D&D ID

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

“(A)D&D” I use to refer to it all. (i.e. “‘D&D’ with or without the ‘A’”) Sometimes I used “pre-2000” or “post-2000”.

Cloned as
(links leave site)
Classic D&D oD&D
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)
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)
RC
c. 1991		 D&D Rules Cyclopedia The Classic D&D Game (RC) Wrath of the Immortals (RC) Dark Dungeons
AD&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
post-2000 D&D
TETSNBN
d20 D&D?
D&D>2?
D&D≥3? 		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
D&D4e
c. 2008		 D&D4e Players Handbook D&D4e Dungeon Masters Guide D&D4e Monster Manual

Other rough distinctions that can be useful:

See also edition related nicknames & insults