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<blockquote data-quote="GreyLord" data-source="post: 7487277" data-attributes="member: 4348"><p>To be honest, D&D has changed in it's very fundamental foundations.</p><p></p><p>It was a VERY different game when 3e came out. I'd even say 3e was a completely DIFFERENT game than the D&D. It just slapped the name D&D on it and from thenceforth was KNOWN as D&D.</p><p></p><p>Though it was the secondary system when the three booklets came out, the THAC0/To Hit tables quickly became the default way to play (probably because no one really knew the chainmail rules). Once Greyhawk came out, that's basically how the game got played.</p><p></p><p>Those items stayed fundamentally D&D and AD&D from the very beginning all the way until 3e came out.</p><p></p><p>As for classes, the key classes were Fighting Man/Fighter, Cleric, and Magic-user originally (With the Cleric being sort of in between the Fighting man and the Magic-user), but once Greyhawk came out, Thieves were an integral part of D&D, so much so I'd say they were an essential part.</p><p></p><p>Thus you'd have the VERY essentials as being Fighter, Cleric, Magic-user, and Thief, with essential races being Human, Elf, Dwarf, and Halfling.</p><p></p><p>In D&D I'd say the to Hit tables/THAC0 (and Thaco has been around since AD&D 1e despite what some may think) and descending AC along with the divisions of how saves were actually were the DEFINING items of what made D&D...D&D. It didn't matter whether it was BX, BECMI, or AD&D, these items were in D&D. This would also include variable damage dice for weapons eventually, but originally, even that wasn't really what mattered.</p><p></p><p>However, those elements can all be found in the Original game as well at some point.</p><p></p><p>3e changed all of that. Defining what makes D&D after 3e becomes FAR MORE MURKY.</p><p></p><p>I'd say you'd still have the class of Fighter, Cleric, Magic-user and Thief. You'd still need the races of Human, Elf, Dwarf and Halfling. You still need alignment. You still need Hitpoints and Levels...</p><p></p><p>But beyond that, between 3e and 4e...things changed so drastically that really...these are some of the basic elements. THAC0 and descending AC along with the different save groups were tossed out as well as how spells advanced and how spells even worked in some instances.</p><p></p><p>Interestingly enough, if you look at the 5e Basic rulebook (it's free even!!!) you'll find those basic elements (the four classes and races) in it. It keeps the very basic essentials across all the editions with in it!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="GreyLord, post: 7487277, member: 4348"] To be honest, D&D has changed in it's very fundamental foundations. It was a VERY different game when 3e came out. I'd even say 3e was a completely DIFFERENT game than the D&D. It just slapped the name D&D on it and from thenceforth was KNOWN as D&D. Though it was the secondary system when the three booklets came out, the THAC0/To Hit tables quickly became the default way to play (probably because no one really knew the chainmail rules). Once Greyhawk came out, that's basically how the game got played. Those items stayed fundamentally D&D and AD&D from the very beginning all the way until 3e came out. As for classes, the key classes were Fighting Man/Fighter, Cleric, and Magic-user originally (With the Cleric being sort of in between the Fighting man and the Magic-user), but once Greyhawk came out, Thieves were an integral part of D&D, so much so I'd say they were an essential part. Thus you'd have the VERY essentials as being Fighter, Cleric, Magic-user, and Thief, with essential races being Human, Elf, Dwarf, and Halfling. In D&D I'd say the to Hit tables/THAC0 (and Thaco has been around since AD&D 1e despite what some may think) and descending AC along with the divisions of how saves were actually were the DEFINING items of what made D&D...D&D. It didn't matter whether it was BX, BECMI, or AD&D, these items were in D&D. This would also include variable damage dice for weapons eventually, but originally, even that wasn't really what mattered. However, those elements can all be found in the Original game as well at some point. 3e changed all of that. Defining what makes D&D after 3e becomes FAR MORE MURKY. I'd say you'd still have the class of Fighter, Cleric, Magic-user and Thief. You'd still need the races of Human, Elf, Dwarf and Halfling. You still need alignment. You still need Hitpoints and Levels... But beyond that, between 3e and 4e...things changed so drastically that really...these are some of the basic elements. THAC0 and descending AC along with the different save groups were tossed out as well as how spells advanced and how spells even worked in some instances. Interestingly enough, if you look at the 5e Basic rulebook (it's free even!!!) you'll find those basic elements (the four classes and races) in it. It keeps the very basic essentials across all the editions with in it! [/QUOTE]
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