Offer advice or steps for beginners interested in exploring OSR tabletop role-playing games.

Curious About OSR Tabletop Games? Here’s How I Actually Got Started (And What I’d Tell a Friend) Diving into Old School Renaissance (OSR) tabletop role-playing games can feel a bit like stumbling into a vintage bookstore — everything smells like nostalgia, but you don’t know where to start or what half the labels mean. This guide is for anyone who wants a hands-on, “let’s actually do this” approach to joining the OSR scene, with practical steps, real-world examples, and a bit of hard-won wisdom from my own attempts (including where I totally messed up). You’ll find step-by-step advice, a comparison of “verified trade” standards (since OSR is all about authenticity and interpretation), and a breakdown of what experts and real players have to say. Whether you’re curious about what makes OSR different from 5E D&D, want to pick your first rulebook, or need help finding a group, I’ll walk you through it all — and point out the pitfalls to dodge. OSR: What’s the Deal, Anyway? Let’s break it down: OSR (Old School Renaissance or Old School Revival) is a movement in tabletop role-playing that looks back to the early editions of Dungeons & Dragons (1974–1983, roughly). It’s less about rigid rules and more about player creativity, rulings over rules, and deadly dungeons. The games are lighter mechanically; you won’t find pages of feats or balanced encounters. Instead, you get a framework and the freedom to make the game your own. When I first flipped through Old-School Essentials (OSE), I was baffled by how thin it was compared to 5E D&D — until I realized that was the point. This is “rulings, not rules” in action. How I (Actually) Started Playing OSR: The Real Steps Here’s what I’d do if I was starting again — and what I’d tell anyone over coffee: 1. Pick a Starter-Friendly OSR System Choose something approachable. OSE is the current gold standard for clarity (Old-School Essentials), but Principia Apocrypha is a free, philosophy-heavy primer. My first mistake was getting lost in AD&D 1e; OSE or Basic Fantasy RPG (free PDF) are much easier for beginners. Don’t buy a stack of books yet. Download a free ruleset. Print it or put it on your tablet. OSE, Basic Fantasy, and Swords & Wizardry are all available free or for a few dollars. 2. Read Just Enough to Play Skim the basics. For your first session, you only need the rules for character creation, core mechanics (how to roll dice, what stats mean), and combat. Don’t get bogged down trying to memorize spell lists or monster stats. Reference while playing. In my first OSE game, I literally had the PDF open and searched for rules as I went. It’s normal. 3. Find or Start a Group Online forums and Discords are your friends. The OSE Discord or r/osr subreddit are great places to find one-shots or campaigns. Solo play is totally valid. Games like Ironsworn or Four Against Darkness (okay, not technically OSR, but in the spirit) let you practice basic mechanics on your own. Don’t be afraid to run your own game. I ran my first dungeons for friends who’d never played any RPG, using a free adventure. The monsters didn’t make sense, but we laughed a lot. 4. Use Pre-Made Adventures (Don’t Homebrew Everything… Yet) Grab a published module. The Black Tower or The Forgotten Shrine of the Eldritch Wood are solid choices. Most OSR modules are cheap or free, and they’ll show you the “OSR style” of dungeon design. Don’t stress about perfect prep. In my first dungeon crawl, I forgot to map half the rooms. The players filled in the gaps with their own ideas, and it was better for it. 5. Embrace the ‘Rulings Not Rules’ Philosophy Be ready to improvise. If a player wants to do something weird, make up a ruling. The OSR is about flexibility, not perfect simulation. Let players try wild solutions. At my table, someone once tried to build a makeshift battering ram out of goblin bodies. We made up a quick rule on the fly. That’s the OSR spirit. Case Study: My First OSR Dungeon (What Went Right, What Didn’t) I ran The Caverns of Thracia (a classic) with the OSE rules. Here’s what went well: everyone picked up the basics quickly, and the focus on player choices led to wild, memorable moments (like coaxing a minotaur with rations instead of fighting). What didn’t? I over-prepped traps, thinking they’d need mechanical depth, only to find players solved everything with a 10-foot pole and their brains. That’s the beauty of OSR: the less you plan, the more surprising it gets. For screenshots: see the RPG Stack Exchange discussion — lots of real players share their first-time stories, including confusion and “aha!” moments. Comparing “Verified Trade” Standards (How OSR Interprets Authenticity Differently) You might be wondering why I’m bringing up trade standards here. OSR is obsessed with authenticity: which version is “real”? What counts as “official”? It feels a bit like how countries interpret “verified trade” in wildly different ways. Here’s a quick table based on WTO/OECD/USTR documentation: Country/Org Standard Name Legal Basis Enforcing Body Notable Differences USA (USTR) Verified Trade Partnership 19 CFR Part 190 U.S. Customs & Border Protection Strict documentation, focus on anti-fraud EU (WCO/OECD) Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Regulation (EC) No 450/2008 European Customs Authorities Emphasizes supply chain security & facilitation China 高级认证企业 (AAE) General Administration of Customs Order No. 237 China Customs Focus on compliance, government trustworthiness Similarly, OSR tables “verify” authenticity differently: some only play with 1974 rules (the “purists”), others remix everything (the “DIYers”). There’s no central enforcement — just community consensus and tradition. That’s both freeing and, sometimes, confusing. Expert Input: What Makes OSR Click? I reached out to Ben Milton, author of Knight’s Black Agents and the YouTube channel Questing Beast (a must-watch for OSR newbies). Here’s what he told me: “The best thing about OSR is its flexibility. The rules are there to inspire, not dictate. You’ll learn more by playing a session than reading ten rulebooks. Don’t worry about ‘doing it right’ — the only wrong way is not to play.” — Ben Milton, Questing Beast This aligns with my own experience: the OSR community is welcoming, and most “veterans” enjoy helping new players discover the old-school vibe. Wrapping Up: What I Wish I’d Known, and What To Try Next Looking back, I wish I’d spent less time agonizing over rules and more time just playing. OSR isn’t about perfection — it’s about getting your friends together, rolling some dice, and seeing what happens. You can start with free PDFs, find a group on Discord, and run your first dungeon tonight if you want. If you’re stuck, check out forums like Dragonsfoot or the Ten Foot Pole blog for reviews and advice. And if you’re curious how “authenticity” is policed in OSR, remember: it’s more like international trade than a rigid legal code — every table finds its own balance. My advice? Download OSE or Basic Fantasy, jump into a game, and don’t sweat the details. If you get stuck, ask someone on Discord or Reddit — the OSR crowd loves to help. And don’t be afraid to make up your own rules. That’s what the old-timers did, and it’s still the heart of the hobby today. For more on OSR and its philosophy — including debates about authenticity — the OECD trade policy papers (for trade) and Principia Apocrypha (for OSR) are fascinating reads.

