D&D 5E What's the closest system to D&D Next that is currently available?

[Quickleaf]

A question for play testers:

I like what I'm reading of D&D Next and would consider using it for my next game with my reassembled gaming group, except that there aren't enough classes or levels (we'd be continuing our story) for our tastes.

So is there a system currently being sold that in your opinion is very similar to D&D Next?

Or perhaps a pile of homebrew Next stuff that fits the bill?

 

[Tony Vargas]

The current (2nd packet) playtest rules are closer to 3e in general feel than any other prior ed of D&D. Pathfinder is a 3.5 retro-clone. I'm sure other d20 offerings might be similar. None of them will have 'bounded accuracy' though. Ironically, the closest thing to that in D&D's history is the 4e treadmill: If you take 4e, and strip out level bonuses, expertise feats, and stat bumps, and reduce monster attacks/defenses by their level, you're pretty darn close (though minions become redundant).

 

[Viking Bastard]

I've only read through the core book once, but Castles & Crusades is a contender, I think. Or if it wasn't for it's lack of levels: Pathfinder Beginner's Box.

 

[JRRNeiklot]

4e.

 

[Quickleaf]

The current (2nd packet) playtest rules are closer to 3e in general feel than any other prior ed of D&D. Pathfinder is a 3.5 retro-clone. I'm sure other d20 offerings might be similar. None of them will have 'bounded accuracy' though. Ironically, the closest thing to that in D&D's history is the 4e treadmill: If you take 4e, and strip out level bonuses, expertise feats, and stat bumps, and reduce monster attacks/defenses by their level, you're pretty darn close (though minions become redundant).

I've only read through the core book once, but Castles & Crusades is a contender, I think. Or if it wasn't for it's lack of levels: Pathfinder Beginner's Box.

4e.

3e, 1e/OD&D, 4e... Maybe 5e really is for everybody!

And here I was expecting an answer like 13th Age (yeah, I know, still in playtest too), rather than other editions of D&D. Hmm.

 

[Jeff Carlsen]

The next D&D Next packet isn't far off, and it'll have levels 1 through 10, magic items, and more options. Depending on when you start, that may be enough for you.

 

[Quickleaf]

The next D&D Next packet isn't far off, and it'll have levels 1 through 10, magic items, and more options. Depending on when you start, that may be enough for you.

Really? That's exciting, when is it the next packet due to be released?

EDIT: According to over the Next WotC group (http://community.wizards.com/dndnext), the next playtest packet, whenever it is released, will probably only address the six classes out so far: sorcerer, warlock, wizard, cleric, rogue, and fighter. I sure wish there were more classes, but we might be able to adapt it for our use, I'll have to see.

 

[TrippyHippy]

For me it feels like a cross between 4e and C&C.

 

[Henry]

I have a feeling that's what they're going for.

 

[Ratskinner]

Just for [MENTION=6668292]JamesonCourage[/MENTION].

2e!

Bonus! Used 2e books are really cheap on Amazon.

Y'know. As much 2e stunk up the joint rules-wise. I still have more fond memories of that edition than any other.

 

[ferratus]

Y'know. As much 2e stunk up the joint rules-wise. I still have more fond memories of that edition than any other.

I've found that 2e works a lot better if you ignore everything with (optional) in front of it. Oh, and put in ascending AC.

 

[Quickleaf]

Just so it doesn't get lost: Does anyone know when the next 5e playtest packet is supposed to be released?


I'm looking at ways I could run 5e yet still create the feel of an abundance of classes with just the six that are being publicly playtested now. IOW, how might I suggest players approximate their favorite classes? (with the minimum amount of home brewing) Are there'd multi-classing rules out there, either being playtested or unofficially done by the community?

My sense is that just by homebrewing a "wilderness/nature themed" background & a "Leader" specialty, plus multi-classing, that most classes could be covered.

 

[tsadkiel]

Just so it doesn't get lost: Does anyone know when the next 5e playtest packet is supposed to be released?

October. Sorry, I don't have a cite handy, but I'm sure someone will drop by with one soon.

 

[The Shadow]

For me, Next comes across as 3e rules with a strong 2e feel... and a good chunk of pleasing new stuff. Since - apart from the actual rules! - I enjoyed 2e quite a bit, I'm really digging Next.

And yes, they've repeatedly said that the next packet will be out sometime in October.

While you won't really be able to kludge whatever sort of ranger (for example) they're going to come up with, you can certainly fake an earlier-edition ranger by making up a suitable background and taking an appropriate specialty.

Likewise, a War domain cleric is close enough to a paladin to tide you over, I'd think.

 

[Mattachine]

DDN reminds me of AD&D mixed with 4e.

 

[the Jester]

So far, the playtest material reminds me of the child of BECMI and 3e.

 

[Greg K]

It reminds me of a poor implementation of 2e concepts combined with poorly done alternate presentation of 4e concepts.

 

[slobo777]

So far, the playtest material reminds me of the child of BECMI and 3e.

That's my feeling too.

I'd recommend to OP to try and have fun with playtest material as-is plus homebrew rather than battle against differences (that may or may not be important to the group) in other versions. It's difficult to tell which parts of 5E appeal to you, and thus which is really the "closest" version for your purposes. If you like at-will spells and the hit dice healing for instance, only 4E really has both (although I think Pathfinder has at-will spells for PCs).

 

[Sir Robilar]

Since the abundance of classes seems important to you I'd recommend the Radiance RPG. It's fresh, has 30 classes and the PDF version is free.

Radiance RPG

 

[Quickleaf]

Wow! Answers are all over the place...

2e + 3e
1e + 4e
BECMI + 3e
2e + 4e
Radiance

I'm not sure what to take away from that Maybe just that 5e feels like a mix of old school D&D and streamlined new school design philosophies?

I'd recommend to OP to try and have fun with playtest material as-is plus homebrew rather than battle against differences (that may or may not be important to the group) in other versions. It's difficult to tell which parts of 5E appeal to you, and thus which is really the "closest" version for your purposes. If you like at-will spells and the hit dice healing for instance, only 4E really has both (although I think Pathfinder has at-will spells for PCs).

Yeah, what I like is that it feels like classic D&D, appears that I could run the game (particularly combat) pretty quick, and doesn't overwhelm players with powers and sticks to special abilities that are actually meaningful. I've got a big group that meets intermittently, so I need to be able to run an adventure in one session. Also, no one is that interested in learning a new game system - when they want to play D&D they want familiar trappings - which Next does have.