Basic Fantasy: Difference between revisions
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| − | '''''Basic Fantasy''''' (also commonly known as '''''Basic Fantasy RPG''''' and abbreviated '''''BFRPG'''''), is a retro-clone written by Chris Gonnerman that emulates, and is largely compatible with, the 1981 ''[[ |
+ | '''''Basic Fantasy''''' (also commonly known as '''''Basic Fantasy RPG''''' and abbreviated '''''BFRPG'''''), is a [[Dungeons & Dragons retro-clones|retro-clone]] written by Chris Gonnerman that emulates, and is largely compatible with, the 1981 ''[[Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set|Basic]]'' and ''[[Dungeons & Dragons Expert Set|Expert]]'' sets of ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]''. Its main differences from ''B/X D&D'' include [[D20 System|d20]]-style ascending [[armor class]] and separation of character [[Fantasy race|race]] and [[Character class|class]]. It was first officially released in 2007,<ref name=bforg>[http://www.basicfantasy.org/news.html "Basic Fantasy News"]. Retrieved on 2020-10-19.</ref> and updated in 2008,<ref>[http://www.basicfantasy.org/news.html#75core "Core Rules 2nd Edition (Release 75) – July 15, 2008"]. Retrieved on 2008-08-09.</ref> and 2014.<ref>[http://www.basicfantasy.org/news.html#96core "Core Rules 3rd Edition (Release 96) -- November 24, 2014"]. Retrieved on 2016-05-31.</ref> The game is one of the very first products of the [[Old School Revival]] and has been positively received.<ref name=BFRPG_vs_LL>[http://arcona.wordpress.com/2008/08/02/labyrinth-lord-vs-basic-fantasy/ "Labyrinth Lord vs. Basic Fantasy", The Dwarf and the Basilisk – August 8, 2008"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140320093440/http://arcona.wordpress.com/2008/08/02/labyrinth-lord-vs-basic-fantasy/ |date=2014-03-20 }} Retrieved on 2008-08-16.</ref><ref>[http://mythadvocate.blogspot.com/2007/12/basic-fantasy-game.html "Random Acts: The Basic Fantasy Game"]. Retrieved on 2008-08-09.</ref> |
==History== |
==History== |
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With his original copies of the Basic and Expert rules having fallen into disrepair from use, Gonnerman found himself in need of a replacement for himself, as well as copies he could legally share with his players.<ref name=3ts>[https://3toadstools.blogspot.com/2016/10/its-your-turn-chris-ladies-gentlemen.html "An Interview with Chris Gonnerman", 3 Toadstools Publishing – October 7, 2016"]</ref> At the time, the potential use of the [[Open Gaming License]] and d20 [[System Reference Document]] were being actively discussed as an avenue toward making clones of games no longer in print, but no one had yet succeeded.<ref name="3ts" /> |
With his original copies of the Basic and Expert rules having fallen into disrepair from use, Gonnerman found himself in need of a replacement for himself, as well as copies he could legally share with his players.<ref name=3ts>[https://3toadstools.blogspot.com/2016/10/its-your-turn-chris-ladies-gentlemen.html "An Interview with Chris Gonnerman", 3 Toadstools Publishing – October 7, 2016"]</ref> At the time, the potential use of the [[Open Gaming License]] and d20 [[System Reference Document]] were being actively discussed as an avenue toward making clones of games no longer in print, but no one had yet succeeded.<ref name="3ts" /> |
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| − | While created in its own right to emulate and improve upon the inspirational work of [[Tom Moldvay]] and [[ |
+ | While created in its own right to emulate and improve upon the inspirational work of [[Tom Moldvay]] and [[David Cook (game_designer)|David Cook]], Basic Fantasy also derives inspiration from Gonnerman's earlier unpublished game, ''Project 74'', itself a retro-clone of fantasy gaming in the 1970s.<ref name="bforg" /><ref name="3ts" /> |
| − | After Gonnerman released a downloadable preview of the work in progress on January 1, 2006<ref name="bforg" /> |
+ | After Gonnerman released a downloadable preview of the work in progress on January 1, 2006,<ref name="bforg" /> [[OSRIC]] also began development, with [[Labyrinth Lord]] and [[Swords & Wizardry]] following after. The first edition of Basic Fantasy was published in softcover and offered for purchase on February 28, 2007.<ref>[https://www.dragonsfoot.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=19085&start=390 "At Last!", Dragonsfoot.org. Retrieved on 2020-10-19.]</ref> The current version, 3rd Edition revision 107, was released on June 30, 2016.<ref name="bforg" /> |
==Design== |
