Defining characteristics of D&D [Archive] - Wizards Community

Defining characteristics of D&D [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
DM Dave
02-06-06, 01:00 AM Having played the game for over two decades now I was mulling this over in my head: of all the games I've played over the years why is it that I keep coming back to this one?

I've played Hero system, torg, gurps, world of darkness, etc., etc., but I always end up back where I started. Is it nastalgia, or is there more to it than that? Its more than the rules system, because back when D&D was an inferior game system I still loved it. Thus, after a little introspection I came up with the following

First there is the fantasy aspect, which is many facetted:
- the mystery of magic
- the romantic notions of heroism and chivalry
- The idea of the quest
- Good is good, and Evil is well... EVIL!

Second, there are things that are uniquely D&D...

- Alignments. This is more than just a rule mechanic... it is a tool for lively debate and classical understand of the human condition.
- The cosmology. Since the very begininng this has been a facinating aspect of the game... the politics of heaven and hell and all the different planes of existance.
- the DICE! Is it me, or do those polyhedral dice add an aspect of mystery to the game itself?
- The D&D Monsters: Beholders, Gnolls, umber hulks, hook horrors, etc. Any fantasy setting can have dragons and unicorns... but those above are uniquely D&D.
- DUNGEONS! While you could do them in other systems and settings they just don't seem to hit the mark.

What other aspects are the defining characteristics of D&D?
Illion the Red
02-06-06, 09:12 AM Interesting thread. I'm not sure that I can pinpoint any single thing as a defining characteristic of D&D, and that, to me, is probably THE defining characteristic. This is a case in which the sum of the parts is far lesser than the whole.

D&D is simultaneously simple and enormously complex. They synergies of these two intertwined aspects of the game are what continually pull me back to the game as they provide the opportunity to touch upon significantly varied creative avenues depending on mood and situation, regardless of which side of the screen I am on.
Eksem
02-06-06, 01:52 PM The dice are not a defining characteristic of just D&D now, is it? A lot of other RPG-games use different kinds of dice.

Dungeons is a D&D characteristic since the game works so well with dungeons. However, is that because of some game mechanics, or just tradition? If mechanics, then which are these mechanics? That would be a better candidate for D&D characteristic than just dungeons, because dungeons could be in almost every game (and often are).

My suggestions are Game-balance, playability (gamism?), complexity and Player Character synergy:

Other games strive for game-balance, sure, but I have yet to see a game so well balanced, tested and tried out as D&D. The complaints on a lot of things being broken and overpowered on these boards are seldom seen in play, and compared to most other games, it's nothing.

It's playable. It uses OOC-tactics, miniatures and battle-mats, number-juggling and a heap of special abilities making it a game that would be fun even without IC-play, or role-playing, at all. Other games that come close in this aspect are not really RPGs at all.

The game is insanely complex. Have you played other games? Most RPGs could be played just by looking at the character sheet, but D&D is much too complex for that. It's the only game besides Rolemaster where i've felt that you actually could claim that it's easy to learn, and hard to master. I think that has a lot to do with people coming back to the game, you could never explore it to it's full extent like you could with a game like Call of Cthulhu or Feng Shui (and if you do, there are quite the bunch of add-on-books to read, comprehend and use).

Players Character synergy. I've seen other games try this as well, but, not even close. If the characters don't work together or at least try to, then they will fail and die. Every character can find their special place and role within the group, making use of just their special talent. In other games, there are seldom that kind of differences between the PCs, they are just better or worse variants of the same character.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
DM Dave 02-06-06, 01:00 AM	Having played the game for over two decades now I was mulling this over in my head: of all the games I've played over the years why is it that I keep coming back to this one? I've played Hero system, torg, gurps, world of darkness, etc., etc., but I always end up back where I started. Is it nastalgia, or is there more to it than that? Its more than the rules system, because back when D&D was an inferior game system I still loved it. Thus, after a little introspection I came up with the following First there is the fantasy aspect, which is many facetted: - the mystery of magic - the romantic notions of heroism and chivalry - The idea of the quest - Good is good, and Evil is well... EVIL! Second, there are things that are uniquely D&D... - Alignments. This is more than just a rule mechanic... it is a tool for lively debate and classical understand of the human condition. - The cosmology. Since the very begininng this has been a facinating aspect of the game... the politics of heaven and hell and all the different planes of existance. - the DICE! Is it me, or do those polyhedral dice add an aspect of mystery to the game itself? - The D&D Monsters: Beholders, Gnolls, umber hulks, hook horrors, etc. Any fantasy setting can have dragons and unicorns... but those above are uniquely D&D. - DUNGEONS! While you could do them in other systems and settings they just don't seem to hit the mark. What other aspects are the defining characteristics of D&D?
Illion the Red 02-06-06, 09:12 AM	Interesting thread. I'm not sure that I can pinpoint any single thing as a defining characteristic of D&D, and that, to me, is probably THE defining characteristic. This is a case in which the sum of the parts is far lesser than the whole. D&D is simultaneously simple and enormously complex. They synergies of these two intertwined aspects of the game are what continually pull me back to the game as they provide the opportunity to touch upon significantly varied creative avenues depending on mood and situation, regardless of which side of the screen I am on.
Eksem 02-06-06, 01:52 PM	The dice are not a defining characteristic of just D&D now, is it? A lot of other RPG-games use different kinds of dice. Dungeons is a D&D characteristic since the game works so well with dungeons. However, is that because of some game mechanics, or just tradition? If mechanics, then which are these mechanics? That would be a better candidate for D&D characteristic than just dungeons, because dungeons could be in almost every game (and often are). My suggestions are Game-balance, playability (gamism?), complexity and Player Character synergy: Other games strive for game-balance, sure, but I have yet to see a game so well balanced, tested and tried out as D&D. The complaints on a lot of things being broken and overpowered on these boards are seldom seen in play, and compared to most other games, it's nothing. It's playable. It uses OOC-tactics, miniatures and battle-mats, number-juggling and a heap of special abilities making it a game that would be fun even without IC-play, or role-playing, at all. Other games that come close in this aspect are not really RPGs at all. The game is insanely complex. Have you played other games? Most RPGs could be played just by looking at the character sheet, but D&D is much too complex for that. It's the only game besides Rolemaster where i've felt that you actually could claim that it's easy to learn, and hard to master. I think that has a lot to do with people coming back to the game, you could never explore it to it's full extent like you could with a game like Call of Cthulhu or Feng Shui (and if you do, there are quite the bunch of add-on-books to read, comprehend and use). Players Character synergy. I've seen other games try this as well, but, not even close. If the characters don't work together or at least try to, then they will fail and die. Every character can find their special place and role within the group, making use of just their special talent. In other games, there are seldom that kind of differences between the PCs, they are just better or worse variants of the same character.