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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Dlsharrock" data-source="post: 4318815" data-attributes="member: 55833">So 4e is supposed to draw new blood to D&D. I thought it would be useful to explain some of the abbreviations used on Enworld (and there are quite a few) for any newcomers to the game who would like to join in with healthy discussions about which edition is crap, why the GSL is/isn't a joke and who at WotC really should get fired. EDIT: some added, some altered <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /> Now in alphabetical order and full surround sound. Please don't goad or feed the abbreviations, they don't like it.1E = First Edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons pawsplay2E = Second Edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons pawsplay3E = Third Edition Dungeons & Dragons3.5 = 3.5 Edition Dungeons & Dragons3.x = Third Edition Dungeons & Dragons encompassing 3.0 and 3.5 (AFAIK)4E = Fourth Edition Dungeons & Dragons5E = Yet to exist 5th Edition Dungeons & DragonsAD&D = Advanced Dungeons & DragonsAE = Arcana Evolved Aus SnowAFM = Away from Manual Particle ManAoW = Age of Worms GundarkAP = Adventure PathAU = Arcana Unearthed Aus SnowBBEG = Big Bad Evil Guy ('end of campaign/adventure boss')BD&D = Basic Dungeons & DragonsBECMI = Basic, Expert, Companion, Master, Immortal (Refers to Mentzer edit of BD&D, which had a tiered rule system with a box set that corresponded to each of the indicated levels of player/character experience) jdrakeh Sometimes just BECM Psion Been seen as BXCM, BXCMI Charwoman Gene BXD&D to specifically be the Moldvay/Cook version of Basic and Expert D&D, while BECMI D&D refers specifically to Mentzer's version of that line Particle ManBESM = Big Eyes Small Mouth (RPG) Relique du MaddeBFRPG = Basic Fantasy Role Playing Game (A homegrown OGL fantasy RPG based heavily on the Moldvay/Mentzer BD&D edits) jdrakehBo9S = Book of 9 Swords (also Tome of Battle or 'ToB') Aus SnowBoEF = Book of Erotic Fantasy Relique du MaddeBoXM = Book of eXperimental Might Aus SnowBRP = Basic Roleplaying (Chaosium Inc's house rule system) jdrakehC&C = Castles & Crusades jdrakehCK = Castle Keeper (the DM in C&C; rarely used [here anyway]) Aus SnowCM = Circvs Maximvs Relique du MaddeCoC = Call of Cthulhu (RPG, as published by Chaosium Inc) jdrakehCoC d20 = Call of Cthulhu (RPG, as published by WotC) jdrakehCoDzilla = [Cleric or Druid]-zilla, a reference to the fact that many people consider the Cleric and Druid classes overpowered, in D&D 3e. Aus SnowCP2020 = Cyberpunk 2020, a near-future RPG using the Interlock [d10-based] system. Rarely, CP2013 might also be mentioned - this is an earlier version of the same game. Aus Snowd6 = a generic RPG system, based on the humble d6 [6-sided die], famous in the form of the first commercial Star Wars RPG. Sometimes mention will be made of 'd6 fantasy' f'rex [for example] - this is that. Aus Snowd20F = d20 Future Relique du Madded20M = d20 Modern Relique du Madded20STL = d20 license Fifth ElementD&D = Dungeons & Dragons (seems to cover most versions)DDI = Dungeons & Dragons Insider (so-called 'interactive' D&D website) Wraith101DDXP = Dungeons & Dragons ExperienceDHTRWM = Don't Have the Rulebook With Me Particle ManDM = Dungeon MasterDMG = Dungeon Master's GuideDnD = Dungeons & Dragons (less popularly used)ECS = Eberron Campaign Setting Aus SnowFFG = Fantasy Flight Games (3rd party publisher)FLGS = Friendly Local GamestoreFR = Forgotten Realms (D&D setting)FRCS = Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting Aus SnowFTW = For The Win BelorinGM = GamesmasterGNS = Gamist, Narrativist and Simulationist (RPG theory developed by Ron Edwards)GoO = Guardians of Order (the long defunct game company that originally produced BESM) Relique du MaddeGR = Green Ronin (3rd party publisher)GSL = Game System License (new version license for third party publishers)GURPS = Generic Roleplaying System (RPG system by Steve Jackson Games)IANAL = I Am Not A Lawyer (referring to the non-lawyer status of most gamers who comment on the GSL/OGL) ShadowDenizenIBTL = In Before the Lock (referring to something posted prior to the polite request by moderators not to post threads or messages likely to illicit edition wars)IC = In CharacterIMC = In My Campaign PsionIMXP = In My eXPerience Aus SnowIRL = In Real Life (as opposed to 'as stated online') Aus SnowKotS = Keep On The Shadowfell (4e Module)LARP = Live Action Roleplay (where players don jazzy outfits and set about one another with rubber swords)M&M = Mutants & MastermindsMM = Monster ManualMMORPG = Massive Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Game, usually graphical.MtG = Magic the Gathering Relique du MaddeMUD = Multi User Domain/Dungeon/Dimension (like MMORPG but typically text based)NPC = Non Player Character (a character played by the DM/GM)NSFLGS = Not So Friendly Local Gamestore Dog MoonnWoD = new World of Darkness Aus SnowOD&D = Original first edition Dungeons & Dragons pawsplayOGC = Open Gaming Content (stuff that is covered by the OGL, and can be reused accordingly) Aus SnowOGL = Open Game License (game license for third party publishers)OOC = Out of CharacterOOG = Out of GameOotS = Order of the Stick (cult D&D cartoon by Rich Burlew)oWoD = old World of Darkness Aus SnowPBEM = Play by EmailPBP = Play by PostPBW = Play by WebPC = Player Character (sometimes PirateCat, referring to a well known Enworld member Lackhand)PHB = Player HandbookP&P = Pen and Paper (traditional 'tabletop' roleplay) Also sometimes PnP UmbranPrC = Prestige Class, a [3e] class characters can only take at higher levels (often around 6th), and only if they meet the prerequisites for entry. Aus SnowPrRC = Pre-Release Rules CompilationRAI = Rules as Intended Jack99RAW = Rules as WrittenRC = Rules CompendiumRL = Real Life (as in 'I can't play today, I have RL issues, my hamster has gangrene). Could also be Ravenloft, (e.g., your hamster has vampirism) PsionRPG = Roleplaying GameRP = Roleplay or short for Roleplaying GameSBT = Scry-Buff-Teleport Aus SnowSJG = Steve Jackson Games jdrakehSotC = Spirit of the Century (RPG) jdrakehSRD = System Resource DocumentSTAP = Savage tide adventure path GundarkSW = either Savage Worlds [a generic RPG] or Star Wars. Context is key. Aus SnowSWAT = Special Weapons and Tactics (as far as can be ascertained, referring to highly tactical method of roleplay) wedgeski/PsionSWSE - Star Wars Saga Edition Role-Playing Game drothgeryT20 = Traveller D20 (not True 20) PsionTLG = Troll Lord Games jdrakehToC = Trail of Cthulhu (a new Cthulhu Mythos RPG) jdrakehTPK = Total Party Kill (the collective demise of the PCs)TSR = Tactical Studies Rules (ie, Tactical Studies Rules Hobbies Incorporated).T&T = Tunnels & Trolls (RPG) jdrakehUA = either Unearthed Arcana or Urban Arcana Aus SnowWFRP = Warhammer Fantasy RolePlaying [or RolePlay, perhaps] Aus SnowWotC = Wizards of the CoastWoD = World of Darkness (RPG)WoW = World of Warcraft (Massive Multiplayer Online 'Roleplaying' Game)</blockquote>

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