In my YouTube channel, I only review or mention products or game rules that I've played or at least own and read cover to cover. I've been a big fan of Old-Schoo Essentials for 2+ years, and recently got Shadowdark (and love it). I'm also a BECMI grognard who cut his teeth on the purple box Basic Set (Moldvay) and AD&D.
Should I get Dolmenwood and add that to the mix? Is it different enough to be worth the time/expense?
#dnd #osr #ttrpg #Dolmenwood #Shadowdark #BECMI #ADND #OldSchoolEssentials
An old player reached out to me over the weekend. During our chat he brought up that time his thief rolled a nat 1 (99 on percentile, actually!) on a "move silently" check inside a hobgoblin lair (BECMI, "Keep on the Borderlands").
I laughed and said, "I made a YouTube video about that!"
WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ab7aNB3RE-Q
READ: https://ruckerworks.com/2026/02/perfect-plan-dice-fail/
#dndstories #rpg #dungeonmaster #becmi #dnd5e #dndmemories #tabletopgaming
A "Memorable" #ttrpg session isn't always the same as a "Successful" one. :-)
WATCH: https://youtu.be/Ab7aNB3RE-Q [3 min 13 sec]
READ: https://ruckerworks.com/2026/02/perfect-plan-dice-fail/
#dndstories #rpg #dungeonmaster #becmi #dnd5e #dndmemories #tabletopgaming
In this true table story, a group of first-level D&D adventurers plan a stealth mission into a hobgoblin lair. What follows is an epic failure in the most memorable way. It's a perfect example of why the chaos of bad dice rolls create the most unforgettable moments in tabletop RPGs.
WATCH: https://youtu.be/Ab7aNB3RE-Q [3 min 13 sec]
READ: https://ruckerworks.com/2026/02/perfect-plan-dice-fail/
#dndstories #rpg #dungeonmaster #ttrpg #becmi #dnd5e #dndmemories #tabletopgaming #epicfail
Can failure in your D&D game be more fun than success?
My next video drops tomorrow (THU Feb 11) where I describe a table-top D&D game that went horribly wrong in the most memorable way.
Stay tuned.
https://www.youtube.com/@ruckerworks/
#dndstories #rpg #dungeonmaster #ttrpg #becmi #dnd5e #dndmemories #tabletopgaming
I've been running D&D since 1980. This channel is where I share what decades at the table actually teaches you. Think of it as having a mentor who's already made every mistake and can tell you what they learned. Practical advice for dungeon masters and players: how to design adventures that work, prep without wasting time, and run sessions that people actually want to come back to. Dungeon masters: every month I send a ready-to-use adventure, encounter, or location straight to your inbox. Free. You'll find the signup link in the description of any video. Have fun, stay cool, and keep your dice rolling.
Number of spells for "magic user/wizard" (equivalent) in core rulebooks (excluding sorcer, warlock, illusionist, etc.):
1. OSE Basic Fantasy – 12
2. Mentzer Basic Set – 14
3. Shadowdark – 16
4. OSE Advanced Fantasy – 27
5. AD&D 1e PHB – 34
6. 5e 2014 PHB – 49
7. 5e 2024 Core – 61
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