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Like every other older tabletop RPG on the market, Werewolf: the Apocalypse has multiple editions. Over time, traditional pen and paper RPGs add extra editions to make improvements to the system.
As with any changes, some will find themselves strictly loyal to the older versions. Others will welcome the changes with open arms, as with many DnD 5E players.
Of course, the quality of the changes themselves should come into question. Sometimes, older editions really are better, whether it’s because they were more logical or had more comprehensive lore.
Is this the case with Werewolf: the Apocalypse? We’re about to find out, because I’ll be discussing exactly that in this Werewolf: the Apocalypse best edition guide.
How Many Editions of Werewolf: the Apocalypse are there?
There honestly weren’t a lot of common questions online for me to answer in regard to specific editions, but I personally think one interesting question to consider is the number of them. Exactly how many editions are there available to players as I write this?
Although there is a fairly large number of books, there aren’t as many editions. There are only four: first, second, revised, and the 20th Anniversary Edition.
In my opinion, fewer editions makes it easier to get into a game. There are less decisions to be overwhelmed by. Because there are four editions, though, there is still one question worth asking: which one is the best?
Read Next: What is Werewolf: the Apocalypse? (A Beginner’s Brief Introduction)
Werewolf: the Apocalypse Best Edition
I say this a lot whenever I try and tackle the question of which edition is best for any system, so don’t hate me, but…I think the most recent edition, the 20th Anniversary Edition, is the best option all-around.
There are certainly die-hard fans of the old editions that will disagree with me. That’s fine. But I have my reasons for picking the 20th Anniversary Edition.
The first is that it’s simply easier to get access to. Released around a decade ago, it’s by far the most recent of the editions, and it’s therefore less of a hassle to get your hands on a copy.
Second, there’s no denying that earlier editions of the game were…well, problematic. Second edition especially had some issues with optics, to say the least, and many tribes fed into harmful ethnic stereotypes with their illustrations.
Combat also was far less graceful with older editions of WtA. It didn’t feel polished and was kind of difficult to learn. This is a huge detriment for a game that tends to focus heavily on conflict.
Finally, W20 makes it easier for players to step into the roles of Fera (other changing breeds aside from werewolves) than previous editions did. In a world where werewolves aren’t the only shapeshifters out there, the werewolves themselves can get surprisingly boring. This is a welcome addition to the game and works wonderfully for diverse groups of players.
Finding a way in-story to explain why a ragtag mixture of changing breeds is working together can be challenging, but a skilled storyteller should have no problem with it.
Want to see some of my favorite changing breeds? Check out my list of the most bad ass changing breeds in Werewolf: the Apocalypse.
Wrap Up
As I’ve said before and as I’ll likely continue to say – I wish more people played Werewolf: the Apocalypse. Out of the small library of White Wolf’s properties, it’s certainly one of the more popular, but that doesn’t mean it’s commonly played, especially when compared with Dungeons and Dragons.
If you’re interested in starting your own WtA campaign, I hope this brief guide has helped you. My greatest wish is that I’ve made the game slightly less intimidating for newcomers.
Do you still have some questions about the game? You can try taking a look at my guide on where to start in Werewolf: the Apocalypse. Of course, you also have the option of leaving me a comment below and I’ll do my best to answer any questions you may have.