What is OSR? Retro RPGs keeping old-school D&D alive

If you’re in the RPG space you’ve likely come across OSR. But you might be wondering what that even stands for, what OSR games are, or why people are playing them. Maddie is here with some history of the Old School Renaissance movement so you can understand what these games are trying to achieve, and maybe even convince you to check a couple out. From the early discussions in forums to a thriving industry, this video is the perfect introduction into the world of OSR. And if you’re already a big fan of Old School games, let us know in the comments all your favourites that newcomers and veterans alike should try!

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[dicebreaker]

What was your first experience of OSR games?

[Motavian]

OSR plays like the Hobbit reads. Bilbo didn't kill all of the spiders in Mirkwood, he taunted and provoked them away from the dwarves. They didn't kill the trolls, Gandalf tricked them into bickering with one another until morning. Sure these things can be done in modern games, but the system actively encourages the fighting approach, and it isn't just the XP system.

[nickenquist]

Just gm’d Mausritter for the first time on Friday and my 5e players loved it. It really felt like it rewarded creativity over good rolls.

[PeterCeee]

So happy to see Mazes & Minotaurs getting a mention!

[MSte]

I am so chuffed Maddie is bringing up the jewels of the RPG world: OSRs, FitD and PbtA games. Keep up the great work!

[stillmattwest]

I've played a bunch of OSR systems but there are three I go back to:

1. Basic Fantasy RPG. One of the best B/X clones with a few important improvements. Also, it's completely free.
2. Swords and Wizardry Complete: Not my favorite system but so well supported. Monstrosities is THE monster manual for the OSR.
3. Castles and Crusades: A fusion of AD&D and 3E with an OSR sensibility. Very easy to learn and play, and it has good depth.

[lumberking]

Cairn was my first experience with OSR. Great community, great game. Based off Knave and Into the Odd. The roll under system mixed with simple items and magic allow for a lot of creative uses. Minimalist presentation makes referencing a breeze!

[onetruetroy]

My housemate kept hearing “OSR” from the other room and asked me, “I’ve never heard of an OSR, what period did it live?”

“Oh yeah, the owesaur lived in the Triassic period and other dinosaurs played with it. It died out but made a revival in the Cretaceous period.”

He just shook his head.

[renzopinasco]

Thank you Maddie. This was like a breath of fresh air. Played since basic dnd up to 5e and the feeling was off. I really hoped that Dndone would chamge for the better but it seems it wont. Would love to play at your table!

[Merlinstergandaldore]

I prefer Old School REVOLUTION! Vive la revolution! 😁 There are so many retroclones now, that anyone wanting an old school game is not wanting for options. I don't mind 5th edition, but there are some cues it could take from OSR style games to enhance it.

[luddwig_the_condemned]

OSR is such a fun style of play, and there’s a great variety of OSR-games. Not just lots of DnD retro-clones but games like the minimalistic and weird Into the Odd. There's also games like Troika! with rules that build on a completely different legacy, namely the Fighting Fantasy books.

[franciscohidalgo]

This video was exactly what I needed to start understanding OSR. Thanks a million.

[Umbralimage]

Started playing Moldvay Basic D&D in 1982. Played every edition since. Used Knave to write Gamma-K and now running White Box.

[Boondacious]

I actually ran Mausritter not too long ago, it's been our little side game when we want an off week and it feels so-so refreshing after playing 5e for several years. I like how the OSR respect's the player and GM's time by not making mountains of text to read or giving the GM useful and straightforward tools to run the game, which after running Shadowrun as my first game, is very appreciated.

[muddlewait]

Great summary of the tone differences of an OSR game!

[JoshuaGoudreau]

I recently started a new D&D game and we went with 2e because I got tired of 5e. It's a great edition and it's fun to play, but it didn't quite scratch that itch a lighter rules set gives me. The lack of a central dice mechanic quickly became bothersome so I did my own OSR hack by removing the little subsystems of AD&D with the core mechanic from 5e and the game is a blast to play now

[fain]

We used to play the hell out of AD&D 2nd and 3/3.5. Really miss those books. Sadly I don’t have them any longer

[pinkwolf]

Thank you, Maddie! Although I do give this a wry glance. I played these games when I was a kid and now they are called "Old School". Kinda like songs from the 80s are retro. I feel old somedays. :D

[AyebeeMk]

I stopped playing AD&D 1E IN 1983, migrated to other games when I needed a break from historical miniature games (where D&D started), Started playing D&D again in 2018; ignoring the last 4 editions, and carried on with AD&D 1E. I was apprehensive about running what had almost turned into a 'kiddies' game, however characters were rolled up at the end of a historical game and the following week five foolhardy souls set forth at dusk.... (and nobody had a 10 foot pole!)

[ancientvaults]

I started with B/X. I joined the OSR in 2006 before it was OSR. The idea was to get people playing older games, not just TSR games instead of talking about them. In 2009 I started an OSR blog that I cannot stop writing (my handle is its title) and in 45 minutes I will be running Iron Falcon for a group ranging in age from 18 to 53. The OSR is a DIY niche with no leaders, do your own thing.