{{short description|Fantasy role-playing game history}} {{Italic title|string=Dungeons & Dragons}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}} {{Dungeons & Dragons sidebar|expanded=Overview}} Several different editions of the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' (''D&D'') fantasy role-playing game have been produced since 1974. The current publisher of ''D&D'', Wizards of the Coast, produces new materials only for the most current edition of the game. However, many ''D&D'' fans continue to play older versions of the game and some third-party companies continue to publish materials compatible with these older editions.
After the original edition of ''D&D'' was introduced in 1974, the game was split into two branches in 1977: the rules-light system of ''Dungeons & Dragons'' and the more complex, rules-heavy system of ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons'' (''AD&D''). The standard game was eventually expanded into a series of five box sets by the mid-1980s before being compiled and slightly revised in 1991 as the ''Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia''. Meanwhile, the 2nd edition of ''AD&D'' was published in 1989. In 2000 the two-branch split was ended when a new version was designated the 3rd edition, but dropped the "Advanced" prefix to be called simply ''Dungeons & Dragons''; a revision, called 3.5, was released in 2003. The 4th edition was published in 2008. The 5th edition was released in 2014. A revision of the 5th edition was published in 2024.
==Timeline== <!-- This timeline is also displayed at List of Dungeons & Dragons rulebooks; if colors in the timeline are changed, please update corresponding tables at that article. --> <onlyinclude> {| class="wikitable" |+ ''Dungeons & Dragons'' version history |- ! 1974 | colspan="2"|''Dungeons & Dragons'' (original edition) |- ! 1977 | style="background:#ffdcb8;" rowspan="3" | ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons'' (1st edition) | style="background:#a6bbf5;" | ''Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set'' |- ! 1981 | style="background:#e6cede;" | ''Dungeons & Dragons'' (BX version) |- ! 1983 | style="background:#e8cecd;" rowspan="2" | ''Dungeons & Dragons'' (BECMI version) |- ! 1989 | style="background:#d9e2ff; border-style: solid solid dotted solid;" rowspan="2" | ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition'' |- ! 1991 | style="background:#dadde3;" | ''Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia'' |- ! 1995 | style="background:#d9e2ff; border-style: dotted solid solid solid;" colspan="2" | ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons'' (revised 2nd edition) |- ! 2000 | style="background:#fdf2d5; border-style: solid solid dotted solid;" colspan="2"| ''Dungeons & Dragons'' (3rd edition) |- ! 2003 | style="background:#fdf2d5; border-style: dotted solid solid solid;" colspan="2" | ''Dungeons & Dragons v.3.5'' |- ! 2008 | rowspan="2" style="background:#80cdb3; border-style: solid none solid solid;" | ''Dungeons & Dragons'' (4th edition) | style="background:#80cdb3; border-style: solid solid dotted none;" | |- ! 2010 | colspan="2" style="background:#80cdb3; border-style: dotted solid solid dotted;" | ''Dungeons & Dragons Essentials'' |- ! 2014 | style="background:#ffc8bd; border-style: solid solid dotted solid;" colspan="2"| ''Dungeons & Dragons'' (5th edition) |- ! 2024 | colspan="2" style="background:#ffc8bd; border-style: solid none solid solid;"| ''Dungeons & Dragons'' (5.5e)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Plante |first=Corey |date=2026-03-04 |title=D&D finally settled on what to call its major 2024 update |url=https://www.polygon.com/dnd-55e-dungeons-dragons-beyond-update-2026/ |access-date=2026-03-16 |website=Polygon.com |language=en}}</ref> |- |} </onlyinclude>
==Version history==
===Original ''Dungeons & Dragons''=== {{main|Dungeons & Dragons (1974)}} {{Sidebar | outertitle = Original D&D core publications | heading1 = 3-volume Set | content1 = ''Men & Magic'' (1974)<br/>''Monsters & Treasure'' (1974)<br/>''The Underworld & Wilderness Adventures'' (1974) }} The original ''D&D'' was published as a box set in 1974 and features only a handful of the elements for which the game is known today: just three character classes (fighting-man, magic-user, and cleric); four races (human, dwarf, elf, and hobbit); only a few monsters; only three alignments (lawful, neutral, and chaotic). With a production budget of only $2000 to print a thousand copies, the result has been described as amateurish.<ref name="aa">{{cite book | last1 =Witwer | first1 =Michael| last2 =Newman | first2 =Kyle| last3 =Witwer | first3 =Sam| title =Dungeons & Dragons Art & Arcana: A Visual History | publisher =Ten Speed Press| date =2018| isbn =9780399580949}}</ref>{{rp|26}}
Only $100 was budgeted for artwork, and TSR co-founder Gary Gygax pressed into service anyone who was willing to help, including local artist Cookie Corey; Greg Bell, a member of Jeff Perren's gaming group; ''D&D'' co-creator Dave Arneson; Gygax's wife's half-sister Keenan Powell; and fellow TSR co-founder Don Kaye.<ref name="aa" />{{rp|20–26}} Each artist was paid $2 for a small piece or $3 for a larger piece, with an identical amount paid as a royalty every time another thousand copies were printed.<ref name="aa" />{{rp|20–26}}
The rules assume that players own and play the miniatures wargame ''Chainmail'' and use its measurement and combat systems. An optional combat system is included within the rules that later developed into the sole combat system of later versions of the game. In addition, the rules presume ownership of ''Outdoor Survival'', a board game by then-unaffiliated company Avalon Hill for outdoor exploration and adventure. ''D&D'' was a radically new gaming concept at the time, and it was difficult for players without prior tabletop wargaming experience to grasp the vague rules. The release of the ''Greyhawk'' supplement removed the game's dependency on the ''Chainmail'' rules,<ref>{{Cite news | last = Pulsipher | first = Lewis | title = An Introduction to Dungeons & Dragons | periodical = White Dwarf | place = London, England | publisher = Games Workshop | date=February–March 1981 | issue = 23 | pages = 8–9 |quote=''Chainmail'' was needed to conduct combat...." "''Greyhawk'' introduced a new combat system....}}</ref> and made it much easier for new, non-wargaming players to grasp the concepts of play. It also inadvertently aided the growth of competing game publishers, since just about anyone who grasped the concepts behind the game could write smoother and easier-to-use rules systems and sell them to the growing ''D&D'' fanbase (''Tunnels & Trolls'' being the first such).<ref>{{Cite news | last = Pulsipher | first = Lewis | title = Open Box: Tunnels and Trolls | periodical = White Dwarf | place = London, England | publisher = Games Workshop | date = August–September 1977 | issue = 2 | issn = 0265-8712 }}</ref>
Supplements such as ''Greyhawk'', ''Blackmoor'', ''Eldritch Wizardry'' and ''Gods, Demi-Gods & Heroes'', published over the next two years, greatly expanded the rules, character classes, monsters and spells. For example, the original ''Greyhawk'' supplement introduced the thief class, and weapon damage varying by weapon (as opposed to character class). In addition, many additions and options were published in the magazines ''The Strategic Review'' and its successor, ''The Dragon''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dndclassics.com/product/17003/Players-Handbook-1e?it=1|title=Players Handbook (1e)|last=Appelcline|first=Shannon|website=dndclassics.com|access-date=August 10, 2015}}</ref>
===''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons''=== {{Redirect|Advanced Dungeons & Dragons|the ''Community'' episode|Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (Community){{!}}''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons'' (''Community'')|the DC comic|Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (comic){{!}}''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons'' (comic)}} {{Sidebar | outertitle = 1st Edition core publications | heading1 = | content1 = ''Monster Manual'' (1977)<br/>''Player's Handbook'' (1978)<br/>''Dungeon Master's Guide'' (1979) }} An updated version of ''D&D'' was released between 1977 and 1979 as ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons'' (''AD&D''). The game rules were reorganized and re-codified across three hardcover rulebooks, compiled by Gary Gygax, incorporating the original ''D&D'' rules and many additions and revisions from supplements and magazine articles. The three core rulebooks are the ''Monster Manual'' (1977), the ''Player's Handbook'' (1978), and the ''Dungeon Master's Guide'' (1979). Major additions include classes from supplements like assassin, druid, monk, paladin, and thief,<ref name="WD10">{{cite journal | last =Turnbull | first =Don | title = Open Box: Player's Handbook | journal = White Dwarf | issue = 10 | page = 17 | publisher = Games Workshop | date = December 1978 – January 1979 }}</ref> while bard, illusionist, and ranger, which had previously only appeared in magazine articles, were added to the core rulebooks. An alignment system with nine alignments<ref group = note>The new alignments are Lawful Good, Lawful Neutral, Lawful Evil, Neutral Good, Neutral, Neutral Evil, Chaotic Good, Chaotic Neutral, and Chaotic Evil. They are organized in a 3 cell by 3 cell square grid in horizontal bands (Lawful, Neutral and Chaotic) and vertical bands (Good, Neutral and Evil).</ref> is used, rather than the previous three-alignment system in the original ''D&D'' rules.
Later supplements for ''AD&D'' include ''Deities & Demigods'' (1980), ''Fiend Folio'' (another book of monsters produced semi-autonomously in the UK - 1981), ''Monster Manual II'' (1983), ''Oriental Adventures'', ''Unearthed Arcana'' (1985), which mostly compiles material previously published in ''Dragon'' magazine,<ref name="DR95">{{cite journal|last=Gygax |first=Gary |author-link=Gary Gygax |journal=Dragon |date=March 1985 |issue=95 |publisher=TSR| title=Demi-Humans Get a Lift|pages=8–10}}</ref> and others.
