For Gold & Glory
At-a-glance: AD&D 2e retroclone • d20 THAC0 + percentile skills • 2-8 + GM • Low prep • Rules Medium • 3-4h sessions
Theme and Setting
For Gold & Glory embraces the classic high-fantasy kitchen-sink setting that defined Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition. The system supports everything from grim dungeon crawls to epic planar adventures, with mechanics that assume a world of human-centric civilizations surrounded by dangerous wilderness and ancient ruins. Unlike more focused modern OSR games, this retroclone preserves the anything-goes approach of the 1990s—dragon-riding knights, planar travelers, and dungeon-delving thieves all fit comfortably within its framework. The bestiary includes classic monsters from aboleths to zombies, while the magic system supports the full spectrum of D&D spellcasting from fireballs to wish spells.
Core Mechanics and Rules
The game uses the familiar d20-based THAC0 system for combat, where lower armor class is better and attack rolls must exceed a target number derived from the attacker's skill versus defender's protection. Percentile dice (d100) handle thief skills and other specialized abilities, creating a dual-resolution system that feels distinctly 2e. Character creation follows the classic race and class separation—humans, elves, dwarves, halflings, gnomes, and half-elves each have access to different class combinations, with prime requisite stats affecting experience point bonuses. The book consolidates what originally required three separate volumes: 94 pages of core rules, followed by 105 pages of magic, treasure, and monsters. Weapon proficiency groups and optional humanoid character rules from the Complete series appear as integrated elements rather than later add-ons.
What Makes It Unique
Where For Gold & Glory distinguishes itself is in its meticulous attention to rules clarity. The author compiled the text from original AD&D sources, then back-filled gaps using Basic D&D and Dragon magazine, finally resolving remaining ambiguities through Sage Advice columns and Dragonsforum community wisdom. The result plays like the heavily road-tested version of 2e that evolved at kitchen tables over decades—familiar to veterans but more accessible than deciphering vintage rulebooks. The single-volume format eliminates the need for multiple books at the table, while the print-on-demand availability makes this slice of gaming history accessible without hunting eBay. Public domain art from Walter Crane and others gives the book a distinctive aesthetic that evokes the period without directly copying trademarked imagery.
Target Audience and Player Experience
This game serves two primary audiences: veterans who played 2e in the 1990s and want to recapture that specific mechanical feel, and newcomers curious about the OSR who want to understand what made AD&D distinct from its Basic and Original predecessors. The learning curve is moderate—more complex than B/X clones like Old-School Essentials but less baroque than trying to parse original AD&D's organization. Groups comfortable with THAC0 and percentile systems will find the game runs smoothly, with enough class options to satisfy players who want mechanical distinction without the build complexity of 3e or 5e. The system particularly shines for campaign play, supporting characters from level 1 through the high teens with meaningful progression and the full range of classic D&D challenges.
