Dungeons & Dragons Next--What Wishing Made me Realize

So as just about everyone else in gameland I've been following 5e developments from WoTC. Not religiously mind you, but now and then, when my OS surfing would take me there. Yes, I got the news Monte left--all sorts of wild speculations there. But, though I admire Monte as a creative designer, he doesn't really design the kinds of games I like. So consequently I wasn't to moved by the announcement. Other than to wonder what it meant for 5e.

I will also admit to being somewhat hopeful that WoTC would make a lighter and more old school amenable game. I am keeping my eyes and mind open as much as I can. But I'm not really expecting to rely on WoTC or their new rendition of their game to capture my interest. That being said I will run a playtest game this summer if I can and try the game on for size.

No, what 5e has helped realize is in my wishing what it could be in a perfect world.

First of all I am not a d20 fan. As this post will clearly show. I mean I admire the system as lite and fast, but beyond that it is not the D&D system as originally designed. But I have played d20 systems, and been okay with how they drive. So laying that aside, what would I like to see as a base system for 5e. Well, this realization came about while bantering back and forth online, in fora, on blogs and in emails with my brother. This was in my last email I sent:

"Then again ... I've been thinking a lot about Basic D&D. The appeal of the game and how close it is to the original ethos. And the 5e designers thoughts that such a game can be achieved as a base type of D&D experience.


In this case you keep things _very simple_ for the core game.

Base game is:

3d6 in order

Fighter = d10 HD / fights best / advances moderately


Cleric = d8 HD / fights well / divine spells / advances moderately slow


Magic User = d4 HD / little fighting / arcane spells / advances slowest


Thief = d6 HD / little fighting / skill based class / advances quickest


Dwarf = d8 HD / essentially a fighter-cleric / Good underground / Advances very slow


Elf = d6 HD / essentially a fighter-magic user / Good in woods / Advances very slow


Halfling = D6 HD / essentially a fighter-thief / Nimble and sneaky / Advances very slow

Alignment Lawful / Neutral / Chaotic

Roll money & Buy equipment / pick spells

You're ready to go

Module expansion could include separating race and class, expanding alignment, adding skills, multiclassing, feats, and on and on."

And it hit me that that game already existed! Well, I don;t need to guide you by the hand to realize what came next. I promptly went to my favorite online gaming store and and ordered the Moldvay/Marsh & Cook Basic & Expert sets. And man am I ever excited to get my hands on them again. I got rid of mine so long ago I don't even recall when. Being the pompous AD&D-only snob I was back in the day.

I'll post more on B/X play, and what I'm thinking when they come in. And I still need to finish up my why not Hackmaster when you love it so much post. Til then, game on friends!