===''Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set'' and revisions=== {{main|Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set|l1=''Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set''}} {{Sidebar | outertitle = Basic D&D core publications | heading1 = Basic Set (Holmes) | content1 = ''Basic Set'' (1977) | heading2 = BX version | content2 = {{unbulleted list|''Basic Set'' (1981)|''Expert Set'' (1981)}} | content2class = | heading3 = BECMI version | content3 = {{unbulleted list|''Set I: Basic Rules'' (1983)|''Set II: Expert Rules'' (1983)|''Set III: Companion Rules'' (1984)|''Set IV: Master Rules'' (1985)|''Set V: Immortals Rules'' (1986)}} | content3class = | heading4 = Rules Cyclopedia version | content4 = {{unbulleted list|''New Easy-to-Master D&D'' (1991)|''Rules Cyclopedia'' (1991)|''Classic D&D'' (1994)}} }}
While ''AD&D'' was still in the works, TSR was approached by an outside writer and ''D&D'' enthusiast, John Eric Holmes, who offered to re-edit and rewrite the original rules into an introductory version of ''D&D''.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Holmes |first1=John Eric |author-link1=John Eric Holmes |title=Fantasy Role Playing Games |year=1981 |publisher=Hippocrene Books |location=New York |isbn=9780882545141}}</ref> Although TSR was focused on ''AD&D'' at the time, the project was seen as a profitable enterprise and a way to direct new players to anticipate the release of the ''AD&D'' game. It was published in July 1977 as the ''Basic Set'', which included a single booklet covering character levels 1 through 3, and also includes dice and a beginner's module. The booklet collects and organizes the rules from the original ''D&D'' boxed set and ''Greyhawk'' supplement and features a blue cover with artwork by David C. Sutherland III. The "blue booklet" explains the game's concepts and method of play in terms that made it accessible to new players not familiar with tabletop miniatures wargaming. Unusual features of this version include an alignment system of five alignments<ref group = note>The five Alignments are Lawful Good, Chaotic Good, Neutral, Lawful Evil, and Chaotic Evil. There are class-based restrictions in which Clerics can not be Neutral and Thieves can not be Good.</ref> as opposed to the three or nine alignments of the other versions. This ''Basic Set'' was very popular and allowed many to discover and experience the ''D&D'' game for the first time. Although the ''Basic Set'' is not fully compatible with ''AD&D'', as some rules were simplified to make the game easier for new players to learn, players were expected to continue play beyond third level by moving on to the ''AD&D'' version.<ref>{{cite book |last=Holmes |author-link=John Eric Holmes |first=J. Eric |title=Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set |year=1977 |page=6 |quote="...experience levels that high are not discussed in this book and the reader is referred to the more complete rules in ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons''}}</ref>
Once ''AD&D'' had been released, the ''Basic Set'' saw a major revision in 1981 by Tom Moldvay. It was immediately followed by the release of an ''Expert Set'' written by David Cook, to accompany the ''Basic Set'', extending it to levels 4 through 14, for players who preferred the simplified introductory ruleset. With this revision, the ''Basic'' rules became their own game, distinct both from original ''D&D'' and ''AD&D''. The revised ''Basic'' booklet features new artwork with a red cover, and the ''Expert'' booklet has a blue cover.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=D&D Clones! |magazine=White Dwarf |issue=24 |page=29 |publisher=Games Workshop |date=April–May 1981}}</ref>
Between 1983 and 1986 this system was revised and expanded by Frank Mentzer as a series of five boxed sets (nicknamed the BECMI system, after the first letters of the five sets). This included the ''Basic Rules'' (red cover, supporting levels 1 through 3), ''Expert Rules'' (blue cover, supporting levels 4 through 14), ''Companion Rules'' (green cover, supporting levels 15 through 25), and ''Master Rules'' (black cover, supporting levels 26 through 36). The ''Immortals Rules'' (gold cover) supported characters who had transcended to becoming Immortals. The player's characters would be converted to a new set of rules that supported Immortal levels 1 through 36, and would operate on an interplanar level.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dmsguild.com/product/116578/DD-Basic-Set--Players-Manual-BECMI-ed-Basic?src=hottest_filtered&filters=0_0_45381_0_0_45345_0_0|title=D&D Basic Set|first=Shannon|last=Applecline|access-date=August 13, 2025}}</ref>
This version was compiled and slightly revised by Aaron Allston in 1991 as the ''Rules Cyclopedia'', a hardback book which includes all the sets except ''Immortals Rules'' (which was discontinued and replaced with the ''Wrath of the Immortals'' boxed set accessory). While the ''Rules Cyclopedia'' includes all information required to begin the game, a revised introductory boxed set, named ''The New Easy-to-Master Dungeons & Dragons Game'' (and nicknamed "the black box") was released at the same time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dndclassics.com/product/17171/DD-Rules-Cyclopedia-Basic?src=hottest_filtered&it=1&filters=0_0_44699 |title=D&D Rules Cyclopedia |last=Appelcline |first=Shannon |access-date=June 26, 2015}}</ref> A final repackaging of the introductory set, titled ''The Classic Dungeons & Dragons Game'' was released in 1994. By the end of 1995, TSR ended its support for the line.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Classic Dungeons & Dragons Game|isbn=1560768207|date=1994|publisher=T S R, Incorporated |editor=Doug Stewart}}</ref>
===''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition''=== {{Sidebar | outertitle = 2nd Edition core publications | heading1 = 2nd Edition | content1 = ''Player's Handbook'' (1989)<br/>''Dungeon Master's Guide'' (1989)<br/>''Monstrous Compendium'' series (1989–1998)<br/>''Monstrous Manual'' (1993) | heading2 = Revised 2nd Edition | content2 = ''Player's Handbook'' (1995)<br/>''Dungeon Master Guide'' (1995) }} In 1987, a small team of designers at TSR led by David "Zeb" Cook began work on the second edition of the ''AD&D'' game, which would be completed almost two years later.<ref name="history">{{cite web| url=http://www.wizards.com/dnd/DnDArchives_History.asp| title=The History of TSR| publisher=Wizards of the Coast| access-date=August 20, 2005| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080924195557/http://www.wizards.com/dnd/DnDArchives_History.asp| url-status=dead| archive-date=September 24, 2008}}</ref> In 1989, ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition'' was published, featuring new rules and character classes.<ref name="D&Dfaq">{{cite web| url = http://www.wizards.com/dnd/DnDArchives_FAQ.asp| title = ''Dungeons & Dragons'' FAQ| access-date = October 3, 2008| publisher = Wizards of the Coast| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081002132129/http://www.wizards.com/dnd/DnDArchives_FAQ.asp| url-status = dead| archive-date = October 2, 2008 }}</ref>
By the end of its first decade, ''AD&D'' had expanded to several rulebooks, including three collections of monsters (''Monster Manual'', ''Monster Manual II'', ''Fiend Folio''), and two books governing character skills in wilderness and underground settings. Gygax had already planned a second edition for the game, which would also have been an update of the rules, incorporating the material from ''Unearthed Arcana'', ''Oriental Adventures'', and numerous new innovations from ''Dragon'' magazine in the ''Player's Handbook'' and ''Dungeon Master's Guide'' and would have consolidated the ''Monster Manual'', ''Monster Manual II'' and ''Fiend Folio'' into one volume.<ref>Gygax, Gary. "From the Sorcerer's Scroll: The Future of the Game". ''Dragon Magazine'', #103, November 1985, p.8.</ref> Initially, the 2nd edition was planned to consolidate the game, but more changes were made during development, while still aiming at backwards compatibility with 1st edition.
The release of ''AD&D 2nd Edition'' corresponded with important policy changes at TSR. An effort was made to remove aspects of the game which had attracted negative publicity, most notably the removal of all mention of demons and devils, although these fiendish monsters were renamed tanar'ri and baatezu, respectively. Moving away from the moral ambiguity of the 1st edition ''AD&D'', the TSR staff eliminated character classes and races like the assassin and the half-orc, and stressed heroic roleplaying and player teamwork. The target age of the game was also lowered, with most 2nd edition products being aimed primarily at teenagers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dmsguild.com/product/16868|title=Player's Handbook, Revised (2e)|last=Applecline|first=Shannon|access-date=February 12, 2017}}</ref>
The game was again published as three core rulebooks which incorporated the expansions and revisions which had been published in various supplements over the previous decade. However, the ''Monster Manual'' was replaced by the ''Monstrous Compendium'', a loose-leaf binder in which every monster is given a full page of information. It was the intention that packs of new monsters (often setting-specific) could be purchased and added to the binder without the expense or inconvenience of a separate book, allowing the book to be updated and customized as needed. This format proved highly susceptible to wear and tear, however, and presented difficulties in keeping alphabetic order when pages had been printed with monsters on each side. Subsequently, the loose leaf formatting was abandoned and the ''Compendium'' as a core book was replaced by single-volume hardcover ''Monstrous Manual'' in 1993, collecting popular monsters from the ''Compendium''. The edition also greatly increases the power of dragons, in order to counter the impression of relative weakness of the game's titular monster.
Numerous mechanical changes were made to the game. The combat system was modified. The minimum number required to hit a target uses a mathematical formula in which the defender's armor class (AC) is subtracted from the attacker's THAC0 ("To Hit Armor Class '0{{'"}}) number, a simplification of 1st edition's attack matrix tables that had appeared as an optional rule in the 1st edition ''DMG''. Distances are based on in-game units (feet) rather than miniatures-board ones (inches). Critical hits are offered as optional rules.
Character creation is modified in many ways. Demi-human races are given higher level maximums to increase their long-term playability, though they are still restricted in terms of character class flexibility. Character classes are organized into four groups: warrior (fighter, paladin, ranger), wizard (mage, specialist wizard), priest (cleric, druid), and rogue (thief, bard). Assassins and monks were removed from the game as character classes, "magic-users" are renamed "mages", illusionists are made into a subtype of the wizard class, along with new classes specializing in the other schools of magic. Proficiencies are officially supported in the ''Player's Handbook'' and many supplements, rather than being an optional add-on. Psionics are no longer included in the ''Player's Handbook'', though they later appeared in their own supplement.
