Olde Swords Reign

Four classes. Infinite archetypes. Real danger.

OSwR gives you the character customisation you want while keeping the danger, resource tension, and emergent play that makes OSR games sing.

What’s This Game For?

Running classic modules (Keep on the Borderlands, etc.) with modern expectations
Dangerous adventures where your choices matter
Emergent storytelling through systems, not scripts
Grit without learning an unfamiliar ruleset

What OSwR Isn’t

Not superhero fantasy - danger stays real at every level
Not old-school frustration - you hit things, you just might die doing it
Not rules-light - the mechanics have teeth

Core Design

4 classes - Fighter, Expert, Cleric, Magic-User
Feats build archetypes - Ranger, Paladin, Bard emerge from combinations
EDGE/SETBACK - +/-1d6 replaces advantage/disadvantage
Boost Dice - Session-based resource pool for dramatic moments
Danger stays real - Lower HP, meaningful death, no safety nets
Resource management matters - Encumbrance, light, rest cycles

Simple Rules, Real Depth

Everything runs on a few core ideas - EDGE/SETBACK is just +/-1d6, weapons fit into three categories, DCs are 8/12/16. That’s it.

But simple doesn’t mean shallow. Those three weapon categories completely change how classes play. EDGE and SETBACK create tactical positioning without a grid. The maths is easy to run, but the choices matter.

You’ll learn OSwR in one session. You’ll still be finding new angles a year later.

Get Started


Second Edition	Read the full rules online (free)
First Edition	The original 2021 release
Resources	Character sheets and downloads
Community	Join the Discord

OSwR wouldn’t exist without the games and people that came before it. Read the acknowledgements.