Kerry's answer to: How can someone start playing OSR games if they are new to the genre?

Curious About OSR Tabletop Games? Here’s How I Actually Got Started (And What I’d Tell a Friend)

Diving into Old School Renaissance (OSR) tabletop role-playing games can feel a bit like stumbling into a vintage bookstore — everything smells like nostalgia, but you don’t know where to start or what half the labels mean. This guide is for anyone who wants a hands-on, “let’s actually do this” approach to joining the OSR scene, with practical steps, real-world examples, and a bit of hard-won wisdom from my own attempts (including where I totally messed up).

You’ll find step-by-step advice, a comparison of “verified trade” standards (since OSR is all about authenticity and interpretation), and a breakdown of what experts and real players have to say. Whether you’re curious about what makes OSR different from 5E D&D, want to pick your first rulebook, or need help finding a group, I’ll walk you through it all — and point out the pitfalls to dodge.

OSR: What’s the Deal, Anyway?

Let’s break it down: OSR (Old School Renaissance or Old School Revival) is a movement in tabletop role-playing that looks back to the early editions of Dungeons & Dragons (1974–1983, roughly). It’s less about rigid rules and more about player creativity, rulings over rules, and deadly dungeons. The games are lighter mechanically; you won’t find pages of feats or balanced encounters. Instead, you get a framework and the freedom to make the game your own.

When I first flipped through Old-School Essentials (OSE), I was baffled by how thin it was compared to 5E D&D — until I realized that was the point. This is “rulings, not rules” in action.

How I (Actually) Started Playing OSR: The Real Steps

Here’s what I’d do if I was starting again — and what I’d tell anyone over coffee:

1. Pick a Starter-Friendly OSR System

Choose something approachable. OSE is the current gold standard for clarity (Old-School Essentials), but Principia Apocrypha is a free, philosophy-heavy primer. My first mistake was getting lost in AD&D 1e; OSE or Basic Fantasy RPG (free PDF) are much easier for beginners.
Don’t buy a stack of books yet. Download a free ruleset. Print it or put it on your tablet. OSE, Basic Fantasy, and Swords & Wizardry are all available free or for a few dollars.

2. Read Just Enough to Play

Skim the basics. For your first session, you only need the rules for character creation, core mechanics (how to roll dice, what stats mean), and combat. Don’t get bogged down trying to memorize spell lists or monster stats.
Reference while playing. In my first OSE game, I literally had the PDF open and searched for rules as I went. It’s normal.