Sales of Second Edition's core books were somewhat weaker than First Edition. Combined, the ''Player's Handbook'' and ''Dungeon Master's Guide'' sold over 400,000 copies in the first year of release, a solid hit, but their lifetime sales were not close to matching the huge success of First Edition.<ref name="riggs">{{cite book |last=Riggs |first=Ben |author-link= |date=2022 |title=Slaying the Dragon: A Secret History of Dungeons & Dragons |location= |publisher=St. Martin's Press |pages=96–101 |isbn=9781250278043}}</ref> The reasons why are contested. Michael Witwer, a biographer of Gary Gygax, cited the lack of involvement of Gygax and the changes that attempted to avoid controversy.<ref name="witwer">{{cite book |title=Empire of the Imagination: Gary Gygax and the Birth of Dungeons & Dragons |last=Witwer |first=Michael |date=2015 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=978-1-63286-279-2 |location=New York |page=197}}</ref> Ben Riggs writes that TSR insiders worried that the word "Advanced" in the title was scaring off interested newcomers into thinking the product was not for them, and more generally that players of First Edition could simply continue using their old books. Both Witwer and Riggs cite increasing competition from other role-playing games; First Edition was a trailblazer that had carved out an entirely new space, but many more tabletop role-playing games existed by 1989.<ref name="riggs" /><ref name="witwer" />
In 1995, TSR re-released the core rulebooks for 2nd Edition with new covers, art, and page layouts.<ref name="2.5">{{cite web|url=http://www.dndclassics.com/product/16862/Player%27s-Option---Combat-%26-Tactics-%282e%29?term=players+option&it=1|title=''Player's Option: Combat & Tactics''|last=Appelcline|first=Shannon|website=dndclassics.com|access-date=July 23, 2015}}</ref>
====''Player's Option'' series==== A series of volumes labelled ''Player's Option'', allowing for alternate rules systems and character options, as well as a ''Dungeon Master Option'' for high-level campaigns, were released shortly after the 1995 re-release of the core rulebooks for 2nd Edition. The books consist of: * ''Player's Option: Combat & Tactics'' * ''Player's Option: Skills & Powers'' * ''Player's Option: Spells & Magic'' * ''Dungeon Master Option: High-Level Campaigns''
Some of the optional rules include the introduction of a point-based system, allowing players to select from a list of abilities within character classes and create more individualized characters, and a more tactical combat system that includes elements such as attacks of opportunity.
===''Dungeons & Dragons'' 3rd edition=== {{Sidebar | outertitle = 3rd Edition core publications | heading1 = 3rd Edition | content1 = ''Player's Handbook'' (2000)<br/>''Dungeon Master's Guide'' (2000)<br/>''Monster Manual'' (2000) | heading2 = Version 3.5 | content2 = ''Player's Handbook'' (2003)<br/>''Dungeon Master's Guide'' (2003)<br/>''Monster Manual'' (2003) }} A major revision of the ''AD&D'' rules was released in 2000, the first edition published entirely by Wizards of the Coast.<ref name="Gygax-GygaxFAQ">{{cite web | url=http://www.gygax.com/gygaxfaq.html#What%20Happened%20to%20Gygax%20-%20TSR?| title=What Happened to Gygax - TSR? | publisher=gygax.com | access-date=July 4, 2006| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990128161605/http://www.gygax.com/gygaxfaq.html#What%20Happened%20to%20Gygax%20-%20TSR? | archive-date=January 28, 1999}}</ref> As the ''Basic'' game had been discontinued some years earlier, and the more straightforward title was more marketable, the word "advanced" was dropped and the new edition was named just ''Dungeons & Dragons'', but still officially referred to as 3rd edition (or ''3E'' for short). It also served as the basis of a broader role-playing system designed around 20-sided dice, called the d20 System.<ref name="concept_faq">{{Cite web |title=The d20 System Concept:Frequently Asked Questions |url=http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=d20/srdfaq/20040123a |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040307090553/http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=d20/srdfaq/20040123a |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 7, 2004 |access-date=26 January 2018 |website=Wizards.com}}</ref> Monte Cook, Jonathan Tweet, and Skip Williams all contributed to the 3rd edition ''Player's Handbook'', ''Dungeon Master's Guide'', and ''Monster Manual'', and then each designer wrote one of the books based on those contributions.<ref name="Dragon #275">{{cite journal| title = Profiles: Monte Cook| journal = Dragon| issue = #275| pages = 10, 12, 14| publisher = Wizards of the Coast| location = Renton, Washington|date=September 2000}}</ref> In a retrospective on the legacy of ''Dungeons & Dragons'', academic Evan Torner commented that the aim of the designers was to "simplify and declutter the whole system" – "''D&D'' 3e and 3.5e bear the influence of Eurogame-style elegant design: that the terminology and choices in the game should be immediately intelligible to all who might play it. Players understanding the game itself got more agency over their PCs' fate".<ref name="50 Years - Combat chapter">{{Cite book |last=Torner |first=Evan |title=Fifty Years of Dungeons & Dragons |publisher=MIT Press |year=2024 |isbn=9780262547604 |publication-date=May 16, 2024 |chapter=Combat In Dungeons & Dragons |chapter-url=https://www.rascal.news/combat-dnd-fifty-years-dungeons-dragons-evan-torner-excerpt-mit-press/}}</ref>
The d20 System uses a more unified mechanic than earlier editions, resolving nearly all actions with a d20 die roll plus appropriate modifiers. Modifiers based on ability scores follow a standardized formula. Saving throws are reduced from five categories based on forms of attack to three based on type of defense. Skills and the new system of feats are introduced replacing non-weapon proficiencies, to allow players to further customize their characters. The combat system is greatly expanded, adopting into the core system most of the optional movement and combat system of the 2nd edition ''Players Option: Combat and Tactics'' book. Third edition combat allows for a grid system, encouraging highly tactical gameplay and facilitating the use of miniatures. 3rd edition removes previous editions' restrictions on class and race combinations that were intended to track the preferences of the race, and on the level advancement of non-human characters.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
New character options include the new sorcerer class, the thief is renamed rogue (a term that 2nd edition uses to classify both the thief and bard classes), and the prestige classes are introduced, which characters can only enter at higher character levels and if they meet certain character-design prerequisites or fulfill certain in-game goals. Later products include additional and supplementary rules subsystems such as "epic-level" options for characters above 20th level, as well as a heavily revised treatment of psionics.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
The d20 System is presented under the Open Game License, which makes it an open source system for which authors can write new games and game supplements without the need to develop a unique rules system and, more importantly, without the need for direct approval from Wizards of the Coast. This makes it easier to market D&D-compatible content under a broadly recognizable commercial license.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
The third edition introduced '''iconic characters''', a group of recurring characters exemplifying the different classes, used in illustrations and text explanations. They appear in a variety of ''Dungeons & Dragons'' game manuals and tie-in novels.<ref name="aa"/>{{rp|299}}
====''Dungeons & Dragons'' v3.5==== In July 2003, a revised version of the 3rd edition ''D&D'' rules (termed ''v. 3.5'') was released that incorporated numerous small rule changes, as well as expanding the ''Dungeon Master's Guide'' and ''Monster Manual''. This revision was intentionally a small one focusing on addressing common complaints about certain aspects of gameplay, hence the "half edition" version number. The basic rules are fundamentally the same, only differing in balancing. Many monsters and items are compatible (or even unchanged) between those editions. New spells are added, and numerous changes are made to existing spells, while some spells are removed from the updated ''Player's Handbook''.<ref name="update">{{cite web |url=http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/20030718a |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030811174402/http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/20030718a |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 11, 2003 |title=D&D v3.5 Accessory Update Booklet |work=wizards.com |access-date=February 10, 2013}}</ref> New feats are added and numerous changes are made to existing feats, while several skills are renamed or merged with other skills.
