D&D ID

An illustrated guide to how I typically identify the editions of D&D.

(“TSR D&D” can refer to both classic D&D and AD&D)

Cloned as
(links leave site)
Classic D&D
published by TSR 		oD&D
a.k.a. 0e
c. 1973–1979		 oD&D Box
oD&D Men & Magic oD&D Mosters & Treasure oD&D The Underworld & Wilderness Adventures		 Swords & Wizardry
or
Labyrinth Lord + Original Edition Characters
Holmes
c. 1977–1979		 D&D Basic Set (Holmes) BLUEHOLME
B/X
Moldvay/Cook/Marsh
c. 1981–1982		 D&D Basic Set (B/X) D&D Expert Set (B/X) Labyrinth Lord
or
Basic Fantasy
BECMI
Mentzer
c. 1983–1989		 D&D Basic Set (BECMI) D&D Expert Set (BECMI)
D&D Companion Set (BECMI) D&D Master Set (BECMI) D&D Immortal Set (BECMI)		 Dark Dungeons
RC
c. 1991		 D&D Rules Cyclopedia The Classic D&D Game (RC) Wrath of the Immortals (RC)
AD&D
published by TSR

(Note that the dates overlap with classic D&D) 		oAD&D
a.k.a. 1e
c. 1978		 oAD&D Monster Manual oAD&D Players Handbook oAD&D Dungeon Masters Guide
oAD&D Monster Manual (2nd Cover) oAD&D Players Handbook (2nd Cover) oAD&D Dungeon Masters Guide (2nd Cover)		 OSRIC
or
Labyrinth Lord + Advanced Edition Companion
AD&D2e
c. 1989		 AD&D2e Players Handbook AD&D2e Dungeon Masters Guide AD&D2e Monstrous Compendium
AD&D2e Players Handbook (revised) AD&D2e Dungeon Masters Guide (revised) AD&D2e Monstrous Manual
Wizards of the Coast D&D D&D3.0e
c. 2000
 
“D&D3e” means I’m refering
to both 3.0 & 3.5 		D&D3e Players Handbook D&D3e Dungeon Masters Guide D&D3e Monster Manual
D&D3.5e
c. 2003		 D&D3.5e Players Handbook D&D3.5e Dungeon Masters Guide D&D3.5e Monster Manual Pathfinder
D&D4e
c. 2008		 D&D4e Players Handbook D&D4e Dungeon Masters Guide D&D4e Monster Manual
D&D5e
c. 2014		 D&D5e Players Handbook D&D5e Dungeon Masters Guide D&D5e Monster Manual

See also “(A)D&D hardback spines”.

Other rough distinctions that can be useful: