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; 0e | ; 0e | ||
− | : | + | : "0[th] Edition": The original version of ''Dungeons & Dragons'', the ''3-Volume Set''. The retronym came to refer to the true first edition of the game after the later but more popular ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons'' 1st edition became known as "1E". Sometimes distinguished by the year of publication (1974) or box colors (the original woodgrain/brown or the later and more common white). See also LBB, OCE, OD&D, and [[Editions of Dungeons and Dragons]]. |
− | ;3E : '''Dungeons & Dragons, Third Edition''' | + | ;3E : '''Dungeons & Dragons, Third Edition''' See also [[Editions of Dungeons and Dragons]]. |
;3.5 : '''Dungeons & Dragons, 3.5 Edition''' - a major update to the third edition rules. See also [[Editions of Dungeons and Dragons]]. | ;3.5 : '''Dungeons & Dragons, 3.5 Edition''' - a major update to the third edition rules. See also [[Editions of Dungeons and Dragons]]. | ||
− | ;3.X : refers to both or either of 3E or 3.5 | + | ;3.X : refers to both or either of 3E or 3.5. Also sometimes includes games derived from third edition D&D, especially Pathfinder and FantasyCraft. See also [[Editions of Dungeons and Dragons]]. |
− | ;4E : '''Dungeons & Dragons, Fourth Edition''' | + | ;4E : '''Dungeons & Dragons, Fourth Edition''' See also [[Editions of Dungeons and Dragons]]. |
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=== A === | === A === | ||
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; BD&D | ; BD&D | ||
− | : | + | : "Basic ''Dungeons & Dragons''": One term for the second branch in the fork that occurred when 0e split into "Basic" and "Advanced" lines. Started with the Holmes blue box in 1977 and continued through 1999 with the the B/X, BECMI, RC, black box, and later editions. "Basic" is something of a misnomer, since it only refers to three of the box sets (Holmes, Moldvay, and the first Menzter box) and levels from 1–3. See also Classic D&D and [[Editions of Dungeons and Dragons]]. |
; BECMI | ; BECMI | ||
− | : | + | : "Basic, Expert, Companion, Master, and Immortals": The version of the game by Frank Menzter, delineated in ''Dungeons & Dragons Sets 1–5: Basic'', ''Expert'', ''Companion'', ''Master'', and ''Immortals Rules''. Sometimes distinguished by the author, color of the first box set (red), year of release (1983 for the ''Basic Rules'', though the ''Immortals Rules'' was not published until 1986), or the cover artist (Larry Elmore). In contrast to the more limited level range of the earlier Holmes and B/X sets, Mentzer's version provided rules for mortal characters of levels 1–36, and up to another 36 levels as immortals. See also BD&D, Classic D&D and [[Editions of Dungeons and Dragons]]. |
; black box | ; black box | ||
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; B/X | ; B/X | ||
− | : | + | : "Basic/eXpert": The version of the ''Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set'' by Tom Moldvay combined with the ''Expert Set'' by Dave Cook and Steve Marsh. Sometimes distinguished by the authors, color of the first box set (mauve/purple), year of release (1980 for both sets), or cover artist (Erol Otus). In contrast to the Holmes and BECMI sets, B/X covers levels 1–14. See also BD&D, Classic D&D and [[Editions of Dungeons and Dragons]]. |
=== C === | === C === | ||
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; d20STL | ; d20STL | ||
− | : | + | : "d20 System Trademark License": A license from Wizards of the Coast that allowed third party vendors to use certain trademarks and logos (most notably the "d20" logo), and include a claim of compatibility in their products. During the d20 boom from 2000 to 2003, most third party d20 System products used the d20STL in conjunction with the OGL. The bust following WotC's v.3.5 led many third party vendors to abandon the d20STL, which was ultimately revoked by Wizards of the Coast in 2008 in favor of the GSL. |
;DDI : '''Dungeons & Dragons Insider''' (4E) - the online subscription service offered by Wizards of the Coast, including ''Dragon'' and ''Dungeon'' magazines and the Character Builder. | ;DDI : '''Dungeons & Dragons Insider''' (4E) - the online subscription service offered by Wizards of the Coast, including ''Dragon'' and ''Dungeon'' magazines and the Character Builder. | ||
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;Fightbrain: (4E) the Battlemind character class from Player's Handbook 3. | ;Fightbrain: (4E) the Battlemind character class from Player's Handbook 3. | ||
− | ;flex stat : (4E) a racial ability score bonus which can be applied to one of two (or more) scores. | + | ;flex stat : (4E) a racial ability score bonus which can be applied to one of two (or more) scores. Introduced with the races in Player's Handbook 3; for example, Minotaurs get +2 Strenght, and +2 Constitution ''or'' +2 Wisdom. |
=== G === | === G === | ||
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; LBBs | ; LBBs | ||
− | : | + | : "Little brown book[let]s": A reference to the parchment-colored, digest-sized booklets in the 0e box set. The three volumes are ''Men & Magic'', ''Monsters & Treasure'', and ''The Underworld and Wilderness Adventures''. Not to be confused with ''Traveller'''s "little black books". See also [[Editions of Dungeons and Dragons]]. |
=== M === | === M === | ||
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; OD&D | ; OD&D | ||
− | : | + | : "Original" (or "Old") "''Dungeons & Dragons''": Among adherents of the OSR, the term has come to refer strictly to the edition represented by the 0e box set and the supplements, and often the Holmes ''Basic Set''. Among the broader group of old school fans, the term is often used more broadly, and includes the rest of the BD&D line. There is some controversy over which is is the proper usage. |
; OG | ; OG | ||
− | : | + | : "Old Geezer": The user name of a RPGnet poster (real name Michael Mornard) who was a player in the original Castle Greyhawk campaign co-DMed by Gary Gygax and Rob Kuntz in the early 1970s. |
; OGC | ; OGC | ||
− | : | + | : "Open Game Content": Any material released under the OGL. |
; OGL | ; OGL | ||
− | : | + | : "Open Game License": An open-source license released by Wizards of the Coast in 2000 that allows third party vendors to use OGC, like the SRD. Commonly used in conjunction with the more restrictive d20STL until 2003. |
; OS | ; OS | ||
− | : | + | : "Old school": A general adjective used to the style and games from yesterday. While primarily used to refer to ''D&D'' and its variants, the term can be more broadly applied to any early games. Different definitions have different cut off times; some exclude 3.X, 2E, 1E, everything but 0e, or various finer distinctions (lines are often drawn at ''AD&D'' 2nd edition's ''Player Option'' books, or 1E's ''Unearthed Arcana''). |
; OSR | ; OSR | ||
− | : | + | : "Old School Renaissance" (occasionally "Revolution" or "Revival"): The recent surge in popularity of older roleplaying games and styles. While partially attributable to the death of Gary Gygax in 2008, earlier retro games like ''HackMaster'' and ''Castles & Crusades'' (2006) tapped into the same sentiment. While there is a no true center or uniformity of opinion, the public face of the group is a fairly cohesive collection of games, magazines, message boards, publishers, and blogs (the most prominent of the latter being Grognardia). Common themes, as articulated in Finch's ''A Quick Primer for Old School Gaming'', are megadungeons, sandbox campaigns, an emphasis on player rather than character skill, and a focus on rediscovering how the creators of the games actually played. There's a heavy focus on 0e, with a secondary focus on ''AD&D'', specifically the pre-''Unearthed Arcana'' 1st edition. |
=== P === | === P === | ||
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=== R === | === R === | ||
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; retro-clone | ; retro-clone | ||
: A replica of an out of print version of a game. Originally and most commonly used to refer to clones of ''D&D''. Based on the principle that the rules of a game cannot be copyrighted, only the specific ''expression'' of the rules. Many clones rely on the OGC to allow them to use trademarked terms and specific elements (like the names of spells, monsters, or game terms). Also known as a simulacrum. | : A replica of an out of print version of a game. Originally and most commonly used to refer to clones of ''D&D''. Based on the principle that the rules of a game cannot be copyrighted, only the specific ''expression'' of the rules. Many clones rely on the OGC to allow them to use trademarked terms and specific elements (like the names of spells, monsters, or game terms). Also known as a simulacrum. | ||
− | ; | + | ; RC |
− | : | + | : "''Rules Cyclopedia''": The one-volume compilation of Menzter's BECMI sets by Aaron Allston in 1991. See also [[Editions of Dungeons and Dragons]]. |
=== S === | === S === | ||
+ | |||
; sandbox | ; sandbox | ||
: A campaign style where there is no overarching plot driving the players toward a scripted conclusion. See metaplot. | : A campaign style where there is no overarching plot driving the players toward a scripted conclusion. See metaplot. | ||
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; SRD | ; SRD | ||
− | : | + | : "System Reference Document": The SRD is a compilation of OGC released under the OGL by WotC. The original SRD included material from ''Player's Handbook'', ''Dungeon Master's Guide'', and ''Monster Manual'', but later expansions added content from the ''Epic Level Handbook'', ''Deities & Demigods'', and ''Psionics Handbook''. While most of ''Unearthed Arcana'' was also declared OGC, none of the material was added to the SRD. A ''d20 Modern'' SRD was also released, with material from the core rules, ''Modern Arcana'', and the ''Menace Manual''. Third party vendors have also adopted the terminology, with Anime, ''Fudge'', and ''Traveller'' SRDs among many others. |
; S&W | ; S&W | ||
− | : | + | : "''Swords & Wizardry'': A 0e retro-clone that comes in two versions. The ''Core Rules'' version replicates the ''3-Volume Set'' plus selected material from the Supplements, primarily ''Greyhawk''. Not a particularly faithful clone, because some elements were excluded (e.g. no thieves), there is support for both ascending and descending AC, and the five saves have become a single number. The ''White Box'' took the ''Core Rules'' and strips out all material not in the original ''3-Volume Set''. |
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=== V === | === V === |