Jackson Haime, for ''Screen Rant'', highlighted that "Wizards of the Coast printed 12 different core ''D&D'' rulebooks between 2000 and 2007. At the same time, they published over 50 supplements that added additional rules, features, races, and magic items to the game".<ref name="Screen Rant-2020">{{Cite web|last=Haime|first=Jackson|date=September 15, 2020|title=Will Dungeons & Dragons Get A 6th Edition?|url=https://screenrant.com/dungeons-dragons-6th-edition-dnd-when-coming-update/|access-date=January 8, 2021|website=Screen Rant|language=en-US}}</ref>
===''Dungeons & Dragons'' 4th edition=== {{Sidebar | outertitle = 4th Edition core publications | heading1 = Initial release | content1 = ''Player's Handbook'' (2008)<br/>''Dungeon Master's Guide'' (2008)<br/>''Monster Manual'' (2008) | heading2 = Expanded core rules | content2 = ''Player's Handbook 2'' (2009)<br/>''Dungeon Master's Guide 2'' (2009)<br/>''Monster Manual 2'' (2009)<br/>''Player's Handbook 3'' (2010)<br/>''Monster Manual 3'' (2010) | heading3 = Essentials version | content3 = ''Rules Compendium'' (2010)<br/>''Heroes of the Fallen Lands'' (2010)<br/>''Heroes of the Forgotten Kingdoms'' (2010)<br/>''Dungeon Master's Kit'' (2010)<br/>''Monster Vault'' (2010) }} On August 15, 2007, Wizards of the Coast announced the development of ''D&D'' 4th edition. In December 2007, the book ''Wizards Presents: Races and Classes'', the first preview of 4th Edition, was released. This was followed by a second book in January 2008 named ''Wizards Presents: Worlds and Monsters''. The ''Player's Handbook'', ''Monster Manual'', and ''Dungeon Master's Guide'' were released in June 2008.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
Slashdot reported anger from some players and retailers due to the financial investment in v3.5 and the relatively brief period of time that it had been in publication.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://games.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/08/22/1847207| title=Gen Con 2007 In A Nutshell| author=Zonk | date=August 22, 2007| access-date=August 23, 2007| publisher=Slashdot.org}}</ref> Although many players chose to continue playing older editions, or other games such as ''Pathfinder'' by Paizo Publishing (itself based on ''D&D'' v3.5 via the Open Game License),<ref name="wired1">{{cite web|last=Harnish|first=MJ|title=5th Edition D&D Is in Development — Should We Care?|url=https://www.wired.com/geekdad/2012/01/5th-edition-dungeons-and-dragons/|work=Wired.com|publisher=Conde Nast|access-date=October 1, 2013|date=January 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303225739/http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2012/01/5th-edition-dungeons-and-dragons/|archive-date=March 3, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/features/9293-The-State-of-D-D-Present.2|title=The State of D&D: Present|work=The Escapist|access-date=November 14, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=November 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114182228/https://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/features/9293-The-State-of-D-D-Present.2|url-status=dead}}</ref> the initial print run of the 4th edition sold out during preorders, and Wizards of the Coast announced a second print run prior to the game's official release.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/12654.html |title=D&D 4E Back to Press |work=ICv2.com |date= May 30, 2008 |access-date=February 10, 2013}}</ref>
Unlike previous editions with just three core rulebooks, 4th edition core rules include multiple volumes of the ''Player's Handbook'', ''Dungeon Master's Guide'', and ''Monster Manual'' that were released yearly, with each new book becoming a part of the core.<ref>{{cite AV media |people=Dave Noonan, Mike Mearls, and James Wyatt |date=October 5, 2007|title=Episode 16: Monsters, Monsters, Monsters!|quote="So, one of the things that I thought a lot about when I was first putting together the outline for this book... this is not the core ''Monster Manual''.... So, there are some monsters that I very intentionally left out of this book so that when they appear in ''Monster Manual II'', that will help communicate, "Hey, look, this is a core ''Monster Manual''." You don't have frost giants if you don't have ''Monster Manual N''". |url=http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/4pod/20071005e16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013074510/http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/4pod/20071005e16 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 13, 2007 |format= podcast|time= 1:57|publisher=Wizards of the Coast}}</ref> In the first ''Player's Handbook'', the warlock and warlord are included, while the barbarian, bard, druid, sorcerer and monk are not present. Of those classes, the first four were included in ''Player's Handbook 2'', while the monk class appears in ''Player's Handbook 3''. The system of prestige classes is replaced by a system in which characters at 11th level choose a "paragon path", a specialty based on their class, which defines some of their new powers through 20th level; at level 21, an "epic destiny" is chosen in a similar manner. Core rules extend to level 30 rather than level 20, bringing "epic level" play back into the core rules.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
Mechanically, 4th edition saw a major overhaul of the game's systems. Changes in spells and other per-encounter resourcing, giving all classes a similar number of at-will, per-encounter and per-day ''powers''. Powers have a wide range of effects including inflicting status effects, creating zones, and forced movement, making combat very tactical for all classes but essentially requiring use of miniatures, reinforced by the use of squares to express distances. Attack rolls, skill checks and defense values all get a bonus equal to one-half level, rounded down, rather than increasing at different rates depending on class or skill point investment. Each skill is either trained (providing a fixed bonus on skill checks, and sometimes allowing more exotic uses for the skills) or untrained, but in either case all characters also receive a bonus to all skill rolls based on level. A system of "healing surges" and short and long rests are introduced to act as resource management.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
In 2012, MJ Harnish of ''Wired'' commented that it was unclear what the "lasting legacy" of 4th Edition would be – "on the positive side, it introduced a new way to play the game, adding streamlined play, improved ease of dungeon master preparation, and character classes that were complementary and balanced. [...] On the other hand, the introduction of 4E caused a major schism in the D&D player base and publishing world alike, one that ultimately lead to the rise of the Pathfinder RPG and a fragmentation of D&D's player base".<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Harnish |first=M. J. |date=January 9, 2012 |title=5th Edition D&D Is in Development -- Should We Care? |url=https://www.wired.com/2012/01/5th-edition-dungeons-and-dragons/ |access-date=2024-05-24 |magazine=Wired |language=en-US |issn=1059-1028}}</ref> In 2024, Torner highlighted that this edition focused on mechanical balance and "was a purely combat-based miniatures game that afforded each character comparable advantages on the battlefield. This meant a standardization of various components of character building. [...] Fourth edition improved ''D&D'' as a tactical combat game by providing PCs clear options in every fight, and a range of options beyond standard sword swinging for" multiple combat rounds.<ref name="50 Years - Combat chapter" /> However, Torner viewed the edition as unsuccessful "despite its emphasis on game balance".<ref name="50 Years - Combat chapter" />
====''Dungeons & Dragons Essentials''==== This product line debuted in September 2010 and consists of ten products intended to lower the barrier of entry into the game. ''Essentials'' uses the ''D&D'' 4th edition rule set and provides simple player character options intended for first-time players.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://critical-hits.com/2010/01/29/dd-xp-2010-dungeons-dragons-essentials/ |title=D&D XP 2010: Dungeons & Dragons Essentials — Critical Hits |publisher=Critical-hits.com |date=January 29, 2010|access-date=September 29, 2013}}</ref> Many of the new player character options emulate features from previous editions, such as schools of magic for the wizard class, to appeal to older players who had not adopted the 4th edition rules.<ref>{{cite web|title=Complete Mike Mearls D&D 4th Edition Essentials Interview |url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/columns/writersroom/8115-Complete-Mike-Mearls-D-D-4th-Edition-Essentials-Interview |author= ''The Escapist'' staff|date=September 16, 2010 |publisher=Escapistmagazine.com|access-date=September 29, 2013}}</ref> "The goal of Essentials was to provide a new core of rule books that were simplified, updated, and errataed, so that they'd be easier to use".<ref name="Appelcline-4e Monster Vault">{{Cite web|last=Appelcline|first=Shannon|date=|title=Dungeons & Dragons Essentials: Monster Vault (4e) {{!}} Product History|url=https://www.dmsguild.com/product/158946/Dungeons--Dragons-Essentials-Monster-Vault-4e|access-date=January 8, 2021|website=Dungeon Masters Guild|language=en}}</ref>
The ''Essentials'' line contains revisions to the rule set compiled over the prior two years, in the form of the ''Rules Compendium'', which condenses rules and errata into one volume, while also updating the rules with newly introduced changes.<ref>{{cite web|last=Radney |first=Stephen |url=http://www.wizards.com/dnd/Article.aspx?x=dnd/dusg/2010September |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100926064801/http://www.wizards.com/dnd/article.aspx?x=dnd/dusg/2010September |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 26, 2010 |title=Dungeons & Dragons Roleplaying Game Official Home Page - Article (Essentials Survival Guide) |publisher=Wizards.com |date=September 24, 2010|access-date=September 29, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Mearls |first=Mike |url=http://www.wizards.com/dnd/Article.aspx?x=dnd/drfe/20100809 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100824061008/http://wizards.com/dnd/article.aspx?x=dnd/drfe/20100809 |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 24, 2010 |title=Dungeons & Dragons Roleplaying Game Official Home Page - Article (Powers, Implements, Feats ...) |publisher=Wizards.com|access-date=September 29, 2013}}</ref> The player books ''Heroes of the Fallen Lands'' and ''Heroes of the Forgotten Kingdoms'' contain rules for creating characters, as well as new builds for each class described in the books.<ref>{{cite web|last=Slavicsek |first=Bill |url=http://www.wizards.com/dnd/Article.aspx?x=dnd/dramp/20100806 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100811030918/http://www.wizards.com/DnD/Article.aspx?x=dnd/dramp/20100806 |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 11, 2010 |title=Dungeons & Dragons Roleplaying Game Official Home Page - Article (Fighter Preview, Part 2) |publisher=Wizards.com |access-date=September 29, 2013}}</ref> Other ''Essentials'' releases include a ''Dungeon Master's Kit'' and ''Monster Vault'', each also containing accessories.<ref name="Appelcline-4e Monster Vault" />
Shannon Appelcline, author of ''Designers & Dragons'', highlighted that the ''Essentials'' line was "primarily the brain child of Mike Mearls". Appelcline wrote, "though the first goal with the release of D&D 4e had been to draw in established players, Wizards now wanted to bring in new players as well. [...] Essentials was more than just a chance to approach a new audience. It was also a revamp of the 4e game. Mearls was insistent that Essentials would not be a new edition, and so should remain entirely compatible with 4e to date. However, 4e had been heavily errataed in the two years since its release [...]. Essentials provided an opportunity to incorporate those changes and errata back into a set of core rulebooks".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Appelcline|first=Shannon|date=|title=Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set (4e) {{!}} Product History|url=https://www.dmsguild.com/product/157081/Dungeons--Dragons-Starter-Set-4e|access-date=January 8, 2021|website=Dungeon Masters Guild|language=en}}</ref>
