What game best captures "D&D" for you?

[delericho]

They're all D&D, but on balance 3.5 is the one I play, and the one that best captures it for me.

However, the greatest implementation of this game has not yet been written.

 

[Lorne]

For the last ten years or so, it's been 2e houseruled to tiny bits. But I've started playing 3.5, and I enjoy it very much - particularly the mechanics simplifications. I don't know enough about it yet to determine whether it captures D&D or not.

Lorne

 

[JVisgaitis]

I would have put an option in there for all.

 

[shilsen]

I'd have said "all of the above", but since that option isn't there, it's 3.5.

 

[Psion]

I think they all capture it.

3.5 just "executes" it the best. I don't consider the rules problems of older editions to be an identifying characteristic of D&D. D&D is, to me, identified by the good games of it without the rules problems and artificial barriers.

 

[Odhanan]

D&D 3.5 for me. 3.X can reproduce all the other D&D "styles" of previous editions, given the right group of people around the table. The reverse is also possible (everything's possible given the right people), but less conveniently so.

 

[edemaitre]

Best D&D rules set

I've also played every edition of "Dungeons & Dragons" available since the early 1980s. I prefer D&D3.5 for rules, but I miss the art and feel from AD&D1 and AD&D2. Fortunately, there are enough D20 publishers out there to cater to us old grognards. My ideal edition of D&D would include the best of all previous editions; have streamlined, customizable rules; and be adaptable to official settings, homebrew worlds, and licensed adaptations.

 

[Laman Stahros]

I have played D&D since 1978. Each new edition has changed D&D for me, yet kept it definitively D&D. I have loved and enjoyed each edition (although there are always stinker supplements involved with each). When 4e comes out, I suspect it too will "be D&D" for me, and truly define what it is. And I shall still have a fond memory for what it was.

QFT.

 

[Vyvyan Basterd]

"Other" because any ruleset works fine for me.

 

[Michael_R_Proteau]

Other=all of the above

I voted other for all of the above. I too, am one who has played almost every edition (I started with Moldvay Basic set and a AD&D PHB in '81).

To me, what captured D&D is not the edition (or crunch), but the flavor/fluff of the game. The scenarios, players, adventures, monsters, tricks, traps, scenarios, magic, mayhem, andplain old fun.
-M