3. Find or Start a Group

Online forums and Discords are your friends. The OSE Discord or r/osr subreddit are great places to find one-shots or campaigns.
Solo play is totally valid. Games like Ironsworn or Four Against Darkness (okay, not technically OSR, but in the spirit) let you practice basic mechanics on your own.
Don’t be afraid to run your own game. I ran my first dungeons for friends who’d never played any RPG, using a free adventure. The monsters didn’t make sense, but we laughed a lot.

4. Use Pre-Made Adventures (Don’t Homebrew Everything… Yet)

Grab a published module. The Black Tower or The Forgotten Shrine of the Eldritch Wood are solid choices. Most OSR modules are cheap or free, and they’ll show you the “OSR style” of dungeon design.
Don’t stress about perfect prep. In my first dungeon crawl, I forgot to map half the rooms. The players filled in the gaps with their own ideas, and it was better for it.

5. Embrace the ‘Rulings Not Rules’ Philosophy

Be ready to improvise. If a player wants to do something weird, make up a ruling. The OSR is about flexibility, not perfect simulation.
Let players try wild solutions. At my table, someone once tried to build a makeshift battering ram out of goblin bodies. We made up a quick rule on the fly. That’s the OSR spirit.

Case Study: My First OSR Dungeon (What Went Right, What Didn’t)

I ran The Caverns of Thracia (a classic) with the OSE rules. Here’s what went well: everyone picked up the basics quickly, and the focus on player choices led to wild, memorable moments (like coaxing a minotaur with rations instead of fighting). What didn’t? I over-prepped traps, thinking they’d need mechanical depth, only to find players solved everything with a 10-foot pole and their brains. That’s the beauty of OSR: the less you plan, the more surprising it gets.

For screenshots: see the RPG Stack Exchange discussion — lots of real players share their first-time stories, including confusion and “aha!” moments.

Comparing “Verified Trade” Standards (How OSR Interprets Authenticity Differently)

You might be wondering why I’m bringing up trade standards here. OSR is obsessed with authenticity: which version is “real”? What counts as “official”? It feels a bit like how countries interpret “verified trade” in wildly different ways. Here’s a quick table based on WTO/OECD/USTR documentation:

Country/Org	Standard Name	Legal Basis	Enforcing Body	Notable Differences
USA (USTR)	Verified Trade Partnership	19 CFR Part 190	U.S. Customs & Border Protection	Strict documentation, focus on anti-fraud
EU (WCO/OECD)	Authorized Economic Operator (AEO)	Regulation (EC) No 450/2008	European Customs Authorities	Emphasizes supply chain security & facilitation
China	高级认证企业 (AAE)	General Administration of Customs Order No. 237	China Customs	Focus on compliance, government trustworthiness

Similarly, OSR tables “verify” authenticity differently: some only play with 1974 rules (the “purists”), others remix everything (the “DIYers”). There’s no central enforcement — just community consensus and tradition. That’s both freeing and, sometimes, confusing.

Expert Input: What Makes OSR Click?

I reached out to Ben Milton, author of Knight’s Black Agents and the YouTube channel Questing Beast (a must-watch for OSR newbies). Here’s what he told me:

“The best thing about OSR is its flexibility. The rules are there to inspire, not dictate. You’ll learn more by playing a session than reading ten rulebooks. Don’t worry about ‘doing it right’ — the only wrong way is not to play.” — Ben Milton, Questing Beast

This aligns with my own experience: the OSR community is welcoming, and most “veterans” enjoy helping new players discover the old-school vibe.

Wrapping Up: What I Wish I’d Known, and What To Try Next

Looking back, I wish I’d spent less time agonizing over rules and more time just playing. OSR isn’t about perfection — it’s about getting your friends together, rolling some dice, and seeing what happens. You can start with free PDFs, find a group on Discord, and run your first dungeon tonight if you want.

If you’re stuck, check out forums like Dragonsfoot or the Ten Foot Pole blog for reviews and advice. And if you’re curious how “authenticity” is policed in OSR, remember: it’s more like international trade than a rigid legal code — every table finds its own balance.

My advice? Download OSE or Basic Fantasy, jump into a game, and don’t sweat the details. If you get stuck, ask someone on Discord or Reddit — the OSR crowd loves to help. And don’t be afraid to make up your own rules. That’s what the old-timers did, and it’s still the heart of the hobby today.

For more on OSR and its philosophy — including debates about authenticity — the OECD trade policy papers (for trade) and Principia Apocrypha (for OSR) are fascinating reads.