From Expert Sets to the 2024 Rules Refresh Dungeons & Dragons has evolved by changing priorities , not by replacing ideas. D&D Timeline from roleplay-geek.blogspot.com Each edition is a response to how tables played—and what they needed next. Also note that releases were not specifically in edition order in the beginning of times. I'm talking to you D&D BECMI! This article walks edition by edition , clearly labeled, focusing on: Mechanical intent Player quality-of-life (QoL)