Mixing and matching editions

[tkdco2]

I just watched this video. The poster shares his ideas on a "Frankenstein edition" of D&D. Interesting idea, although I doubt I'd put in all that work.


www.youtube.com/watch?v=qK0CrzAagME

[Finarvyn]

It's a neat video, but I wish he also put out a PDF that listed all of his final rules choices. He had so much to say, and I suppose I could have taken notes, but it would have been nice to have something to look at during and after.

[Finarvyn]

Let me start with the reminder/disclaimer that I’ve played all of the editions of D&D along the way but don’t consider myself to be a “rules guy” so a lot of what the guy said in the video didn’t mean a lot to me. My assumption is that this will mean more to someone else, and maybe someone will eventually throw together something like this “Frankenstein” rules set in a format more useful then what I have done here.

It's an 18 minute video and the author explains his reasoning on quite a few points. At the end he makes a short summary and I thought I would list off the highlights. If this is interesting, feel free to watch the video and make better notes and turn the whole thing into a rules doc.

Short summary:
Classes from 2E
Skill system from RC
Proficiency from “master set of 2E” (does he mean BECMI?)
Mook rules from 4E
Saving throws from 3E
Weapon proficiencies “shared from 3E and 5E” (I’d have to listen again to see what that means)

I may go back and listen again to take better notes. Not sure yet. The concept is intriguing but I can't decide how useful it would be for me, since I tend to "wing it" a lot anyway and rules aren't my thing.

[hamurai]

He's talking so fast I have a hard time remembering the mentioned rules while he goes on about something else already. I'd have liked a complete house rules document, too.

One of my favourite mix of D&D games is still Dungeon Crawl Classics with a few and very different classes, 3E saving throws, simple skill system and a unique magic system.

[tkdco2]

I generally do a mix of 1e and 2e, with a touch of B/X. I didn't like 3e on the whole, although I found a few useful things there. I never bought 3.5 or 4e and only played 5e a couple of times.

[Finarvyn]

I agree about the 3E saving throws. In retrospect it was brilliant. Much better than OD&D saving throws, which often feel pretty random.

[jeffb]

I frankly couldn't listen to the guy after a few minutes, but thanks for the summary Fin.

The Skill and proficiency systems from BECMI/RC would be a complete turnoff for me.

Totally down with minions from 4e (been using that no matter what game I play for years) and 3E's saving throws (or 4E/s13th Ages "Defenses")

My "mishmash" is essentially some modernisms from 3/4E/13th Age tacked onto S&W. Feat like abilities, backgrounds, recoveries, and some GM side stuff



I think the DCCRPG engine and classes, replaced with more traditional D&D spells and the removal/change to some other subsystems and lethality would just about be perfect for me. They got it mostly right except for Rolemaster Lite with the charts ( I love the intent, at the table I find it cumbersome)

[tkdco2]

I'm okay with the 2E proficiency system. Ditto the 5E skills. I don't have too many problems with the 3E skills, since they remind me of MERP. However, the latter has more general skill sets than 3E. I'm okay with 3E saving throws. It's all the feats and prestige classes that turn me off on it.

[Radio Dask]

I have run "FrankenD&D" a few times now over the years, to good effect. I have a desire as a DM to have a game system that matches the world and the dungeons to be delved, and borrowing from other editions can make this process of customization very easy.  

Of these specific elements to borrow from other editions, I've found 4e's Minions to be much beloved by many DMs, whether they think of it as being from that edition or not.

[tkdco2]

My game is generally a mix of 1E and 2E, with the MERP fumble and critical hit tables.

[doublejig2]

I'm just beginning a DCC campaign, which means 3e married to Appendix N.

[Punkrabbitt]

D&D of all flavors and editions, as well as any clones or spinoffs, are really all just individual tools in the toolbox. Any of those tools might be exactly what is needed to make something just right. So use it!