==Design== |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 10:21, 19 October 2020
 Cover of the 3rd Edition | |
| Designer(s) | Chris Gonnerman |
|---|---|
| Publisher(s) | Self-published |
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Genre(s) | Fantasy |
| Playing time | Varies |
| Random chance | Dice rolling |
| Skill(s) required | Role-playing, improvisation, tactics, arithmetic |
| Website | www |
Basic Fantasy (also commonly known as Basic Fantasy RPG and abbreviated BFRPG), is a retro-clone written by Chris Gonnerman that emulates, and is largely compatible with, the 1981 Basic and Expert sets of Dungeons & Dragons. Its main differences from B/X D&D include d20-style ascending armor class and separation of character race and class. It was first officially released in 2007,[1] and updated in 2008,[2] and 2014.[3] The game is one of the very first products of the Old School Revival and has been positively received.[4][5]
History
With his original copies of the Basic and Expert rules having fallen into disrepair from use, Gonnerman found himself in need of a replacement for himself, as well as copies he could legally share with his players.[6] At the time, the potential use of the Open Gaming License and d20 System Reference Document were being actively discussed as an avenue toward making clones of games no longer in print, but no one had yet succeeded.[6]
While created in its own right to emulate and improve upon the inspirational work of Tom Moldvay and David Cook, Basic Fantasy also derives inspiration from Gonnerman's earlier unpublished game, Project 74, itself a retro-clone of fantasy gaming in the 1970s.[1][6]
After Gonnerman released a downloadable preview of the work in progress on January 1, 2006,[1] OSRIC also began development, with Labyrinth Lord and Swords & Wizardry following after. The first edition of Basic Fantasy was published in softcover and offered for purchase on February 28, 2007.[7] The current version, 3rd Edition revision 107, was released on June 30, 2016.[1]
Design
The game is modular, providing a core framework for four essential classes from levels 1 to 30. The core rulebook combines the functions of a player character (PC) manual, a game master (GM) guide, and a monster reference in one volume. With the rules as written, it makes minor changes from its original 1981 inspiration in separating race from class, using the d20 ascending armor class scheme, and dispensing with alignment. However, it is fully expected that GMs will implement house rules to adapt the game to their own preferences, and the community website provides additional and alternate rules that can be added to the core game. Additional classes, additional races, conversion tools and other accessories for PCs and the GM are also available for free, allowing the game to be scaled to the desired complexity, similar to the advanced fantasy games of the 1980s, if desired.
Supplements and Modules
Basic Fantasy has amassed a dedicated community of artists, writers, editors and play-testers, and many accessories have been produced by volunteers, alone and in collaboration. Like the core rules, these materials are available for free download as Open Document source files and in Portable Document Format (PDF). The following are also available in print for purchase, at or near-cost:
- The Basic Fantasy Field Guide
- The Basic Fantasy Equipment Emporium
- BF1 - Morgansfort
- BF2 - Fortress, Tomb, and Tower
- BF3 - Strongholds of Sorcery
- JN1 - The Chaotic Caves
- JN2 - Monkey Isle
- JN3 - Saga of the Giants
- AA1 - Adventure Anthology 1
- AA2 - Adventure Anthology 2
- CS1 - Castle by the Sea
- DC1 - Tales from the Laughing Dragon
Other materials that are not available in print are freely downloadable from the website. Additionally, there are "Showcase" and "Workshop" areas on the website where nearly complete and work-in-progress projects can be downloaded, tested, and commented on.[8]
References
- ^ a b c d "Basic Fantasy News". Retrieved on 2020-10-19.
- ^ "Core Rules 2nd Edition (Release 75) – July 15, 2008". Retrieved on 2008-08-09.
- ^ "Core Rules 3rd Edition (Release 96) -- November 24, 2014". Retrieved on 2016-05-31.
- ^ "Labyrinth Lord vs. Basic Fantasy", The Dwarf and the Basilisk – August 8, 2008" Archived 2014-03-20 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-08-16.
- ^ "Random Acts: The Basic Fantasy Game". Retrieved on 2008-08-09.
- ^ a b c "An Interview with Chris Gonnerman", 3 Toadstools Publishing – October 7, 2016"
- ^ "At Last!", Dragonsfoot.org. Retrieved on 2020-10-19.
- ^ Downloads, The Showcase and The Workshop