D&D General D&D Variants Forum

[Scribe]

Why would I empower my players to make the best choices for their character they want to play? Because I like playing with them.

What is it that is gained by someone playing a 2014 Halfling, instead of one of a specific branch version (TotV/LU/5.5/whatever)?

 

[overgeeked]

There was a thread (@overgeeked maybe?) talking about running multiple editions at the same time. A better DM than me, but regardless a ToV Halfling vs a 2024 Halfling, vs a LU Halfling...yeah sure you could do it....but why?

Yeah. Over here...

Thread 'Different Games for the Referee and Players'

May 17, 2025

Here’s a recent video from Sly Flourish about playing multiple 5E variants at the same table.


The video reminded me of a thought experiment I was working on a few years back based on the story of Dave Arneson running players through a D&D game with players having characters from different editions of the game.

Could you play every edition of D&D at the same time, at the same table?

Impossible?

Hardly. Mike hit on the core idea during his video. The game the players are using doesn’t have to be the same as the referee is running. Further, the players don’t even have...

• overgeeked
• Replies: 23
• Forum: *TTRPGs General

• 

 

[Micah Sweet]

/shrug

I would hope that those other versions fix issues or come at things in a different way, to the point the differences matter enough to make discussion distinct.

Even 5.5 is different enough that its a different thing, from early 5.0

Well, I won't disagree that 5.0 and 5.5 feel quite different to me.

But I'm also thinking of RPG topics like the martial/caster debate, or the monumental thread ostensibly about conservative players. Both show up in 5e forums, but both apply to a variety of 5e games. And there are plenty of RPG topics that don't hyperfocus on specific mechanics and thus could apply to more than one 5e game.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Both Kobold Press and EN Publishing explicitly mention their compatibility with 5e.

But those two versions are discussed in the same forum.

Are they now? Is the current D&D forum not just covering the current version of the rules?

 

[Micah Sweet]

There was a thread (@overgeeked maybe?) talking about running multiple editions at the same time. A better DM than me, but regardless a ToV Halfling vs a 2024 Halfling, vs a LU Halfling...yeah sure you could do it....but why?

I get the appeal of having all the other branches discussed in the main branch, most everyone wants to be included in the main branch of discussion as it gets the most eyes.

I do wonder however if we are not doing ourselves as a community a disservice, by not just splitting off and building these other games up, instead of continuing to discuss them in relation to the main branch, which for many of us now is irrelevant as a core rule set.

I can see that point. I certainly wish I could have nothing to do with 5.5. But as you say the vast bulk of talk will remain there...forever.

 

[Scribe]

Well, I won't disagree that 5.0 and 5.5 feel quite different to me.

But I'm also thinking of RPG topics like the martial/caster debate, or the monumental thread ostensibly about conservative players. Both show up in 5e forums, but both apply to a variety of 5e games. And there are plenty of RPG topics that don't hyperfocus on specific mechanics and thus could apply to more than one 5e game.

Sure, but the martial caster debate is a D&D generic issue. It's not an issue in other branches.

The abomination that is that player type or game type thread isn't a D&D thread at all, and should have been fired into the sun weeks ago, imo. lol

 

[darjr]

Thanks for the work!

Which one is Loki?!

 

[Nikosandros]

Are they now? Is the current D&D forum not just covering the current version of the rules?

According to the current description, it covers both versions of 5e, along with "general" D&D discussion:

Discuss all topics about D&D including D&D rules and products and history, or post your own creations for others to share. Also for discussion about the D&D Adventurers league (DDAL). Includes D&D 5E 2014 and 2024 versions.

 

[SkidAce]

Are they now? Is the current D&D forum not just covering the current version of the rules?

Not really.

I read people's opinions and get answers to things I post about that include all 5e all the time.
Someone may specify their answer in terms of edition...thats cool.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Not really.

I read people's opinions and get answers to things I post about that include all 5e all the time.
Someone may specify their answer in terms of edition...thats cool.

I guess the question is what constitutes "all of 5e"? Just the two versions WotC put out? Other games that use the 5e rules?