What do you love about your favorite edition that ISN’T rules related?

Garthanos · Jun 16, 2019

A lot of feel and flavor is influenced by rules sometimes however it seems the opposite is true.

The explicit sources and roles in 4e were really almost entirely flavor in most ways ... however roles guided class and power design (ie they were a design paradigm not actually rules and they weren't hard fast determinants) and sources once in a blue moon actually acted as prerequisites.(but this had such a minor effect calling them just flavor is not really deceptive).

StormbringerAUS · Jun 17, 2019

AD&D because for me this is wear it all started, and without it I wouldn't even know the others - plus the cover of the AD&D PHB just grabbed my imagination.

JonnyP71 · Jun 17, 2019

1E - the art, presentation, and the tone of the writing. Also the modules - their iconic stories and locations.

lyracian · Jun 18, 2019

Not sure I really can separate it from the Rules.
I love Fifth because of Concentration, Advantage/Disadvantage and the other streamlining.

The only item not related to rules would be picking my favourite based on Artwork.

Fanaelialae · Jun 19, 2019

Just thought of another thing: the D&D Black Box starter set. It's where I got my start and IMO, I have never seen a starter set it's equal.

The most distinguishing aspect of it was that there were these "cards" inside the DM's screen. Part of the card was a choose your own style adventure wherein you created a character and learned the rules as you played through the solo adventure. There was even a part that nudged you to work through basic dice probabilities, without actually forcing you to. As a little kid playing through that adventure, it lit a fire in me that continues to this day. By the end of the adventure, I was more or less ready to DM an adventure for others. Enabling a kid to get a taste of D&D without first having to gather a group of friends was, IMO, genius.

Sadras · Jun 19, 2019

5e - Artwork, Slower Release, callback to ToM and DMsGuild

Salamandyr · Jun 19, 2019

Rules aside, my favorite edition is the 70's iteration of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons up through the release of Unearthed Arcana. I love the art, I love the writing, I even love the font. Playing make believe feels at first like a child's occupation, so having a game presented in an adult way gave it a glamour that no other edition has captured. 1e is sexy and dangerous like the greatest rock songs, and no other edition has matched it, though the Planescape setting came close, and 3rd edition made a good attempt, but was too consumed with its own internal contradictions to measure up.

Honorable Mention: I love 2e's nods to history--dividing equipment lists by time period, and putting out supplements for historical simulation. Feeding back to an interest in the real world is what the greatest of fantasy's do.

Sacrosanct · Jun 19, 2019

Salamandyr said:
Rules aside, my favorite edition is the 70's iteration of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons up through the release of Unearthed Arcana. I love the art, I love the writing, I even love the font. Playing make believe feels at first like a child's occupation, so having a game presented in an adult way gave it a glamour that no other edition has captured. 1e is sexy and dangerous like the greatest rock songs, and no other edition has matched it, though the Planescape setting came close, and 3rd edition made a good attempt, but was too consumed with its own internal contradictions to measure up.

Honorable Mention: I love 2e's nods to history--dividing equipment lists by time period, and putting out supplements for historical simulation. Feeding back to an interest in the real world is what the greatest of fantasy's do.

Interesting you mention font. I love the font of moldvays basic. I just really like how it looks and reads

Salamandyr · Jun 19, 2019

Sacrosanct said:
Interesting you mention font. I love the font of moldvays basic. I just really like how it looks and reads

That font is called Souvenir; you're right-it's awesome. I found it a few years ago when I was going to create my own file for the 5e basic rules.

Sacrosanct · Jun 19, 2019

Salamandyr said:
That font is called Souvenir; you're right-it's awesome. I found it a few years ago when I was going to create my own file for the 5e basic rules.

It’s been my go to font when I’ve written my OSR material