===''Dungeons & Dragons'' 5th edition=== {{Sidebar | outertitle = 5th Edition core publications | heading1 = 2014 version | content1 = ''Player's Handbook'' (2014)<br/>''Dungeon Master's Guide'' (2014)<br/>''Monster Manual'' (2014) | heading2 = 2024 version | content2 = ''Revised Player's Handbook'' (2024)<ref name="PC Gamer on 5E Revised Schedule"/><br/>''Revised Dungeon Master's Guide'' (2024)<ref name="PC Gamer on 5E Revised Schedule"/><br/>''Revised Monster Manual'' (2025)<ref name="PC Gamer on 5E Revised Schedule"/> }} In January 2012, Wizards of the Coast announced that a new edition of the game, at the time referred to as ''D&D Next'', was under development.<ref name="wired1"/> In direct contrast to the previous editions of the game, ''D&D Next'' was developed partly via a public open playtest.<ref name="NYT remake">{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/10/arts/video-games/dungeons-dragons-remake-uses-players-input.html | title=Players Roll the Dice for Dungeons & Dragons Remake | work=The New York Times | author=Gilsdorf, Ethan | page=2 | date=January 9, 2012 | access-date=January 9, 2012}}</ref> An early build of the new edition debuted at the 2012 ''Dungeons & Dragons Experience'' event to about 500 fans.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ohannessian|first=Kevin|title="Dungeons & Dragons Next" Creators Look To Simplicity, Open Development To Regain Lost Gamers|url=http://www.fastcocreate.com/1679620/dungeons-dragons-next-creators-look-to-simplicity-open-development-to-regain-lost-gamers|access-date=August 30, 2013|newspaper=Co.Create|date=February 3, 2012}}</ref> Public playtesting began on May 24, 2012,<ref name="Next playtest starts">{{cite web |author=Mike Mearls |url=http://www.wizards.com/DnD/Article.aspx?x=dnd/4news/20120425a |title=Dungeons & Dragons Roleplaying Game Official Home Page - Article (News on D&D Next) |publisher=Wizards.com |date=April 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140720201719/http://www.wizards.com/DnD/Article.aspx?x=dnd%2F4news%2F20120425a |archive-date=July 20, 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> with the final playtest packet released on September 20, 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wizards.com/DnD/Article.aspx?x=dnd/4news/20130920 |title=Final Playtest Packet |publisher=Wizards.com |date=September 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140721200345/http://www.wizards.com/DnD/Article.aspx?x=dnd%2F4news%2F20130920 |archive-date=July 21, 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
The 5th edition's ''Basic Rules'', a free PDF containing complete rules for play and a subset of the player and DM content from the core rulebooks, was released on July 3, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dnd.wizards.com/articles/features/basicrules?x=dnd/basicrules |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140731124943/http://dnd.wizards.com/articles/features/basicrules?x=dnd/basicrules |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 31, 2014 |title=5E Basic Rules |publisher=Wizards.com |date=July 3, 2014|access-date=August 20, 2014}}</ref> The ''Starter Set'' was released on July 15, featuring a set of pre-generated characters, a set of instructions for basic play, and the adventure module ''Lost Mine of Phandelver''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dnd.wizards.com/products/tabletop-games/rpg-products/rpg_starterset?x=dnd/products/dndacc/starterset |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821025152/http://dnd.wizards.com/products/tabletop-games/rpg-products/rpg_starterset?x=dnd/products/dndacc/starterset |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 21, 2014 |title=5E starter Set |publisher=Wizards.com |access-date=August 20, 2013}}</ref> The ''Player's Handbook'' was released on August 19, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mearls |first=Mike |url=http://dnd.wizards.com/products/tabletop-games/rpg-products/rpg_playershandbook |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140801095034/http://dnd.wizards.com/products/tabletop-games/rpg-products/rpg_playershandbook |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 1, 2014 |title=Player's Handbook |publisher=Dnd.wizards.com |access-date=August 8, 2015}}</ref> The fifth edition ''Monster Manual'' was released on September 30, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dnd.wizards.com/products/tabletop-games/rpg-products/monster-manual|title=Monster Manual|publisher=wizards.com|access-date=August 20, 2014|archive-date=August 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140823104902/http://dnd.wizards.com/products/tabletop-games/rpg-products/monster-manual|url-status=dead}}</ref> The ''Dungeon Master's Guide'' was released on December 9, 2014.<ref>{{cite web |last=Mearls |first=Mike |url=http://dnd.wizards.com/products/tabletop-games/rpg-products/dungeon-masters-guide |title=Dungeon Master's Guide |publisher=Dnd.wizards.com |access-date=November 13, 2015 |archive-date=August 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821142010/http://dnd.wizards.com/products/tabletop-games/rpg-products/dungeon-masters-guide |url-status=dead }}</ref> In January 2016, Wizards released a system reference document for 5th Edition under the Open Game License.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lemon |first=Marshall |date=January 12, 2016 |title=Wizards of the Coast Puts Out New Dungeons and Dragons Open License With Forgotten Realms Content {{!}} The Escapist |url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/165838-Wizards-of-the-Coast-Puts-Out-New-Dungeons-and-Dragons-Open-License-With-Forgotten-Realms-Content |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160211035705/https://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/165838-Wizards-of-the-Coast-Puts-Out-New-Dungeons-and-Dragons-Open-License-With-Forgotten-Realms-Content |archive-date=February 11, 2016 |access-date=2019-11-23 |website=Escapist Magazine |language=en}}</ref> This document was later revised and rereleased as System Reference Document 5.1 (SRD 5.1) in May 2016;<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 5, 2016 |title=Systems Reference Document |url=https://dnd.wizards.com/articles/features/systems-reference-document-srd |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160523081141/https://dnd.wizards.com/articles/features/systems-reference-document-srd |archive-date=May 23, 2016 |access-date=January 28, 2023 |website=Dungeons & Dragons |publisher=Wizards of the Coast}}</ref> in January 2023, SRD 5.1 was released under an irrevocable Creative Commons license (CC-BY-4.0).<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 27, 2023 |title=Dungeons & Dragons Will Not De-Authorize Current OGL, Releases Full SRD Under Creative Commons License |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/dungeons-dragons-ogl-not-deauthorized/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127212444/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/dungeons-dragons-ogl-not-deauthorized/ |archive-date=January 27, 2023 |access-date=January 27, 2023 |website=ComicBook.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=January 27, 2023 |title=Dungeons & Dragons Scraps Plans to Update Its Open Game License |url=https://gizmodo.com/dungeons-dragons-will-no-longer-deauthorize-its-open-1850041837 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127202427/https://gizmodo.com/dungeons-dragons-will-no-longer-deauthorize-its-open-1850041837 |archive-date=January 27, 2023 |access-date=January 27, 2023 |website=Gizmodo |language=en}}</ref>
The edition returns to having only three core rule books, with the ''Player's Handbook'' containing most major races and classes. Since 2014, there have been over twenty 5th edition ''Dungeon & Dragons'' books published including new rulebooks, campaign guides and adventure modules.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Books {{!}} Wizards of the Coast|url=https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/imprints/WC/wizards-coast/books|access-date=July 8, 2019|website=Penguin Random House Canada|language=English}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Kunzelman|first=Cameron|date=July 3, 2019|title=Dungeons & Dragons Expands Its Line with Three New Releases|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2019/07/dungeons-and-dragons-next.html|access-date=July 8, 2019|website=Paste Magazine|language=en}}</ref> In January 2022, the ''Expansion Gift Set'' was released which includes reissued versions of ''Xanathar's Guide to Everything'' (2017) and ''Tasha's Cauldron of Everything'' (2020),<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sheehan|first=Gavin|date=September 27, 2021|title=Dungeons & Dragons Announces Rules Expansion Gift Set|url=https://bleedingcool.com/games/dungeons-dragons-announces-rules-expansion-gift-set/|access-date=October 4, 2021|website=Bleeding Cool News And Rumors|language=en}}</ref> "the two most significant expansions for ''Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition''" along with a new sourcebook, ''Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse'' (2022).<ref name="CBR-2021">{{Cite web|date=September 27, 2021|title=Dungeons & Dragons Announces Rules Expansion Gift Set, Monsters of the Multiverse Reference Book|url=https://www.cbr.com/dungeons-dragons-announces-rules-expansion-gift-set-monsters-of-the-multiverse-reference-book/|access-date=October 4, 2021|website=CBR|language=en-US}}</ref> This sourcebook updates<ref name="Polygon-2022" /><ref>{{Cite web|date=January 18, 2022|title=A Deep Dive into Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse and D&D 5e Gift Set|url=https://techraptor.net/gaming/news/deep-dive-into-mordenkainen-presents-multiverse-of-monsters-and-dd-5e-gift-set|access-date=February 1, 2022|website=TechRaptor|language=en}}</ref> "over 250 monster stat blocks alongside 30 playable races pulled from a variety of sources" such as ''Volo's Guide to Monsters'' (2016) and ''Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes'' (2018).<ref name="CBR-2021" /> Jackson Haime, for ''Screen Rant'' in 2020, compared the large number of rulebooks released for the 3rd/3.5 editions (12 different core rulebooks and over 50 supplements published in seven years) to the number for 5th edition and wrote, "''Dungeons and Dragons'' 5th edition has been released for almost as long as 3 and 3.5 now, and only has 3 core rulebooks and 4 supplemental books in the style of 3.5". This edition also has "setting guides that add some setting-specific rules as opposed to complete supplements that are intended for inclusion with any ''Dungeons and Dragons'' game".<ref name="Screen Rant-2020" />
Mechanically, 5th edition draws heavily on prior editions, while introducing some new mechanics intended to simplify and streamline play. Skills, weapons, items, saving throws, and other things that characters are trained in now all use a single proficiency bonus that increases as character level increases. Multiple defense values have been removed, returning to a single defense value of armor class and using more traditional saving throws. Saving throws are reworked to be situational checks based on the six core abilities instead of generic d20 rolls. Feats are now optional features that can be taken instead of ability score increases and are reworked to be occasional major upgrades instead of frequent minor upgrades. The "advantage/disadvantage" mechanic was introduced, streamlining conditional and situational modifiers to a simpler mechanic: rolling two d20s for a situation and taking the higher of the two for "advantage" and the lower of the two for "disadvantage" and canceling each other out when more than one apply. The power system of 4th edition was replaced with more traditional class features that are gained as characters level.<ref>{{Cite web|last=McElroy|first=Griffin|date=July 9, 2014|title=Here's how Dungeons & Dragons is changing for its new edition|url=https://www.polygon.com/2014/7/9/5882143/roll-for-initiative-understanding-the-next-edition-of-dungeons-dragons|access-date=October 4, 2021|website=Polygon|language=en-US}}</ref> Clerics, druids, paladins, and wizards prepare known spells using a slightly modified version of the spell preparation system of previous editions. Healing Surges are replaced by Hit Dice, requiring a character to roll a hit die during a short rest instead of healing a flat rate of hit points.
