D&D General 1e feel for 5E

[billd91]

Ability scores are generated by 3d6, in order (as they appear on the character sheet). Maybe let a player switch one for another by subtracting 2 from one of them.

That was actually never a 1e rule - that's a holdover from some Basic days. 1e's Method I was 4d6, drop low, arrange as desired.

Spells don't scale with level. A firebolt only ever does 1d8 damage.

And this would be kind of weird since many 1e spells automatically scaled with level without having to burn a higher spell slot.

 

[Xenolith234]

That was actually never a 1e rule - that's a holdover from some Basic days. 1e's Method I was 4d6, drop low, arrange as desired.

And this would be kind of weird since many 1e spells automatically scaled with level without having to burn a higher spell slot.

IIRC it’s 2e that had 3d6 as the default.

I wonder if 3d6 would “balance” 5e more in my opinion since the PCs are so powerful by default.

 

[Stormonu]

Fighters, Rangers, Paladins and Barbarians add half their level (rounded down) to their attack rolls.

Don't forget that all spells per spell level need to be pre-selected at the start of the day. No spell recovery abilities for short rests, and re-memorizing spells takes 15 minutes per spell level (and you can't swap out uncast spells).

You can cast 3 cantrips per short rest. Beyond that, you can swap one 1st level spell slot into 3 cantrips. Remember, this isn't something that can be done on the fly and must be part of your per-day spell selection.

But honestly, I'd just rather play straight 5E or 2E as is (no 1E, thank you).

 

[billd91]

IIRC it’s 2e that had 3d6 as the default.

I wonder if 3d6 would “balance” 5e more in my opinion since the PCs are so powerful by default.

It is kind of weird the way 2e regressed in that way and 1e's Method I was moved to Method V. I suspect some influence from the BECMI line?

 

[Xenolith234]

It is kind of weird the way 2e regressed in that way and 1e's Method I was moved to Method V. I suspect some influence from the BECMI line?

I think it strange, too - for the “Hickman Revolution” edition, it has a more punishing stat generation as default? It really is the toolbox edition - offering all sorts of difficulty levels and tools. I wish 5e offered the same toolbox perspective in the core rulebooks.

 

[aco175]

Powerful undead cause ability drain or level drain from their attacks, and they're permanent.

Spells don't scale with level. A firebolt only ever does 1d8 damage.

I was thinking these, but maybe leave the cantrips so the magic user doesn't need a day after the one spell. Make undead scary again so the players do not want to go there.

Make magic items do cool stuff. A sword that shoots fireballs and lets you teleport twice a day.

 

[haakon1]

And people wonder why we have this thread:

D&D General Thread '[rant]The conservatism of D&D fans is exhausting.'

Apr 2, 2025

Note: I DO NOT MEAN POLITICAL CONSERVATISM. This is not a thread about politics.

I mean "conservatism" as in resistance to change. You see it all the time -- people complaining about the new art or aesthetics, literally saying things like "if they used the old art I would be in." It is so mind boggling to me.

D&D is a living game. OF COURSE the new books etc are going to adapt to the new market. If you literally won't play a newer version because tieflings or whatever, then it isn't for you. Don't demand it regress to the era you discovered D&D because that is what makes you feel good...

• Reynard
• Replies: 3,383
• Forum: *Dungeons & Dragons

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Ezo, what’s your point?

If I interpret you correctly, you’re saying everyone who raises the possibility of playing non-5e D&D is a “conservative” jerk for annoying ENworld by mentioning it’s OK to not play 5e. Is that about right?

I raised the possibility of actually just playing AD&D, to someone who wants the feel of 1e.

I play in a 5e campaign - not my favorite rules and not what I most often play, but I do play it - last Saturday night.

When’s the last time non-conservative you were open minded enough to play a non-favorite edition? Or at least admit it’s OK if others want to give it a try?

 

[ezo]

Ezo, what’s your point?

Because this:

Maybe just play the edition you want to play?

Nobody says you have to play 5e.

Is useless to the thread IMO (what is your point?) and a general response, frankly, I'm tired of seeing when someone proposes a change to 5E to make it more like 1E (or from any edition to another edition).

Why don't you just play the edition you want? You don't have to play 5E. Yadda yadda yadda over and over again.

Why not play the edition you want? Because 5E is the current flavor of the month and modding it to fit a 1E "feel" is an easier sell than trying to get a bunch of 5E players to play 1E.

Nobody says you have to play 5e? True, IF YOU CAN FIND PLAYERS who aren't 5E-centered and want to play a different edition.

Both of those are very difficult for many people. So, house-ruling/homebrewing 5E is the best available solution.

If I interpret you correctly, you’re saying everyone who raises the possibility of playing non-5e D&D is a “conservative” jerk for annoying ENworld by mentioning it’s OK to not play 5e. Is that about right?

I raised the possibility of actually just playing AD&D, to someone who wants the feel of 1e.

I play in a 5e campaign - not my favorite rules and not what I most often play, but I do play it - last Saturday night.

Nope, you missed it entirely. I am all for playing non-5E games. I'd love to join a 1E or 2E game.

When’s the last time non-conservative you were open minded enough to play a non-favorite edition? Or at least admit it’s OK if others want to give it a try?

Six nights ago (Saturday) when I ran a RAW 5E game, which I will run again tomorrow night. So, yeah, I play my non-favorite edition all the time, for the past five years at least (last time I did a 1-session 1E try out).

 

[Lanefan]

Ability scores are generated by 3d6, in order (as they appear on the character sheet). Maybe let a player switch one for another by subtracting 2 from one of them.

That's Basic/BX. 1e used a variety of more generous rolling systems the most common of which was 4d6 drop lowest. Whether or not you could rearrange what you rolled was a table-by-table thing I think.

Random reaction tables for every encounter (when it makes sense).

And a lot more randomness in other things. Rolled hit points, rolled spell acquisition, morale rules, etc.

No cantrips (convert them all into level 1 spells).

Spells don't scale with level. A firebolt only ever does 1d8 damage.

In 1e almost all damage spells did scale with level, so this would be a reversal from how 1e did it.

 

[Stormonu]

Because this:

Is useless to the thread IMO (what is your point?) and a general response, frankly, I'm tired of seeing when someone proposes a change to 5E to make it more like 1E (or from any edition to another edition).

Why don't you just play the edition you want? You don't have to play 5E. Yadda yadda yadda over and over again.

Why not play the edition you want? Because 5E is the current flavor of the month and modding it to fit a 1E "feel" is an easier sell than trying to get a bunch of 5E players to play 1E.

Nobody says you have to play 5e? True, IF YOU CAN FIND PLAYERS who aren't 5E-centered and want to play a different edition.

Both of those are very difficult for many people. So, house-ruling/homebrewing 5E is the best available solution.


Nope, you missed it entirely. I am all for playing non-5E games. I'd love to join a 1E or 2E game.


Six nights ago (Saturday) when I ran a RAW 5E game, which I will run again tomorrow night. So, yeah, I play my non-favorite edition all the time, for the past five years at least (last time I did a 1-session 1E try out).

Sometimes though, people try to contort a system into something that it isn't rather than take an easier route. When someone says "Just go play the old version" I take it as a reminder that those other games are (still) there, and may give you a better experience than 50 pages of custom houserules to get where you're trying to go.

Though I'd love to see someone try to incorporate the Armor vs. Weapon table from 1E into 5E to see what sort of mayhem ensues.