1974
It's time to play like it's 1974... That's the plan for the tabletop gaming I plan to host for the foreseeable future.
Here is the truth... I've only ever interacted with D&D via some kind of retroclone. I'm sure many other folks who have discovered the OSR are in a similar boat. Since I've come across this brand of gaming, I have played BFRPG, Whitebox FMAG, DCC, and a few NSR-like games. I've essentially played some derivative of d20, B/X, and OD&D. However, I've never actually played B/X, AD&D, or OD&D with the books that had the original print. Well, it's time to change that. And I am going to do that with the initial release, 1974 D&D.
Like you, I have read many many many blog posts about exploring these old games. You will often get someone who does a series of posts about how they are going to "RUN IT RULES AS WRITTEN." Then make great in-depth analysis of their findings. Well my plan is NOT to run it RAW. I cannot imagine many folks have picked up AD&D and "RUN IT RAW" from the get-go. It takes time to develop system mastery. Many would say that OD&D isn't even complete enough to run RAW. I want to play the Classic Adventure Game the way that comes natural to me with these 3 books.
My guess is that two types of people bought the game in 1974. Either people who were 'in the know' and were experienced wargamers AND folks who bought it having absolutely no idea what was going on. But they were nerds and the idea of adventuring fantasy sounded fun. I want to do this as the latter.
I imagine the second individual probably went to the local store, saw the game, and bought the game. Then they came home, read all the rules and realized they had to make a decision. Go back to the store and try to find this CHAINMAIL thing. Or take the rules and send it. Yet again, I want to do the latter.
So that is what I'm going to be doing. Playing the game as if all I had were the 3 books. My plan is to NOT utilize CHAINMAIL, NOT utilize supplements, and NOT utilize the Strategic Review.
To be 100% honest, it's going to be tough to erase my knowledge of what the rules came to be. It's also going to be impossible to not understand what CHAINMAIL, Supplements, and the Strategic Review ended up bringing to OD&D. After all, I have played numerous retroclones and know what was brought in from them. I can't imagine I will make it long without switching to ascending armor class. However, I will try my best to do what I would have done if it was me in 1974.
Anyways, the plan is to start playing OD&D with the original text. I'll be getting an irl game going with friends. I'll be making posts on some of my findings, decision making, and changes I plan to make. Yes... I plan to make changes. Some of these changes are to fill in gaps. Other changes are with the intention to make it more fun and enjoyable for my table.
"For everything herein is fantastic, and the best way is to decide how you would like it to be, and then make it just that way!"
ADDENDUM: Unfortunately, it's proven difficult to utilize the 1st print of OD&D in person. The copies that are on the internet are NOT printer friendly in the slightest. Obviously, purchasing a 1st print copy and actually using it would be expensive. I am opting for using the premium edition that is available on DriveTHRURPG. I'll be using slight corrections to bring it back in line with 1st printing. My understanding is the 6th print was in 1976... I do believe I can make an honest attempt to bring it back to 1974 before doing an at-home print. Sorry for anyone out there that believes this is no longer a faithful attempt. It's my best.