I can see how they can do it for 0e to 3.5. The base game will likely be related in feel to older D&D the same way Castles and Crusade is AD&D. Older materials will work fine with it but it won't be the same as playing the original.James Maliszewski wrote:Ultimately, I think it's this desperate desire to be all things to all gamers that will be 5e's undoing. The notion that "the core" of D&D lies in things like armor class or hit points or even six ability scores is woefully reductionist. It's focusing on the wrong elements of D&D's lasting appeal. As a design principle, it's flawed and will result in a least common denominator game no one will embrace, regardless of what edition they play.
The problem is 4e. The two ways I see working are a separate book offering a different set of classes built with powers in mind and designed to work together in the different 4e roles. Or that 5e actually uses 4e core rules but with new classes that work like the originals. Along with a set of monsters and items that work like older editions. Remember that 4e is a exception based system. So it would be straight forward to use the Core mechanics to create a whole new game that works with older edition material. Existing 4e characters would highly overpowered.
But the statements that advanced characters built with options will work with base characters has caused me to doubt this theory.
Right now there are so many ways that one could attempt to design these goals that I am resigned to wait for the play test to begin before judging.
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