What is the definitive D&D?

[Deleted]

I realize that this is quite a nebulous question and subject to all sorts of bias, prejudice and personal taste, but which edition of D&D (Original, Basic, Advanced) defines D&D?

I guess what I mean is when you think "Dungeons and Dragons", which edition first comes to mind? For instance, when I think D&D, I think of AD&D 1st edition even though I currently prefer OD&D/Holmes. This may have a lot to do with the fact that my first D&D experience was playing AD&D 1E. But this, combined with it's mainstream credentials tends to make it stick out in my mind.

[Deleted]

I started playing with the original boxed set (the TLBBs) in the 1970's. So, for me, that is always the standard by which I judge other editions.

I don't know if I would swear by the holy Gygax on a stack of DDGs that it is the best version ever, but it is the one I would play most often if given a choice.

I'm not a purist, I will play any version of D&D (or any other RPG) for a night of entertainment. In my Empire of the Petal Throne group, for instance, we've taken a short break from EotPT and in the interim we've played: True20, D&D 3.5, Quicksilver, Call of Cthulhu, and I'll be running a one-shot set in McKinney's Carcosa next month.

[jrients]

"I guess what I mean is when you think "Dungeons and Dragons", which edition first comes to mind?"

I first think of the Tom Moldvay edited '81 Basic Set, with the awesome Erol Otus cover. But that's just what I started with, not what I consider the best or most essential version.

[Random]

If asked about D&D on the street, I'd (pretend to) assume they were talking about the original Dungeons & Dragons.

1. I'm a smartass.
2. It's a good way to let someone know it exists without telling them the newest version sucks.

As far as what actually comes to mind when I hear the name, none of them do! I've been exposed to so many different flavors that I associate "D&D" with generic, old-school (in the literary sense) fantasy class-based pen-and-paper role-playing games, rather than with some specific product.

[Finarvyn]

Feb 7, 2010 11:56:42 GMT -6 @dubeers said:

I started playing with the original boxed set (the TLBBs) in the 1970's. So, for me, that is always the standard by which I judge other editions.

I don't know if I would swear by the holy Gygax on a stack of DDGs that it is the best version ever, but it is the one I would play most often if given a choice.

Pretty much what dubeers said applies to me as well. The first image that comes to my mind is OD&D (although the white box and not the woodgrain since I've never seen one of those personally).

[fitz]

For me it's AD&D 1e, because that's how I first encountered it and it's the version in which I've played more than in all other versions combined.

[Deleted]

I started with the re-release of Mentzer Basic ("Black Box": 1990-1991), so "Rules Cyclopedia" is what first comes to mind - although I now personally prefer OD&D & AD&D1E.

[aldarron]

Echoing Random, I don't think of any edition. For me the rules don't define the game. I think of classic old modules and rolling the dice, character sheets and classes, coke and burritos and good times. I have rules preferences of course, but that's the last thing that pops into my head when D&D is mentioned.

[coffee]

I'd have to say：　OD&D + whatever house rules you prefer.

[Lord Kilgore]

If I had to pick one edition, I'd probably go with 1e, the original art hardcovers. Because that's what I started with. Most people will probably think of whatever edition they first played.

Like Random, though, I see D&D as more of a concept. All the versions are roughly similar (no flames, please...you know what I mean when I say that) and are based on the same general foundation.

[Deleted]

Never mind.

[Random]

Feb 9, 2010 12:14:52 GMT -6 @dubeers said:

I didn't really feel like it suited the spirit of the question.

Not as stated in the thread title, but in the OP it is asked what you think of when you think of D&D.

[Deleted]

My apologies. It seems I have, once again, accidentally offended someone.

Post edited.

[thebane]

When I think of version, I think of Red Books. Just what I started with, though the ingrained image I have in my mind associated with D&D is actually what I believe to be an AD&D image... It was some kind of Shaman-type Ork thing with a long mace topped pole, banded armor, a spiked helm, and two pet rats on leashes as I recall. I often wonder what that image was to, or if it even existed. I have searched and never found it...

Sorry, rambled as my mind shot from B/E/C/M/I to that.

Best,
The Bane

[Falconer]

I would go with AD&D 1e, just due to the sheer bulk of iconic material that was published for it, from the rulebooks to the modules and campaign settings. It incorporates almost all of OD&D + Supplements + TSR. It’s highly compatible with all the Basic sets. 2e and 3e are both directly based on it (in different ways). It’s the Rosetta Stone of Dungeons & Dragons.

[aldarron]

Sooo, did Dubeers leave the boards? That really sucks. Hope he comes back.

