One of the things that was "new to 5e" was the notion of a universal "proficiency bonus." Like the d20 resolution mechanic and the (never since changed) standardized ability score bonuses that were codified with 3e, this is a mechanic that is both brand-new, yet somehow
feels 100% like it's something that should have always been in
Dungeons & Dragons. If you look at it critically, 5e is a "greatest hits" version of D&D, adhering to the following (Feature and edition where it was part of the initial release):
- 6 Ability Scores, Levels, Hit Points, Armor Class, Saving Throws, Slot-based Spellcasting (OD&D)
- Classes: Cleric, Fighter (Fighting Man), and Wizard (Mage/Magic-User) (OD&D)
- Races: Dwarf, Elf, Halfling (Hobbit), Human (OD&D)
- Class: Rogue (Thief) (Holmes)
- Dual-Axis alignment (1e)
- Classes: Druid, Monk, Paladin, Ranger (1e)
- Races: Gnome, Half-Elf, Half-Orc (1e)
- Class: Bard (2e)
- Subclasses (Kits) (2e)
- Universal "d20, roll high" resolution mechanic (3e)
- 3 (-4) -> 18 (+4) bonus table (3e)
- No restrictions race/class choices (3e)
- Feats (3e)
- Skills (3e)
- Standardized multiclassing (3e)
- Classes: Barbarian, Sorcerer (3e)
- "Short Rest" and "Long Rest" recovery mechanics (4e)
- Class: Warlock (4e)
- Races: Dragonborn, Tiefling, Drow (4e)
There have been minor adjustments to various subsystems along the way, such as Wildshape becoming more and more of a core feature of the Druid class, or a class's spellcasting being improved (most recently Bards, Paladins, Rangers, but earlier including Clerics and Druids) but the game is honestly starting to settle down.
They tried radically rewriting the game with 4e, and it landed like a lead balloon with the majority of the audience. So 5th-Edition was more like a "4th-Edition - take 2!" that shared much more of its DNA with 3e and the editions before it - which is, I suspect, why they initially resisted actually labeling it "Fifth Edition." And, as I pointed out in my earlier post, the classification of "3rd-Edition" as such is at least moderately suspect.
I honestly don't think Hasbro wants to keep making "New Editions" (TM), so much as just augment the game with supplements they can sell, and just do a revised printing of the PHB/DMG/MM (when it's called for) that modifies things they've learned don't work the way they want them to, or introduces things they want to try out, and just includes a few "changes since the last printing" sidebars.
Going forward, the game is just
Dungeons & Dragons. But if you insist on Edition labeling, I guess you can think of the 2024 books as Edition 5.2 or 5.3.
