Everyone seems to have their own favorite flavor of D&D. This can be said for every edition. Even I have my own favorite version, (AD&D 2nd) which I love more than any other edition to date. In this article, I will highlight each edition and showcase what keeps people coming back to them and what separates them from their peers.
1. Original Edition
OD&D, the originator. These are the roots of the modern game and some say its the game in its purest form. It was so simple, that the vast amount of damage that could be done in the game was done with 1d6. Sure you only had Fighter, Magic User and Cleric as classes but with the later Greyhawk, Holmes and other supplements, it morphed OD&D into a more complex version that foreshadowed later editions of the game. Sure it was simple but it certainly paved the way for what was to come.
2. Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st Edition
AD&D basically took all of the supplements and revisions to OD&D and put them into a new standardized version of the game. This edition finally recognized the races as separate from your characters class and although considered to be confusing by many, this edition stands as the most popular old school D&D edition.
3. Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition
This was my edition of D&D. From the moment I laid eyes on the pages I fell in love. Not only was the art absolutely gorgeous, but the game-play was smooth and deep. This era of D&D also brought us a rich multitude of playsetting rich content like Dragonlance, Ravenloft and Dark Sun. The main complaint about this edition is its complexity, which is disheartening since I find it to be quite streamlined and easy.
5. Dungeons & Dragons 3rd & 3.5 Edition
This was the first edition from the new owners of D&D, Wizards of the Coasts. It took many of the complex systems of the previous AD&D 2nd edition and simplified them. They also applied an entirely new D20 system that governed virtually every action and a universal leveling system for every class. What really set this edition apart from its pears however was the very relaxed multiclassing rules that allowed for very unique characters. Surprisingly, this edition is still in wide use today, being a favorite due to its D20 simplicity.
6. Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition
This was a completely new version of the D&D rules, where miniatures are actually necessary to playing. Although combat takes noticeably longer, the game is actually quite simpler than other main editions of the game. There was also an official online "Game Table" planned. This never saw the light of day however, which is disheartening due to how it could have revolutionized the game. This edition is the shortest running of all old editions of D&D, most likely due to the less than stellar reception of the game. It was such a clear separation from the original game, that it never took root with the games existing fan base.
7. Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition
The current edition of the D&D game has been a breath of fresh air for those who wanted a return to form from D&D. Where 4th edition took a chance trying to conform with the World of Warcraft crowd, 5th edition realizes this error and delivers the old style of role playing that players really wanted in the first place. Although still finding its roots, this edition is universally seen as vast improvement over its most recent predecessor.
Alright everybody! Thanks for reading! Please let me know what you think about the story or just any edition that you have some opinions on in the comments below! Also, make sure to subscribe to the blog by
CLICKING HERE
Hey everyone, check out my Youtube show
NEON IGUANA! Click here & Subscribe today!
