The Very Very Core...

[Scribble]

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

Hrmm... Not sure I agree. My reasoning being I tried to keep it to stuff that has direct effect on the rules. IE Without AC, HP, ToHit, and Damage you can't resolve combat. Without Stats you don't have anything to play off of for Skills... I think without Class you don't have a way to package the other items.

I'm still not sure spells NEED to be on the list...

I think I need to add Speed/Movement to the list.


How would you say Alignment directly effects the rules? (I'm not saying I think you're wrong, just that I'm not seeing it at the moment.) Is it just because it's been sort of a D&D specific rule for a long time?

 

[Grazzt]

How would you say Alignment directly effects the rules? (I'm not saying I think you're wrong, just that I'm not seeing it at the moment.) Is it just because it's been sort of a D&D specific rule for a long time?

Yep. Just 'cause it's been with us basically forever. No real rules effect I guess, unless you count class restrictions (paladin, monk, assassin 1e, etc)....but even then, that's just a restriction, not really a rules effect I guess.

 

[Scribble]

Yep. Just 'cause it's been with us basically forever. No real rules effect I guess, unless you count class restrictions (paladin, monk, assassin 1e, etc)....but even then, that's just a restriction, not really a rules effect I guess.

Ok I think maybe I need to change the list up... Also DUH! How could I forget Levels... Thanks cPerkins...

Rule Related (Bare minimum that you NEED to play the game)

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

D&D "Feel" Related

Spells
Alignment


I'm not sure about Saving Throws... I think they could be folded into Stats. Unlike AC they aren't usually dependent upon outside influence.

Not sure about Monsters... Maybe though since they sort of serve the same role as Class.

 

[scruffygrognard]

How would you say Alignment directly effects the rules? (I'm not saying I think you're wrong, just that I'm not seeing it at the moment.) Is it just because it's been sort of a D&D specific rule for a long time?

I think alignment is part of what makes D&D "D&D" and not some other fantasy roleplaying game. It's a core aesthetic element... not a core rule element.

 

[Scribble]

I think alignment is part of what makes D&D "D&D" and not some other fantasy roleplaying game. It's a core aesthetic element... not a core rule element.

So essentially you don't need it to run a game, but to you it wouldn't feel like D&D without it?

(Do you basically like just seeing it on the paper, or do you use it in some way that feels "D&D" to you?)

 

[scruffygrognard]

Do you basically like just seeing it on the paper, or do you use it in some way that feels "D&D" to you?

Alignment restrictions related to class choice and item/spell use are present throughout the history of D&D. Alignment doesn't have to be used in every campaign, but should be an optional core element of the game.

It's one of the things I expect (and have grown to like) in D&D games.

 

[Mokona]

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

Sacred Cows of D&D:

Fantasy Races
Equipment
1d20 Combat Roll
Class Levels
Monsters (and NPCs)
Traps

 

[Hassassin]

I can't see how you can make the rogue/thief work without any skills. If you assume skills as just a bonus on relevant ability checks, you could leave out attack bonus as well since it works the same way.

 

[Steely_Dan]

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

D&D "Feel" Related

Spells
Alignment


I'm not sure about Saving Throws... I think they could be folded into Stats. Unlike AC they aren't usually dependent upon outside influence.

I dig the list, and would love to see an option (or base/core) for race as class again (there's something so cool about the old Elf from BD&D, IMO).

I agree about saving throws, and from the sound of it, Ability Scores will be your Defences/Saving Throws in 5th Ed.

 

[Tom Servo]

The very, very core of Dungeons & Dragons?

The ampersand.