I believe it will most closely resemble 3E at the base level because I think at the very bottom level, 3E did basically everything right. It's after that foundation that things get messy.
I think they will use that structural foundation and build on top of it differently than they did with 3E. They will integrate concepts that work within that general framework from all editions and what we will end up with won't look very much like 3E, but it will be structurally based on it.
Most of all we've heard already points towards that. I think they will be looking at 1E and 2E for ideas on flavor, attitude and character concept and from 4E on character balance, tactical elements, and definition of rules.
Essentials to me was already looking backwards and using the 4E system to express ideas that developed in previous editions. I think 5E will be doing a similar thing and Essentials to me is proof that it definitely can be done.
I think they will use that structural foundation and build on top of it differently than they did with 3E. They will integrate concepts that work within that general framework from all editions and what we will end up with won't look very much like 3E, but it will be structurally based on it.
Most of all we've heard already points towards that. I think they will be looking at 1E and 2E for ideas on flavor, attitude and character concept and from 4E on character balance, tactical elements, and definition of rules.
Essentials to me was already looking backwards and using the 4E system to express ideas that developed in previous editions. I think 5E will be doing a similar thing and Essentials to me is proof that it definitely can be done.