D&D General What makes D&D feel like D&D?

[JEB]

Did a quick skim through the 5E PHB, then picked out any of the general rules or lore elements that seemed to be distinctly D&D. Vote for as many as you like, as long as its presence in the game tells you, "this is D&D".

Feel free to explain your choices, but please, no judging or criticizing anyone's preferences here. The goal is to try and figure out what we can largely agree on, not to rehash the same old arguments...

 

[DND_Reborn]

While I applaud the concept of the thread, personally I would have limited the choices to maybe 5-7 top picks because I ended up choosing a lot of different things.

 

[Scribe]

Ability scores (Str, Dex, Con, Int, Wis, Cha)
Distinct character races/lineages
Distinct character classes
Alignment
Levels
Deities Votes
Great Wheel cosmology

 

[Tonguez]

Basic definition: DnD is a Class and Level based Fantasy Roleplaying game (Class, Levels, Fantasy Magic)

That covers everything I think is fundamental to DnD - its a system defined by distinct character classes gaining levels over the course of play. Fantasy for me implies Magic and that is important but its broad gonzo fantasy where anything can happen from rat infested feudal villages to intergalactic Spelljammers.

Races are a feature of the Fantasy but a all human game could be possible and while the ability scores are important to defining characters but I dont think they’re fundamental.

Everything else on the list is optional

 

[Zardnaar]

Alot of things but the obvious ones IMHO.

Classes
Six ability scores
Alignment
Armor class
Races (elf, dwarf etc)

 

[Sacrosanct]

Alot of things but the obvious ones IMHO.

Classes
Six ability scores
Alignment
Armor class
Races (elf, dwarf etc)

And niche protection, IMO

 

[RobJN]

I voted for the obvious bits: six ability scores (Str, Int, Wis, Dex, Con, Cha), multiple die types, AC, HD, races.

Also, I would add a couple more options to the poll: Dungeons. And Dragons.

 

[Li Shenron]

You forgot Vancian or at least spell preparation and daily slot-based spellcasting.

 

[JEB]

While I applaud the concept of the thread, personally I would have limited the choices to maybe 5-7 top picks because I ended up choosing a lot of different things.

Eh, I figured if someone wants to check every single box, they should be able to.

You forgot Vancian or at least spell preparation and daily slot-based spellcasting.

I actually considered including "spell slots", but figured the specifics of how classes work was getting too down in the weeds.

 

[Stormonu]

Bundled classes & races, levels and ability scores that go from 3-18.

And 9-axis alignment

But mostly, levels.