==== ''One D&D'' playtest {{anchor|One D&D}} ==== {{See also|Unearthed Arcana#One D&D}}
In September 2021, it was announced that a backward compatible "evolution" of 5th edition would be released in 2024 to mark the 50th anniversary of the game.<ref name="ComicBook.com Article 2021">{{Cite web|date=September 26, 2021|title=Dungeons & Dragons Announces Next "Evolution" of Game Coming in 2024|url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/dungeons-dragons-2024-sixth-edition-fifth-edition/|access-date=September 27, 2021|website=ComicBook.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=September 27, 2021|title=D&D 5th Edition Rules Being Upgraded For 50th Anniversary|url=https://screenrant.com/dungeons-dragons-5e-core-change-update-celebration/|access-date=September 27, 2021|website=Screen Rant|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Polygon-2022">{{Cite web|last=Hall|first=Charlie|date=January 18, 2022|title=The next version of D&D is coming, and Monsters of the Multiverse is your first taste|url=https://www.polygon.com/22883750/dnd-monsters-of-the-multiverse-6e|access-date=January 18, 2022|website=Polygon|language=en-US}}</ref> In August 2022, Wizards announced that the next phase of major changes for ''Dungeons & Dragons'' would occur under the ''One D&D'' initiative which included a public playtest of the next version of ''Dungeons & Dragons''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parlock |first=Joe |date=August 18, 2022 |title=Dungeons & Dragons Moves Beyond Editions With One D&D |url=https://www.thegamer.com/dungeons-dragons-moves-beyond-editions-with-one-dnd/ |access-date=August 18, 2022 |website=TheGamer |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Dot Esports-2022">{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Xavier |date=August 18, 2022 |title=Dungeons and Dragons brings huge changes to fifth edition rules under One D&D initiative |url=https://dotesports.com/general/news/dungeons-and-dragons-brings-huge-changes-to-fifth-edition-rules |access-date=August 18, 2022 |website=Dot Esports |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=August 18, 2022 |title=Dungeons & Dragons: One D&D Reveal Trailer |url=https://www.ign.com/videos/one-dnd-trailer-video-reveal-dungeons-and-dragons |access-date=August 18, 2022 |website=IGN}}</ref><ref name="Inverse-2022">{{Cite web |last=Plante |first=Corey |date=August 18, 2022 |title=One D&D is so much more than Dungeons & Dragons 6th Edition |url=https://www.inverse.com/gaming/one-dnd-dungeons-dragons-digital-play-experience-rules-updates |access-date=August 18, 2022 |website=Inverse |language=en}}</ref> The first public playtest was released on D&D Beyond on August 18, 2022.<ref name="Dot Esports-2022" /><ref name="Inverse-2022" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hoffer |first=Christian |date=August 18, 2022 |title=Dungeons & Dragons Releases First Playtest for Revised Rules |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/dungeons-dragons-new-edition-playtest-fifth-edition/ |access-date=August 18, 2022 |website=ComicBook.com |language=en}}</ref> Samantha Nelson, for ''Polygon'', commented that public playtest material should not be "considered final".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nelson |first=Samantha |date=August 18, 2022 |title=One D&D includes a new virtual tabletop and digital book bundles |url=https://www.polygon.com/23311619/one-dnd-virtual-tabletop-download-playtest |access-date=August 18, 2022 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}</ref> In October 2022, ''Dicebreaker'' reported that Wizards of the Coast president Cynthia Williams<ref>{{cite web |last=Ratner |first=Carrie |date=February 2, 2022 |title=Hasbro Appoints New Leadership for Wizards of the Coast |url=https://hasbro.gcs-web.com/news-releases/news-release-details/hasbro-appoints-new-leadership-wizards-coast |access-date=November 18, 2022 |website=Hasbro}}</ref> announced "that ''One D&D''<nowiki/>'s playtest had seen more sign-ups since it launched on August 18 than D&D 5E's playtest saw during its entire two-year pre-release phase ahead of the game's release in 2014".<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 4, 2022 |title=One D&D's playtest is already bigger than D&D 5E's |url=https://www.dicebreaker.com/series/dungeons-and-dragons/news/one-dnd-playtest-bigger-dnd-5e |access-date=October 4, 2022 |website=Dicebreaker |language=en}}</ref>
During the April 2023 D&D Creator Summit, the lead rules designer clarified that "''One D&D'' is not supposed to be a new edition or a new 'half edition' similar to the game's '3.5 edition'. Instead, ''One D&D'' are revisions to the existing 5th Edition rules while keeping the bulks of those rules intact".<ref name="ComicBook.com-2023a">{{Cite web |date=April 4, 2023 |title=Dungeons & Dragons Explains Exactly What One D&D Is, Defines Backwards Compatibility |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/dungeons-dragons-one-dnd-backwards-compatibility-creator-summit/ |access-date=April 4, 2023 |website=ComicBook.com |language=en}}</ref> Christian Hoffer, for ''ComicBook.com'', wrote that the "backwards compatible" ruleset will include updated core rulebooks with "guidance on how rules from previous books line up with the new rules" and that older adventure modules will be compatible with the revised character creation rules.<ref name="ComicBook.com-2023a" /> A compiled sourcebook pulling together rules and other information from ''Xanathar's Guide to Everything'' and ''Tasha's Cauldron of Everything'' is also in development; this sourcebook will be in a similar style to ''Monsters of the Multiverse''.<ref name="ComicBook.com-2023a" /> In May 2023, Wizards stated that ''One D&D'' was not the name used by the design team for the 2024 revision of 5th Edition,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Charlie |date=2023-05-23 |title=D&D has a messaging problem that goes beyond the OGL controversy |url=https://www.polygon.com/23728470/dnd-dungeons-dragons-6e-5e-changes |access-date=2023-08-17 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}</ref> and began to move away from the ''One D&D'' branding.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-05 |title=Dungeons and Dragons is Giving Up the One D&D Name |url=https://gamerant.com/dungeons-dragons-one-dnd-over-revision/ |access-date=2023-08-17 |website=Game Rant |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Chase |date=2023-05-25 |title=Dungeons & Dragons tosses out One D&D label but struggles to define next chapter. |url=https://www.dicebreaker.com/categories/roleplaying-game/news/dungeons-and-dragons-dont-say-one-dnd |access-date=2023-08-17 |website=Dicebreaker |language=en}}</ref>
==== 2024 revision of 5th Edition {{anchor|D&D 5.5e}} ==== Revised editions of the ''Player's Handbook'', ''Monster Manual'', and ''Dungeon Master's Guide'' were scheduled to have a staggered release between September 2024 and February 2025.<ref name="PC Gamer on 5E Revised Schedule">{{Cite news |last=Randall |first=Harvey |date=February 12, 2024 |title=D&D reveals September 2024 release date for the start of its big rules revamp, sheds light on two multiverse-hopping campaigns, and promises the launch of its shiny virtual tabletop |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/dandd-reveals-september-2024-release-date-for-the-start-of-its-big-rules-revamp-sheds-light-on-two-multiverse-hopping-campaigns-and-promises-the-launch-of-its-shiny-virtual-tabletop/ |access-date=February 12, 2024 |work=PC Gamer |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Charlie |date=February 12, 2024 |title=D&D's 2024 revision of won't be finished until 2025 |url=https://www.polygon.com/24067481/dnd-dungeons-dragons-onednd-delay-2024-rules-refresh-players-handbook-dmg-release-date-price |access-date=February 12, 2024 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}</ref> Jody Macgregor of ''PC Gamer'' reported that new ''Player's Handbook'' has "48 subclasses, with four for each of the 12 classes" and that each subclass and character background received an illustration.<ref name="PC Gamer on PAX Unplugged 2023">{{Cite news |last=Macgregor |first=Jody |date=December 9, 2023 |title=D&D's Revised Player's Handbook 'will be the biggest Player's Handbook that D&D has ever had', and like all the Revised core books will be compatible with the current edition |language=en |work=PC Gamer |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/dandds-revised-players-handbook-will-be-the-biggest-players-handbook-that-dandd-has-ever-had-and-like-all-the-revised-core-books-will-be-compatible-with-the-current-edition/ |access-date=December 10, 2023}}</ref> In an August 2023 interview with ''ComicBook.com'', lead rules designer Jeremy Crawford "pushed back on the idea that the 2024 Rules Revisions were just glorified errata, because of the amount of new content that will be appearing in the 2024 rules revisions".<ref name="ComicBook.com-2023b">{{Cite web |last=Hoffer |first=Christian |date=August 17, 2023 |title=Dungeons & Dragons' Designer Explains How Playtests Have Moved From Experimental to Focused |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/dungeons-dragons-playtests-process-jeremy-crawford/ |access-date=August 17, 2023 |website=ComicBook.com |language=en}}</ref> Crawford stated that, "I think what people are going to experience when they get the new Core Rulebooks...it's definitely the game we've all been playing, but enhancements everywhere".<ref name="ComicBook.com-2023b" /> In August 2024, Lin Codega of ''Rascal'' explained that "Wizards of the Coast has been trying to avoid at all costs" an edition war by attempting to maintain the game as 5th Edition with marketing that focuses on how the changes will be a backwards compatible update and not a new edition of ''Dungeons & Dragons''.<ref name="Codega on D&D Beyond edition war">{{Cite web |last=Codega |first=Lin |date=August 26, 2024 |title=Edition Wars have made a battleground of D&D Beyond |url=https://www.rascal.news/edition-wars-have-made-a-battleground-of-dndbeyond-dungeons-dragons-fifth-edition/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=August 26, 2024 |website=Rascal News |language=en}}</ref> Codega commented that there's still the question on if "this is a new edition or it is errata. The books say it's the former; the digital tools [on D&D Beyond] say the latter" and opined "that ''even if'' the 2024 updates are minor, they are still updates. [...] Either they functionally matter (which would support the production and need for a new edition) or they functionally don’t (which means that there is no need for them to change at all)".<ref name="Codega on D&D Beyond edition war" />
