Old-School Essentials Store

The award-winning old-school game of fantastic adventure, monsters, and magic, 100% compatible with the 1980s D&D rules and with decades of classic adventures and supplements. Return to the roots of fantasy adventure! Don your chain mail, grab your iron spikes, and prepare your magic missile. Glory, wonder, and doom await!

Learn more about Old-School Essentials here.

Core Books

Which books to get? To play in games run by someone else you just need the Player's Book, which contains the complete game rules plus all character options. To run your own games you also need the Referee's Book, which contains a massive bestiary, hoard of magic items, and advice on running games.

2026 core books: The 2026 core books are in manufacturing now, coming soon! Estimated retail date: November 2026.

Older core books: Prior to 2026, Old-School Essentials was published in several forms, some of which are still available. See About Old-School Essentials for a full run-down on older versions.

Adventures

In search of adventure? Check out the Old-School Essentials Official Adventure Scenarios. Ready to play with minimal prep.

Supplements + Accessories

Take your game to the next level with these handy play accessories and exciting rules supplements.

Zines

Carcass Crawler, the official Old-School Essentials zine. Each issue is packed with new material for your games, including new character classes and races, new spells and magic items, new monsters, optional and expanded rules, referee advice, previews of in-development products, short adventures, and more.

Free Downloads

Merchandise

More Necrotic Gnome clothing and merch is available here.

Other Places to Buy Old-School Essentials

  • PDF at DriveThruRPG

    Get the game in digital form from the premier RPG PDF store.

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  • Fantasy Grounds VTT

    Get the complete Old-School Essentials game, including masses of monsters, items, and adventures for Fantasy Grounds VTT.

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  • Foundry VTT

    Get the complete Old-School Essentials game, including masses of monsters, items, and adventures for Foundry VTT.

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  • Print + PDF at Exalted Funeral

    Get the game from our friends at Exalted Funeral. All books come with accompanying PDFs.

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  • Your Friendly Local Gaming Store

    Old-School Essentials is available in many specialist RPG stores. Ask your local store if they stock the game!