Retroclone
A retroclone is a knock-off of an older gaming system, for those grognards with grey in their neckbeards that mumble about how things were better "back in my day." However, as everyone grognarded to basically the same systems, most Retroclones are pretty similar, with neckbeards arguing which one is the truest experience when the real answer is none of them are.
For Your Reading Pleasure
- Adventurer, Conquerer, King is based on the 1981 B/X set, with a few changes, such as using a d20 for most rolls, adding a proficiency system, and doing 'race-and-class-as-class', which means that each race has several different classes to choose from (instead of the single 'elf' or dwarf' race in B/X). It also expands on the dominion management and stronghold building part of the game, with some other options such as trading. Supplements add systems for wars and battles, many more classes, and a custom class building system.
- Astonishing Swordsmen & Sorcerers of Hyperborea (AS&SH) is a AD&D 1e OSR game which is, as the name suggests, inspired by the works of Robert E Howard and co. It’s big twist is the large amounts of subclasses to the usual Fighter/Magic-User/Cleric/Rogue array, meaning parties can quickly differentiate themselves... which is necessary, because there are no demi-humans. The "Races" are all based on races of men from old Conan stories: Kimmerians, Picts, Vikings, Stygians, et cetera.
- Basic Fantasy RPG is a knock-off of the 1981 B/X set but adds a few modern touches (races seperate from classes, ascending AC, several rules clarifications). It is available for free off of it's main website
- Iron Falcon was created because the creator of Basic Fantasy was told BF wasn’t OSR enough. Based on OD&D. Uses descending AC.
- Castles & Crusades is AD&D 1e by way of D20. It's big change is the addition of "Prime" attributes, which give a base chance of 12 versus non prime attributes base chance of 18, meaning characters are more specialized.
- BlueHolme is a knock-off of the 1977 edition of D&D (levels 1-3).
- Dark Dungeons is the knock-off of the 1983 BECMI books or Larry Elmore art on the box covers of D&D (levels 1-36 + Immortals)
- Darker Dungeons is a reorganized re-release, which makes a number of changes (including swapping the mechanics of the elf and wizard and adding pistols as standard equipment)
- Dungeon Crawl Classics is an OGL based work which uses Race-As-Class mechanics and high lethality to give the feeling of OSR play without sacrificing modern conveniences... right up until it ruins that by making you buy a bunch of dice you won't use for anything else.
- Godbound: D&D meets Exalted. Comes with rules for converting OSR or D&D adventures so your godling can fight a hoard of orcs barehanded, bring a follower back to life, or grow themself back from their own severed arm. Features a free version on drivethrurpg
- Labyrinth Lord is the knock-off of the 1981 B/X or orange/blue books of D&D (levels 1-14) Settings include
- Mutant Future (it's Gamma World)
- Red Tide (Fantasy China leads the rest of the world to Fantasy Australia to escape Fantasy Cthulhu, where they proceed to dispossess Maori Orcs)
- Lamentations of the Flame Princess is B/X with ascending armor class and gore porn. Uses race as class, a d6 system for skill roles, and replaces the thief with the Specialist, who uses a pseudo-3e skill system to allow them to act as thieves or rangers or historians. Has consistent releases of ungameable modules designed by Old Testament save or die GMs, with an extra layer of pretentiousness.
- Machinations Of The Space Princess is Lamentations of the Space Princess but sleazier and IN SPAAAAAAACE. Uses a Lamentations style d6 skill system, separates the "Looks" stat from Charisma for a total of seven stats, and adds a wealth mechanic where characters without points in the Lifestyle skill will start new adventures penniless, having assumed to have gambled it away or spent it on their ship, thus incentivising players to be quick with their gold.
- OSRIC or Old School Reference & Index Companion is 1e AD&D
- Stars Without Number: D&D IN SPAAAAAAAACE. Uses 2d6s for skill tests. Brags that you can take any module from OD&D to AD&D and with 20 minutes work convert it, which you will need to do because the game doesn't expect you to stay in one place for too long. Second edition adds ascending armor class. Free, abridged version on drivethrurpg]
- Swords & Wizardry is a streamlining of the White Box, including all supplements.
- White Star, Swords & Wizardry IN SPAAAAAAACE. Uses race as class. Leans heavily on Star Wars, with Star Knights and Void Knights, Aristocrats, Hotshots, et cetera.
- Zweihander is the only non D&D retroclone on this list, a recreation of 2e Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay
