Summary
Indisputably the most popular TTRPG system of all time,Dungeons and Dragonshas conquered RP spaces for almost half a century, tracing back its success to the first edition all the way back in the 70s. As most know by now,Dungeons & Dragonsis a game system that encourages cooperative story-telling and problem-solving within the confines of a story and world outlined by the Dungeon Master.
The ever-enduring popularity of the system is all due to the impressive breadth of content on offer, with established worlds, people, and lore in place players can tinker or completely omit to their liking, making it both in-depth and customizable. Though it haschanged over the yearsto keep it fresh for veteran players, there are some constants that haven’t changed since the original release.
6Gathering a Party
A Group Activity
The most obvious rule ofD&Dis that it’s always more fun with friends. Though there are systems and tips in place that allow players torun themselves through a solo game, or play with only one or two players,D&Dis balanced with a part of 4-5 in mind.
Though the difficulty levels between the 1st and 5th editions vary, with the latter being more beginner-friendly, it’s still a good idea to gather friends together for the adventure ahead. Players can bounce off each other in role-play to develop bonds between characters or deepen the investment of players, as well as aid each other in combat to better everyone’s chances of survival.
5Dungeon Masters
The Glue That Keeps Campaigns Together
Dungeon Masters, commonly referred to as DMs, are the ones who are tasked with running the game. They will work with the players to see what kind of games they want to run, themes they would like to see, and what world would interest them, then it is up to them to do the rest.
Along with narrating the story and running NPCs they will also enforce all the rules at the table and may introduce some house rules. ThoughD&Dmay have changed from edition to edition over the years, the importance of the DM role remains unchanged. Without them, there would be no game, and they definitely have the trickiest job at the table.
4Character Creation
A Primary Appeal Of D&D
D&Dgives players the tools they need, but ultimately it is their creativity that is needed to create the character they will take through the long and perilous journey. Their class, race, alignment, and backstory must all be created by them, using the information provided in the book. This is one of the main draws of this system,allowing players to craft their own herowith fantastical flair.
Though the options were very limited in theD&D1E, the base ideas remain, such as magic-user and cleric.D&D5E just includes more options, such as Tieflings and Monks. Writing a character with depth, intricacies, principles, and motives still very much is the same.
3Swords and Sorcery
Fantasy
Another constant ofD&Dis its fantastical flair. It is based in a world of fantasy adventure, with some settings mimicking real locations embellished with WotC’s unique brand of fantasy. But wherever players travel to, they can guarantee there will be swords and spells aplenty.
There are supplements available to every edition that will take them to the Underworld or Greyhawk, and although 5E has more worlds than 1E, the elements of sword and sorcery settings remain, as well as DMs having the freedom to craft their ownunique worlds.
2Magic Items
A Timeless Reward
Magic items trace their origin back to the first edition ofD&Dand have since remained as the most sought-after reward. They are something DMs won’t give out on a whim and usually require strives through the campaign world or players' personal arcs to be gifted one.
Magic itemsnormally bolster a player’s AC or attack bonus or offer unique utility bonuses such as gaining a fly speed. They usually come in the form of swords, shields, armor, or rings, though there are a few items that take on a more unique form. Though there have been changes made to how the magic items are categorized as well as their functions, their forms and desirability remain the same.
1Combat
A Cornerstone Of Most D&D Sessions
One of the main core elements of anyD&Dadventure is combat. It is inevitable that before long, the party will encounter bandits, goblins, or other such hostile groups on the roads, and will need to dispatch them before continuing on their journey. DMs will often plan out encounters or roll and use a table to determine what they will face, breaking up long and uneventful journeys with acombative challenge.
The way combat works has changed somewhat, with THAC0 being used to work out if an attack hits in the 1st edition, the 5-foot cube units of movement are still used, and combat as a whole remains a key part of most (but not all)D&Dgames.
