searching for specific rules. Consistency and common sense trump complexity.
Player Skill > Character Sheet
Success depends more on player creativity and smart decisions than character abilities or optimal builds.
Deadly But Fair
Combat is dangerous and often lethal. Players should think carefully before fighting and seek alternative solutions.
Information is Key
Careful observation, asking questions, and gathering information are crucial for survival and success.
Popular OSR Games Systems
Basic Fantasy RPG
Published by Basic Fantasy Project
A free, open-source retroclone that modifies the B/X rules with some modern conventions.
Official Site →OSRIC
Published by Knights & Knaves Alehouse
A reference document recreating the first edition AD&D experience, complete with extensive GM guidance.
Official Site →MÖRK BORG
Published by Free League Publishing
An award-winning doom metal album of a game. Rules-light and apocalyptic dark fantasy with stunning art direction.
Official Site →Additional Resources
Blog
Principia Apocrypha
A primer on old-school gaming principles and philosophy.
Visit Blog →YouTube
Questing Beast
Reviews and analysis of OSR products and gaming philosophy.
Visit YouTube →