OSR, about two decades old, has caught on for gamers burned out by overly complex rules. I’m running a Basic Fantasy campaign and am part of a DCC group. Massive fun and east to both get and keep going.
Rule Systems
Open source or free
- Basic Fantasy: Excellent version of the First Edition rules (now offering a Fourth Edition clone). A range of free classes and modules.
- Osric: First Edition clone with links to a range of additional resources, including original D&D content on DriveThruRPG.
Retail
- Dungeon Crawl Classics: Massive tome of rules with a unique funnel system for killing off 0-level characters.
- Old School Essentials: First edition clone.
- Shadowdark RPG: 5E clone.
I’m running a campaign in Basic Fantasy and a player in a DCC campaign. I love the simple play in BF, and the DCC tables create rich outcomes. All depends on how much work you want to do.
Resources
- Free OCR compatible resources
- OSR-compatible resources (not all free)
- System agnostic, free fantasy resources
- System agnostic, pay-what-you-want fantasy resources
- System agnostic, fantasy resources (not all free)
Tabletop Trinkets by JJ – Literally thousands of trinkets, objects, vials, books, rings, amulets, weapons, armor, equipment, minor magic items and just plain junk for all of your roleplaying needs.
- Magic Items That Are Better Than Nothing
- Quick Fantasy Side-Quest Generator
- Traps To Worry Your Players
DM Heroes – Random character generator (no stats)