In March 2026, D&D Beyond began to refer to 2024 revision content as 5.5e to reflect the nomenclature of the fan community.<ref name="D&D Beyond 5.5e FAQ">''D&D Beyond'' Support FAQ: *{{Cite web |date=March 2, 2026|title=Why is D&D Beyond making this change now?|url=https://dndbeyond-support.wizards.com/hc/en-us/articles/46714474300692-Why-is-D-D-Beyond-making-this-change-now|url-status=live|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/cKQl3|archive-date=March 3, 2026|access-date=March 3, 2026|website=D&D Beyond|language=en-US}} *{{Cite web |date=March 2, 2026|title=Did Wizards previously say the 2024 rules wouldn't be called 5.5e?|url=https://dndbeyond-support.wizards.com/hc/en-us/articles/46714579089428-Did-Wizards-previously-say-the-2024-rules-wouldn-t-be-called-5-5e|url-status=live|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/MXXAk|archive-date=March 3, 2026|access-date=March 3, 2026|website=D&D Beyond|language=en-US}} *{{Cite web |date=March 2, 2026|title=What does "5.5e" mean on D&D Beyond?|url=https://dndbeyond-support.wizards.com/hc/en-us/articles/46714510661780-What-does-5-5e-mean-on-D-D-Beyond|url-status=live|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/NaIxA|archive-date=March 3, 2026|access-date=March 3, 2026|website=D&D Beyond|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Wargamer-2026">{{Cite web |last=Russell |first=Mollie |date=2026-03-03 |title=Wizards finally calls it D&D 5.5e, ending five years of bizarre branding |url=https://www.wargamer.com/dnd/5-5e |access-date=2026-03-03 |website=Wargamer |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Randall |first=Harvey |date=March 4, 2026 |title=D&D's clunkily-named 2024 ruleset, a revamp of 5e, finally throws up its hands and goes fine, we'll call it 5.5e on D&D Beyond, you win |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/d-and-ds-clunkily-named-2024-ruleset-a-revamp-of-5e-finally-throws-up-its-hands-and-goes-fine-well-call-it-5-5e-on-d-and-d-beyond-you-win/ |access-date=March 4, 2026 |work=PC Gamer |language=en}}</ref> Mollie Russell of ''Wargamer'' criticized the lack of a clear, stable brand name. She commented that since the revision was announced, "this is actually the ''fourth'' name" it was given by Wizards of the Coast so "the 'D&D 5.5e' label marks the end of a years-long acrobatics act, where Wizards tried (unsuccessfully) to avoid admitting it had designed a new edition".<ref name="Wargamer-2026" />
==''Dungeons & Dragons'' variants== Kenzer & Company received permission from Wizards of the Coast to produce a parody version of 1st and 2nd edition ''AD&D''. They published the humorously numbered ''HackMaster'' 4th edition from 2001 until they lost their license.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kenzer|first1=David S.|author-link=David Kenzer|title=HackMaster: A History|url=http://www.kenzerco.com/hackmaster/pdf/hackmaster_history.pdf|website=Kenzer & Company|access-date=January 29, 2018|date=April 12, 2012}}</ref> The game was well received and won the Origins Award for ''Game of the Year 2001''.<ref>{{cite web|title=2001 - List of Winners|url=http://www.originsgames.com/awards/2001|website=The Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design|publisher=Wayback Machine|access-date=January 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070830114254/http://www.originsgames.com/awards/2001|archive-date=August 30, 2007}}</ref> A new edition of ''HackMaster'' was released in 2011 that no longer uses ''AD&D'' mechanics as Kenzer & Company's license expired.
=== Open Game License === {{Main|Open Game License|Game System License}}
The publication of the System Reference Document (SRD) for 3rd edition under the Open Game License (OGL) allowed other companies to use the rules to create their own variants of ''Dungeons & Dragons'', providing that they did not use anything Wizards of the Coast considered trade dress or signature content, known as "product identity" under the terms of the OGL.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wizards.com/d20/files/OGLv1.0a.rtf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030604210922/http://www.wizards.com/d20/files/OGLv1.0a.rtf|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 4, 2003|title=Open Gaming License v1.0a|publisher=Wizards of the Coast|date=2000|access-date=October 27, 2015}}</ref> In January 2016, Wizards of the Coast published an updated SRD for 5th edition D&D.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://dnd.wizards.com/articles/features/systems-reference-document-srd |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112195136/http://dnd.wizards.com/articles/features/systems-reference-document-srd |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 12, 2016 |title = Systems Reference Document (SRD)}}</ref>
"Retro-clones" are variants created to even more closely simulate previous editions, part of a movement known as the Old School Renaissance.<ref name="OSRhistory" /> ''Castles & Crusades'', published in 2004 by Troll Lord Games, is an early example of the OGL and SRD being used to recreate the experience of older editions.<ref name="OSRhistory">{{cite news|last1=Malisczewski|first1=James|title=Full Circle: A History of the Old School Revival|url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/tabletop/columns/days-of-high-adventure/6412-Full-Circle-A-History-of-the-Old-School-Revival|access-date=November 23, 2015|work=The Escapist|date=August 20, 2009|archive-date=March 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324030822/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/tabletop/columns/days-of-high-adventure/6412-Full-Circle-A-History-of-the-Old-School-Revival|url-status=dead}}</ref> Prominent retro-clones include ''Labyrinth Lord'', ''OSRIC'', and ''Swords & Wizardry''.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Harnish|first1=MJ|title=Everything Old Is New Again: Old School D&D|url=https://www.wired.com/2011/08/everything-old-is-new-again-old-school-dd/|access-date=November 23, 2015|magazine=Wired|date=August 27, 2011}}</ref>
The ''Pathfinder Roleplaying Game'' was first published in 2009 by Paizo Publishing. It is intended to be backward-compatible with ''D&D'' v. 3.5 while adjusting some rules balance, and has been nicknamed "v. 3.75" by some fans.<ref name="present">{{cite web|last=Tito|first=Greg|title=The State of D&D: Present|url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/features/9293-The-State-of-D-D-Present.2|work=The Escapist|access-date=October 1, 2013|date=December 28, 2011|archive-date=January 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103050322/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/features/9293-The-State-of-D-D-Present.2|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="wired2">{{cite web|last=Baichtal|first=John|title=No D&D 4E for Paizo?!?|url=https://www.wired.com/geekdad/2008/03/no-dd-4e-for-pa/|work=Wired.com|publisher=Conde Nast|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717020004/http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2008/03/no-dd-4e-for-pa|archive-date=July 17, 2012 |access-date=October 1, 2013|date=March 25, 2008}}</ref> ''Pathfinder'' has been one of the best-selling role playing games in the industry.<ref name="wired1" /> A second edition, which moves away from the v. 3.5 mechanics, was published in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/v2/2019/06/24/first-impressions-of-pathfinder-second-edition/|title=First Impressions of Pathfinder Second Edition|last=Nelson|first=Samantha|date=June 24, 2019|website=Escapist Magazine|language=en-US|access-date=August 1, 2019|archive-date=August 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801160527/https://www.escapistmagazine.com/v2/2019/06/24/first-impressions-of-pathfinder-second-edition/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
''13th Age'' is a game designed by Jonathan Tweet, a lead designer of the 3rd Edition, and Rob Heinsoo, a lead designer of 4th Edition, and published by Pelgrane Press in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 26, 2013|title=13th Age RPG delivers an incredible fantasy storytelling experience|url=https://gizmodo.com/13th-age-rpg-is-an-incredible-fantasy-storytelling-expe-1201550758|access-date=September 23, 2021|website=Gizmodo|language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=October 10, 2014|title=Tabletop Review: 13th Age Bestiary|url=http://diehardgamefan.com/2014/10/10/tabletop-review-13th-age-bestiary/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011011648/http://diehardgamefan.com/2014/10/10/tabletop-review-13th-age-bestiary/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 11, 2014|access-date=September 23, 2021|website=Diehard GameFAN|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Kain|first=Erik|date=May 20, 2013|title=13th Age: The New Tabletop Game From The Lead Designers Of 3rd And 4th Edition Dungeons And Dragons|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2013/05/20/13th-age-review-the-excellent-new-tabletop-game-from-the-lead-designers-of-3rd-and-4th-edition-dungeons-and-dragons/|access-date=September 23, 2021|website=Forbes|language=en}}</ref>
In January 2023, Wizards of the Coast announced that the full System Reference Document 5.1 (SRD 5.1) would be released under the CC-BY-4.0 license.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brink |first=Kyle |date=January 27, 2023 |title=OGL 1.0a & Creative Commons |url=http://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1439-ogl-1-0a-creative-commons |access-date=January 27, 2023 |website=D&D Beyond |language=en-us |type=Press release}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=January 27, 2023 |title=Dungeons & Dragons Scraps Plans to Update Its Open Game License |url=https://gizmodo.com/dungeons-dragons-will-no-longer-deauthorize-its-open-1850041837 |access-date=January 27, 2023 |website=Gizmodo |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Charlie |date=January 27, 2023 |title=D&D won't change the OGL, handing fans and third-party publishers a massive victory |url=https://www.polygon.com/23574677/dungeons-dragons-dnd-ogl-canceled-wizards-fans-win |access-date=January 27, 2023 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}</ref>
==International editions== {{Unreferenced section|date=August 2015}} The ''D&D'' franchise has been translated and published in several languages around the world.
A particular challenge has been the word dungeon, which in standard English means a single prison cell or oubliette originally located under a keep. Some languages, like Spanish, Italian, Finnish, and Portuguese, didn't translate the title of the game and kept it as it is in English: ''Dungeons & Dragons''. In Spanish-speaking countries, the 1983 animated series was translated in Hispanic America as ''Calabozos y Dragones'' and in Spain as ''Dragones y Mazmorras'' (''calabozo'' and ''mazmorra'' have in all Spanish-speaking countries the same meaning: a dungeon). In Brazil, the same animated series was translated as ''Caverna do Dragão'' (''Dragon's Cave''). This still brings great confusion amongst Spanish-speaking and Brazilian gamers about the name of the game, since all Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese translations of the game kept the original English title. In gaming jargon, however, a dungeon is not a single holding cell but rather a network of underground passages or subterranea to be explored, such as a cave, ruins or catacombs. Some translations conveyed this meaning well, e.g. Chinese ''龙与地下城'' (''Dragons and Underground Castles'', or ''Dragons and Underground Cities''). Some translations used a false friend of "dungeon", even if it changed the meaning of the title, such as the French ''Donjons et dragons'' (''Keeps and Dragons''). In Hebrew, the game was published as ''מבוכים ודרקונים'' (''Labyrinths and Dragons''). Additionally, some translations adopted the English word "dungeon" as a game term, leaving it untranslated in the text as well.
