D&D 5E (2024) Pick one major theme from a previous edition that you want in 6e

[Sacrosanct]

I'm so sorry, I missed that part of the OP. But, it works, as I could never choose just one thing!

That's what makes it a thought exercise rather than a wish list. I added a little extra wrinkle to it by limiting to just one thing It's harder that way, because there are several things that could be listed. I totally get it.

 

[generic]

I only started with 4E/Transition to 5E, but I've played other editions. I'l give this a try.

(Not including B/X or Basic)

1E: More 'modular' modules.

2E: Greater levels of innovation in campaign settings.

3E: Trifold saves.

4E: Truly tactical play.

5E: Bounded accuracy.

Fixed to fit the OP.

 

[dave2008]

OK, It is hard to remember the early days, but I will give it a try

BECMI: Immortal / epic rules. Rules for playing immortals that only tangentially remind you of the rest of the game.
1: the DMG, PHB, MM division of books
2: didn't play this edition, but I will go with multitude of discreet settings with unique mechanics
3: 3 save system
4: this one is hard, as there is a lot to like but I will go with monster design (kind cheating as this includes lots of things, but I am sticking to it)
5: this one is also hard, but I think I will go with disadvantage / advantage

 

[MNblockhead]

1. Erol Otus artwork

Hmm...that's all. I love 5e. I just really miss Otus art. Thank goodness for DCC.

 

[Lanefan]

0e - philosophy: the game is deadly to the PCs - the vagaries of luck make it much more "Roguelike".
1e - rule: save matrix used is based on source (spell, petrification, etc.) rather than just a character stat
2e - philosophy and rule: level advancement is very slow, such that the focus becomes playing a character rather than building it
3e - philosophy and rule: PCs and NPCs are functionally and mechanically the same (e.g. an NPC rests and recovers using exactly the same mechanics a PC does) though not all NPCs need have actual classes and one could even run a game where the PCs are below 0th level and thus classless
4e - rule: 'bloodied' returns and has effects on PCs and monsters alike
5e - rule: advantage/disadvantage, provided its frequency of use is toned down significantly from 5e

 

[The Crimson Binome]

Pre-2E: No skills, outside of special abilities. Let's put some weight back into stat checks.

2E: Slow healing.

3E: NPCs and monsters that use PC math.

4E: AEDU unified resource system

5E: Advantage/Disadvantage

 

[Anoth]

Path to immortality from becmi.

 

[lichhouse]

XP for treasure like BX
Domain and Immortal rules like BECMI (and War Machine)
Slower healing like 1E, 2E
Action economy (4E)
Bounded accuracy (5E)

And Greyhawk...

 

[Prakriti]

1E: Old-school multiclassing (where all XP is split between your classes, and your classes are set in stone at character creation). The current à la cart system is the worst thing that ever happened to D&D.
2E: Resting heals only 1 HP.
3E: "Negative" hit points and death -- no more whack-a-mole with Healing Word.
4E: "Boss" monsters.
5E: SLOW RELEASE SCHEDULE!!! Except MAKE IT EVEN SLOWER! 3-4 books per year is way too many at this point in the edition cycle. 2 or even 1 would be just fine.

 

[Anoth]

XP for treasure like BX
Domain and Immortal rules like BECMI (and War Machine)
Slower healing like 1E, 2E
Action economy (4E)
Bounded accuracy (5E)

And Greyhawk...

I think I might be afraid to trust these guys with greyhawk. They really need an someone that was there at the time to do it right. But I do love some classic greyhawk. But I am also that guy that will only run a realms game before the time of troubles and use my own timeline for after those dates without the time of trouble ever occurring.

actually I don’t think I like it when they advance the timeline for any setting. Let us players do that ourselves.