Other D&D Variant Let’s list the 5E variants

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Shadowdark really isn't a 5E variant at all, but I can see why people put it on the list.

Even if that wasn't Kelsey's stated design goal, it's effectively 5E minus feats, skills, multiclassing and action types.

 

[Mannahnin]

Even if that wasn't Kelsey's stated design goal, it's effectively 5E minus feats, skills, multiclassing and action types.

, proficiency bonuses, hit dice, most of the classes and races, death saves, most of the combat rules, the spell slot rules and upcasting, the encumbrance rules, the social encounter rules, darkvision... There's a lot more differences than similarities.

I can see why people compare the two, with 5E being the current edition and with SD and 5E sharing the central d20+bonus check mechanic and the same ability bonus progression, which younger players of course see as coming from 5E rather than predating it by 14 years.

 

[timbannock]

I haven't seen it mentioned yet, but Into the Unknown was one of the earliest, I think.

 

[jian]

, proficiency bonuses, hit dice, most of the classes and races, death saves, most of the combat rules, the spell slot rules and upcasting, darkvision... There's a lot more differences than similarities.

I can see why people compare the two, with 5E being the current edition and with SD and 5E sharing the central d20+bonus check mechanic and the same ability bonus progression, which younger players of course see as coming from 5E rather than predating it by 14 years.

Yeah, it’s basically got the 3E bonuses plus Ad/Disad which looks a lot like 5E to a lot of people (including me). It looks like a very stripped down high-death version of 5E more than anything else, mechanically.

 

[Thraic Ogmund]

Isn't that just adapting C&C to the mid-20th century? C&C is built off of 3E, not 5E.

There are actually two versions of this. One of them uses the Siege Engine (which is what C&C runs on). The other is 5e based. Link below.

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/294977/amazing-adventures-5e

 

[Mannahnin]

Yeah, it’s basically got the 3E bonuses plus Ad/Disad which looks a lot like 5E to a lot of people (including me). It looks like a very stripped down high-death version of 5E more than anything else, mechanically.

Which may also be an indication of how little people think of or remember the rest of the actual rules to 5E, beyond just the d20+bonus vs a DC core mechanic.

 

[jian]

Which may also be an indication of how little people think of or remember the rest of the actual rules to 5E, beyond just the d20+bonus vs a DC core mechanic.

Yup, pretty much. Most players remember the core mechanic and aren’t into the minutiae of how Great Weapon Mastery works now.

 

[Mannahnin]

Yup, pretty much. Most players remember the core mechanic and aren’t into the minutiae of how Great Weapon Mastery works now.

I do occasionally get struck by the realization that even among tabletop gamers, people are unusual who read more than one paragraph of the rulebook aside from our class description and immediately-relevant spells.

 

[Basic Expert]

To be a proper 5E variant, I would say most of the core rules and character structure must be consistent with 5E. Shadowdark and Nimble don't qualify in my mind. Both are modern RPGs that take inspiration and ideas from 5E, but have most decidedly gone their own way.

As for unmentioned 5E variants:
*Brancalonia (highly recommended)
*D&D Story Mode (don't know much about)

 

[jian]

To be a proper 5E variant, I would say most of the core rules and character structure must be consistent with 5E. Shadowdark and Nimble don't qualify in my mind. Both are modern RPGs that take inspiration and ideas from 5E, but have most decidedly gone their own way.

As for unmentioned 5E variants:
*Brancalonia (highly recommended)
*D&D Story Mode (don't know much abou

Story Mode is free and well worth a look if you want a light version of 5E with modular spellcasting. I don’t agree with all of it but it’s solid.