== See also == * List of ''Dungeons & Dragons'' rulebooks * ''Dungeons & Dragons'' retro-clones * System Reference Document 5.1
==References== {{reflist|colwidth=30em}} {{reflist|group=note}}
==Bibliography== * {{cite book | last = Allston | first = A. | author-link = Aaron Allston | title = Wrath of the Immortals | series = ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition'' (''AD&D2E'') |date=August 1992 | publisher = TSR | location = Lake Geneva, WI | isbn = 978-1-56076-412-0}} * {{cite book | last = Carter | first = M. | title = Races and Classes | series = ''Dungeons & Dragons'' (''D&D'') 4th edition |date=December 2007 | publisher = Wizards of the Coast | location = Renton, WA | isbn = 978-0-7869-4801-7}} * {{cite book | last = Cook | first = D. | author-link = David Cook (game designer) | editor-last = Breault | editor-first = M | editor-link = Michael Breault | title = Player's Handbook | series = AD&D2E |date=March 1989 | publisher = TSR | isbn = 978-0-88038-716-3}} * {{cite book | last = Cook | first = D. | editor1-last = Spector | editor1-first = W. | editor1-link = Warren Spector | editor2-last = Rabe | editor2-first = J. | editor2-link = Jean Rabe | editor3-last = Schend | editor3-first = S | editor3-link = Steven Schend | title = Dungeon Master's Guide | series = AD&D2E | date = June 1989 | publisher = TSR | isbn = 978-0-88038-729-3 | url = https://archive.org/details/dungeonmastersgu00tsri }} * {{cite book | first1 = M. | last1 = Cook | author1-link = Monte Cook | first2 = J. | last2 = Tweet | author2-link = Jonathan Tweet | first3 = S. | last3 = Williams | author3-link = Skip Williams | title = Dungeon Master's Guide: Core Rulebook II | series = ''D&D'' 3rd edition | date = September 2000 | publisher = Wizards of the Coast | isbn = 978-0-7869-1551-4 | name-list-style=amp| url = https://archive.org/details/dungeonmastersgu00mont }} * {{cite book | first1 = M. | last1 = Cook | first2 = J. | last2 = Tweet | first3 = S. | last3 = Williams | others = Revised by D. Noonan & R. Redman | title = Dungeon Master's Guide: Core Rulebook II v.3.5 |date=July 2003 | publisher = Wizards of the Coast | isbn = 978-0-7869-2889-7 |name-list-style=amp}} * {{cite book | url = http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/20030718a | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20030811174402/http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/20030718a | url-status = dead | archive-date = August 11, 2003 | title = D&D v.3.5 Accessory Update Booklet | first1 = A. | last1 = Collins | author1-link = Andy Collins (game designer) | first2 = D. | last2 = Noonan | first3 = J. | last3 = Wyatt | author3-link = James Wyatt (game designer) | year = 2003 | publisher = Wizards of the Coast | format = PDF | access-date = March 12, 2007}} * {{cite book | last = Gygax | first = G. | author-link = Gary Gygax | title = Monster Manual | url = https://archive.org/details/advanceddungeonsm00gyga | url-access = registration | series = ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons'' (''AD&D'') | year = 1977 | publisher = TSR | isbn = 978-0-935696-00-4}} * {{cite book | last = Gygax | first = G. | title = Player's Handbook | url = https://archive.org/details/pdfy-my6p8niGqahpilXi | series = AD&D | year = 1978 | publisher = TSR | isbn = 978-0-935696-01-1}} * {{cite book | last = Gygax | first = G. | title = Dungeon Master's Guide | series = AD&D | year = 1979 | publisher = TSR | isbn = 978-0-935696-02-8}} * {{cite book | first1 = G. | last1 = Gygax | first2 = D. | last2 = Arneson | author2-link = Dave Arneson | title = Dungeons & Dragons | edition = Original | year = 1974 | publisher = TSR |name-list-style=amp}} * {{cite book | first1 = G. | last1 = Gygax | first2 = D. | last2 = Arneson | editor-last = Holmes | editor-first = J. E | editor-link = John Eric Holmes | title = D&D: Basic Set | year = 1977 | publisher = TSR | isbn = 978-0-394-51111-5 |name-list-style=amp}} * {{cite book | first1 = G. | last1 = Gygax | first2 = D. | last2 = Arneson | editor-last = Moldvay | editor-first = T | editor-link = Tom Moldvay | title = D&D Fantasy Adventure Game: Basic Set |date=March 1981 | publisher = TSR | isbn = 978-0-394-51834-3 |name-list-style=amp}} * {{cite book | first1 = G. | last1 = Gygax | first2 = D. | last2 = Arneson | editor-last = Cook | editor-first = D | title = D&D: Expert Set |date=November 1981 | publisher = TSR | isbn = 978-0-394-52198-5 |name-list-style=amp}} * {{cite book | first1 = G. | last1 = Gygax | first2 = D. | last2 = Arneson | editor-last = Mentzer | editor-first = F | editor-link = Frank Mentzer | title = D&D Set 1: Basic Rules |date=May 1983 | publisher = TSR | isbn = 978-0-88038-338-7 |name-list-style=amp}} * {{cite book | first1 = G. | last1 = Gygax | first2 = D. | last2 = Arneson | editor-last = Mentzer | editor-first = F | title = D&D Set 2: Expert Rules |date=October 1983 | publisher = TSR | isbn = 978-0-88038-339-4 |name-list-style=amp}} * {{cite book | first1 = G. | last1 = Gygax | first2 = F. | last2 = Mentzer | title = D&D Set 4: Master Rules |date=January 1985 | publisher = TSR | isbn = 978-0-88038-342-4 |name-list-style=amp}} * {{cite web | url = http://www.wizards.com/dnd/dnddefinitivefaq.asp | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20010429183820/http://www.wizards.com/dnd/dnddefinitivefaq.asp | url-status = dead | archive-date = April 29, 2001 | title = Dungeons & Dragons FAQ | first1 = J. A. | last1 = Hahn | first2 = L. | last2 = Mead | first3 = I. | last3 = Malcolmson | year = 2003 | publisher = Wizards of the Coast | access-date = April 3, 2007}} * {{cite book | first1 = H. | last1 = Johnson | author1-link = Harold Johnson (game designer) | first2 = S. | last2 = Winter | author2-link = Steve Winter (game designer) | first3 = P. | last3 = Adkinson | author3-link = Peter Adkison | first4 = E. | last4 = Stark | first5 = P. | last5 = Archer | title = 30 Years of Adventure: A Celebration of Dungeons & Dragons |date=October 2004 | publisher = Wizards of the Coast | isbn = 978-0-7869-3498-0 |name-list-style=amp}} * {{cite book | last = Mentzer | first = F. | title = D&D Set 3: Companion Rules |date=July 1984 | publisher = TSR | isbn = 978-0-88038-340-0}} * {{cite book | last = Mentzer | first = F. | title = D&D Set 5: Immortals Rules |date=June 1986 | publisher = TSR | isbn = 978-0-88038-341-7}} * {{cite book | last = Schend | first = S. E. | editor1-last = Pickens | editor1-first = J | editor1-link = Jon Pickens | editor2-last = Warty | editor2-first = D | title = D&D Rules Cyclopedia |date=November 1991 | publisher = TSR | isbn = 978-1-56076-085-6}} * {{cite book | first1 = J. | last1 = Tweet | first2 = M. | last2 = Cook | first3 = S. | last3 = Williams | title = Player's Handbook: Core Rulebook I | series = ''D&D'' 3rd edition |date=August 2000 | publisher = Wizards of the Coast | isbn = 978-0-7869-1550-7 |name-list-style=amp}} * {{cite book | first1 = J. | last1 = Tweet | first2 = M. | last2 = Cook | first3 = S. | last3 = Williams | others = Revised by A. Collins | title = Player's Handbook: Core Rulebook I v.3.5 |date=July 2003 | publisher = Wizards of the Coast | isbn = 978-0-7869-2886-6 |name-list-style=amp}} * {{cite journal | last = Ward | first = J. M. | author-link = James M. Ward | editor-last = Moore | editor-first = R. E | editor-link = Roger E. Moore |date=February 1990 | title = The Game Wizards: Angry Mothers from Heck (and what we do about them) | journal = Dragon | issue = 154 | page = 9 | location = Lake Geneva, WI | publisher = TSR | issn = 0279-6848}} * {{cite book | first1 = S. | last1 = Williams | first2 = M. | last2 = Cook | first3 = J. | last3 = Tweet | title = Monster Manual: Core Rulebook III | series = ''D&D'' 3rd edition |date=October 2000 | publisher = Wizards of the Coast | isbn = 978-0-7869-1552-1 |name-list-style=amp}} * {{cite book | first1 = S. | last1 = Williams | first2 = M. | last2 = Cook | first3 = J. | last3 = Tweet | others = Revised by R. Baker | title = Monster Manual: Core Rulebook III v.3.5 |date=July 2003 | publisher = Wizards of the Coast | isbn = 978-0-7869-2893-4 |name-list-style=amp}} * {{cite web | url = http://www.wizards.com/dnd/files/conversionbook.zip | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060209091512/http://www.wizards.com/dnd/files/conversionbook.zip | url-status = dead | archive-date = February 9, 2006 | title = Conversion Manual | last = Williams | first = S. | year = 2000 | publisher = Wizards of the Coast | format = PDF | access-date = March 12, 2007}}
==External links== * [http://www.acaeum.com/ The Acaeum: ''Dungeons & Dragons'' Knowledge Compendium]
{{D&D topics}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Editions of Dungeons and Dragons}} Category:Dungeons & Dragons Category:Versions of works