So, what version to play?

When I began playing at 9 years old I started with the original blue basic D&D (pre-famous red box).  My mom picked it up for my brother's birthday along with the Monster Manual. Prior to his birthday I talked my mom into letting me look through them.  Trying to figure it all out, I spent many an hour locked away where my brother couldn't come see it and ruin the surprise

In any case, we played through basic rather quickly, my 14 year old brother Dungeon Mastering for birthday boy (12) and me through many a wacky quest. We quickly moved on to AD&D 1st edition. I never played anything else all through high school at which time I essentially quit playing. That was in 1987.

I became aware of new editions, and that we were in 4th edition, at PAX 2010. So, I thought to myself, "If I'm starting a new campaign with my kids, why not start with 4th edition?" I Google, "Which version of D&D to play"

OMG.

Really guys, it goes on and on. Epic campaign of good versus evil.

Everyone had some horrible complaint about each version. "Whine, whine ... rogues can't use red daggers in 4e ... whine, whine ... magic users are called Wiccans ..." It went on and on. Dudes, it's a game. You can do whatever the heck you want. Nowhere in the game of Risk does it say you can have paratroopers, and nukes (clay mushroom clouds and all), yet every time I play voila, there they are. If I happen into a Risk gaming session that does NOT allow nukes. No nukes, no problem.

I love one quote I ran across about the edition wars, with regard to all the arguing, "It's funny watching grown men argue about how best to play an elf".  Not a direct quote as I can't find it now, but so true!

Final decision. Stick with 1st edition for now. I have the books. I am familiar with it. But I've read enough to choose some things from all the other editions that I like. To hit tables, nah, use 3.5 (or just convert 1st edition tables to work the same way. 10 plus a first edition AC = a 3.5 AC, then convert the tables to provide level bonuses. It really does make so much more sense than THACO, or the original backaxe method.) Proficiencies and skills utilized from all the versions. And you know, feats are cool, I will throw those in too. I prefer 1st edition Vancian spell casting so I'll go with that.

Really, I'm playing with a 6 and 8 year old. We're having fun. If we want to pick up a helmet and smack a guy in the head, we just do it! Critical misses and hits ... we love em! And I love hearing my 6 year old excitedly exclaim "Critical hit!".

While looking for books on eBay I've found so many cool things,

1. Spelljammer - Flying boats! Kids will love 'em (no hippo's though).
2. The Dragon Magazine Archive - Awesome. I absolutely loved Dragon growing up.
3. Dungeon Magazine - Why didn't I find this one back when I was playing? I'm going to hand some to my 8 year old and keep some for me to run. Voila, some instant material.

There are so many materials out there from so many editions, our resource base for ideas is boundless.