Dungeons and Dragons Next (5th Edition)

A friend purchased the new edition of Dungeons and Dragons, D&D Next. There was hesitation and scepticism on this incarnation, as the 4th edition was very average and felt more like a video game.

Although we have only played two sessions, and already we are talking of playing the rest of the adventure but also playing more of this edition.

What impresses me the most is the simplicity of the core of the game. It gets down to the meat of what Dungeons and Dragons is about...the flavour. Sure they have all the feats and do-dads that you can add to the game but this edition really feels like the classic Dungeons and Dragons. A sort of a D&D real 3rd edition.

Gone are the little bonuses that took away from the game when adding them up. You can have advantages and disadvantages. If you have all advantages, you roll an extra d20 and keep the best. If you have at least one disadvantage you roll two d20s and take the lowest.

Characters are as fragile as they were in 1st and 2nd edition. Goblins can still take down a 10th level fighter if you are not careful and they are more careful. Bonus abilities are handed out sparingly so it doesn't clutter a player with too much choice. Feats are optional as well. You can also download the rules to play the four main classes (fighter, cleric, wizard, rogue) for free here. The main books are excellently laid out and the Dungeon Master's guide is great for new and old players alike.

All in all a great product and one that will get more use than 4th edition ever did for me (read them and shelved them) and a strong contender for standing on the same platform as Pathfinder. May make me bring out my old Mystara collection for converting.