[Finarvyn]

Feb 12, 2010 12:02:11 GMT -6 aldarron said:

Sooo, did Dubeers leave the boards? That really sucks. Hope he comes back.

I hope he didin't leave, but sometimes it's hard to keep track of who's here and who isn't. Dubeers often provides some neat insight, but occasionally seems to bang heads with somebody. I think he's a bigger plus than minus, however, so if he's gone I hope he decides to return soon....

[philotomy]

Despite the fact that OD&D fits my game best, AD&D (1e) remains the de factco "this is D&D" edition, to me.

[codeman123]

To me i would say ad&d 1e and 2e. I kind of roll them together in my mind. Because i started with 2e but by middle school found out about 1e and really loved it alot more then 2e but really they are kind of one in the same for me except i just like the whole 'mystique' of 1e. I think really thats why i like all the old rpgs better is just for that 'mystique' looking through the od&d booklets or the ad&d hardcovers i always feel inspired and feel a little mystery just like the first time i cracked open a d&d book. Its always magic all over again for me.

[geoffrey]

I probably think of Holmes D&D (with module B1), expanded by the 1974 D&D boxed set plus Supplement I: GREYHAWK.

For me, that is the definitive D&D.

[capvideo]

For some of us, I don't think a definitive D&D exists in print. I started playing on Halloween of 1981 under a DM who used the Blue Book Basic set; but in retrospect he clearly was also using rules gleaned from Original D&D, possibly under a previous DM. As soon as we were hooked, my brother went out and bought the AD&D Players Handbook. So we made new characters using the PH, while our DM continued to use the Blue Book for running the game.

Then I got the Magenta Basic for Christmas and devoured it, and started sketching out my own adventures using it, but meant for characters created for AD&D and based on my experiences under a DM who used Blue Book/Original.

I didn't get into a "single system" D&D until I went to college, and the group I joined there used the AD&D books exclusively.

[thegreyelf]

Anything up through and including 3.5 is D&D to me. The more I think about it, the more I believe there is no definitive. 4e is just not D&D at all. The rest? For better or worse, yeah, they all give me what I feel is a D&D experience on some level.

[Random]

Feb 20, 2010 20:55:55 GMT -6 thegreyelf said:

Anything up through and including 3.5 is D&D to me. The more I think about it, the more I believe there is no definitive. 4e is just not D&D at all. The rest? For better or worse, yeah, they all give me what I feel is a D&D experience on some level.

I hear you on 3.5. I didn't mind the system so much as the supplements. They were too much of a distraction and really ruined the game, which had a very playable core.

We never got quite to that level of familiarity, but I'm sure veteran 3E players could create characters pretty quickly.

Then again, it might just be the sake talking. You all know I got started with AD&D and love it still.

[coffee]

I played 3.5 again a couple of weeks ago, at a con. It still brings out the rules lawyer in me, and really doesn't compare to the more liberating, more freeform OD&D/AD&D vibe that I prefer. Actually, the DM of my AD&D game is talking about adding proficiencies, which sounds like it's leaning toward more complexity, more cut-and-dried rules. And I don't think I like that.

D&D to me is a really good DM, no matter what rules he's using, and players who can work with him.

That's it, really.

[kenmeister]

The AD&D hardbacks with the original covers. If someone asks what D&D is, I show them the DMG with the efreet cover.

[Deleted]

I agree with kenmeister. The original cover of the DMG and the Players Handbook epitomize D&D to me, although my first, and some of my fondest memories are of the original basic set.

[Koren n'Rhys]

Well, despite perusing the forums here for inspiration, my go-to edition is Basic/Classic. But even with that being the case, when I thing D&D, it's the 1e AD&D covers I see in my head.

[LouGoncey]

Classes and Levels. 3-18 for 6 characteristics. Roll a 20sider to hit and roll high. Fire and Forget magic. Saving Throws as a last ditch save. Hit points that increase with levels.

[kenmeister]

Say, let's take this thread on a tangent. What published scenario most defines D&D to you, such that if a newbie came to you and said he'd like to play through one (relatively short) adventure and feel like he "played D&D", you'd say that he experienced the essence of the game.

My first thought was Tomb of Horrors, but then I rejected that because it is too heavy on the traps and too light on the combat and role-playing aspects. My next thought was White Plume Mountain, but then I thought that an iconic adventure should at least have a dragon in it. Now I'm thinking Thieves of Fortress Badabaskor. It's got the classic descending dungeon levels with nearby town to restock, an interesting setup with different factions to encourage roleplay, just about every classic monster in the game, and the unforgettable Hall of the Dragon Kings.

[greyharp]

I know you said "relatively short" Kenmeister, but it would be B2 for me. It mixes town, wilderness and dungeon adventures all into one package.