D&D (2024) Based upon what we currently know, what degree of "edition update" is 5.5?

[GMforPowergamers]

If you compare the amount of change from 2e to 3e, or 3.5 to 4….with respect no way was 3 to 3.5 a new edition.

but if you compare 1e to 2e you get that it is right in line with a new TSR edition.

While you could define your editions somewhat arbitrarily, in this case editions have been defined by precedent, we have seen what a new edition constitutes.

A lot was changed was changed in 3.5 but the fundamental structures remained the same. People still played the game fundamentally in the same way. Wotc has defined that as a half edition, and nothing in their marketing descriptions for 1dnd has suggested it will be any more than that

 

[glass]

Again with respect you are using your own definitions of an edition change, whereas I am using it as WOTC has previously defined it. WOTC has already showcased what edition changes look like (both half editions and full ones).

I am using the same definition D&D the D&D publishers and fandom have always used. And which only became contraversial a few years ago (see below). BTW, "half an edition" is like "half pregnant" - ie, not a thing.

In fairness @glass is right - 3.5e should have been considered a new edition (especially given the precedents of B/X -> BECMI and 1st -> 2nd).

Should have been, and was. Nobody tried to pretend 3.5 was anything other than a new edition (EDIT: Apart from WotC briefly) until it became convenient to edition warriors to merge them, so they could claim 4e was the shortest-lived WotC edition rather than the then longest (5e eventually overtook it of course).

 

[Parmandur]

Why are you all talking like the Fandom, TSR, or WotC have ever been consistent in the usage of the term "Edition"? Because that just ain't so.

 

[glass]

Why are you all talking like the Fandom, TSR, or WotC have ever been consistent in the usage of the term "Edition"? Because that just ain't so.

It is so. Or at least was until a few years ago, as noted above. EDIT: Not perfect consistancy in every possible nuance perhaps, but certainly close enough for government work.

 

[GMforPowergamers]

Why are you all talking like the Fandom, TSR, or WotC have ever been consistent in the usage of the term "Edition"? Because that just ain't so.

because people want to talk about the game on a form about the game

 

[Parmandur]

because people want to talk about the game on a form about the game

Sure, but let's not pretend that "Edition" is a term that has been consistently applied or used, ever.

 

[Stalker0]

Sure, but let's not pretend that "Edition" is a term that has been consistently applied or used, ever.

So what your saying is....this thread has no purpose whatsoever, as there is no way to apply a consistent defintion. Which....I could agree with.

 

[delericho]

Should have been, and was. Nobody tried to pretend 3.5 was anything other than a new edition

Except for the introduction to the 3.5 PHB which explicitly states that it is not a new edition?

until it became convenient to edition warriors to merge them, so they could claim 4e was the shortest-lived WotC edition rather than the then longest (5e eventually overtook it of course).

Alternately, lots of people considered them to be the same edition until it became convenient for edition warriors to separate them, so they could claim 4e was the longest-lived WotC edition rather than the shortest.

The accusation of edition warring goes both ways, and neither side's hands are clean.

 

[Charlaquin]

I think it may end up similar to the 4e to Essentials change. Some not-insignificant structural changes, but still fully compatible with the rules it’s updating.

 

[GMforPowergamers]

Sure, but let's not pretend that "Edition" is a term that has been consistently applied or used, ever.

it may not be consistent but if we can't agree on what words mean and we are going to argue about what 'counts' then we will never get to a point.

Except for the introduction to the 3.5 PHB which explicitly states that it is not a new edition?

yeah... I bet that the new one in 2024 will have similar verbiage

Alternately, lots of people considered them to be the same edition until it became convenient for edition warriors to separate them, so they could claim 4e was the longest-lived WotC edition rather than the shortest.

The accusation of edition warring goes both ways, and neither side's hands are clean.

yes there was edition waring on both sides... but people claiming 4e was the shortest (BTW 2e out lived combined 3/3.5 you need to add pathfinder to get to it) were the ones fireing the shots back during the next playtest.