Swords & Wizardry

Swords & Wizardry transports players to the early days of fantasy roleplaying—a world of dangerous dungeons, untamed wilderness, and treasure hoards guarded by deadly monsters. The setting is intentionally open-ended, providing GMs with the tools to create their own worlds while maintaining compatibility with the vast library of OSR adventures published over five decades.

Theme and Setting

The game's aesthetic evokes the original 1974-1978 D&D experience: swords clash against scaly hides, magic-users consult ancient tomes for powerful spells, and clerics call upon divine powers to turn the undead. Treasure hunting, exploration, and clever problem-solving take precedence over balanced encounters and character optimization.

How Play Feels

Swords & Wizardry uses a streamlined d20 system faithful to Original D&D. Players roll 3d6 for ability scores, choose from four classic classes (Fighting-Man, Magic-User, Cleric, and Thief), and select from seven races (Human, Elf, Dwarf, Halfling, plus Half-Elf, Half-Orc, and Gnome).

What Makes It Distinct

Key mechanical features include: Ascending or Descending AC: Choose between modern ascending Armor Class or traditional descending AC—both work seamlessly Single Saving Throw: One unified save with class-based bonuses, though optional category saves are included Prime Requisites: Ability scores affect experience point gains, not core effectiveness—keeping focus on play rather than optimization Variable Weapon Damage: Option for different damage by weapon type or simple d6-for-all Magic uses the classic Vancian system: spells are memorized and lost when cast. The game includes all spells from the original supplements plus guidance for creating new ones.

Where It May Not Fit

You want the system to stay almost invisible at the table You want a much breezier tone than this game is built to support.