Where to begin?

[Herremann the Wise]

I would do it how WotC seems to have done it; with all editions distilled down to their most iconic elements and making sure that they are in the core. From there, it is easy enough (it would seem) to stretch using further modules to any of the previous editions in terms of preference of play.

We'll see but I think by including a base that includes all editions, they are being the most... inclusive.

Best Regards
Herremann the Wise

 

[GM Dave]

Me, if I was doing a new edition,

I'd be the crazy fool in the room that would drop everything, including rolling d20 for attack rolls, and 3d6 (4d6) for attributes.

For some people, 'this is DnD', as Gygax intended it.

To me, there are just so many play problems with this initial baggage that I fight around as a GM or player that I'd want to start fresher.

I'd except that I'd alienate people because I was not making what they 'had' but working instead towards a set of mechanics that delivered a good play experience.

Classes and races and their capabilities would come later and give the flavour.

Of course, my way of doing things is not going to get corporate sponsors like Hasbro to trust me with their coin to re-invent their product and would likely get me endless pages of flame posts saying how I had been the 'demise' of DnD.

 

[groklynn]

Microlite20 with 6 atributes and 3 skills for each (combat, exploration, socialisation). Plus feats for every combat ability/utility/upgrade.

 

[GMforPowergamers]

I would start by merging 1e and 2e then applying 4e concepts to them.

 

[thecasualoblivion]

It wouldn't be any one edition

I'd start with:

BECMI's simplicity
2E's unintrusiveness
4E's balance, elegance, modernity, and ease of use

 

[paladinm]

[MENTION=6691336]groklynn[/MENTION]: Does Microlite even have "feats"? I've sometimes wondered whether the WP/NWP concept from 2e is better than the way-out-of-control "feat" system.

[MENTION=6153]DM[/MENTION]forPG: I always thought of 2e as an evolution and consolidation of 1e. What would the "merged" system look like?

I would love to use BECM as a starting point because it Is simple and basic (assuming the skill system and weapon mastery are optional). From there we could bolt-on whichever skill system (or something like the Siege engine from C&C), whichever feat/ WP system, etc. that we want.

I do prefer the unified experience table and ascending AC from 3.x. I like spontaneous healing for clerics from 3.x, as well as the "spontaneous blasting" for wizards from Myth and Magic. And I like the concept of "saves" based upon each attribute.

 

[MichaelSomething]

So... anyone in the mood for a Castles and Crusades game? I suddenly feel like one.

 

[groklynn]

[MENTION=6691336]groklynn[/MENTION]: Does Microlite even have "feats"? I've sometimes wondered whether the WP/NWP concept from 2e is better than the way-out-of-control "feat" system.

Microlite20 uses 3 atributes and 4 skills, but I think it's a good concept but bad design.

Let's see, we could use Str, Dex, Con, Int, Wis, Cha and Com (Combat) Exp (Exploration) Soc (Socialization or whatever) "skills" that used in combination with every ability. So you've got attribute modifier and your growing-per-level base "skill" modifier (fighter=Str, cleric=Wis and etc.) and secondary modifiers for all non-profile skills (e.g. rogue gains +1/level for Com/Exp/Soc in Dex but all others grow at 1/2 slower rate).

And to complete all this stuff you've got some sort of tags, e.g. [sword] or [nature] that basically add some benefits for certain checks.
Fighter with +3 from Str and +3 Com from his level could boost his attack with additional +2 with [sword] feat or call-it-how-you-like while using sword. Tags could be combat actions (different spells, attacks etc.), upgrades (some benefits and training) and utilities (some actions that could be used outside combat like movement, stealth, lockpicking, healing and etc.)

So instead of endless lists of skills, feats, paragons, classes, races, prestiges you could have database with tags. Tags with prerequisites could form branches and trees of specialization (e.g. [sword] -> [sword specialist] -> [sword master] and different additional tags for certain attacks) that could build class or theme or background or race or whatever.

 

[HardcoreDandDGirl]

Start with a 2e base for rules, casters, Races, monsters. Then move to 3e and grab reserve feats (as weapon profs not non weap) then grab warlock and book of 9 swords and paliden too, and back them into the system.

Take the 1e ranger the 3 e dusk blade, and the 4 e sword Mage and make a new class from them to sit next to ranger and paliden.

Then change saves (still 2e style by class) to fort ref and will.

Then change AC and thac0 to go up instead of down (soft cap 90% of things at 30, and a few things like gods and the worst dragons go to 35)

Then introduce 3e prestige classes, but make them one time only exchanges like may fair games arch mage. Once you switch that is it.

 

[paladinm]

I kinda like the BECM approach to the paladin (or avenger).. not the "prestige class" idea, but the way a "hybrid" class is handled. A paladin has the fighter as a base, and can cast spells and turn undead as a cleric of 1/3 level (rounded down). You could use that approach for other hybrids. A ranger ("druidic knight") is a fighter who has druidic spells at 1/3 level; you could throw in the thief Hide and Move Silently at 1/3 level too. A bard starts as a rogue, then adds arcane spells at 1/3 level. Etc. etc.

Off-topic, but just thinking out loud..