0 D&D


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In my efforts to learn as much as I can about the history of the hobby, and to find new and better ways to improve my Pathfinder GMing, I've decided I want to check out the original 0e D&D books. Not Swords and Wizardry- the original originals, which I hear are full of depth and flavor. I've been told I could even get them from Paizo.com, or the new reprint of Wizard's old line.

However, there are so many names that get thrown around that I really don't know what to search for, let alone if the mentioned places have it. I know it isn't the 1E reprint books, I believe the basic edition and expert editions are likewise something else, etc., so what exactly am I searching for, and where could I find it? I've heard the term 'white box' thrown around a lot, but searching for it doesn't really seem to help.


A quick Ebay search turned up this.

Seems to be a Collectors Edition reprint of the white box as far as I can tell (although I'm no more familiar with OD&D than you so I can't say for sure.)


kyrt-ryder wrote:

A quick Ebay search turned up this.

Seems to be a Collectors Edition reprint of the white box as far as I can tell (although I'm no more familiar with OD&D than you so I can't say for sure.)

Really hoping for a PDF if one is available. Even with the rereleasing of D&D's past going on all over the place, is that not available?


The booklets in the link by kyrt-ryder are what you are looking for.

There are two versions: the earlier printings use hobbit, ent, etc while the later (6+ I belive) substitute halfling, tree-ent, etc. The earlier printings sell for a lot more money.

Wizards of the Coast will be selling reprints of these in November, along with the 4 supplements (Greyhawk, Blackmoor, Eldritch Wizardry, and Deities and Demigods. They also come in a wooden box and have a nice set of dice.

Shadow Lodge

A warning: the organization in these booklets is close to nonexistent. 1E gets that same criticism, but it is undeniably light-years ahead of the 0e stuff in regards to organization. In short, if you are looking to get 0e just for historical purposes, cool. If you actually intend to play, I'd strongly recommend Swords & Wizardry.

The 0e PDFs haven't come yet, but I would wager they will eventually. Eventually being a key word...I wouldn't expect them anytime even remotely soon. Releasing the PDFs might cut into the reprint sales, after all.


Kthulhu is right about the lack of organization, but they are also small. You get familiar with them pretty quick and it's easy to find stuff. If you are going to play the original game use the supplements as well (at least Greyhawk and Blackmoor) or it will be a very "bare bones" game. Finding the originals can be a hit or miss thing (not for me, I'm that old) and expensive at that. The dead tree reprint box set coming from Wizards is $150 for the original 3 booklets and the four supplements that followed. That's a bargain compared to the prices I've seen and been offered for originals in any rerasonable condition. And, as was mentioned above, PDFs aren't lIkely until they sell out their reprint boxed sets. I do want the, eventual, PDF releases to save wear and tear on my originals.

*edit* The differences between Swords and Wizardry and the original game are pretty minor. At one point I intended to pencil them into my copy of S&W, but that was shelved for lack of time...


AdamMeyers wrote:
Really hoping for a PDF if one is available. Even with the rereleasing of D&D's past going on all over the place, is that not available?

The original three booklets are not currently legally available in PDF (though I do believe they were available for a brief time back last time WotC was doing older edition PDFs).

Shadow Lodge

Also, while the first two or three weeks saw quite a lot of PDFs released by WotC, the past couple of weeks have seen that taper down a LOT, to about 4-6 products per week. I don't doubt their stated intention to eventually bring the entire D&D library out in PDF, but at this rate it's gonna be years and years before the back library is complete.


As a general resource for all things old school, I recommend the website Dragonsfoot, their forums are pretty much the last haven and main hub for the older editions of D&D and its players.

Sovereign Court Owner - Enchanted Grounds, President/Owner - Enchanted Grounds

Gambit wrote:
As a general resource for all things old school, I recommend the website Dragonsfoot, their forums are pretty much the last haven and main hub for the older editions of D&D and its players.

I was beaten to the punch! I had every intention of leaving this exact post and being the cool guy with the link...

Hey, wait! The Link.

Webstore Gninja Minion

Moved thread.


Adventure Path Charter Subscriber; Pathfinder Starfinder Adventure Path Subscriber

If what you want is information about older versions of D&D, I'd recommend going to The Acaeum. They're an excellent, up-to-date resource for information about the earliest versions of the game.

For example, here's their resource page about the Original D&D Set.

Liberty's Edge

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0e D&D is like buying a ZX81 computer. Seems a cool idea and you will use it for the first few weeks because you brought the darn thing. But ultimately it'll sit on your shelf gathering dust. Buy with this in mind...

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