D&D 1E AD&D players and referees, what do you think of ascending AC?

[Baron Opal II]

Simple question. No need for a poll.

I keep looking at the mess that is DMG page 74 and how much easier and quicker it would be to switch to attack bonuses and ascending AC.

For people still playing AD&D, how would you feel about the switch?

It's what I use for my bespoke AD&D game. Max AC of 30, naturally.

 

[rabindranath72]

My 2000 impression of 3e was more terror at a squad of orcs with great axes and a Strength bonus.

QFT! The first encounter I ran for my players with our first 3e game was with a squad of orcs...TPK!

 

[Rystefn]

I think pretending that there's a meaningful difference between ascending and descending AC is weird. D&D never stopped using Thac0, it just started counting it the other way.

 

[MWLewis]

I run AD&D and B/X. What's the question again?

 

[Willie the Duck]

I run AD&D and B/X. What's the question again?

After thread drift, it appears to have settled on 'what are your thoughts on using ascending AC in TSR-era A/D&D?' -- both in terms of do you find ascending AC preferable, and also in whether it is worth the change/have you done so/etc.

 

[ldvhl]

Nah

 

[James Gasik]

A conversation over the weekend caused a dim memory to surface. Checking my Gamma World books, I found this:

Ascending AC in a TSR product! I also think it's interesting that 20's weren't critical hits, but actually "glancing blows".

 

[Voadam]

A conversation over the weekend caused a dim memory to surface. Checking my Gamma World books, I found this:

View attachment 349291
Ascending AC in a TSR product! I also think it's interesting that 20's weren't critical hits, but actually "glancing blows".

Which one?

Gamma world has had a number of different editions.

 

[James Gasik]

Which one?

Gamma world has had a number of different editions.

My copy is 4th, from '92.

 

[Micah Sweet]

My copy is 4th, from '92.

My preferred version.