Yep, I like OSR stuff and I like 5E D&D too. (Pathfinder 2nd Ed. Meh.) Anyway, I was thinking of some hacks on 5E to make a little more OSR-like. Now, I know on a lot of these things I colored outside the OSR lines. But those are things that I’m willing to live with so YMMV. Nor am Edition Warring or any of that other stuff. I like to hack rules and this is just list of ranting ideas. So there I know I’m ranting
Ability Scores: Just use whatever old-school method you want. 3d6 in order. Go for it.
Races & Classes: I got nothing against the horde of races and classes. Heck, the LBB’s even say it’s possible to play a dragon with GM approval. The subclasses in 5E do add some flavor however even this early in the game’s life it’s getting a little bloated. Keep to the core and be very selective on what’s allowed.
Skills: So yeah, Skills aren’t old school except for thieves. But you know that’s one thing that I’m totally willing to live with. And once again there’s a “but”. Cut them down even more. Merge Arcana, Religion, and History into one skill and call it Lore. Merge Nature into Survival. Merge Deception, Persuasion, and Insight into one. Call it some like Social.
Feats: OK. Feats got really crazy in 3.x/Pathfinder. A whole chain just to gain the ability to find your ass with both hands. Don’t have the feat tough. 5E is better but still Feats are not old schoolish. But I do like the idea behind them as a way to customize a character more. So here’s the deal. Totally drop the humans get a free feat at first level. Take the core option granting the Attribute boosts. But every player character gets a Feat at 1st level but it’s the only Feat they are going to get. That’s right one Feat to help specialize the character.
Proficiency Bonus: This is a simple little mechanic but lacks some personality. The answer is right there in the DMG. Use the Proficiency Dice option. Plus it reminds me of the Deed Die for Fighters in Dungeon Crawl Classics so that’s cool too.
Cantrips: Spamming spells is not old school. So a simple fix. If it deals damage then it ain’t a Cantrip any more. The others are fine. I would make two exceptions to this. The Warlock’s Eldritch Blast because it’s like their thing. And the Bard’s Vicious Mockery. Take the damage away but let it still but the target at Disadvantage.
Hit Points: This is if I really want to go hardcore. OK, fine you get max HP at 1st level. But after that go with a “White Box” method. Instead of rolling your HD and adding each level. Re-roll all of the HD apply the modifiers. If it’s more, then congrats, you gained some HP. If not tough luck, kid. Things are going to get dangerous.
Like I said. YMMV and this is just a bunch of ideas that have been bouncing around inside my head. Play how you want and have fun. That’s cardinal rule.