The Very Very Core...

[Scribble]

So if they were making the basic bottom level version of the game... Stripped of as many rules as possible what would you believe still needs to be in the game in order for it to be playable, and I Guess still feel like D&D. (Based on rules that currently exist in some form of D&D)

I'm thinking :

Stats
Class (At a very basic level I think class can cover both class and race)
Armor Class
Attack Bonus
Hit Points
Damage
Spells?

I think with just those you could play a game that feels like D&D.

 

[Halivar]

Yes to spells, but only up to a certain level, perhaps. I think what you're arguing for is exactly what I would like to see in a 5 level starter set.

 

[Scribble]

Yes to spells, but only up to a certain level, perhaps. I think what you're arguing for is exactly what I would like to see in a 5 level starter set.

Yeah secretly (or not so much) that's what I hope the very basic level of 5e is. Everything else would be layered on top by the players.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

The very core is: roll high on a d20.

 

[Scribble]

The very core is: roll high on a d20.

It might be a core resolution mechanic, but it's not what I meant- Or do you really feel like if you handed someone a d20 and just told them to roll high all the time it would feel like D&D?

It's part of D&D sure, but I'm not sure it's the ONLY thing you need.

 

[steeldragons]

At the very basic core of a game that would feel like D&D:

- 6 Stats
- 4 Classes (preferably around 10-12, but the game can be played with 4)
- 4 Races (preferably 7-10, but the game can be played with 4. Yes, it can be played with 1! But to "feel like D&D" it needs, 3 or 4.)
- HP
- AC
- "To Hit" & Damage rolls (iow, bare bones of how combat works)
- Spell Lists (separate lists for Clerics and MUs, at least, with other class spell lists if the class is included, but at least these 2. Without it necessary to go above, say, 3rd level spells of each in a "Basic/Beginner" set.)
- XP table(s)! (So I -and the DM- know when I level up!)
- A list/stats of Monsters (so I know what I might be fighting/inhabits the world)...that must include at least one type of Dragon.
- a d20 and a d6 (if nothing else, but preferably d4, d8,d10 & d12 also )
- paper and a pencil

I can play and, more importantly, feel like I'm playing D&D with that.

 

[mkill]

Dragons.
Magic Swords.
Orcs.
Chain Bikinis.
Mountain Dew.
Magic Missile.
Dwarves.
Elves.
Crossbows.
Rogues.
Spellbooks.
Treasure chests.
Level Ups.
Mold on Dungeon Walls.
That NPC you never trusted in the first place.
Rolling a One, and the whole group goes OWNED...

 

[Kingreaper]

The spell list would be 3-5 spells per level. You get access to all the ones that fit your class, but that's no-where near as many as in the full version.

Magic Missile would be 1st level, Fireball would be at the top of the starter set (so, level 5ish?)

 

[Grazzt]

So if they were making the basic bottom level version of the game... Stripped of as many rules as possible what would you believe still needs to be in the game in order for it to be playable, and I Guess still feel like D&D. (Based on rules that currently exist in some form of D&D)

I'm thinking :

Stats
Class (At a very basic level I think class can cover both class and race)
Armor Class
Attack Bonus
Hit Points
Damage
Spells?

I think with just those you could play a game that feels like D&D.

I'd agree with those. Add Alignment to the list. It's been with us since the beginning.

 

[scruffygrognard]

My core D&D would have:

6 ability scores (STR, INT, WIS, DEX, CON, CHR)
4 classes (Cleric, Fighter, Magic-User, Thief)
3 alignments (Good, Neutral, Evil)
Levels (10-to-20)
Saving throws (possibly folded into ability scores)
Attack rolls (d20 + modifiers)
Damage (damage die type + modifiers)
Spells (10 levels)
Experience Points
Monsters
Treasure (magic items & coins/finery)
Dungeons (with traps, puzzles, random encounters, etc).