Ok, I made the mistake of asking this question in another thread which I feel really stupid for doing, so I wanted to move this question to its own thread to try and mitigate things.

So the question is this, what does D&D mean to everyone. When you strip everything down to its fundamental roots and base parts, what is left at the core of this game to you?

The important thing for me is not to conflate D&D with either TTRPGs, or even fantasy TTRPGs.

For me, D&D is a fantasy roleplaying game that uses a combination of six abilities and a d20 to determine success and failure against challenges including iconic monsters such as illithids and bulettes. If it doesn't have those elements, it doesn't feel like D&D to me.

It's a moving baseline (not a moving bass line).

I have no set criteria. I've seen people play the dice, ignore the dice, and everything in between. I've seen primordial, medieval, mundane, magical, steampunk, and more settings. 

It's difficult for me to pin down. So many ways to play and I like em.

Sorry about the noncommittal answer, but that's all I have.🤷🏻‍♂️

D&D is the game where imagination and creativity rule, but the dice determine (mostly d20s). Though the 6 ability scores are a major part of it, too me, they are not necessary for D&D to be D&D. I wouldn't get rid of any of them, just possibly change the name of Wisdom to something else to make it not so easily conflated/confused with Intelligence. 

D&D comes in different flavors to me. Classic LotR style D&D is one flavor, but it does not define the game and is no more important that the other flavors/styles of play. Ravnica, Eberron, Planescape, Spelljammer, Dark Sun, Ravenloft, and many different campaign settings have different, equally important, flavors. 

However, the main thing that makes D&D be the game that it is to me is the fun of it and the community. This hobby is a game, and the main purpose of games are to have fun. Again, people have different types of fun. My fun is different from your fun, which is different from their fun. If you're not having fun, it is not D&D. If you don't have friends to play it with, it's not D&D. 

Class-based, D20 resolution system, Str-Dex-Con-Int-Wis-Cha, fantasy? If a new edition omitted any of those 4, I wouldn’t think of it as D&D anymore. Probably at the very least Fighter, Rogue, Cleric, Wizard among the classes, and Human, Elf, Dwarf, Halfling among the races as well.

Strength, Intelligence, Wisdom, Dexterity, Constitution, Charisma, Hit Points, and Armor Class. Fighters, Cleric, Thief (rogue), and Wizard. Dwarf, Elf, Half elf, Halfling, Human, Gnome, Half orc. And “roll for initiative”

Oh! And Owlbears, definitely Owlbears. 

A system of roleplaying that involves using a twenty sided dice. The system should be focused on fantasy games, both supplements could expand it to other genres. Also, a species + class model is pretty iconic. 

I have only gotten into D&D about a year ago, and D&D is my first TTRPG, so I do not feel attached to any specific mechanic or lore. To me, D&D is an organized framework to have a cooperative storytelling experience. Basically, it is playing make-believe but with rules to make the process go smoother.

It’s the game where you get together with friends to tell stories of heroes who slay monsters, explore dungeons, and grab treasure, and the d20s determine whether they live or die.

Mechanically, attacking with d20s, the 6 ability scores, HP, AC, and classes (wizard/thief/fighter/cleric at least)...yeah that’s the key. In adventures, grid mapped dungeons, traps and saves, and iconic monsters like gelatinous cubes are pretty important too. But fundamentally, it’s that idea of being a fantasy Indiana Jones that forms the thematic core of the game. Even if not every campaign I run is like that (I’ve runs some crazy stuff like Ocean’s style heists) that’s still the heart of it, and it can’t ever be forgotten.

I agree with Naivara... that's pretty much captured the core of D&D.

Hey! I want to pick this thread back up! Such a cool question and I am want to know what others think!

For me, D&D is a tool to have fun, to strengthen community, to inspire your imagination, and even to gain insight into real life concepts and morals.

When I was introduced to D&D, the appeal for me was simply that it was a major rpg with dragons in it! Lol (I was only like 8 I think). Then, as I became more familiar with it, it became a great place for me to let the stories in my head come to life! I have always been a bit of a story teller, keeping my younger siblings laughing with ridiculous tales. As I have grown and matured some, stories that are a part of my personal beliefs, likes, and life have been brought forth here in D&D. 

I see D&D as a time where one can put himself into another place, another time, another life. And in that other life, as a place where no consequences that affect your real life happen, you can explore the feelings and life choices that you may never have. Similarly, you can practice your beliefs and such for the future when you are thrown into a world that, let's be honest, doesn't like you for who you are, but wants you to become part of its system. 

In doing this, you strengthen what you believe, testing out all of its ins and outs, searching for loopholes and how you would deal with them. I see D&D as a valuable way to improve your person, to honest your skills and thoughts! Now, it can't replace life experiences, or fully prepare you for them, but it can definitely help. And if you are doing this in the midst of a community with people and friends you love, you all can grow together, and become an inseparable team. I belive D&D has so much potential beyond pure entertainment or even a nerdy game lol. It is an enjoyable time that can be used to strengthen individuals and communties. 

So, when I make and DM campaigns, or play as characters, I often go into it with the attempt to explore life... making characters that live out my beliefs, or don't. I have then enter moments that I wonder about, and I test everything. This is how you grow as a human, as an individual who is special and unique. This is how you build strong relationships, how you build communities. Let's all test what we belive, and stretch what we know to the limits, to become sure in who we are, and find out who Yahweh made us to be, and how He wants us to live.

I also love D&D for its blend of rpg strategy and variety, with chance and storytelling! Such an amazing thing. Bless Yahweh for the creation of this wonderful and potentially meaningful game.

Well necromancy magic has happened again. Honestly the question is valid, but 4 years maybe a new thread and asking this a new as we are on the eve of the next big update.

For me, D&D is and has always been a social game of corporation and team work to meet and beat challenges as a group. I feel most at home with a beer and pizza at a big table and dice, minis and terrain not required. 

I have accepted that in the 21st millennia online discord style games are how we do things now. It makes me sad, esp as the DM, as I want to use the physical books and have people in  a shared space enjoying the game and the company together. But our world has changed, and so adapt I have. Still sad, but hey VTTs are cool, still prefer theater of the mind, and a  big grid eraser map for combat. Something special about being able to drop some dry ice in a Tupperware when I want some fog, or have a boombox in the corner playing Bard Punk covers while the party is in a tavern. Headphones Discord and music don't mix well btw. 

Quote from gothicshark >>

Well necromancy magic has happened again. Honestly the question is valid, but 4 years maybe a new thread and asking this a new as we are on the eve of the next big update.

For me, D&D is and has always been a social game of corporation and team work to meet and beat challenges as a group. I feel most at home with a beer and pizza at a big table and dice, minis and terrain not required. 

I have accepted that in the 21st millennia online discord style games are how we do things now. It makes me sad, esp as the DM, as I want to use the physical books and have people in  a shared space enjoying the game and the company together. But our world has changed, and so adapt I have. Still sad, but hey VTTs are cool, still prefer theater of the mind, and a  big grid eraser map for combat. Something special about being able to drop some dry ice in a Tupperware when I want some fog, or have a boombox in the corner playing Bard Punk covers while the party is in a tavern. Headphones Discord and music don't mix well btw. 

 I do prefer everyone face to face in one room together for sure! Unfortunately, there aren't many folk i can consistently play with where i live, so DDB is sort of where i can plan and talk about this stuff with...not all the time, but for the most part. Also, I have met a few really awesome folks here, RoughCoronet0 being one of them!